Can prefixes change the part of speech a root word?

Yes, prefixes can definitely change the part of speech of a root word. Here's how:

1. Changing Verbs to Nouns:

* Root word: "act" (verb)

* Prefix: "re-"

* New word: "react" (verb)

* Prefix: "inter-"

* New word: "interaction" (noun)

2. Changing Nouns to Adjectives:

* Root word: "visible" (adjective)

* Prefix: "in-"

* New word: "invisible" (adjective)

3. Changing Adjectives to Verbs:

* Root word: "happy" (adjective)

* Prefix: "un-"

* New word: "unhappy" (adjective)

* Prefix: "en-"

* New word: "enliven" (verb)

4. Creating New Words with Different Parts of Speech:

* Root word: "able" (adjective)

* Prefix: "dis-"

* New word: "disable" (verb)

Examples:

* "Un-" often changes verbs to adjectives (e.g., "do" becomes "undo").

* "Re-" often changes verbs to verbs (e.g., "write" becomes "rewrite").

* "-ing" often changes verbs to nouns (e.g., "swim" becomes "swimming").

Important Note: While prefixes can change the part of speech, they don't always. The meaning of the root word and the prefix together determine the final part of speech.