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What is an Affix
An affix is a set of letters that are attached to the root or the stem of a word. An affix can also
be described as a bound morpheme since it cannot act as a word. That is, an affix cannot
stand alone. Affixes can be added to the beginning, middle or to the end of a word. Prefix is
an affix at the beginning of a word and suffix is an affix at the end of a word. An infix is an
affix that is attached to the middle of a word. (The English language almost has no true infixes)
The process of attaching an affix is known as affixation.
Affixes can be derivational or inflectional. A derivational affix results in the formation of a
new word.
Care → Careful
Appear → Disappear
An inflectional affix serves as a grammatical marker; it reflects grammatical information
about a word.
Boy → Boys
Talk → Talked
A word can have both suffixes and prefixes. Given below are some words that contain both
prefixes and suffixes.
Unacceptable (prefix: un, stem: accept, suffix: able)
Reusable (prefix: re, stem: use, suffix: able)
Disqualified (prefix: dis, stem: qualify, suffix: ied)
Difference Between Affix Prefix and Suffix
Meaning
Affix is a morpheme that is added to a word to change its meaning or lexical category.
Prefix is an affix that is added to the beginning of a word.
Suffix is an affix that is added at the end of a word.
Position
Affix can be used at the beginning or end of a word.
Prefix can be used at the beginning of a word.
Suffix can be used at the end of a word.
Derivational vs Inflectional
Affix can be derivational or inflectional.
Prefix is derivational.
Suffix can be derivational or inflectional.
Function
Affixes can create new meanings, lexical categories, and act as grammatical markers.
Prefixes mostly change the meaning of a word.
Suffixes often change the lexical category and act as grammatical markers.