Dr. Johanna Rubba
English Department
Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo
Last updated 1/21/05
Copyright 2005 Johanna Rubba

More Morphology Exercises


For each word below, trace the effect of adding each affix, one by one, on the word category of the output word (product of attaching affix). Add affixes one at a time, as instructed for each word. Steps:

1 - Use part-of-speech tests to find the category of the base (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) without any affixes, e.g. "nation" for #1. Test for all categories.
2 - Add the first affix ("-al" for #1), then retest the result ("national") for part of speech.
Test for all categories.
3 - Add the next affix ("-ity" for #1), then retest the result ("nationality") for part of speech. Test for all categories.

If the base passes tests for more than one part of speech, use your intutions about the meaning of the word after the first affix is added. For instance, register passes noun tests, as in "a heat register", but does "preregister" have anything to do with heat registers? Register also passes verb tests; does "preregister" have anything to do with the act of registering?

In each case, change the spelling as needed when affixes are added.

What to show in your homework: Only result of each test. 
Model: "uncertainty"
1. Base: certain = adjective
2. Add un- > uncertain = adjective
3. Add -ty > uncertainty = noun

1. nationality

Base: nation
Affix #1: -al
Affix #2: -ity


4. preregistration

Base: register
Affix #1: pre-
Affix #2: -ation
2. relationship

Base: relate
Affix #1: -ion
Affix #2: -ship

5. gradually

Base: gradual
Affix #1: -ly
3. bolder

Base: bold
Affix #1: -er
6. kindness

Base: kind
Affix #1: -ness
Link to Key