How to find the root in the words ribbon, kittens? - briefly
To determine the root of the words "ribbon" and "kittens," it is essential to understand the basic form of each word. The root of "ribbon" is simply "ribbon" because it does not change form. For "kittens," the root is "kitten," as the suffix "-s" indicates plural form in English.
The process of finding the root involves identifying and removing any prefixes or suffixes. In the case of "ribbon," there are no prefixes or suffixes to remove. For "kittens," the plural suffix "-s" is removed to reveal the root "kitten."
It is crucial to recognize that not all words have easily identifiable roots, especially in English, which has a complex history of borrowing and adapting words from various languages. However, for the words "ribbon" and "kittens," the roots are straightforward to identify.
How to find the root in the words ribbon, kittens? - in detail
To determine the root of the words "ribbon" and "kittens," it is essential to understand the morphological structure of each word. The root, also known as the base or stem, is the primary lexical unit that carries the core meaning of the word. Identifying the root involves stripping away any affixes, which are prefixes, suffixes, or infixes that modify the root.
For the word "ribbon," the root is "rib." This word has been derived from the older term "ribe," which referred to a small strip or band. Over time, the spelling evolved to "ribbon," but the root remains "rib." The suffix "-bon" is an archaic form that has lost its independent meaning in modern English. Therefore, "ribbon" can be broken down into "rib" (root) + "-bon" (suffix).
For the word "kittens," the root is "kitten." This word is a plural form of "kitten," which refers to a young cat. The suffix "-s" is a plural marker in English, indicating that there is more than one kitten. Therefore, "kittens" can be broken down into "kitten" (root) + "-s" (plural suffix).
In summary, the root of "ribbon" is "rib," and the root of "kittens" is "kitten." Understanding the root of a word is fundamental in linguistics, as it provides insights into the word's origin, meaning, and relationships with other words.