Word formation process:
Word formation occurs when the word processes into a new word. It can happen in several ways.
Following are some key word formation processes:
Affixation, compounding, clipping, back-formation, derivation, conversion and neologization
etc.
Affixation
An affix is a morpheme that is attached to a word stem to form a new word or word form.
There are three types of affixes: prefixes, infixes, and suffixes
Prefixation: Adding a prefix to a word (e.g., un- + happy = unhappy)
Suffixation: Adding a suffix to a word (e.g., happy + -ness = happiness)
Prefixes:
Un- (undo, unfold)
Im- (impolite, immature)
In- (intolerant, indisciplined)
Il- (illogical, illegible)
Ir- (irregular, irresponsible)
De- (decode, destress)
Re- (redo, reappear
Suffixes:
beauty, duty + -ful → beautiful, dutiful (-y changes to i)
heavy, ready + -ness → heaviness, readiness (-y changes to i)
able, possible + -ity → ability, possibility (-le changes to il)
permit, omit + -ion → permission, omission (-t changes to ss)
Compounding:
Compound words are comprised of two smaller words that join together to create a new
meaning.
Formation of Compounding
1. Noun + Noun (bookshelf)
2. Adjective + Noun (full moon)
, 3. Verb + Noun (pickpocket)
4. Adverb + Verb (well-being)
5. Prefix + Word (co-pilot)
Types of compounding:
Closed Compounding (written as one word)
1. Bookshelf
2. Toothbrush
3. Birthday
4. Firefly
5. Horseshoe
Open Compounding (written as separate words)
1. Post office
2. Real estate
3. Full moon
4. High school
5. Ice cream
Hyphenated Compounding (written with a hyphen)
1. Self-portrait
2. Well-being
3. Merry-go-round
4. Two-thirds
5. Co-pilot
Endocentric Compounding (one word is the main element)
1. Houseplant (house is the main element)
2. Bicycle helmet (bicycle is the main element)
3. Football field (football is the main element)
Exocentric Compounding (neither word is the main element)
1. Pickpocket (neither pick nor pocket is the main element)
Word formation occurs when the word processes into a new word. It can happen in several ways.
Following are some key word formation processes:
Affixation, compounding, clipping, back-formation, derivation, conversion and neologization
etc.
Affixation
An affix is a morpheme that is attached to a word stem to form a new word or word form.
There are three types of affixes: prefixes, infixes, and suffixes
Prefixation: Adding a prefix to a word (e.g., un- + happy = unhappy)
Suffixation: Adding a suffix to a word (e.g., happy + -ness = happiness)
Prefixes:
Un- (undo, unfold)
Im- (impolite, immature)
In- (intolerant, indisciplined)
Il- (illogical, illegible)
Ir- (irregular, irresponsible)
De- (decode, destress)
Re- (redo, reappear
Suffixes:
beauty, duty + -ful → beautiful, dutiful (-y changes to i)
heavy, ready + -ness → heaviness, readiness (-y changes to i)
able, possible + -ity → ability, possibility (-le changes to il)
permit, omit + -ion → permission, omission (-t changes to ss)
Compounding:
Compound words are comprised of two smaller words that join together to create a new
meaning.
Formation of Compounding
1. Noun + Noun (bookshelf)
2. Adjective + Noun (full moon)
, 3. Verb + Noun (pickpocket)
4. Adverb + Verb (well-being)
5. Prefix + Word (co-pilot)
Types of compounding:
Closed Compounding (written as one word)
1. Bookshelf
2. Toothbrush
3. Birthday
4. Firefly
5. Horseshoe
Open Compounding (written as separate words)
1. Post office
2. Real estate
3. Full moon
4. High school
5. Ice cream
Hyphenated Compounding (written with a hyphen)
1. Self-portrait
2. Well-being
3. Merry-go-round
4. Two-thirds
5. Co-pilot
Endocentric Compounding (one word is the main element)
1. Houseplant (house is the main element)
2. Bicycle helmet (bicycle is the main element)
3. Football field (football is the main element)
Exocentric Compounding (neither word is the main element)
1. Pickpocket (neither pick nor pocket is the main element)
