Allieto, Mark B.
LING3 -TEP110
Asilan, Marites B.
Sumohoy, Julex Rey C.
Word Formation Processes
Semantic Classes of Prefixes in English- prefixes fall into a number of semantic
classes in English. It can only change the meaning of the root for some and not its
class. And depending upon the meaning that they contribute to the root. Prefixes can be
determined upon its classes, and it can be for time, number, place, degree, privation,
negation, and size. Here are some examples for semantic classes of prefixes in English.
1. Pretest- pre(time) + test
2. Superpower- super(degree) + power
3. Undercover- under (place or degree) + cover
4. Untwist- un (negation or privation) + twist
5. Microscope- micro (size) + scope
Derivational Suffixes in English- suffixes has 2 functions. To change the meaning of
the root and to change the part of speech of the root. Depending on the root morpheme,
it can result to a different meaning of the word or its classification. Here are some
examples of derivational suffixes in English.
1. Agreeable- agree(verb) + -able
2. Lustful- lust (noun) + -full
3. Modernization- modern (Adj.) + -ize + -ation
4. Dangerously- dangerous (Adj.) + -ly
5. Momentary- moment (noun) + -ary
Reduplication – is a process in which the initial syllable or the entire word is doubled,
exactly or with a slight phonological change. Here are some examples of reduplication.
1. Boo-boo- a small injury or wound.
2. Hocus-pocus- magic or trickery.
3. Super-duper- extremely good.
4. Wiggle-waggle- indecisive or weak.
5. Flim-flam- deceitful talk.
Conversion or Functional Shift- the functional shift is the conversion of one part of
speech to another without the addition of a suffix. The only concrete change that may
occur in a functional shift is a change in stress. Here are some examples of conversion
or functional shift.
1. Netflix- an application for movie or show streaming service but now is used to
watch movies or shows on the streaming service.
2. Silly- it meant “blessed” but now it means “terrible”.
3. Marites- it is a common female name but in Filipino slang it is now associated to
a gossip monger.
4. Webinar- the combination of “web” and “seminar” but now it means an event
specifically done online.
5. Hashtag- originally known as a symbol (#) and is associated with numbers but
now it is used as a keyword on social media.
Compound- is a combination of two or more free roots. The usual means of
distinguishing a distinct compound word is not always reliable. Compounds can be
written in as a single word or as two words, hyphenated or not. Here are some
examples of compounds.
1. Sugarcoat- noun + noun= Noun (compound noun)
2. Workshop- noun + noun= Noun (compound noun)
3. Hot-blooded- Adj. + noun + -ed= Adjective (compound adjective)
4. Chambermaid- noun + noun= Noun (compound noun)
5. Cryout - verb + particle= Adjective (compound adjective)
Blends- involves two processes of word formation, compounding and clipping. Words
are combined and blended, usually by clipping off the end of the first words and the
beginning of the second word. Here are some examples of blends.
1. Hostel- host+ hotel
2. Hangry- hungry+ angry
3. Frenemy- friend+ enemy
4. Staycation- stay+ vacation
5. Glamping- glamour+ camping
Back Formation- words are created by removing what appears to be a suffix from a
existing word. These words are examples of back formation.
1. Burglarize- ize= Burgle (derived from burglar)
2. Vibration- ion= Vibrate
3. Creation- ion= Create
4. Multiply- y= Multiple
5. Voter- er= Vote
Shortening- is a process of word formation where a word is shortened and often by
removing syllables or letters. Here are examples of word shortening.
1. Mimicry> Mimic
2. Technology> Tech
3. Frequently Asked Questions> FAQs
4. Promotion> Promo
5. Telephone> Phone
Root Creations- it is the invention of entirely new root morpheme. It is also known as
root formation. A fascinating process where an entirely new words or roots are made
without relying on the existing words or suffixes. These are some of the examples of
root creations.
1. Boogsh- a sound representation of a vehicle that hits something.
2. Mwah- mimicking the sound of kiss.
3. Conyo- describing a person that uses multiple languages in one sentence
4. Xerox- brand name for a type of photocopier but has become a verb meaning of
to make a photocopy.
5. Chug- often heard in a pub or bar and it usually heard encourage a person to
drink fast.
