Affixes

 Affixes

Affixes are morphemes, or the smallest units of meaning in a language, that are added to the beginning (prefixes), middle (infixes), or end (suffixes) of a word to create a new word or to change the meaning of an existing word. Affixes are an essential part of the process of word formation in many languages, including English. Here's a breakdown of the different types of affixes:

1. Prefixes: Prefixes are affixes that are added to the beginning of a word. They can change the meaning of the word.

   • Examples:
     • Un- (as in unhappy)
     • Re- (as in rewrite)
     • Pre- (as in prehistoric)

2. Infixes: Infixes are inserted within a word. In English, infixes are rare and often used for emphasis in informal speech.

   • Example: Fan-freakin'-tastic (the infix "-freakin'-" is added for emphasis)

3. Suffixes: Suffixes are affixes that are added to the end of a word. They can change the word's grammatical category (e.g., from a verb to a noun) or its meaning.

   • Examples:
     • -er (as in teacher)
     • -ly (as in quickly)
     • -tion (as in imagination)

Affixes are incredibly important in English because they allow for the creation of new words and help convey nuanced meanings. Understanding common prefixes, suffixes, and their meanings can be helpful in expanding your vocabulary and deciphering the meanings of unfamiliar words.