affixorder

affixorder is a term used in linguistics to describe the typical sequence in which affixes are attached to a word's base or root. This order is not random but follows consistent patterns across languages. Generally, derivational affixes, which change the meaning or word class of a base, tend to occur closer to the root than inflectional affixes, which mark grammatical categories like tense, number, or case.

For instance, in English, the past tense suffix "-ed" is an inflectional affix and typically comes last. The derivational suffix "-ness," which forms an abstract noun, would usually precede it. So, "kind" (root) becomes "kindness" (derivational affix) and then "kindness-es" (inflectional affix, though less common with abstract nouns). The placement of affixes can significantly impact the final form and grammatical function of a word.

Understanding affix order is crucial for morphological analysis and for comprehending how words are constructed. While languages exhibit variations, the tendency for derivational affixes to precede inflectional ones is a widespread phenomenon in word formation. This ordered structure helps to create clear and unambiguous linguistic expressions.