WORD-FORMATION

Word-formation in English



Word-formation in English

The grammar of a language is an analysis of the various functions performed by the words of the language, as they are used by native speakers and writers.

There are many different ways of analyzing a language. In such an analysis, words can be given various names, depending on the function which they perform. For instance, words which perform the function of naming things are commonly referred to as nouns, and words which perform the function of expressing states or actions are commonly referred to as verbs.

It should be kept in mind that many English words can perform more than one function. For instance, in the following sentences, the underlined words can be referred to as nouns because they perform the function of naming things.

Adding affixes to existing words (the base or root) to form new words is common in academic English. Prefixes are added to the front of the base (like dislike), whereas suffixes are added to the end of the base (active activate). Prefixes usually do not change the class of the base word, but suffixes usually do change the class of the word.

Verbs

The most common prefixes used to form new verbs in academic English are: re-, dis-, over-, un-, mis-, out-. The most common suffixes are: -ise, -en, -ate, -(i)fy. By far the most common affix in academic English is -ise.

Dis- came into English during the Middle English period, along with many Latin and French words. The prefix dis- is related to bis, (two), and can be used in the sense of separation:

disjoin

disable

In the course of centuries, distinctions between un- and dis- have blurred. Sometimes the prefixes are interchangeable. Sometimes not.

Sometimes a perceived difference may exist only in the mind of the individual English speaker.

Many speakers distinguish between disorganized and unorganized.

Disorganized applies to the sort of person who stuffs receipts into the sock drawer and can never find the car keys. Unorganized applies to things which have not yet been arranged in an organized manner. By this reasoning, a person would be disorganized, but an office would be unorganized.

At one time, unease and disease (first syllable stressed) could be used interchangeably with the meaning “state of anxiety.” Now disease (second syllable stressed) has taken on the meaning of “illness.”

Angry arguments are waged over the differentiated meanings of uninterest and disinterest. The argument is that uninterested should be used with the sense of “indifferent, lacking in interest, while disinterested should be used only when the intended meaning is “impartial.” Some argue against the distinction on historical grounds, but the perceived difference in modern usage is a useful one.

When it comes to language, those who value logic above all else are just asking for elevated blood pressure.

For example, the noun discontent is matched with the adjective discontented, but the adjective that corresponds to the noun discomfort is uncomfortable.

About all one can safely say about the use of the prefixes un- and dis- is that their correct use is often a matter of ...