What is an inflectional affix?

Definition
	An inflectional affix is an affix that
	expresses a grammatical contrast that is obligatory for its stem's word class in some given grammatical context does not change the word class of its stem is typically located farther from its root than a derivational affix, and produces a predictable, nonidiosyncratic change of meaning.

Examples (English)
	Here are some examples of grammatical categories that are expressed by inflectional affixes:
	Aspect Case Modality Number Person Tense Voice

Generic
	An inflectional affix is a kind of
	What is an affix? (Linguistics)

See also
	What is inflection?

Sources
	Crystal 1980 184
	Hartmann and Stork 1972 112
	Mish 1991 620
	Bybee 1985 2, 99

Context for this page:

Concept module: inflectional affix
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): I
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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