Reading Intervention Terminology

Front

Morpheme

Back

The smallest unit of meaning in a word (e.g., play / -ful).

Front

Root/Base Word

Back

The main part of a word (e.g., act in action).

Front

Prefix

Back

Letters added at the start to change meaning (e.g., re-, un-).

Front

Suffix

Back

Letters added at the end to change meaning (e.g., -ed, -tion).

Front

Derivational Ending

Back

Changes a word’s meaning or part of speech (e.g., teach → teacher).

Front

Inflectional Ending

Back

Changes tense or number (e.g., walk → walked).

Front

Compound Word

Back

Two smaller words joined to form one (e.g., sunlight).

Front

Syntax

Back

The rules for how words are put together in a sentence.

Front

Phrase

Back

A group of words without a complete thought (e.g., in the house).

Front

Clause

Back

A group of words with a subject and verb.