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We will explain the meaning of derivation in English grammar and how derivatives are formed. We will also look at some examples and the difference between derivation, zero derivation, and inflection.
Derivation in English grammar
In English grammar, derivation refers to the creation of a new word from an existing one by adding affixes to the root.
The new words created through derivation often have meanings that are related to, but different from, the original word.
Affixes can be broken down into prefixes and suffixes.
Prefixes = placed at the beginning of a word, e.g. the 'un' in 'unhappy' is a prefix.
Suffixes = placed at the end of a word, e.g. the 'ly' in 'finally' is a suffix.
Derivation is a type of neologism which refers to creating and using new words.
In case you forgot: The root of a word is the base part (without any affixes added), e.g. the root of the word 'untrue' is 'true'.
Think of the root of a word as the trunk of a tree. The added affixes are the leaves that grow from the branches.
Fig. 1 - Think of the root of a word as the trunk of a tree, and affixes that create derivations as the branches.
Derivation word formation
Derivatives can be formed in two different ways:
- Adding a prefix to the root of an existing word.
- Adding a suffix to the root of an existing word.
Derivations follow different patterns depending on what is added. When a word is formed by adding a suffix, the word form changes and the word class (e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.) is usually changed - though not always. Below are some examples of different suffixes and how they can change the word class:
Suffixes
Suffixes can be added to an adjective to form different word classes:
Weak (adjective) ⇨ Weakness (noun)
Short (adjective) ⇨ Shorten (verb)
Polite (adjective) ⇨ Politely (adverb)
Sometimes, suffixes can be added to an adjective without changing the word class. For example:
Pink (adjective) ⇨ Pinkish (adjective).
Suffixes can be added to a noun to form different word classes:
Tradition (noun) ⇨ Traditional (adjective)
Motive (noun) ⇨ Motivate (verb)
Sometimes, suffixes can be added to a noun without changing the word class - for example:
Friend (noun) ⇨ Friendship (noun)
They can also be added to a verb to form different word classes:
Annoy (verb) ⇨ Annoying (adjective)
Write (verb) ⇨ Writer (noun)Prefixes
When a prefix is added to a word, the word form changes. However, the word class usually remains the same. For example:
Do (verb) ⇨ Undo (verb)
Happy (adjective) ⇨ Unhappy (adjective)
Derivation example sentence
It is important to know how to use 'derivation' in a sentence. For example:
The process of creating a word by adding affixes is known as derivation.
The word that has been changed due to derivation is referred to as a derivative of the root word. For example:
Carefully is a derivative of the word careful.
The affixes added to words when derivation occurs are known as derivational affixes. For example:
- 'dis' is a derivational prefix
- 'al' is a derivational suffix
Derivation examples in English
In linguistics, derivation is the process of creating new words by adding prefixes or suffixes to base words. Here are some examples of this process in English grammar:
'Un-' + 'happy' = 'unhappy'. Here, the prefix 'un-' is added to the base word 'happy' to create a new word, 'unhappy,' which means not happy.
'Help' + '-less' = 'helpless'. In this case, the suffix '-less' is added to 'help' to create a new word, 'helpless,' which means without help.
'Friend' + '-ship' = 'friendship'. The base word 'friend' is combined with the suffix '-ship' to create a new word, 'friendship,' referring to the state of being friends.
Now let's look at some more examples of derivation:
| Root word | Derivative | Affix type |
| Write | Rewrite | Prefix |
| Intense | Intensify | Suffix |
| Conscious | Subconscious | Prefix |
| Predict | Predictable | Suffix |
| Agree | Disagree | Prefix |
| Kind | Kindness | Suffix |
| Sure | Unsure | Prefix |
| Establish | Establishment | Suffix |
| Perfect | Imperfect | Prefix |
| Relation | Relationship | Suffix |
Derivation vs zero derivation
Let's look at the meaning of zero derivation:
Zero derivation refers to when a new word is created, and there is no change in the word form, but the word class changes.
Call (verb) - e.g. 'Call me tomorrow.'
VS
Call (noun) - e.g. 'That call was long.'
In this case, the verb 'call' changes word class to a noun, but the word form stays the same.
In comparison, derivation does change the form of the word. It can also change the word class, but not always.
Derivation vs inflection
It is easy to get derivation and inflection mixed up, as they both use affixes.
Let's look at the meaning of inflection:
Inflection refers to the change in the form of an existing word by adding affixes to show grammatical meaning (i.e. tense, voice, mood, person). The word class does not change.
Eat → Eating → Eaten
These are different forms of the verb 'eat' that show changes in tense - the suffixes 'ing' and 'en' are added.
Derivation - Key takeaways
- Derivation refers to the creation of a new word from an existing word by adding affixes (prefixes or suffixes) to the root of a word.
- Derivation is a form of neologism.
- When suffixes are added, the word form changes and usually the word class too (though not always). The word form changes when prefixes are added, but the word class rarely does.
- Zero derivation refers to when a new word is created, and there is no change in the word form, but the word class changes.
- Inflection refers to the change in the form of an existing word by adding affixes to show grammatical meaning. The word class does not change.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Derivation
What is derivation in English grammar?
Derivation refers to the creation of a new word from an existing one by adding affixes (suffixes or prefixes) to the root of a word.
What is an example of derivation?
Here are a few examples of derivation:
Happy - happiness (suffix)
Like - likely (suffix)
Treat - mistreat (prefix)
True - untrue (prefix)
What is a derivative?
A derivative refers to a word formed from an existing root word. A derivative is formed through the process of derivation.
What is the difference between derivation and zero derivation?
Derivation is the creation of a new word by adding affixes. If suffixes are added, the word form changes and the word class usually changes. If prefixes are added, the word form changes, but the word class rarely changes. Zero derivation is the creation of a new word, and there is no change in the word form, but the word class changes.
What is the difference between derivation and inflection?
Derivation is the creation of a new word by adding affixes. If suffixes are added, the word form changes and the word class usually changes. If prefixes are added, the word form changes, but the word class rarely changes.
Inflection refers to the change in the form of a word by adding affixes to show grammatical meaning. The word class does not change.
What is an example of derivation in English Grammar?
In English grammar, derivation refers to the creation of a new word from an existing one by adding affixes to the root. Some examples include:
Help' + '-less' = 'helpless'. In this case, the suffix '-less' is added to 'help' to create a new word, 'helpless,' which means without help.
'Friend' + '-ship' = 'friendship'. The base word 'friend' is combined with the suffix '-ship' to create a new word, 'friendship,' referring to the state of being friends.
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