1. Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes
Grammar Bites:
Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes

2. Root Words What is a root word? Example to know:
A root word is the word or word part that contains the primary meaning for a word.
Example to know:
“Bio” means “life.” Therefore “biology” is the study of living things (organisms).

3. Root Word List
Biblio
Bio
Dem
Derm
Geo
Graph/Gram
Log

4. Root Word Activity
Use a dictionary to find the meaning of the root words given.
Next, try to find an example for each root word, and write it on your ROOT WORDS handout.

5. Prefixes What is a prefix? Examples to Know:
A prefix is a word part added to the BEGINNING of a word.
Examples to Know:
“Im” “il” and “in” mean “not.”

6. Prefix List
Ad –
Anti-
De –
Dis –
Ir –
Mis –
Non –
Over –

7. Prefix Activity
Use a dictionary to find the meaning of the prefixes given.
Next, try to find an example of a word for each prefix. Write down the word and what it means.

8. Suffixes What is a suffix? Examples to Know:
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a word.
Examples to Know:
“-able” means “can” or “be”
“-est” means comparison

9. Suffix List
-ity
-less
-ly
-ment
-ness
-ous

10. Suffix Activity
Use a dictionary to find the meaning of the suffix given.
Next, try to find an example of a word for each suffix. Write down the word and what it means.