Defining Words with Known Affixes Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.3.4.B

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Affixes are added to root words and in turn change the meaning of the word. An affix that is found at the front of the root word is called a prefix. If you add an affix to the end of a root word, it is known as a suffix. In many cases a hyphen will be placed between the affix and the root word. A we placed affix cannot only change the meaning of a word, but how it is entirely pronounced. The worksheets found below will have students work with affixes in action.

Known Affixes Worksheets To Print:

Outdoor Fun – Which sports ball has the word you are looking for?

Birds & Fish – Add -ies or pre- to the word bank words.

Rockin' the Boat – Add -ly, -ing, or -y to the word in parentheses to help you complete each sentence.

Define the Prefix! – What is the meaning of the prefix? Use the guide words to help you.

Math with Words – This is a more difficult worksheet. It should only be attempted towards the end of the year.

Write Your Own Dictionary – Decode and define the following words based on what you already know about suffixes and root words.

Order Up! – Match the root word with the appropriate suffix to complete each sentence.

Snow Day! – Finish each sentence with the appropriate affix. Color each part of the snowman as you use the affix.

A Camping We Will Go! – Add dis-, mis-, or pre- to the word in parentheses to complete the sentence and mark the correct prefix with an "X."

Happy Thanksgiving! – Color each feather of the turkey as you complete each sentence.

Matching Words with Definitions – Match each word with its definition. The first one has been done for you.

Race Day! – You are the announcer of this race. Finish the sentences using the affixes that are written on the cars.

Tree Decorating – Add im- or dis- to each word in the word bank to make a new word. Write the new word under each matching tree.

Spring Time – Match the root word with the appropriate suffix to complete each sentence.

School of Fish – Write the word for the letter that matches each definition. The first one has been done for you.

What are Affixes?


It's mandatory to know the science behind forming new words in linguistics. A proficient writer must be aware of different ways to modify words. A common way to form a word with a new meaning is affixation. It is the process whereby writers add affixes before, within or after a word to make a completely new word. Affixes consist of three main types which include prefixes, infixes and suffixes.


Prefix


A prefix is added to the beginning of a word. You can remember this rule by breaking the word prefix into two parts, pre and fix. Pre means before and in this case fix means to attach. Which means you add prefixes before the original word. A few common prefixes are included in the list below:
Uni- unicolour
Tri- triangle
Pre- preschool
Anti- antibacterial
Inter- interschool
Un- unhappy
Ex- exclaim
Bi- bicycle
Dis- disable
Extra- extraordinary
Homo- homophone


Infix


An infix is placed in the middle of the word. It is obvious by the name where 'in' means between and 'fix' means add or attach. Infixes are mostly used in slangs and writers try to avoid using them in formal writing. They are considered informal because most infixes are created by the general public themselves. There is no proper existence of such words in the English vocabulary for example fan-tab-ulous. Infixes are also used to pluralize a few words. See the examples below to get an idea about it.
Spoonful- spoonsful
Passerby-passersby
Cupful- cupsful


Suffix


Suffixes are added at the end of the word. Sometimes, suffixes also cause a slight change in the spellings of the original word. For example, permit changes to permission. Notice that the letter T from permit has disappeared after adding a suffix. The list below includes common suffixes in linguistics.
Ful- beautiful
Able- manageable
Ism- capitalism
Less- harmless
tion-information
Sion- omission
Ist- specialist
Ness- happiness
Ment- achievement
Ship- relationship
Ity- capability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Rockin' the Boat Preview