Throughout grammar classes everywhere, students and faculty members ask if and base words are the same. The best way to answer the question is to review the rules of vocabulary.

Parts of a Word

Many words in the English language have been borrowed from other languages. The origins are usually Latin or Greek. A word usually has three parts to it, they are a root, a and a . It is in the root part of the word that the base element or basic meaning is contained. So when it comes to the idea of base words and root words, the truth is that the terms "base" and "root" are one in the same.

The prefix is a word element that is in front of the root or base of a word.The suffix is the word element that is after the root or base of a word.

Both the prefix and suffix when applied to a root have the ability to completely change the word.

Examples of Root Words

Roots are the base elements of a word that convey the basic meaning of the word. So if you take words that you use every day, like the word reaction, you will notice that the root or base word within the word "react" is the word "act."

When simplified further, you can easily see that:

The word "act" refers to something that you do or how you perform or behave.The prefix of the word reaction is simply "re." The prefix in its simplest form means back or again.The suffix of the word reaction is simply "ion," and it is this suffix that can turn just about any word into a noun.

So when you look at the root or base of the word reaction and combine it with the meanings of both the prefix and the suffix, you can easily understand what the word means, which is to act in response to something.

Base Words and Root Words

There have been consistent debates within the teaching community regarding the use of the terms base and root.

Some teachers believe that a base word is a word that can stand alone.Other teachers believe that a root word is a word element that requires a prefix or suffix in order to be considered a sensible word.

Despite the continuous debate that seems to go on between members of the teaching world, the terms base and root are simply synonyms for each other when it comes to the notion of root words.

The confusion may come from the definition frequently used of a root word, where the term "base" is used in the definition. This has caused people to use the word "base" interchangeably with the word "root."

Information on the idea of base words vs. root words can be exceedingly hard to find. Usually such lessons are taught on a third grade grammar level or in tests of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) class. When searching for clarification online, it can be best to search for teaching materials that deal with the terms base or root words. You will more than likely find a clear and concise definition, as well as cognitive illustration or samples of base/root words