What are morphemes?

Morphemes are indeed the smallest units of meaning in a word. They can be whole words, like "book" or "run," or parts of words, such as prefixes and suffixes like "un-" in "unknown" or "-ing" in "running." Understanding morphemes is essential in linguistics and literacy because they help in analyzing how words are formed and how their meanings can change with different prefixes or suffixes.

This concept is critical in understanding language structure and can aid students in vocabulary development, spelling, and comprehension. Recognizing morphemes allows learners to break down complex words into more manageable components, ultimately enhancing their reading and writing skills.