The Logic of
Word Formation
Don't memorize whole words. Build them.
Prefix (Direction) + Root (Meaning) + Suffix (Job).
No memorices palabras enteras. Constrúyelas. Prefijo (Dirección) + Raíz (Significado) + Sufijo (Trabajo/Función).
UNEMPLOYMENT
State of not having a job.
Desempleo (Estado de no tener trabajo).Click blocks to cycle parts!
Prefixes: The Direction
They change the meaning, but usually not the grammar type. Cambian el significado, pero normalmente no el tipo de palabra.
Negatives
UN-, DIS-, IN-, IM-, IL-, IR-
- Happy Unhappy
- Agree Disagree
- Polite Impolite
- Legal Illegal
Time & Order
PRE-, POST-, RE-, EX-
- View Preview
- War Post-war
- Do Redo (Again)
- Boyfriend Ex-boyfriend
Size & Quantity
OVER-, UNDER-, SUPER-, MINI-
- Cook Overcook (Too much)
- Paid Underpaid (Too little)
- Market Supermarket
Suffixes: The Job Changer
They tell you if the word is a Noun, Adjective, Verb, or Adverb. Te dicen si la palabra es un Sustantivo, Adjetivo, Verbo o Adverbio.
NOUN (Thing/Person)
-TION, -MENT, -NESS, -ER, -IST
ADJECTIVE (Desc.)
-FUL, -LESS, -OUS, -ABLE, -Y
VERB (Action)
-IZE, -IFY, -EN
ADVERB (Mode)
-LY
*Be careful with spelling rules!
The Mechanics: Spelling Bridges
Sometimes we need a little glue to connect the blocks.
Y -> I
Hapy Happiness
Double Consonant
Big Biggest
Silent 'E' Drop
Make Making
*Note: True Infixes (like 'abso-bloody-lutely') are rare slang. Focus on Spelling Rules!
Essential Exam Vocabulary
Common word formation patterns for PAGS/Selectividad.
Word Builder Challenge
Build the correct word form.
Root: HAPPY
She smiled _____.
