Morpheme, stem, root and affix

Denote the definition of morpheme, stem, root and affix and give examples for instance.

a. Morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit in a language. A morpheme can not be divided without altering or destroying its meanings.

eg:

art/ist 

wait/er

b. Stem (also the based form) is the part of the word which an inflectional affix can be added

Eg: In English the inflectional affix “s” can be added to the stem “work” to form the plural “works” in the “works of Ho Chi Minh president”

The stem of a word can be:

– a simple stem consisting of only one morpheme (root)

Eg: visited, boys, colder, coolest

– a root plus a derivational affix 

Eg: workers, communists

– two or more roots

Eg: workshops, classrooms, babysisters

c. Root is a morpheme which is the basic part of the word and which may occur on its own or may be joined to ather roots

Eg: work : workshop

d. Affix 

– is a letter or group of letters which is added to a word and which changes the meaning or function of the word

– affixes are bound forms that can be added: 

a. to the beginning of the word (prefix). Eg: pre-school, uncomfortable, disagree

b. to the end of the word (suffix). Eg: careful, beautiful, development

c. within a word (infix). Eg: fisherman, handicraft, sportsman

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