Which term refers to the main semantic unit of a word to which affixes attach?

Which term refers to the main semantic unit of a word to which affixes attach?

• A. Root word
• B. Prefix
• C. Suffix
• D. Affix

Answer: (D)

The main semantic unit is the root word. It carries the core meaning of the word, and affixes— prefixes at the front and suffixes at the end—attach to that root to modify its meaning or grammatical function. Think of the root as the heart of the word, and the affixes as added pieces that change or expand what the word expresses. For example, in unbelievable, the root is believe; the prefix un- and the suffix -able attach to that root to produce a word with a new meaning. The term affix refers to those attaching pieces themselves, not the base they attach to.

The main semantic unit is the root word. It carries the core meaning of the word, and affixes— prefixes at the front and suffixes at the end—attach to that root to modify its meaning or grammatical function. Think of the root as the heart of the word, and the affixes as added pieces that change or expand what the word expresses. For example, in unbelievable, the root is believe; the prefix un- and the suffix -able attach to that root to produce a word with a new meaning. The term affix refers to those attaching pieces themselves, not the base they attach to.