Language

I need to find the root word, prefix and suffix. The word is understatement.

I think statement is the root word.
ment can be a suffix, but can a suffix be part of the root word?
can un be a prefix if der is not a work?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by SMW

I need to find the root word, prefix and suffix. The word is understatement.

I think statement is the root word.
ment can be a suffix, but can a suffix be part of the root word?
can un be a prefix if der is not a work?

In that word, "under" is the prefix, "state" is the root word, and "ment" is the suffix.

The suffix turns the root verb into a noun. The prefix modifies the verb "state" and the noun "statement".

No, a suffix is not part of a root word.
No, un can't be a prefix if "der" is not a word or another prefix.