Vocabulary: Word Formation & Morphology (C1) - Lesson 2: Deconstructing Complex Words

Lesson 2: Deconstructing Complex Words Word Formation & Morphology (C1) Welcome! At the C1 level, you no longer need to memorize every long word you see. A more powerful strategy is to understand morphology —the system of how words are built. This lesson will teach you to deconstruct complex words into their core components, allowing you to deduce their meaning with precision. The Building Blocks of English Words Most complex English words are assembled from three types of building blocks (or morphemes): 1. The Root This is the core of the word that carries its essential meaning. Many roots come from Latin or Greek. (e.g., port = to carry; struct = to build). 2. The Prefix A piece added to the beginning of the root that modifies its meaning. (e.g., trans- port = to carry across; de- struct = to take apart what was built). 3. The Suffix A piece added to the end of the root that usually changes the word's grammatical function (e.g., noun, verb, adjective). (e.g., transport -ation = the act of…