Root vs. Base Word

This time, we're gonna analyze the differences and similarities between these two words. Well, ready? Wanna begoin your journey?

What Is Their Main Difference?

In English, words have Latin or Greek origins. So, all words have Latin or Greek roots. However, 'base words' are individual words in the English language and are meaningful without having any 'prefixes' or 'suffixes' added to them. Note that 'root' words cannot be used on their own because they are incomplete.

Differences

As stated above, 'root words' go back to Latin and Greek languages. They must have a 'suffix' or a 'prefix' added to them because they cannot stand alone. Look at the root words below:

Anti: Against (Greek)

Antibiotic: a medicine that kills bacteria

Antipathy: Feeling hatred and disgrace towards something/someone

Gastro: The stomach (Greek)

Gastrointestinal: Anything that is related to the stomach

Gastromalacia: A disease in which the walls of the stomach soften abnormally

Hyper: Too much (Latin)

Hyperventilate: To breathe rapidly

Hyperactive: Overactive

'Base words', on the other hand, refer to individual words in the English language. They can get suffixes and prefixes but beware that are completely meaningful on their own. Check out the following examples:

Friend:

Befriend, friendship, friendly, friends.

As you can see, the base form of the word can stand on its own and can be used with several suffixes or prefixes.

Act:

Action, react, interact, counteract.

Press:

Impress, depress, repress, suppress, oppress.

Are They Interchangeable?

As mentioned above, these two are different concepts in the English language. 'Root words' come from Greek or Latin, whereas, 'base words' are meaningful, individual words that can stand alone. Compare:

✓ My friend was beheaded the other day.

This is an

X My fri was beheaded the other day.

'Fri' is the root form of 'friend' and as you can see, it is wrong.

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