Here's why:
* Root: The core of a word, often of Greek or Latin origin, that conveys the basic meaning. For example, the root "scrib" means "write," and we see it in words like "scribe," "describe," "inscribe," and "prescription."
* Prefix: A word part added to the beginning of a root to modify its meaning. For example, the prefix "un" means "not" or "opposite of," so "unhappy" means "not happy."
* Suffix: A word part added to the end of a root to modify its meaning or grammatical function. For example, the suffix "-ing" indicates an action in progress, so "writing" describes the action of writing.
While prefixes and suffixes can add layers of meaning, it's the root that holds the fundamental, core meaning of a word.