Which study describes the pattern of forming words by combining sounds into minimal distinctive units of meaning called morphemes?

Which study describes the pattern of forming words by combining sounds into minimal distinctive units of meaning called morphemes?

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

Answer: (C)

Morphology examines how words are formed from morphemes, the smallest units of meaning. It shows how roots combine with prefixes and suffixes to change meaning or grammatical function, as in turning “dog” into “dogs” or creating words like “unhappiness” from “un-” + “happy” + “-ness.” It also distinguishes free morphemes, which can stand alone, from bound morphemes that attach to a base. This focus is distinct from phonetics (sounds), semantics (meaning at the word and sentence level), and syntax (the arrangement of words into phrases and sentences).

Morphology examines how words are formed from morphemes, the smallest units of meaning. It shows how roots combine with prefixes and suffixes to change meaning or grammatical function, as in turning “dog” into “dogs” or creating words like “unhappiness” from “un-” + “happy” + “-ness.” It also distinguishes free morphemes, which can stand alone, from bound morphemes that attach to a base. This focus is distinct from phonetics (sounds), semantics (meaning at the word and sentence level), and syntax (the arrangement of words into phrases and sentences).