Which term describes the beginning portion of a word that can alter meaning when attached?

Which term describes the beginning portion of a word that can alter meaning when attached?

• A. Prefix
• B. Suffix
• C. Infix
• D. Root

Answer: (A)

Prefixes are the beginning pieces that attach to a word and change its meaning. They sit at the front, and by adding them to a base word, you shift or negate its sense. For example, un- turns happy into unhappy, and re- canmean doing something again. That front-attached position and its effect on meaning is exactly what this term describes. The other options refer to different parts: a suffix attaches at the end, an infix goes inside the word, and the root is the base word itself without added pieces.

Prefixes are the beginning pieces that attach to a word and change its meaning. They sit at the front, and by adding them to a base word, you shift or negate its sense. For example, un- turns happy into unhappy, and re- canmean doing something again. That front-attached position and its effect on meaning is exactly what this term describes. The other options refer to different parts: a suffix attaches at the end, an infix goes inside the word, and the root is the base word itself without added pieces.