What is the prefix-suffix method of word formation? You will find the answer to this question in this article. In addition, we will tell you about what other word-formation methods are , how they differ from each other and give some specific examples.
General information
“Form the word in a prefix-suffix way ...” - this is the beginning of most exercises on the topics presented. But before proceeding with the practical task, it is required to study the theoretical part.
First you need to understand what word formation is. Under this term lies a whole section of linguistics. It studies all existing ways of forming words. Knowing them in theory and applying them in practice, one can quite easily understand how the Russian language is enriched all the time.
Ways to make words
The formation of words by the suffix-suffix method is one of the most difficult. It should also be noted that in addition to it, there are others in the Russian language. And before introducing the prefix-suffix method, you need to talk about other methods that play an equally important role in word formation.
So, in Russian there are the following methods by which new words are formed:
- prefixal;
- suffix;
- prefix-suffix;
- non-affix and a number of others.
In this article, we will only describe in more detail the first three. After all, such methods are interconnected, and they cannot be considered separately.
Prefix method of word formation
We will talk about what features the prefix-suffixal method of word formation conceals in ourselves. Now I want to tell you how the Russian language is enriched thanks to a purely prefixed way.
This method is characterized by the addition of a prefix (or the so-called prefix) to the base. Here are a few examples:
- the word "comrade" is formed using the prefix co, added to the production basis "comrade";
- the word "enemy" is formed using the prefix ne- added to the production basis "buddy";
- the word “superearly” is formed with the help of the super- prefix added to the production basis “early”;
- the word “give” is formed with the help of the prefix - added to the producing basis “give”;
- the word “distribute” is formed using the prefix “raz-” added to the producing basis “give”.
Features of the prefix method
When forming words in this way, you should know that:
- word-prefix is added to the whole word;
- the prefix method is used in the formation of absolutely all significant parts of speech;
- when adding any prefix, part of the speech of the main word does not change.
Suffix word formation method
To form the words suffix-suffix, it is necessary to know the basic rules of the suffix and affix method. The latter was considered above. As for the suffix method, then, according to the name, words in Russian with the help of it are formed by adding one or another suffix to the producing basis. Here are a few examples:
- the word "countryman" is formed by adding the suffix -yak- to the generating basis of "earth";
- the word "birch" is formed by adding the suffix -nyak to the generating basis of "birch";
- the word "grayness" is formed by adding the suffix -ost- to the generating basis of "sulfur";
- the word “employee” is formed by adding the suffix ––– to the production basis of “work”;
- the word “room” is formed by adding the suffix –n- to the producing basis of “rooms”.
Features of the suffix method
The presented method of word formation is one of the most common. Using this method, almost all significant parts of speech are formed in our native language. It should also be noted that with the suffix method, part of the speech of a new word may be the same as that of the producer, or it may differ. For example, nouns with suffixes –eni and –ani- are usually formed from verbs (appear - appearance).
Attachment suffix method
It is not in vain that the two previous word-formation methods were presented to your attention, because the aforementioned method consists in simultaneously attaching a suffix and a prefix to the production basis. It should be noted that the mentioned method of word formation is the most difficult.
The suffix method: examples of word formation
Despite the fact that this method of word formation is recognized as one of the most difficult, thanks to it our language has become more diverse and beautiful. After all, there is an incredible number of combinations of prefixes and suffixes that can be attached to almost any manufacturing basis. In order for you to be convinced of this, we will present several examples:
- the word "mediocre" is formed by the suffix –n– and the prefix without– added to the producing basis “gift”;
- the word “gift” is formed using the suffix ––– and the prefix– added to the generating basis “gift”;
- the word “chorus” is formed using the suffix –– and the prefix pri– added to the “singing” production basis;
- the word "five" is formed using the suffix -om- and the prefix -, added to the producing basis of "five";
- the word "blind" is formed using the suffix -owat- and the prefix pod-, added to the producing basis "blind";
- the word “inevitable” is formed with the suffix –n– and the prefix ne– added to the avoid basis.
Features of the suffix-suffix method
As you can see, forming a word in a suffix-suffix way is quite difficult. And to do it right, you need to know all the features used morphemes.
By the way, using this method, not only nouns and verbs are formed, but also an adverb and adjectives:
- a glass - a cup holder;
- arms-e - disarm;
- sv-in his own way;
- Chef - sponsored.
When using this method of word formation, you should also pay attention to the following nuances:
1. The meaning of a new word, which was formed using the prefix-suffix method, is often inferred from a combination of a noun, which is in an indirect case, and a preposition. In the derivative expression, the prefix homonymous with the latter is usually used. For instance:
- windowsill, that is, under the window;
- cup holder, that is, under a glass;
- moonless, that is, without the moon.
2. We should not forget that the suffix -y- may not be expressed in a word with a graphic sign. For instance:
- people-and-without-people [th] th.
3. All dialects that are written with a hyphen are formed using the prefix-suffix method. For instance:
- from adjectives through prefixes and suffixes –––––– (adult –– as an adult, wolf –– as a wolf [th] ––, good - as good as him, companionable as comradely );
- from ordinal numbers by means of prefixes vo- and v-, as well as suffixes –ih- and –yh- (third - third-third, first - first-first).
4. As mentioned above, the meaning of derivative words, which were formed by the prefix-suffix method, is usually motivated by a combination of a noun with a preposition. Moreover, in the derivative adjective, the prefix is applied, which is homonymous with the preposition, and also has a zero suffix. For instance:
- without-horn-0-th, that is, without horns;
- without-legs-0th, that is, without legs.
However, there are also derived derivatives of the adjective, which along with the prefix have a materially expressed suffix. For instance:
- harmless-n-th (derived from the preposition and the noun “harmless”);
- no-ticket-n-th (derived from the preposition and the noun “no ticket”).
Material fastening
Now you know how words are formed using the prefix, suffix or prefix-suffix methods. In order to consolidate this topic, you need to perform several of the following exercises:
1. If possible, then form nouns, adjectives, verbs and an adverb from the following bases in a suffix-suffix way: sword, village, work, cry, read, harm, story, window, door, wilderness, trembling, reach, height, notch , sunrise.
2. Define the producing words for the following adjectives: innocent, illiterate, beardless, hairy, voiceless, talkative, couch, polar, bony, long-distance, present, stepfather, jurisdictional, onion, today's, tolerant, tired, reading.