Focus on Vocabulary: Use Word Parts
Many English words are made up of parts. Often you can figure out a word’s meaning by looking at the parts.
| The prefix mis- means “wrong.” | The suffix -ion means “state of.” | ||||||
| mis- prefix | + | place base word | = misplace | perfect base Word | + | -ion suffix | = perfection |
| Misplace means “put in the wrong place.” | Perfection means the “state of being perfect.” | ||||||
Sometimes two base words combine to make a new compound word.
tooth + brush = toothbrush
How the Strategy Works
When you read, use word parts to figure out a word you don’t know.
1. Look closely at the word to see if you know any of the parts. If you see two base words, think about the meaning of each one.
- 2. Do you see a prefix or a suffix? If yes, cover it.misuse
3. Think about the meaning of the base word.
4. Uncover the prefix or suffix, and think about its meaning.
5. Put the meanings of the word parts together to understand the whole word. Be sure the meaning makes sense in the text.
Use the strategy to figure out the meaning of each underlined word.
REMEMBER Use word parts to figure out an unknown word.