Which statement describes a bound morpheme?

Which statement describes a bound morpheme?

• A. Must attach to another morpheme to convey meaning
• B. Is a root word
• C. Is always a prefix
• D. Can stand alone and has meaning

Answer: (A)

A bound morpheme is a unit of meaning that cannot stand alone; it must attach to another morpheme to convey meaning. Think of endings and beginnings like -ed in talked or -s in cats, or the prefix un- in unhappy. These pieces by themselves don’t express a complete idea, but when they attach to a root word, they change or specify the meaning. That’s why this statement is the best description: it captures the essential feature of a bound morpheme—dependency on another morpheme to carry meaning. In contrast, a root word can stand alone and carries the main meaning (talk, cat, happy). Bound morphemes aren’t restricted to prefixes; they can appear as suffixes or other affixes, so saying “always a prefix” isn’t accurate.

A bound morpheme is a unit of meaning that cannot stand alone; it must attach to another morpheme to convey meaning. Think of endings and beginnings like -ed in talked or -s in cats, or the prefix un- in unhappy. These pieces by themselves don’t express a complete idea, but when they attach to a root word, they change or specify the meaning.

That’s why this statement is the best description: it captures the essential feature of a bound morpheme—dependency on another morpheme to carry meaning.

In contrast, a root word can stand alone and carries the main meaning (talk, cat, happy). Bound morphemes aren’t restricted to prefixes; they can appear as suffixes or other affixes, so saying “always a prefix” isn’t accurate.