Which statement describes a word that has a root word plus a prefix and a suffix?

Which statement describes a word that has a root word plus a prefix and a suffix?

• A. A word that is always single syllable.
• B. A word that has a root word plus a prefix and a suffix.
• C. A word that has only a prefix.
• D. A word with no affixes.

Answer: (B)

Words are built from morphemes—the root carries the main meaning, and prefixes and suffixes attach to modify that meaning or change the word’s part of speech. A word described as having a root word plus a prefix and a suffix shows exactly that structure: the base gives the core idea, a prefix adds or changes meaning, and a suffix changes its grammatical role or tense. For example, unbelievable includes the root believe, the prefix un- meaning not, and the suffix -able meaning capable of. The other statements don’t necessarily involve both a prefix and a suffix (syllable count isn’t a reliable indicator, a word could have only a prefix, or a word could have no affixes at all).

Words are built from morphemes—the root carries the main meaning, and prefixes and suffixes attach to modify that meaning or change the word’s part of speech. A word described as having a root word plus a prefix and a suffix shows exactly that structure: the base gives the core idea, a prefix adds or changes meaning, and a suffix changes its grammatical role or tense. For example, unbelievable includes the root believe, the prefix un- meaning not, and the suffix -able meaning capable of. The other statements don’t necessarily involve both a prefix and a suffix (syllable count isn’t a reliable indicator, a word could have only a prefix, or a word could have no affixes at all).