Exercises class 5
1. Consider the following table of bound forms
in-
ex-
con-
re-
trans-
de-
-port
-mit
-ceive
-duce
-cede
-fer
-scribe
-gress
-sist
a. Considering combinations of the prefixes (columns) and bound bases (rows), what combinations
can you think of?
b. Now form nominalizations of the forms you have found. What do you see?
c. If you have empty cells, could you come up with an interpretation if you wanted to introduce
(some of) the words that would be in the emtpy cells?
Source: Lieber (2009)
2. The following English deverbal nouns in -ing are all polysemous. Determine for each of them how
their different meanings relate to each other: blessing, crossing, drawing, dwelling, opening.
Source: Booij (2007)
3. Some languages allow for double diminutives in which the root of the word is followed by two
diminutive suffixes, as in Polish kot-eč-ek ‘‘cat-DIM-DIM, dear pussycat’’, and Afrikaans huis-ie-tjie
‘‘house-DIM-DIM, dear little house’’.
Explain why it is not so odd from the semantic point of view to use two diminutive suffixes in one
word.
Source: Booij (2007)
5. In most cases, the suffix -er can have whatever semantic role is carried by the subject of its base
verb. Consider the words loaner and keeper in the sentences below:
i. My car was in the garage so they gave me a loaner.
ii. This book is a keeper.
What challenge do these forms present for the general interpretation of -er?
Source: Lieber (2009)
6. The suffix -ee is usually said to form ‘patient nouns’, that is, nouns that denote the person who
undergoes or is subject to the action denoted by the base verb. Consider the following examples, and
discuss the extent to which -ee exhibits affixal polysemy:
employee
nominee
standee
escapee
addressee
amputee
Source: Lieber (2009)
7. Assuming that all the words in Column A below contain the same morpheme {ful} and also that all
the words in Column B contain the same morpheme {ful}, is the same morpheme illustrated in
Column A and in column B? Explain ALL your evidence.
Column A
awful
careful
merciful
skilful
truthful
Source: Bauer (2003)
Column B
cupful
houseful
mouthful
pipeful
spoonful
8. There is some disagreement as to whether the suffix -able which occurs in the words in column A
below represents the same morpheme as the suffix -able which occurs in the words in column B.
Provide three arguments which consistently provide evidence either in favour of them being the
same morpheme or in favour of them being two separate m orphemes. State clearly whether your
arguments support the one morpheme solution or the two morpheme solution.
Column A
comfortable
honourable
knowledgeable
marriageable
objectionable
Column B
acceptable
agreeable
commendable
desirable
reliable
9. Which of the words in Column A can be analysed as containing as a morph the corresponding form
from Column B? If such an analysis is possible, provide a justification in the form of parallel examples
which illustrate each morph in different e nvironments. If no such analysis is possible, state what
kind(s) of resonance (if any) hold between the two forms.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Column A
distress
compromise
professorial
history
parsonage
telekinesis
Column B
dis
promise
profess
his
parson
tele
Source: Bauer (2009)
Bauer, Laurie (2003) Introducing linguistic morphology. Edinburgh University Press.
Booij, Geert (2007) The grammar of words. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lieber, Rochelle (2009) Introducting morphology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press