Are you wondering about what are the root words in English?
Root words in English grammar are the words that are the base word, and it helps to make new words by adding prefixes and/or suffixes.
In this article, you will learn the root words and how to boost your English vocabulary by making new words with root words.
Let’s get started!
A root word is a word without prefixes or suffixes added to it.Â
A prefix is a group of letters added at the beginning of the root word.
A suffix is a group of words added at the end of the words.
Why are they called root words?
They are called root words because they help make new words. They act like a tree’s roots, providing the foundations for new branches to grow and flourish.
Why you need to learn the root words in English
- Expand vocabulary
- improve spelling proficiency
- improve reading comprehension skills
- decode unknown words
Examples of Root Words
1. Root Word: Civ
- Civil
- Civilization
- Uncivilized
- Civic
2. Root Word: Friend
- Friendly
- Unfriendly
- Friendship
- Befriend
3. Doc
- Document
- Indocutrinate
- Doctor
- Documentary
Val
- Value
- Evaluate
- Valor
- Valid
Terr
- Terrain
- Extraterrestrial
- Subterranean
- territory
Port
- Transportation
- PortableÂ
- Import/Export
- Portal
Gen
- GeneralÂ
- Gender
- Generic
- Genrerate
- Genre
Audi
- Audio
- Audience
- Inaudible
- Audition
Scribe/script
- Describe/Description
- Manuscript
- Scribble
Cycle
- Bicycle
- Motorcycle
- Cyclis
- Cyclical
Examples of Common Prefixes
Examples of Common Prefixes
Prefixes |
Prefix added to the root word |
| Ab | Abnormal |
| Al | Almighty |
| Co | Co-education |
| il | illegal |
| im | immature |
| Mis | Misbehave |
| Non | Nonfiction |
| Un | Undress |
| Un | Unhappy |
Examples of Common Suffixes
Examples of Common Suffixes
List of Root Words
Here is a list of common roots words:
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