Which term governs the structure of words and how word forms are built from smaller units such as prefixes and suffixes?

• A. Morphology
• B. Syntax
• C. Semantics
• D. Pragmatics

Answer: (A)

Word formation from smaller units is studied in morphology. Morphology looks at morphemes—the smallest meaningful parts of language, including roots and bound pieces like prefixes and suffixes. It explains how adding prefixes changes meaning or grammatical function, how suffixes signal tense or number, and how new word forms are created from existing parts. For example, adding the suffix on- body to a root can create a new adjective, or combining the prefix un- with believe and the suffix -able builds unbelievable in describing something that cannot be believed easily. Understanding morphology helps with decoding unfamiliar words, spelling, and expanding vocabulary by seeing how different forms relate to one another.

The other terms describe different aspects of language. Syntax deals with how words are arranged into phrases and sentences; semantics focuses on meaning itself; pragmatics covers language use in social contexts, including tone and intent. The description in the question specifically targets how word forms are built from smaller units like prefixes and suffixes, which is the realm of morphology.