Which term is the study of word formation?

• A. Phonology
• B. Syntax
• C. Semantics
• D. Morphology

Answer: (D)

Word formation is studied in morphology, which analyzes how words are built from the smallest meaningful units called morphemes and how roots, prefixes, suffixes, and compounding combine to create new words and show grammatical information. This field helps explain why words change form to express tense, number, or part of speech (for example, teacher vs teachers, teachable vs teachability) and how new words are created. Phonology focuses on sound patterns, syntax on how words fit together in phrases and sentences, and semantics on meaning; morphology sits at the interface of meaning and word structure, detailing the processes of affixation, inflection, and formation that shape the vocabulary we use.