WORD PARTS FOR
COMMUNICATIONS MODULES

This section is designed to introduce you to common parts of words: roots, prefixes, and suffixes. If you have already completed this section in another station you are free to skip it or to review the parts.

A train is one way to represent word parts.

The engine represents the root - the main part of the word that gives it meaning. The cars in a train represent other parts that you can add to the root to change the meaning of the word. Prefixes come before the root. Suffixes come after the root.

Maybe you can think of a better symbol to understand the parts of words. Would a dog, its tail and its nose work as a symbol? How about a tractor with a working part in front and another in the back? Draw your own picture once you understand the idea.

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ROOTS, PREFIXES, AND SUFFIXES

Knowing how to identify repeated parts of words can be very helpful. It will help you understand new words better. It will definitely help you understand medical terms that look long and difficult if you take them apart.

There are three parts that can be used with or added to words to change their meaning:

1. Prefixes – prefixes are parts that are added at the beginning of a basic word. For example, the prefix “pre” means before. If you add the prefix “pre” to the word “trial” you get “pretrial,” which means something that happens before a trial. So a prefix comes before the word.

• Main Part of the Word	Prefix Added	Changed Meaning
  Clog (to block)	Un+clog: unclog	To open/clear the block
  Build (to construct)	Re+ build: rebuild	To build again

Download and complete the handout at

http://www.theteachersguide.com/prefixessuffixes/prefixes.pdf

2. Suffixes – Suffixes are letter combinations added to the end of words. They will often change the function of a word in a sentence. For example, take the word “bone.” Add the suffix “less” to the word, and you change it to an adjective. Nouns name things. Adjectives describe them.

Main Part of the Word	Suffix Added	Changed meaning
Use	Use+ less: useless	Not usable
Dance	Dance+er: dancer	Someone who dances

Check and practice changing words using a common list of suffixes at

http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/comsuffixes.htm

3. Roots – The root of a word is what is left when you take away its prefixes and suffixes. In the tables above, the root is in the column that says, “Main Part of the Word.” That is the root.

• Go to http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-root-words.html and read a short explanation with examples of root words. Medical terms are full of root words that are put together, like cardio – vascular: cardiovascular.
• Go to https://www.pinterest.com/ and sign up for a fee account. Then go to  https://www.pinterest.com/reallyrachel/prefixes-suffixes-word-roots/. Scroll down the page and create one the games that they describe for learning, like Word Spokes or the Checkerboard game. Play the game with a friend. Discuss your experience with your coach.

Now return to the Communications Module for the station that you are completing.