Which term describes the ending affix that attaches after a root to form a new word?

Which term describes the ending affix that attaches after a root to form a new word?

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

Answer: (B)

The ending affix that attaches after a root to form a new word is a suffix. It sits at the end of the base form and often changes meaning or the word’s part of speech. For example, adding -ness to happy gives happiness, and adding -er to teach gives teacher. In contrast, a prefix goes in front of the base, as in un- in unhappy. An infix is inserted inside the word, which is rare in English but occurs in other languages or in playful forms. A circumfix wraps around the word, attaching at both the beginning and the end (still forming a single unit).

The ending affix that attaches after a root to form a new word is a suffix. It sits at the end of the base form and often changes meaning or the word’s part of speech. For example, adding -ness to happy gives happiness, and adding -er to teach gives teacher.

In contrast, a prefix goes in front of the base, as in un- in unhappy. An infix is inserted inside the word, which is rare in English but occurs in other languages or in playful forms. A circumfix wraps around the word, attaching at both the beginning and the end (still forming a single unit).