1.Consider the following words: tax, taxation, taxable and taxability, and walk, walks, walked and walking. What is the difference between the two groups of words?
The first group of words is formed through derivation, in this case by adding suffixes to form root-related words with different meanings. On the second group, we find what is called inflections, that is, affixes added to words for pure grammatical reasons.
2.On the basis of the examples above, do you know the difference between derivational or inflectional affixes?
Derivational affixes can be added at the beginning of a word or at the end and they help
to create new words with different meanings. Inflectional affixes are bound morphemes
added to words in order to keep up with the grammatical and coherence rules. In English
inflectional affixes are only added at the end; for example: I eat an apple/ he eats an
apple.
Derivational affixes can be added at the beginning of a word or at the end and they help
to create new words with different meanings. Inflectional affixes are bound morphemes
added to words in order to keep up with the grammatical and coherence rules. In English
inflectional affixes are only added at the end; for example: I eat an apple/ he eats an
apple.
3. My English- Spanish dictionary does not mention all English adverbs in –ly. However, it does mention the adverb hardly. Why do you think this exception is made?
One of the rules for the formation of adverbs is to add suffix –ly to existing adjectives. In
this sense, there is no need for dictionaries to include all the adverbs in -ly, as their
meaning can be easily predicted form the meaning of the adjective. However, in the case
of hardly, this adverb is added as it means something different to hard.
One of the rules for the formation of adverbs is to add suffix –ly to existing adjectives. In
this sense, there is no need for dictionaries to include all the adverbs in -ly, as their
meaning can be easily predicted form the meaning of the adjective. However, in the case
of hardly, this adverb is added as it means something different to hard.
4. Blending is quite popular as a means of creating new English words. Try to come up with some meaning for the following recent blends: framily, defriend and togethering.
Framily: friends + family = close friends that are like family.
Defriend: de + friend = remove a friend from a list of friends.
Togethering: going holidays with one’s extended family or friends.
5. “The meaning of a sentence is simply the combination of the lexical meaning of its words”. Do you agree with this?
No, we have to take into account the syntax of that language and the pragmatic rules.
6.Considering the sentence He very rarely works at home these days, can you identify how many word classes (or parts of speech) there are? Can you say why? Do you know how many word classes there are in English?
he: pronoun very: adverb rarely: adverb works: main verb
at: preposition home: noun these: determiner days: noun
In English there are ten word classes, although some grammarians consider only eight. They are divided into open word classes (nouns, lexical verbs, adjectives and adverbs) and closed word classes (conjunctions, prepositions, determiners, pronouns, auxiliary verbs and interjections).
7. Complete with the correct form of the word cook.
I cook dinner every Sunday
I cooked dinner last Sunday
I am cooking dinner today
My son cooks dinner every Sunday
- Do you know how these affixes are called? Inflectional suffixes
8. Complete the sentences with the word in brackets in the correct place.
She looks/ is looking very pale. (look)
She's very proud of her look/ looks. (look)
He drives a fast car. (fast)
He drives very fast on the motorway. (fast)
Turn on the light. (light)
I'm trying to light the fire (light)
I usually have a light lunch (light)
