Affixes Notes, Quizzes & Revision
π Revision Notes β’ π Quizzes β’ π Past Papers available in app
Affixes
Topic: topic_name_replace β Subject: subject_replace
Suitable for learners in Kenya; target age: age_replace.
1. What is an affix?
An affix is a small unit (a few letters) added to a root or base word to change its meaning or grammar. Affixes do not stand alone β they join a base word.
2. Main types of affixes
- Prefix β added before a root. Example: re- + play β replay.
- Suffix β added after a root. Example: joy + -ful β joyful.
- Infix β inserted inside a root (rare in English). Some languages use infixes more often.
- Circumfix β an affix with two parts, one placed before and one after the root (common in some languages).
3. Two important functions
- Inflectional affixes β change grammar (tense, number, comparison) without making a new word:
walk β walks play β played big β bigger
- Derivational affixes β form new words and often change word class:
hope (v) β hopeful (adj) teach (v) β teacher (n)
4. English examples useful in Kenyan classrooms
- Prefixes: un- (unhappy), re- (rewrite), pre- (pre-school)
- Suffixes: -s (cats), -ed (played), -ing (running), -er (teacher), -ness (kindness), -ly (quickly)
- Inflection for grammar: walk β walks (third person singular), walk β walked (past)
5. Affixes in Kiswahili (Kenyan context)
In Kiswahili, affixation is central. Verbs have several affixes around the verb root:
Teaching affixes with local languages helps learners see patterns across languages.
6. How to spot affixes
- Find the smallest meaningful part (the root) and see what changes when small bits are added.
- If adding letters changes tense or number, it is likely inflectional. If it creates a new word or new part of speech, it is probably derivational.
7. Quick classroom activities (short)
- Match roots to affixes: give cards like 'play', 're-', '-er' and ask learners to build words.
- Spot the affix: show sentences and ask learners to underline affixes.
- Compare English and Kiswahili verb forms to find similar patterns (subject + tense + root).
8. Short practice (try these)
- Identify the affix and say whether it is prefix or suffix: unhappy
- Identify root and affixes: teachers
- In Kiswahili: break down ni-me-andika (I have written)
Answers (click to reveal)
2) teachers = teach (root) + -er (makes one who teaches) + -s (plural).
3) ni-me-andika = ni- (I) + -me- (perfect tense marker) + andika (write root).