Affix is defined as syllables attached to the beginning or end of a root word, including prefixes and suffixes. Which term best captures this definition?

• A. Affix
• B. Prefix
• C. Suffix
• D. Root word

Answer: (A)

Affixes are the pieces added to a base word to modify its meaning, placed at the beginning or the end. The term that best captures this idea is affix because it covers both the front-attached prefixes and the back-attached suffixes. A prefix is only the part added to the front, like re- in redo or un- in unhappy, while a suffix is only the ending piece, such as -ed in walked or -ing in walking. The root word is the base form without any attachments, like do in redo or happy in happiness. So, since the question refers to syllables attached at either end, the general term that describes this whole concept is affix.