Morphology, Word Formation and Its Different Types
Morphology is the branch of linguistics that studies the structure of words and how they are formed. It deals with the smallest meaningful units of language called morphemes. Understanding morphology helps us see how new words enter the language and how old words change their form.
1. What is a Morpheme?
A morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit of a language. It cannot be divided further without losing meaning.
Types of Morphemes
- Free Morphemes – can stand alone (book, run, happy)
- Bound Morphemes – cannot stand alone (un-, -ness, -ed)
Further Classification
- Derivational morphemes – create new words (happy → happiness)
- Inflectional morphemes – show grammatical change (walk → walked)
2. Word Formation in English
Word formation refers to the processes by which new words are created in English. English is a highly flexible and productive language, allowing many ways to generate vocabulary.
Main Types of Word Formation
1. Derivation
Adding prefixes or suffixes to create new words.
- happy → unhappy
- hope → hopeless
- beauty → beautiful
2. Inflection
Adding morphemes to show grammatical categories (tense, number, comparison).
- walk → walked
- cat → cats
- big → bigger
3. Compounding
Joining two or more words to form a new word.
- black + board → blackboard
- tooth + brush → toothbrush
- sun + light → sunlight
4. Blending
Parts of two words are blended to form a new word.
- breakfast + lunch → brunch
- motor + hotel → motel
- smoke + fog → smog
5. Clipping
Shortening a longer word without changing its meaning.
- advertisement → ad
- laboratory → lab
- telephone → phone
6. Acronyms & Initialisms
Acronyms – pronounced as a word:
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
- UNESCO
Initialisms – pronounced letter by letter:
- BBC
- USA
7. Back-formation
A new word is formed by removing a real or supposed suffix.
- editor → edit
- beggar → beg
- donation → donate
8. Conversion (Zero Derivation)
A word changes its grammatical category without changing its form.
- to run (verb) → a run (noun)
- to email (verb) → an email (noun)
- the poor (adjective → noun)
9. Coinage
Completely new words invented, often brand names.
- Kodak
- Pepsi
10. Borrowing (Loanwords)
Words taken from other languages.
- piano (Italian)
- bungalow (Hindi)
- tsunami (Japanese)
11. Reduplication
Repetition of a word or sound pattern.
- bye-bye
- tick-tock
- zig-zag
12. Eponymy
Words taken from names of people or places.
- sandwich – Earl of Sandwich
- diesel – Rudolf Diesel
- mentor – character in Homer
3. Summary Table of Word Formation Types
| Process | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Derivation | Adding prefixes/suffixes | happy → unhappy |
| Inflection | Grammatical changes | play → played |
| Compounding | Two words combine | tooth + brush |
| Blending | Parts of words merged | smog |
| Clipping | Removing a part | lab |
| Acronym | Initial letters = word | NATO |
| Back-formation | Removing suffix | edit |
| Conversion | Changing word class | |
| Coinage | Completely new words | |
| Borrowing | Taking from another language | pajama |
| Reduplication | Repetition | tick-tock |
| Eponymy | Named after a person | sandwich |
4. Why Word Formation is Important?
- Shows how languages grow and adapt
- Helps in vocabulary building
- Essential for linguistic analysis
- Frequently asked in PGTRB / NET / SET exams
- Improves understanding of word origins
Word formation reflects the creativity, flexibility and openness of English, making it one of the richest languages in the world.
Note: Google Auto Ads will appear automatically.
Let me know your doubts