What is a morpheme? in English Grammar.

What is a morpheme?

A morpheme is a word that doesn't have any special meaning on its own but comes before or after a word and changes its form and meaning. Such as s/es, d/ed, ing, un, ness, less, ly, dis, etc.

Suffix and Prefix:

When a morpheme is added to the end of a word, it is called a suffix, and when it is added before a word, it is called a prefix.

Suffixes: -s, -es, -d, -ed, -en, -ing, -y, -ly, -ish, -er, -est, -ness, -less, -hood, -ful, -ship, etc.

Prefixes: un, dis, de, prere, im, ir, il, en, over, out, up, sub-, pro-, fore, mis, etc.

Only nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs change their form and meaning with the help of morphemes

 

Uses of Prefixes:

un-

un + kind = unkind 

un + wise = unwise

 un + dress = undress

dis

 dis + close = disclose

 dis + honest = dishonest 

dis + honour = dishonour

de-

de + value = devalue 

de + form = deform

de + grade = degrade 

im-

im + possible = impossible im

im + mortal = immortal

im + proper = improper

pre 

pre + caution = precaution 

pre + fix = prefix 

pre + historic = prehistoric

re-

re + collect = recollect 

re + call = recall 

re + gain = regain

ir-

ir + regular = irregular

 ir + relevant = irrelevant

 ir + religious = irreligious

in-

in + direct = indirect

 in + door = indoor 

in + definite = indefinite

Uses of Suffixes:

Suffix                            Meaning                                                              Example Words

-able / -ible         Capable of, able to be                                               Readable, edible, flexible

-ed:                   Past-tense version of a verb                                             Walked, laughed, called

-er / -or            One who performs an action                                            Teacher, actor, painter

-ful                    Full of, notable for                                                            Beautiful, joyful, helpful

-ing:               Action or process (present participle)                                     Running, swimming, dancing

-less                 Without                                                                             Fearless, endless, harmless

-ly                    In what manner                                                             Quickly, happily, calmly

-ment               Action or result                                                         Movement, improvement, agreement

-ness:                State or quality                                                                 Happiness, kindness, darkness

-tion / -sion:        State, quality, or action                                            Education, decision, completion