Lesson 10 Spelling
Simple words are sometimes spoken of as root words. Root means that from which something grows. We know our language is a living, growing thing and these root words are the roots where the growth begins. One way in which this growth is accomplished and new words added to our language is by placing syllables before or after the root word—the simple word—as, for example: unmanly.
In this we have a syllable placed before and a syllable placed after the root word man. The syllable placed before the root word is called the prefix from the Latin pre meaning before and the Latin word to place. Therefore, prefix means literally to place before.
A prefix consists of one or more syllables placed before a word to qualify its meaning.
The syllable placed after the root word, or simple word, is called the suffix, from the Latin sub meaning after and the Latin word to place. Subfix the word should be literally, but for the sake of the sound—the euphony, the good sound—we say suffix.
A suffix consists of one or more syllables placed after a word to qualify its meaning.
The words made by adding prefixes and suffixes are called derivative words.
You remember we used a suffix in forming participles. The present participle is formed by adding the suffix ing to the simple form of the verb. The past participle is formed by adding the suffix ed to the simple form of the verb.
The words in the spelling lesson for this week are derivative words formed by adding a prefix or suffix, or both, to the simple word. Draw a line through the prefix and the suffix and leave the simple or root word.
Monday
Wonderful
Prosperous
Disloyalty
Uncovered
Government
Tuesday
Memorize
Unreality
Co-operation
Dependent
Truly
Wednesday
Beautify
Countless
Uncomfortable
Dishonesty
Producer
Thursday
Existence
Untruthfulness
Discontentment
Victory
Removable
Friday
Impurity
Unwillingness
Indebted
Overwearisome
Enjoyable
Saturday
Obligation
Hopeless
Endanger
Precaution
Denial