Read words containing common prefixes and suffixes from the Y3-4 programme, applying knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes (morphology and etymology) to read aloud and understand new words
Every long word has a root word hiding inside it. The root word carries the main meaning. Sometimes letters get added to the front of it, called a prefix, like 'dis-', 'mis-', 're-', or 'pre-'. Sometimes letters get added to the end, called a suffix, like '-ation', '-ous', or '-ly'. The prefix or suffix changes what the word means, but the root word is still in there.
Start with the root word 'care'. Add '-less' and it becomes 'careless', a word that means without care. Add '-ly' to that and it becomes 'carelessly', a word that describes how someone does something.
When you meet a tricky word, cover up the letters at the start and end with your finger. Read the root word first, then think about what the prefix or suffix adds to its meaning.
Each prefix in this lesson carries its own meaning. 're-' means again, like in 'redo'. 'pre-' means before, like in 'prepay'. 'dis-' means not or the opposite, like in 'dislike'. 'mis-' means wrong, like in 'misread'.
Find the root word first, then work out what the prefix or suffix adds to its meaning.
Words are like building blocks. Many words are made of smaller parts, and each part has a job.
A root is the main part of a word. It carries the big meaning. For example, the root 'act' means 'do', so an 'activity' is something you do.
A prefix goes at the start of a word. It changes the meaning. For example, 're' means 'again', so 'redo' means do again. 'Un' means 'not', so 'unhappy' means not happy.
A suffix goes at the end of a word. It can change the meaning or the kind of word. For example, 'less' means 'without', so 'careless' means without care. Adding 'ly' to 'quick' gives us 'quickly'.
Here are some roots you will see a lot:
- act means do, like in activity - aud means hear, like in audience - aqua means water, like in aquarium - bene means good, like in benefit - bio means life, like in biology - graph means write, like in autograph - phon means sound, like in telephone - port means carry, like in transport
When you meet a new word, look for parts you know. Break the word into pieces, think about what each piece means, and put the meanings back together. That is how word detectives work!
Sometimes you read a word and you are not sure what it means. That is okay. There are clever ways to work it out.
First, look at the words around it. The rest of the sentence often gives you clues about what the tricky word means.
Next, look inside the word. Many words are built from smaller parts. A prefix at the start, a root in the middle, or a suffix at the end can tell you a lot. If you can spot 'happy' inside 'unhappiness', you are already close to the meaning.
If you are still stuck, a dictionary can help. A dictionary tells you what a word means and how to say it. A thesaurus is another handy book. It gives you words that mean the same thing, or nearly the same thing.
So next time a word puzzles you, try the clues first, then the word parts, and then a dictionary. You will be amazed how often you can crack the meaning yourself.
You know the little endings like -ing and -ed. Some word parts do bigger jobs, and they can bolt onto the front of a word as well as the end. Mia is reading a story and stops at a long one: unhappiness.
What is the root word hiding inside unhappiness?
Optional connections
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24 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.