Morphemes: When the root/base isn't too obvious

To determine the root or base word can be simple and obvious but not always. There are certain words in English that the root or base might not too obvious. But before we proceed, it's important to consider the question below.  

What's the difference between the base/root and stem?

Earlier, it's been stated that the base or root is a free morpheme that an affix (prefix or suffix) can be added to. 

When the last suffix in a word is removed, you have the stem. So, the stem can be said to be that part of the word to which the last suffix is added. Let's determine the base/root and stem of the following example.  

correctional (adjective)

correct (root/base) 

correction (stem)

'correction' is the stem because, when the last suffix 'al' is removed, you are left with correction. That is how to determine the stem. Let's take another example.

prayerfully (adverb)
pray (root/base)
prayerful (stem)

However, there are instances where the root/base and stem can be the same. 

When the base/root and stem are the same

There are many instances in which the base or root and stem can be the same in English. In a word like instruction, the root/base and stem are the same. The root/base is instruct, while the stem is also instruct, because, when the last suffix 'ion' in the word instruction is removed, you are left with instruct.  

However, if we consider a word like instructions, the root/base is instruct while the stem is instruction, because, when the last suffix 's' in the word instructions is removed, you are left with instruction. Do you understand? 

We now proceed to the following: 

1. How to determine the base/root of irregular plural nouns

How do you determine the base/root in irregular plural nouns? It's simple! Let's consider two examples: 

i. auditoria 

ii. feet 

iii. men

The base/root in example (i) is auditorium; in (ii) it is foot; while in (iii) it is man. 

The changes in their plural forms are called vowel and/or consonantal changes. In example (ii) and (iii), it is the change in the vowel of the singular forms foot (to feet) and man (to men), respectively that suggested their plurality. 

2. How to determine the base/root word of nouns that end in 's'

The base/root words of certain nouns like measles, remains, knickers, trousers, scissors, (which neither have singular or plural forms) that end in 's' remain the same. 

I suggest you read further on the types of nouns listed above in the link below. 

http://olabanjititles.blogspot.com/2020/02/english-concord-rules-10-some-other.html?m=1

3. How to determine the base/root word in irregular adjectives 

i. worse

bad (root/base) + er = worse 

ii. better

good (root/base) + er = better 

iii. far 

far (root/base) + er = farther/further

4. When it is the context that will help you determine the base/root

Sometimes, it is the context that will help determine the base/root. Let's consider some examples. 

i. The sheep are grazing on the field. 

ii. The cattle were found yesterday. 

In the examples above, the root/base is sheep and cattle, respectively. Of course, that's the stem also. You may wish to ask why. They are nouns that do not change their singular or plural forms. However, in context, it is the choice of verbs 'are' and 'were' that suggested to the reader that they are in the plural forms. Is this understood? 

5. How to determine the base/root word in compound words

There are different types of compounds in English. 

i. Verb compounds: understand, bypass

(The base/root word remains the same). However, if you have understood, for instance, the base/root word will be understand. 

ii. Noun compounds: girlfriend, firefighter

(The base/root word remains the same). However, if you have girlfriends, for instance, the base/root word will be girlfriend. In the same vein, you cannot have firefight as the base/root word of firefighter! 

iii. Adjective compounds: heartrending, outspoken

(The base/root word remains the same). 

You cannot have heartrend and outspeak, as the base/root word of heartrending and outspoken, respectively.  

6. How to determine the base/root word in participial verbs 

There are two types of participles in English: the continuous and past (participles). For this post, we are concerned with the past participle. How do you determine the base/root word of past participles. Let's consider some. 

i. gone

ii. begun

iii. come 

The base/root word of went is go; on the other hand, the stem is went. Let's do a little analysis.

i. go (base/root) + ed = went (stem)+ ed = gone 

ii. begin (base/root) + ed = began (stem) + ed = begun 

iii. come (base/root) + ed = came (stem) + ed = come

A bit of caution is to be exercised in example (iii) above, because it is the context that will help determine whether come is used in the past tense form or used in the past participle form. Let me show you some examples. 

They come here most weekends but it's been a while they had come around. 

If you are asked, as it was when I was an undergraduate, from the passage (in this case sentence) to identify the stem of the underlined verb, what will it be? It is came. You may wish to ask why. Well, because:

i. come (underlined), as used in the passage, had come, is a past participle verb. As a result, the root is come, while the stem is came.

How do you know the difference between the past tense and past participle? 

I have carefully explained the difference between the past tense and past participle verbs in the link below. 

http://olabanjititles.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-difference-between-past-tense-and.html

7. How to determine the base/root word in possessives

i. girl's 

ii. girls'

In example (i) and (ii) above, the base/root word is girl. Why not try and determine the root/stem in both instances? 

Would you try the following on your own?

Write out the root/base and stem of the following words. 

i. destruction 

ii. developmental 

iii. thoroughly

iv. theses

v. girls' 

vi. headquarters

vii. concession 

viii. pension

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