英语语法导论部分Introduction-part-of-Grammar-book.doc

Word Formation
The three major processes of word-formation:
(a) Compounding
(b) Derivation or affixation
(c) Conversion
1. Compounding
• A word-formation process consisting of joining two or more roots to form a new unit.
2. Derivation
• Derivation or affixation is a process of forming new words by the addition of a word element, such as a prefix, suffix or combining form, to an already existing word.
2.1 Prefixation
Prefixation is the formation of new words by adding a prefix or combining form to the base.
Prefixes modify the lexical meaning of the base, but do not generally change the word-class of the base.
• They can be classified into the following eight categories by their meaning:

2. 2 Suffixation
• Suffixation is the formation of a new word by adding a suffix or a combining form to the base, and usually changing the word-class of the base.

– Prefixes primarily function as a semantic modification of the base, while suffixes have only a small semantic role and their primary function is to change the grammatical function of the base.
– Prefixes are classified on a semantic basis and suffixes on a grammatical basis

Question: Which of the following is compound word and which is derivation?
• A. Nonsmoker. B. Deadline. C. Meanness. D. Misfit. E. simplify F. pre-liberation
• G. immortal H. postgraduate I. multiracial J. bloodthirsty K.  dog-tired L. incoherent
3. Conversion
A word of certain word-class is shifted into a word of another word-class without the addition of an affix.
1. Noun.---Verb
• Books are the ladder of human progress.
• I need to book a 3-star hotel 3months in advance.

• Seek shelter
• Shelter the orphans
2. Verb—Noun
walk to school
go for a walk

build the subway
a man of strong build

3.Adj.—verb; adv—verb
• I will try to make life better.
• We try to better our living conditions.

• Stand back! You are stepping on my toes.
• I will back you no matter what happens.
Example:
• The second round was exciting.
• Any round plate will do.
• Some drivers round corners too rapidly.
• The sound goes round and round.
• He lives round the corner.