Root Words worksheet for identifying prefixes and suffixes in words like "unhappiness" and "disgraceful."

Let’s go through each word one by one. We need to find the prefix (the part added at the beginning) and the suffix (the part added at the end) that were attached to the root word.

We’ll look at each word, break it apart, and figure out what was added.

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1. unhappiness
- Root: happy
- Prefix: un- (means “not”)
- Suffix: -ness (turns adjective into noun)
→ Prefix: un, Suffix: ness

2. disgraceful
- Root: grace
- Prefix: dis- (means “opposite of” or “remove”)
- Suffix: -ful (means “full of”)
→ Prefix: dis, Suffix: ful

3. uninteresting
- Root: interest
- Prefix: un- (means “not”)
- Suffix: -ing (makes it an adjective from verb) — but wait! Actually, “interesting” is already a word, so we’re adding “un-” to “interesting”. But the root here is “interest”, so:
- First, “interest” + “-ing” = interesting
- Then “un-” + “interesting” = uninteresting
So prefix: un, suffix: ing? Wait — actually, the full word is built as: un + interest + ing? No — “interesting” is treated as one unit. Let’s think differently.

Actually, for this worksheet, they likely want us to split off only the outermost prefix and suffix.

So:
- unhappiness → un + happy + ness
- disgraceful → dis + grace + ful
- uninteresting → un + interest + ing? But “interest” isn’t the base — “interesting” is the base adjective. Hmm.

Wait — let’s check standard breakdowns:

In school worksheets like this, they usually expect:

For uninteresting:
Prefix: un-
Suffix: -ing? Or maybe -est? No.

Actually, “interesting” comes from “interest” + “-ing”, then “un-” is added. But since the word given is “uninteresting”, and we’re to find prefix and suffix added to the *root*, perhaps the root is “interest”.

But looking at other words, like “mistaken” — no prefix, just suffix “-en”? Not quite.

Let me re-think with simpler logic:

Look at each word and ask: What small piece was added at the front? What small piece was added at the back?

Let’s do them carefully:

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1. unhappiness
- Starts with “un” → prefix
- Ends with “ness” → suffix
→ Prefix: un, Suffix: ness

2. disgraceful
- Starts with “dis” → prefix
- Ends with “ful” → suffix
→ Prefix: dis, Suffix: ful

3. uninteresting
- Starts with “un” → prefix
- Ends with “ing” → suffix? But “interesting” ends with “ing”, yes.
However, “interest” is the root, so “un-” + “interest” + “-ing”? That doesn’t make sense because “uninterest” isn’t a word. Actually, “uninteresting” = “un-” + “interesting”, and “interesting” = “interest” + “-ing”. So for this worksheet, they probably consider “un-” as prefix and “-ing” as suffix, even though technically “interesting” is a derived word.

But let’s see #4: mistaken — no obvious prefix. Maybe no prefix? And suffix “-en”?

This suggests sometimes there’s no prefix.

Let’s list all:

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Let’s go one by one with clear breaks:

1. unhappiness
- un + happy + ness → Prefix: un, Suffix: ness

2. disgraceful
- dis + grace + ful → Prefix: dis, Suffix: ful

3. uninteresting
- un + interest + ing? But “uninterest” isn’t common. Better: un + interesting → so prefix “un”, and “interesting” has suffix “ing”? But the whole word is “uninteresting”, so if root is “interest”, then prefix “un”, suffix “ing” — but that skips “est”? No.

Actually, “interesting” is formed from “interest” + “-ing”, so “uninteresting” is “un-” + “interesting”. For simplicity in 5th grade level, they might say:

Prefix: un
Suffix: ing — even though it’s not directly on the root.

But let’s check online or standard answers for such worksheets.

Alternatively, perhaps for “uninteresting”, the suffix is nothing? No.

Another way: Look at the ending.

“uninteresting” ends with “ing” — so suffix could be “ing”

Starts with “un” — prefix “un”

Similarly:

4. mistaken
- No prefix? Starts with “m” — not a known prefix.
- Ends with “en” — which can be a suffix (like in “broken”, “taken”)
→ Prefix: (none), Suffix: en

But the worksheet has blanks for both — so maybe leave prefix blank if none?

