Formation of Words
Formation of Words
The word-formation process is the process by which new words are produced either by modification of existing words, adding prefixes & Suffixes, Conversion or Compounding.
Types of Word Formation :
The formation of words is classified into five types based on how the process of formation is carried out. They are:
» adding prefixes
» adding suffixes
» Forming compound words
» Converting from one word class to another
» Cutting or clipping
Adding Prefixes
The term ‘prefix’ refers to one or more alphabets added to the stem of a word, mostly to make it negative. The most commonly used prefixes include im, in, ir, il, re, em, en, de, un, dis, mis, pre, non, mini, semi, viceetc.
| Prefix | Words |
|---|---|
| im | impolite, impotent, impure, immaterial |
| in | indiscipline, incompetent |
| ir | irregular, irrelevant |
| im | immoral |
| il | illogical, illegal, illiterate |
| re | recast, refund, reclaim |
| em | empower, embody, embark |
| en | encourage, enrich, enlist |
| de | deform, defame, demoralise |
| un | unfortunate, untie, unexpected |
| dis | disappear, dislike, discourage |
| mis | miscarriage, mistrust, mismanage |
| pre | premature, prepaid, prefix |
| non | non-cooperation, non-refundable, nonsense |
| mini | mini-computer, mini-car, miniskirt |
| semi | semi-modal, semicircle, semicolon |
| vice | vice captain vice chairman vice-president |
Adding Suffixes
A suffix is a short syllable added at the end of a base word. The addition of suffixes usually changes the word class of the particular word. The most common suffixes include ‘-ment’, ‘-ness’, ‘-ity’, ‘-ous’, ‘-tion’, ‘-sion’, ‘-al’, ‘-able’, ‘-ible’, ‘-ive’, ‘-ly’, ‘-ate’, ‘-er’, ‘-or’, etc.
| Prefix | Words |
|---|---|
| -ed | gifted, ruined, talented |
| -ist | socialist, artist, rightist |
| -img | painting, gardening, watering |
| -en | bolden, hidden, maiden |
| -ish | selfish, boyish, womanish |
| -ful | joyful, truthful, fearful, colourful, powerful, cheerful |
| -ly | godly, manly, suddenly |
| -ship | friendship, membership, hardship |
| -ness | kindness, fastness, goodness |
| -less | artless, tasteless |
Conversion
The process of conversion focuses solely on changing the word class of the particular word. If you have noticed, you would have seen how some nouns are used to perform the role of a verb or an adjective acting like a noun just by the addition of another word or slightly altering the spelling of the actual word.
| Can you text her? (verb from noun text, meaning to send a text-message) |
| They are always jetting somewhere. (verb from noun jet) |
| OK, so the meeting’s on Tuesday. That’s a definite. (noun from adjective) |
| All companies have their ups and downs. (nouns from prepositions) |
Forming Compound Words
Compound words are formed by combining one part of speech with another to form a specific word class. There are many ways in which compound words are formed. Verbs are combined with adjectives to form compound verbs, a present participle is combined with a noun to form a compound noun, two nouns are combined to form a compound noun, an adjective and a noun are combined to form a compound noun, an adverb is combined with a noun to form a compound noun, an adjective is combined with a past participle to form a compound adjective and so on. Take a look at the following examples and go through the articles on compound nouns, compound words and compound adjectives to understand how they work.
| Over (adverb) + load (noun) | Overload |
| White (adjective) + wash (verb) | Whitewash |
| Black (adjective) + board (noun ) | Blackboard |
| Cup (noun) + board (noun) | Cupboard |
| Short (adjective) + hand (noun) | Shorthand |
| Swimming (present participle) + pool (noun) | Swimming pool |
| Three (adjective) + legged (past participle) | Three-legged |
| Break (verb) + Down (preposition) | Breakdown |
| Up (preposition) + town (noun) | Uptown |
| Copy (verb) + writer (noun) | Copywriter |
| Sun (noun) + rise (verb) | Sunrise |
| Count (verb) + down (preposition) | Countdown |
| Flash (verb) + mob (noun) | Flash mob |
| Master (noun) + piece (noun) | Masterpiece |
| Round (adjective) + table (noun) | Round-table |
Cutting or clipping
Cutting or clipping words are formed by cutting some part of word.
Examples of Word Formation by Cutting or clipping
| Telephone | Phone |
| Teenagers | Teens |
| Picture with movement | Movie |