Many long words are made of parts. The base word carries the main meaning. A prefix goes before it, and a suffix goes after it.
Let's learn
- unhelpful = un (not) + help + ful (full of).
- replayed = re (again) + play + ed (past).
- Cover the prefix and suffix to find the base word.
- Put the meaning together: unhelpful means not full of help.
Watch out for
- Seeing a prefix where there is none. In “uncle”, un is not a prefix: “cle” is not a base word.
Make it fit your reader
- Easier: Find the base in three words: jumping, replay, kindness.
- Harder: Break down: unbreakable, disagreement, reheated.
Practice activity
- Word surgery: cut word cards into prefix, base and suffix pieces.
- Base word hunt: find five words with a prefix or suffix in a book.
Tip for grown-ups: Keep practice short and cheerful: 10 to 15 minutes is plenty for young readers. Praise effort, let your child point to the words, and stop while it is still fun.