Word Fomation
Word formation is the process by which new words are created in a language. It plays a vital role in the
development of vocabulary, enabling speakers and writers to express new concepts and ideas.
Understanding how words are formed enhances language comprehension, creativity, and effective
communication.
Types of Word Formation
1. Affixation
This is the most common method in English, involving the addition of prefixes and suffixes to base words
(roots).
a. Prefixation
• Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word.
• Example:
• happy → unhappy
• do → redo
• place → displace
b. Suffixation
• Suffixes are added to the end of a word.
• Example:
• child → childhood
• quick → quickly
• act → action
Note: Prefixes often change the meaning, while suffixes usually alter the grammatical function (e.g.,
noun to verb).
2. Compounding
This process combines two or more independent words to form a new word.
Types of compounds:
• Closed compounds: Written as one word (e.g., notebook, sunflower).
• Hyphenated compounds: Words joined with a hyphen (e.g., mother-in-law, self-
esteem).
• Open compounds: Words written separately (e.g., high school, post office).
Examples:
• black + board → blackboard
• book + store → bookstore
3. Conversion (Zero Derivation)
Conversion involves changing the word class of a word without altering its form.
Examples:
• Noun to verb:
• Google → to google
• Butter → to butter
• Verb to noun:
• Run → a run
• Call → a call
4. Clipping
Clipping is the reduction of a word by cutting off one or more parts, usually without changing its
meaning.
Examples:
• Examination → exam
• Laboratory → lab
• Mathematics → math
Clipping is divided into three types. They are:
1. Back clipping removes the back part of the word, e.g., advertisement ad, laboratory lab
2. For clipping removes the beginning part of the word, e.g., telephone phone, airplane
plane
3. Middle clipping reserves the middle part, e.g., refrigerator fridge, influenza flu
5. Blending
Blending combines parts of two or more words to create a new word.
Examples:
• Smoke + fog → smog
• Breakfast + lunch → brunch
• Motor + hotel → motel
6. Acronyms and Initialisms
a. Acronyms: Words formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a word.
• Example: NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
b. Initialisms: Words formed from initial letters but pronounced as individual letters.
• Example: BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).
7. Back-Formation
Back-formation creates new words by removing affixes from existing ones, typically to form a verb.
Examples:
• Editor → edit
• Donation → donate
• Babysitter → babysit
8. Borrowing (Loanwords)
Borrowing involves adopting words from other languages.
Examples:
• Cuisine (French)
• Yoga (Sanskrit)
• Piano (Italian)
9. Coinage (Neologisms)
Coinage refers to the creation of entirely new words, often for brand names or inventions.
Examples:
• Kleenex
• Xerox
• Google
10. Reduplication
Reduplication involves repeating a word or part of a word, sometimes with slight changes.
Examples:
• Ping-pong
• Chit-chat
• Zig-zag
11. Onomatopoeia
This process creates words that imitate sounds.
Examples:
• Buzz
• Crash
• Meow
