Morphology and Word Formation: quizzes, mind maps and notes

This unit looks at how words are built and how new ones are made. The resources come from many contributors, so you will find the same ideas explained in different ways. That is useful when one explanation does not click.

Morphemes and affixes: the MORPHEMES mind map sorts prefixes, suffixes and infixes, and the Morphemes and lexemes mind map separates free and bound morphemes.
Allomorphs: the Allomorphs flowchart sets out phonological, morphological and lexical types.
Word formation: the WORD FORMATION PROCESS mind map covers acronyms, back-formation, borrowing, derivation, compounding, conversion, clipping, blending and coinage.

Where to start

Begin with the Morphology mind map. It frames the topic as the study of the internal structure of words and how they are formed. Next, open the Morphology - basic terminology flashcards, which cover terms such as lexeme, stem, root and bound morpheme. Knowing these terms makes the later maps easier to read.

Moving on to word formation

Once the basics are clear, move to the WORD FORMATION PROCESS map and the shorter WORD FORMATION map, which sets inflection beside derivation, conversion and compounding. Several weekly maps, such as the ones on inflection and on derivation, break these ideas into smaller steps.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then close it and take a quiz. The Comparative typology quiz asks about the smallest meaningful unit of language and about allomorphs. The Morphology and Lexicology quiz asks you to count the morphemes in a word and to spot an affix. Wrong answers show you which map to reopen. Then go back to the flashcards and test the terms you missed.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the Sound and Structure strand of Linguistics and philology. It deals with word structure, so it pairs naturally with the sound-focused material in the same strand.

Ready to begin? Open one map, take one quiz, and see which ideas stay with you.

Frequently asked questions

Which resource should I open first?

Start with the Morphology mind map. It explains that morphology investigates the internal structure of words and how they are formed, and it introduces morphemes as the smallest pieces with a grammatical function. The Morphology - basic terminology flashcards are a good second step for the key terms.

What do the word formation mind maps cover?

The WORD FORMATION PROCESS mind map lists acronyms, back-formation, borrowing, derivation, compounding, conversion, clipping, blending and coinage, with a note on borrowing a word from one language into another. The shorter WORD FORMATION map groups inflection, derivation, conversion and compounding.

Are these resources free to use?

Yes. Every resource on this page is free to open, study and take, and you do not need an account. They were made by GoConqr users, not by GoConqr itself, so styles and depth vary from one resource to the next.

Which quizzes can I use to test myself?

Try the Comparative typology quiz for morphemes and allomorphs, or the Morphology and Lexicology quiz, which asks how many morphemes a word has. There is also a quiz simply called Morphology quiz. Together they give you a quick check on the main terms.

Who are these resources written for?

Almost all of them are at university level, so they suit university students going over a topic or filling gaps. Teachers can also use the maps, flashcards and notes as ready-made material to adapt for their own classes.

What if I cannot find what I need?

Check the other formats first, since the same topic often appears as a map, a flashcard deck and a note. If a gap remains, a free account lets you save your quiz scores and make your own quizzes, mind maps, flashcards and notes.

Morphology and Word Formation

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