Which term describes the general class for any addition to a word that changes its meaning?

Which term describes the general class for any addition to a word that changes its meaning?

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

Answer: (C)

When you add something to a word to change its meaning or how it functions in a sentence, you're using an affix. An affix is the broad category that covers any attached piece, including prefixes at the front and suffixes at the end. A root word is simply the base form, not an added piece. So the general class for any addition that changes meaning is affix. For example, un- attached to happy flips the meaning to not happy, and -ness added to kind turns the word into a noun. These illustrate how affixes work as the overall category.

When you add something to a word to change its meaning or how it functions in a sentence, you're using an affix. An affix is the broad category that covers any attached piece, including prefixes at the front and suffixes at the end. A root word is simply the base form, not an added piece. So the general class for any addition that changes meaning is affix. For example, un- attached to happy flips the meaning to not happy, and -ness added to kind turns the word into a noun. These illustrate how affixes work as the overall category.