The directions say: “Write the prefix and the suffix that’s been added” — implying there may be cases where one is missing.

Looking at #7: ungrateful — clearly “un-” and “-ful”

#8: insightful — “in-” is a prefix? “in-” can mean “into” or “not”, but here “insight” is a word, then “-ful” added. So prefix? “in-” is part of “insight”, not added separately. So probably no prefix, suffix “ful”

This is tricky.

Let me try to find a pattern from common knowledge.

Standard approach for such worksheets:

Break the word into three parts: prefix + root + suffix

But sometimes root is modified.

Let’s use this method:

For each word, identify the core meaning word (root), then see what’s attached before and after.

1. unhappiness → root: happy → prefix: un, suffix: ness

2. disgraceful → root: grace → prefix: dis, suffix: ful

3. uninteresting → root: interest → prefix: un, suffix: ing? But “uninterest” isn't used. Actually, “interesting” is the adjective, so “un-” is added to “interesting”, so prefix: un, and “interesting” has suffix “ing”, but for this word, the suffix added to make “uninteresting” is... none? I'm confused.

Perhaps for "uninteresting", the suffix is "ing" and prefix is "un", accepting that "interest" is the root.

Similarly:

4. mistaken → root: take? But "mistake" is the word. "Mistaken" is past participle of "mistake". So no prefix, suffix "en" (as in taken, broken)

5. unalienable → root: alien? "Unalienable" means cannot be taken away. Root: alien? But "inalienable" is more common. "Un-" + "alien" + "able"? "Alienable" is a word, so "un-" + "alienable", and "alienable" = "alien" + "able". So for "unalienable", prefix: un, suffix: able

6. unanswerable → similarly, un + answer + able → prefix: un, suffix: able

7. ungrateful → un + grate + ful? "Grate" isn't right. "Grateful" is from "grace", but commonly, "ungrateful" = un + grateful, and "grateful" = grace + ful, but for simplicity, prefix: un, suffix: ful

8. insightful → in + sight + ful? "In-" is not really a prefix here; "insight" is a compound word. So probably no prefix, suffix: ful

9. disappointment → dis + appoint + ment? "Appoint" is the root, "dis-" prefix, "-ment" suffix

10. mishapen → mis + hap + en? "Hap" means chance, "mishap" is bad luck, "mishapen" is not standard; usually "misshapen". Assuming it's "misshapen", then mis + shape + en, but written as "mishapen", so prefix: mis, suffix: en

11. irreverent → ir + reverent? "Reverent" is the word, "ir-" is prefix meaning "not", and "reverent" has no suffix, or "ent" is suffix? "Revere" + "ent" = reverent, so for "irreverent", prefix: ir, suffix: ent

This is getting complicated. Let me simplify based on common elementary school expectations.

I recall that in many such worksheets, they expect:

- For "unhappiness": prefix "un", suffix "ness"
- "disgraceful": prefix "dis", suffix "ful"
- "uninteresting": prefix "un", suffix "ing" [even if not perfect]
- "mistaken": no prefix, suffix "en"
- "unalienable": prefix "un", suffix "able"
- "unanswerable": prefix "un", suffix "able"
- "ungrateful": prefix "un", suffix "ful"
- "insightful": no prefix, suffix "ful" [since "in" is part of "insight"]
- "disappointment": prefix "dis", suffix "ment"
- "mishapen": prefix "mis", suffix "en" [assuming it's a variant of misshapen]
- "irreverent": prefix "ir", suffix "ent"

Let's verify with reliable sources or logic.

Upon second thought, for "insightful", "in-" is not a prefix; "insight" is a single word, so no prefix, suffix "ful".

For "irreverent", "ir-" is a prefix (variant of "in-" meaning not), and "reverent" has suffix "ent" from "revere".

Similarly, "disappointment": "dis-" prefix, "appoint" root, "ment" suffix.

Now for "uninteresting": if we consider "interest" as root, then "un-" prefix, and "-ing" suffix, even though "uninterest" isn't common, in morphology, it's acceptable for teaching purposes.

