Here's how to think about it:
* Think of a tree. The root is the part that anchors the tree, giving it life. Similarly, the root word is the core meaning of a word.
* Like a building block. You can add things on to a root word to change its meaning, but the root word itself always stays the same.
Examples:
* "Happy" is a root word. You can add prefixes like "un-" to make "unhappy" or suffixes like "-ness" to make "happiness," but the core meaning of "joy" or "pleasure" remains from the root "happy."
* "Graph" is a root word. You can add prefixes like "auto-" to make "autograph" or suffixes like "-ical" to make "graphical." But the core meaning of "written representation" is always present from the root "graph."
Why are root words important?
* Understanding word meanings: Knowing root words helps you understand the meaning of unfamiliar words.
* Building vocabulary: Learning root words allows you to figure out the meanings of words you haven't encountered before.
* Effective communication: By understanding the core meanings of words, you can communicate more clearly and precisely.
Learning root words is a great way to improve your vocabulary and overall understanding of the English language.