Smaller units added to words to alter their meaning, such as the plural suffix -s, are called what?

Smaller units added to words to alter their meaning, such as the plural suffix -s, are called what?

• A. Grammatical morphemes
• B. Function words
• C. Formulaic
• D. Enhanced input

Answer: (A)

Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language, and when a unit attaches to a word to change its grammatical function or meaning, it carries grammatical information. The plural suffix -s is a bound morpheme that attaches to a noun to indicate more than one. Because its job is to signal grammar (number) rather than to add new content, it’s classified as a grammatical morpheme. Function words are a separate category of words like the, and, to, which aren’t affixes that modify a word’s form. The other terms don’t apply to this morphological concept, so grammatical morphemes is the best label for this suffix.

Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language, and when a unit attaches to a word to change its grammatical function or meaning, it carries grammatical information. The plural suffix -s is a bound morpheme that attaches to a noun to indicate more than one. Because its job is to signal grammar (number) rather than to add new content, it’s classified as a grammatical morpheme. Function words are a separate category of words like the, and, to, which aren’t affixes that modify a word’s form. The other terms don’t apply to this morphological concept, so grammatical morphemes is the best label for this suffix.