Focus on Vocabulary: Use Word Parts
Most words are made up of parts, including base words, prefixes, and suffixes. These word parts are usually easy to identify. Sometimes, however, the spelling of the base word changes when a suffix is added.
| EXAMPLES | ||||||||||||
| The suffix -able means “can be done.” | The prefix un- means “not.” The suffix -ness means “state of.” | |||||||||||
| base word | suffix | prefix | base word | suffix | ||||||||
| move | + | -able | = | movable | un- | + | happy | + | -ness | = | unhappiness | |
| Movable means “can be moved.” | Unhappiness means “state of being not happy.” | |||||||||||
How the Strategy Works
When you read, you may come to a word you don’t know. Identify word parts to help you understand the word’s meaning.
1. Look closely at the word to see if you know any of the parts.
2. Cover any prefixes or suffixes. movable
3. Think about the meaning of the base word.
4. Uncover any prefixes or suffixes and determine their meanings.
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 Sometimes the spelling of a base word changes when a suffix is added.