Some might argue that "interesting" is the base, so only prefix "un", no suffix, but the word ends with "ing", so likely they want "ing" as suffix.

To resolve, let's look at the number of items — 11 words, and most have both prefix and suffix.

Let's finalize:

1. unhappiness → un, ness
2. disgraceful → dis, ful
3. uninteresting → un, ing
4. mistaken → (no prefix), en
5. unalienable → un, able
6. unanswerable → un, able
7. ungrateful → un, ful
8. insightful → (no prefix), ful
9. disappointment → dis, ment
10. mishapen → mis, en
11. irreverent → ir, ent

For #4 and #8, if no prefix, we leave it blank or write "none"? The worksheet has lines, so probably write the prefix if exists, else leave blank or write nothing. But in answers, we should indicate.

Since the instruction is to "write the prefix and the suffix", and for some there might be no prefix, we can put "-" or leave empty, but for final answer, I'll specify.

In many such keys, they write the prefix only if present.

But to be safe, let's assume that if no prefix, we don't write anything, but for the answer, I'll state it.

Perhaps for "mistaken", the prefix is "mis-"? "Mis-" means wrong, and "take" , but "mistake" is a word, so "mistaken" = mistake + en, so no additional prefix.

Similarly, "insightful" = insight + ful, no prefix.

So for the answer, I'll list:

1. Prefix: un, Suffix: ness
2. Prefix: dis, Suffix: ful
3. Prefix: un, Suffix: ing
4. Prefix: , Suffix: en (or no prefix)
5. Prefix: un, Suffix: able
6. Prefix: un, Suffix: able
7. Prefix: un, Suffix: ful
8. Prefix: , Suffix: ful
9. Prefix: dis, Suffix: ment
10. Prefix: mis, Suffix: en
11. Prefix: ir, Suffix: ent

For #10, "mishapen" – if it's meant to be "misshapen", then "mis-" prefix, "shape" root, "en" suffix, but spelled "mishapen", so still "mis" and "en".

For #11, "irreverent" – "ir-" is prefix, "reverent" has "ent" as suffix.

Now, to confirm, let's see if "uninteresting" should have suffix "ing" – yes, because "interest" + "ing" = interesting, then "un-" added, but for the whole word, the suffix added to the root "interest" is "ing", and prefix "un".

Similarly for others.

I think this is as good as it gets for elementary level.

So final answers:

1. Prefix: un, Suffix: ness
2. Prefix: dis, Suffix: ful
3. Prefix: un, Suffix: ing
4. Prefix: (none), Suffix: en
5. Prefix: un, Suffix: able
6. Prefix: un, Suffix: able
7. Prefix: un, Suffix: ful
8. Prefix: (none), Suffix: ful
9. Prefix: dis, Suffix: ment
10. Prefix: mis, Suffix: en
11. Prefix: ir, Suffix: ent

For the response, since it's for a student, I'll write the prefixes and suffixes as words, and for no prefix, I'll say "none" or leave blank, but in the final answer section, I'll list them clearly.

In the Final Answer, I'll provide a numbered list with prefix and suffix for each.

Also, for #4 and #8, if the worksheet expects something, but I think "none" is fine.

Perhaps for "mistaken", some might say prefix "mis-", but "mistake" is the base, so "mis-" is part of the root word, not added separately. So no prefix.

Similarly for "insightful".

So I'll go with that.

Final Answer:

1. Prefix: un, Suffix: ness
2. Prefix: dis, Suffix: ful
3. Prefix: un, Suffix: ing
4. Prefix: none, Suffix: en
5. Prefix: un, Suffix: able
6. Prefix: un, Suffix: able
7. Prefix: un, Suffix: ful
8. Prefix: none, Suffix: ful
9. Prefix: dis, Suffix: ment
10. Prefix: mis, Suffix: en
11. Prefix: ir, Suffix: ent

For #10, "mishapen" – if it's a typo for "misshapen", it's still "mis" and "en". If it's "mishap" + "en", same thing.

For #11, "irreverent" – "ir-" is correct prefix for "not", and "ent" is suffix.

I think this is accurate for the level.