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What is an Affix?
What does affix mean? An affix literally “fix”es itself to a root word or a stem word. An affix changes the
meaning of a word.
An affix may be attached to the beginning or the end of a root or stem word.
If an affix is attached to the beginning of a word, it is called a prefix. If an affix is attached to the end of a
word, it is called a suffix.
Some root or stem words may have both an affix and a suffix or multiple affixes and suffixes in order to make
new words and to change the meaning of the root or stem word.
Affix Examples:
The two most common types of affixes are prefixes and suffixes.
Affixes definition Prefixes are a type of affix. Prefixes are “pre” (before) “fix”ed (attached) to a root or stem
to create a new word with a new meaning.
Prefixes themselves are not words. They must be attached to a root or a stem in order to create new words.
pre- (before)
mis- (wrong)
non- (not)
un- (not)
NOTE: This example uses the prefix to attach to the root “cred” (believe). A suffix “-ible” (able to) is also
attached to the root.
Examples of affixes Suffixes are a type of affix. Suffixes are “suf” (under/after) “fix”ed (attached) to a root or
stem to create a new word with a new meaning.
Suffixes themselves are not words. They must be attached to a root or a stem in order to create new words.
-ly (like)
-less (without)
Hyphenating Prefixes
Affixes examples You may have seen prefixes used before words that are hyphenated. This means that they
are not part of the word but rather are hyphenated before the word they intend to modify.
Words take hyphenated prefixes when they are used to describe a word but do not make an actual word when
attached.
For example:
This example is similar to the first. Together these words do not make a word. Therefore, the prefix must be
hyphenated.
NOTE: This is something that experienced writers can get away with because they are referring to concepts
more than writing words themselves. Novice writers should shy away from incorporating hyphenated prefixes
into their writing.
What is affix Similarly, may have seen hyphenated suffixes used at the end of words. This means that they are
not part of the word but rather are hyphenated after the word they intend to modify.
Hyphenated suffixes are very rare. Hyphenated suffixes are used to describe a word that does not make an
actual word when attached.
-style
-elect
-free
-based
Hyphenated suffixes are also used when the last letter of the word is same as first letter of the suffix.
graffiti-ism.
Define affix: The definition of affix is one or more letters or syllables attached to the beginning or end of a
word to change the word’s meaning.
In summary,
There are some cases where a prefix or suffix might be hyphenated when they attach to a word but that is
usually not the case.