Here's a breakdown:
* Root: The basic meaning of a word. For example, "write"
* Suffix: An addition at the end of a word that changes its meaning or grammatical function. For example, "-er" (writer)
* Combining vowel: A vowel added between the root and suffix to make pronunciation smoother. For example, "write" + "-er" becomes "writer" with the combining vowel "e".
So, the combining vowel acts like a bridge, connecting the root to the suffix and helping to create a pronounceable word.