Sample Analysis

 

To busy is a verb which means occupy, keep busy.

Derivational level. On the derivational level of analysis it is a derivative built through conversion from the adjective stem busy (V ← adj).

Morphemic level. On the morphemic level of analysis it is a monomorphemic word consisting of one root morpheme.

Etymological level. Etymologically it is a native word. Semantic level. Semantically – monosemantic.

Stylistic level. Stylistically – neutral.

 

 

Thus, the adverb inconceivably is a derivative built through affixation in several steps:

1) by adding the prefix con- to the bound stem -ceive (the word was practically borrowed from O.Fr. in this prefixed form);

2) by adding the suffix -able to the verb stem conceive,

3) by adding the prefix in- to the adjective stem conceivable;

4) by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective stem inconceivable.

Morphemic level. On the morphemic level of analysis inconceivable is a polymorphemic word consisting of five morphemes: one root morpheme (-ceive) and

four derivational morphemes (two prefixes in- and con- and two suffixes -able and -ly).

Etymological level. On the etymological level the word under study is a hybrid consisting of Romance morphemes and one native English morpheme (-ly).

Semantic level. Semantically it is a monosemantic word, like most derivatives. Stylistic level. Stylistically it is a word of neutral style tending to bookish,

literary rather than colloquial.