English Word Formation Quiz: Derivation, Conversion, and More

1. What is clipping?

Removing one or more syllables from a word without changing its meaningEX) "taxi" from "taxicab", "fridge" from "refrigerator"

Adding syllables to a word to change its meaning

Combining two words to create a new word

Changing the spelling of a word without altering its pronunciation

Clipping refers to the process of shortening a word by removing one or more syllables while retaining the original meaning. It is commonly seen in informal language and slang.

Explanation

Clipping refers to the process of shortening a word by removing one or more syllables while retaining the original meaning. It is commonly seen in informal language and slang.

2. What is compounding in linguistics?

Combining a free morpheme with a bound morpheme to create a new word.

Combining two free morphemes where each morpheme's meaning is kept intactEX) "Blackboard", "sunburn", "highchair"

Breaking down a word into its individual morphemes.

Creating a new word by adding affixes to existing words.

Compounding in linguistics refers to the combination of two free morphemes to create a single word where the meanings of each morpheme are not altered.

Explanation

Compounding in linguistics refers to the combination of two free morphemes to create a single word where the meanings of each morpheme are not altered.

3. What is the definition of coining?

The process of minting coins with different designs and metals.

Creating an entirely new, previously nonexistent wordEX) Aspirin, Catch-22, Xerox

Using a nickel to scratch off a lottery ticket.

The act of throwing a coin into a fountain for good luck.

Coining in this context refers to the creation of new words or terms that did not previously exist in the language.

Explanation

Coining in this context refers to the creation of new words or terms that did not previously exist in the language.

4. What is Folk Etymology?

The practice of creating new words for modern technology.

The study of folk music traditions.

Forming words to make language fit our understandingEX) "Garter snake" called "garden snake"

A genre of traditional fairy tales.

Folk Etymology refers to the process by which speakers alter borrowed words so they resemble words in their own language, making them easier to understand or fit their existing linguistic patterns.

Explanation

Folk Etymology refers to the process by which speakers alter borrowed words so they resemble words in their own language, making them easier to understand or fit their existing linguistic patterns.

5. What is meant by the term 'conversion' in linguistics?

Changing the part of speech of a free morpheme without adding anything another morphemeEX) "Google it," "text me"

Converting a singular noun to a plural noun by adding an 's' at the end.

Converting one language to another through a translation process.

Converting a regular verb to an irregular verb in a sentence.

Conversion in linguistics refers to changing the part of speech of a free morpheme without adding another morpheme, as seen in examples like 'Google it' or 'text me'. It does not involve translating languages, changing verb forms from regular to irregular, or making nouns plural by adding an 's'.

Explanation

Conversion in linguistics refers to changing the part of speech of a free morpheme without adding another morpheme, as seen in examples like 'Google it' or 'text me'. It does not involve translating languages, changing verb forms from regular to irregular, or making nouns plural by adding an 's'.

6. What is Back Formation?

Changing the order of letters in a word to create a different word.

Removing an end morpheme from a word EX) "Edit" from editor, "emote" from "emotion"

Combining two words to form a new word.

Adding a prefix to a word to create a new meaning.

Back formation is the process of removing an end morpheme from a word to create a new word. It is the opposite of affixation, where an affix is added to a word.

Explanation

Back formation is the process of removing an end morpheme from a word to create a new word. It is the opposite of affixation, where an affix is added to a word.

7. What is blending?

EX) 'Splurge', 'mug'.

EX) 'Snorkel', 'shock'.

EX) "Brunch", "smog"

EX) 'Glimmer', 'frog'.

Blending is a linguistic process where parts of two or more words are combined to form a new word with a new meaning. The correct examples provided are 'Brunch' (breakfast + lunch) and 'smog' (smoke + fog). The incorrect answers do not follow this blending concept.

Explanation

Blending is a linguistic process where parts of two or more words are combined to form a new word with a new meaning. The correct examples provided are 'Brunch' (breakfast + lunch) and 'smog' (smoke + fog). The incorrect answers do not follow this blending concept.

8. What is meant by derivation in linguistics?

Adding a bound morpheme to a free morphemeEX) un-, mis-, -ful

Creation of new vocabulary through borrowing words from other languages

The study of sentence structure and word order in a language

A process of phonological variation in words

Derivation in linguistics refers to the process of adding a bound morpheme to a free morpheme to create a new word or form. This process often changes the meaning or grammatical category of the original word.

Explanation

Derivation in linguistics refers to the process of adding a bound morpheme to a free morpheme to create a new word or form. This process often changes the meaning or grammatical category of the original word.

9. What is Metaphorical Extension?

Comparing two unrelated concepts.

Creating new words by blending existing ones.

Naming an object that resembles anotherEX) mouse, crane

Using symbolism to represent abstract ideas.

Metaphorical Extension involves naming an object with a term that resembles another object, drawing a comparison between the two.

Explanation

Metaphorical Extension involves naming an object with a term that resembles another object, drawing a comparison between the two.

10. What happens to a proper name when it becomes generalized to refer to a general thing?

A proper name can no longer be used in common language.

A proper name becomes limited to referring only to a specific individual.

A proper names becomes generalized to refer to a general thingEX) Jell-O, Band Aid

A proper name loses its original meaning entirely.

When a proper name becomes generalized, it starts to refer to a general thing or product, like how 'Jell-O' is commonly used to refer to gelatin desserts or 'Band Aid' to adhesive bandages.

Explanation

When a proper name becomes generalized, it starts to refer to a general thing or product, like how 'Jell-O' is commonly used to refer to gelatin desserts or 'Band Aid' to adhesive bandages.

11. What is the result of recutting?

"a napron" becomes "an apron""another" becomes "a nother"

A apron becomes napron, another becomes a nother

An apron becomes napron, a nother becomes another

A napron becomes nother, another becomes apron

12. What does the acronym 'laser' stand for?

Laserline apparatus for sensitive emission readings

Light analysis by spectrum emission of radio waves

Laser from "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

Luminous amplification by stimulated electronic response

The correct expansion of the acronym 'laser' is 'light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,' which describes the process by which lasers produce coherent light.

Explanation

The correct expansion of the acronym 'laser' is 'light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,' which describes the process by which lasers produce coherent light.