Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

Which term refers to an affix that is added in front of a word?

1. Compound

2. Suffix

3. Affix

4. Prefix

The correct answer is: Prefix

The term that refers to an affix added in front of a word is "prefix." A prefix modifies the meaning of the root word by providing additional context or changing its grammatical function. For instance, in the word "unhappy," the prefix "un-" alters the meaning of "happy" to denote its opposite, making the concept clearer in context. In contrast, a suffix is added at the end of a word to change its form or meaning, such as turning a noun into a verb or modifying tense. An affix is a broader term that encompasses both prefixes and suffixes. A compound word combines two or more words into a single term, which is a different linguistic construction altogether. Therefore, "prefix" accurately captures the idea of an affix placed at the front of a word.