Chapter 2:

Analyze Word Structure

The Skill:
Analyze Word Structure

Word structure analysis means using the structure (parts)of

a word to figure out the words meaning.

Word structure analysis lets you confirm the educated guess

you made using context clues.

The three types of word parts are prefixes, roots, and

suffixes.

Like puzzle pieces, you can fit them together to get the
overall picture (meaning).

2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

Prefixes

Prefixes are word parts that are added to the

beginning of a base (root) word.

They add their meaning to the meaning of the base

word. Example: prefix pre- (before) + fix (attach) =
a word part that is attached before the root word

Prefixes can mean not, can indicate location or

spatial relationships, number or amount, or have
other meanings.

2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

Roots

Roots are base words to which other word parts (prefixes and
suffixes) are added.

Each root has a specific meaning meaning.

Examples:

agree
= go together
disagree = be different from one another
agreement= harmony of peoples opinion or actions or
characters

Knowing common roots can be the key to understanding

entire families of related words. These groups of related
words are called cognates.

Common roots: bio, mis, dict, and spect.

2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

Suffixes

Suffixes are word parts that are added at the end of a base
word.

Some suffixes have a specific meaning; others change the root

words part of speech.
Examples: joyful = full of joy
calmness (noun), calmer (adjective), calmly (adverb)

Common suffixes: -y, -ness, -ion, -er, -al, -able, and -ly.

Suffixes are not as helpful as other word parts.

2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

Memory Peg
Prefixes come first, like the dinosaurs head.
The root is like the body.
Suffixes, like the tail, come at the end.
prefix

suffix
root
2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

The Technique
Use prefixes, roots, and suffixes to unlock word meanings.

Question to ask yourself:

What clues do the parts of
this word give me about the
meaning of the word?

2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

A word can consist of

a root only (scribe)
a prefix and a root (prescribe)
a prefix + root + suffix (prescription)
a root and a suffix (scripted)

2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

Scribe, script =
to write

The Edge: Pointers

Use word structure clues to confirm guesses based
on context clues.
Read the etymology at the end of a dictionary
definition: It tells the word parts.
Word structure analysis is especially helpful for
scientific and technical words; it doesnt work for
every word, though.
Prefixes and suffixes are usually separate syllables.

2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure