Identify Root Words

Look at the word below:

 

walked

 

 

What is the root word in walked?

 

A root word is a word where neither a suffix nor a prefix have been added.

In other words, a root word doesn’t have anything added at the beginning or the end.

 

The root word of walked is walk.

Walked has the suffix -ed added to it.

 

Root words are always proper words themselves and have a meaning.

 

What is the root word of unhelpful?

 

 

This was a challenge as unhelpful has both a prefix and suffix added.

 

Help is the root word.

-Un is a prefix and -ful is a suffix.

 

Can you identify the root words from the words below?

 

bicycle

hearing

 

 

Bicycle is made from the root word cycle and has the prefix bi- added (which means two)

Hearing is made from the root word hear and has the suffix -ing added.

 

In this activity, you’ll be on the hunt for root words. Make sure you remove any prefixes or suffixes.