Which statement best describes the purpose of prefixes in word formation?

Which statement best describes the purpose of prefixes in word formation?

• A. They are added to root words to create new words with different meanings
• B. They always appear at the end of words
• C. They indicate pluralization
• D. They replace the root

Answer: (B)

Prefixes attach to the beginning of a base word to change its meaning and form a new word. That starting position is what creates words with different senses, like adding un- to happy to mean not happy, or re- to write to mean write again. Because prefixes are at the front, they aren’t placed at the end—that role belongs to suffixes. Plural endings like -s or -es show up at the end of a word, not as prefixes. And prefixes don’t replace the root; they modify the meaning while keeping the base word recognizable. So the best description is that prefixes are added to root words to create new words with different meanings.

Prefixes attach to the beginning of a base word to change its meaning and form a new word. That starting position is what creates words with different senses, like adding un- to happy to mean not happy, or re- to write to mean write again. Because prefixes are at the front, they aren’t placed at the end—that role belongs to suffixes. Plural endings like -s or -es show up at the end of a word, not as prefixes. And prefixes don’t replace the root; they modify the meaning while keeping the base word recognizable. So the best description is that prefixes are added to root words to create new words with different meanings.