On the mechanisms of meaning formation in semi-suffixal correlates of simple root morphemes in modern English

The current stage of development of the English language is characterized by the appearance and active functioning of productive word-forming elements – the so-called semi-affixes (semi-prefixes and semi-suffixes). The article presents the analysis of semantic peculiarities of semi-suffixal correlates of simple root morphemes in modern English as well as the study of the mechanisms of their meaning formation. The theoretical and practical significance of this study lies in its comprehensive approach to examining the semantic peculiarities of semi-suffixes. These semi-suffixes, when combined with stems of varying semantics, form representative series of semi-suffixal derivatives with generalizing meanings. Research findings reveal both the conditions and abilities by which common generalizing meanings of semi-suffixes are formed, stemming from the broad general meanings present in the semantic structure of their correlated root morphemes' main (direct) and secondary (derived or figurative) meanings.