Question

What is backformation in morphology?

• A. Adding a prefix to create a compound word
• B. Removing an affix to form a new word
• C. Combining two words to form a metaphor
• D. Changing the pronunciation of a word for poetic effect

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Removing an affix to form a new word

Backformation is a word formation process in which a new word (often a verb) is created by removing what looks like an affix from an existing word (usually a noun). This process often results in a change of word class.

Examples:

• Editor → Edit

• Burglar → Burgle

• Laziness → Lazy