Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning of language. Which is an example of a "free" morpheme?

Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning of language. Which is an example of a "free" morpheme?

• A. ing in dreaming
• B. faith in unfaithful
• C. poly- in polyhedron
• D. -ed in wanted

Answer: (B)

A free morpheme is a morpheme that can stand alone as a word and has meaning on its own. In the choice provided, "faith" is an example of a free morpheme. It can function independently in a sentence, conveying its semantic content without the need for additional morphemes. The other options contain bound morphemes. "Ing" in "dreaming," "-ed" in "wanted," and "poly-" in "polyhedron" cannot stand alone as words; they depend on other morphemes to convey meaning. Although they have essential grammatical roles or contribute to the meaning of the root words they modify, they do not function independently. This distinguishes them clearly from free morphemes like "faith," which can exist and be understood on its own.

A free morpheme is a morpheme that can stand alone as a word and has meaning on its own. In the choice provided, "faith" is an example of a free morpheme. It can function independently in a sentence, conveying its semantic content without the need for additional morphemes.

The other options contain bound morphemes. "Ing" in "dreaming," "-ed" in "wanted," and "poly-" in "polyhedron" cannot stand alone as words; they depend on other morphemes to convey meaning. Although they have essential grammatical roles or contribute to the meaning of the root words they modify, they do not function independently. This distinguishes them clearly from free morphemes like "faith," which can exist and be understood on its own.