Derivation

​Derivatives can be formed in two different ways:

1. Adding a prefix to the root of a word.

2. Adding a suffix to the root of a word.

​The word that has been changed due to derivation is referred to as a derivative of the root word. For example:

Carefully is a derivative of the word careful.

​Below are some examples of different suffixes and how they can change the word class (e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.):

​Suffixes

Suffixes can be added to an adjective to form different word classes:

Weak (adjective) ⇨ Weakness (noun)

Short (adjective) ⇨ Shorten (verb)

Polite (adjective) ⇨ Politely (adverb)

​Sometimes, suffixes can be added to an adjective without changing the word class. For example:

Pink (adjective) ⇨ Pinkish (adjective).

​Suffixes

Suffixes can be added to a noun to form different word classes:

Tradition (noun) ⇨ Traditional (adjective)

Motive (noun) ⇨ Motivate (verb)

​Sometimes, suffixes can be added to a noun without changing the word class - for example:

Friend (noun) ⇨ Friendship (noun)

​Suffixes

Suffixes can also be added to a verb to form different word classes:

Annoy (verb) ⇨ Annoying (adjective)

Write (verb) ⇨ Writer (noun)

​Verb + -ive, -al, -ary, -ed/d, -al, -ing, -ant, -ent, -able, -ate, ==> Adjective + ly ==> Adverb

Examples:

Compare + ive = comparative + ly = comparatively Complement + al = complemental + ly = complementally Complement + ary = complementary + ly = complementarily Compose + ed/d = composed + ly = composedly Accord + ing = according + ly = accordingly Accord + ant = accordant + ly = accordantly

Intermit + ent = intermittent + ly = intermittently

Apply + able = applicable + ly = applicably

Consider + ate = considerate + ly = considerately

​Prefixes

When a prefix is added to a word, the word form changes. However, the word class usually remains the same. For example:

Do (verb) ⇨ Undo (verb)

Happy (adjective) ⇨ Unhappy (adjective)

​Prefixes

Derivation examples in English

Look at some more examples of derivation: