Suffixes

[hopechest]

A simple question came up during a chat.

I know a "gerund" is, "in English, a form derived from a verb by the addition of the suffix "-ing" that functions as a noun". But are there any other verb forms with special names when you add a suffix, such as "-ism" or "-ly"?

P.S. This is such a useful and helpful forum.

[RonBee]

I don't think so. For example, ism is generally added to a noun. Examples:

• capital--capitalism
  social--socialism
  Nazi--Nazism
  cube--cubism

:)

[hopechest]

I don't think so. For example, ism is generally added to a noun.

Oopsie. I should have been more general and asked, "Are there special names for any words when you add suffixes or, while we're at it, prefixes?"

^^;;

[RonBee]

I don't think so. For example, ism is generally added to a noun.

Oopsie. I should have been more general and asked, "Are there special names for any words when you add suffixes or, while we're at it, prefixes?"

^^;;

I don't think so, but perhaps someone else knows of such a word.

:)

[Tdol]

It depends on the function of the prefix, but I know of no word. Prefixes and suffixes are morphems:
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/morpheme.html

[MikeNewYork]

I don't think so. For example, ism is generally added to a noun.

Oopsie. I should have been more general and asked, "Are there special names for any words when you add suffixes or, while we're at it, prefixes?"

^^;;

If you are talking about the original word, it is called a root or word word.

prefix + root word = new word
suffix + root word = new word

[hopechest]

If you are talking about the original word, it is called a root or word word.

prefix + root word = new word
suffix + root word = new word

I'm talking about instances similar to:
verb + ing = noun (gerund)

It's not important, and as far as I know there are no other similar cases, but some friends and I got into an English discussion and this question came up.

[MikeNewYork]

If you are talking about the original word, it is called a root or word word.

prefix + root word = new word
suffix + root word = new word

I'm talking about instances similar to:
verb + ing = noun (gerund)

It applies to that. In "buying", the root is "buy" and "ing" is the suffix.

[yulia]

Could you, please, help me with the identification of the gerund. I often happen to confuse it with the participle. Sometimes I can hardly distinguish the difference between gerund and participle.
Thanks in advance.

[yulia]

Thank, Cas, hopefully it'll help me. :P

Sorry, my computer seem to have stuck, so I posted my reply at the top.
Anyway, Thanks again. :P

You are most welcome. :D

Why use the "razz" ( :P ) emoticon? :(