Are roots the same as base words?
To me, these terms exemplify how the English language is dynamic and evolving, how we as speakers can contribute to meaning. First, let me note that these terms do have a frequently utilized distinction between them.
The term base word typically refers to a word that can stand alone when any affixes are removed (e.g., test, happy); free morphemes would be considered base words by this definition.
On the other hand, root typically refers to the main part of a word that cannot stand alone when any affixes are removed (e.g., -bio- as in biology or biography); these would be bound morphemes.
Yet this becomes misleading when we examine roots that indeed can stand alone. For example, I teach -port-, -form-, and -graph-, all of which are both the root of many other words while also being able to exist independently.
For a longer discussion of whether this distinction continues to be useful, see http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/are-base-words-and-root-words-the-same.html.
The term base word typically refers to a word that can stand alone when any affixes are removed (e.g., test, happy); free morphemes would be considered base words by this definition.
On the other hand, root typically refers to the main part of a word that cannot stand alone when any affixes are removed (e.g., -bio- as in biology or biography); these would be bound morphemes.
Yet this becomes misleading when we examine roots that indeed can stand alone. For example, I teach -port-, -form-, and -graph-, all of which are both the root of many other words while also being able to exist independently.
For a longer discussion of whether this distinction continues to be useful, see http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/are-base-words-and-root-words-the-same.html.