Back to: ENGLISH LANGUAGE SS2
Words are the building blocks of language. But have you ever thought about how these words are formed?
In this lesson, we’ll go deeper into morphology and compound words. You already know that morphology is about how words are formed using smaller units called morphemes.
Now, we’ll explore more complex forms of word formation and compound structures that improve your vocabulary and grammar. Get ready to level up your word power!
Morphology (Word Structure)
Definition Recap:
Morphology is the study of how words are formed from the smallest units of meaning called morphemes.
Types of Morphemes (Review):
| Morpheme Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Free Morpheme | Can stand alone | play, help |
| Bound Morpheme | Cannot stand alone | -ing, re-, -ful |
Complex Word Formation Processes:
- Compounding (e.g., news + paper = newspaper)
- Derivation (e.g., joy → joyful → joyfulness)
- Inflection (e.g., talk → talked, cat → cats)
Compound Words (Extension)
Compound words are formed when two or more words are combined to express a new idea or meaning.
Types of Compound Words (Expanded):
| Type | Structure | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Closed | Written as one word | birthday, classmate |
| Hyphenated | Joined with a hyphen | runner-up, mother-in-law |
| Open | Written separately | ice cream, real estate |
Compound Word Forms:
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Compound Noun | handbag, fireman |
| Compound Adjective | well-dressed, old-fashioned |
| Compound Verb | babysit, highlight |
Spelling Tip:
Some compound words evolve over time. For example, “e-mail” is now commonly written as “email”.
Class Activity
Break down the following into morphemes and identify whether each is a compound word or a derived word.
- Unbelievable
- Toothbrush
- Rewriting
- Father-in-law
- Breakthrough
Expected Answers:
- un + believe + able → Morphology (Derived)
- tooth + brush → Compound
- re + write + ing → Morphology (Derived)
- father-in-law → Compound (Hyphenated)
- break + through → Compound (Open)
Evaluation
- Define morphology and compound words.
- State two differences between derivation and compounding.
- List and give two examples each of compound nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
- Identify the morphemes in the word “unknowingly”.
- Form new compound words using the words: “home”, “work”, and “water”.
In summary, language is powerful when you understand how words are formed. Morphology helps you discover the hidden structure of words, while compound words show how combining simple words can give us richer meanings. This knowledge helps you write and speak more accurately and confidently. Don’t just memorise—apply what you’ve learned whenever you read, write, or speak.