Learn English – What are words called that share the same root

rootsterminology

What do you call words that share the same root (e.g., "network", "networks", "networking"). Also, does the shortest one of them have a specific name (e.g., "network")?

Best Answer

I would call network a "stem", networks (noun or verb) an "inflected form", networking (participle) an "inflected form", and networking (noun) a "derived term".

"Root" is not the same as "stem" in my book; network has two roots, net and work.