What does morphology study?

• A. The pronunciation of words
• B. The structure of words
• C. The meaning of sentences
• D. The spelling of words

Answer: (B)

Morphology is the branch of linguistics that studies the structure of words. It examines how words are formed and how they can be broken down into their constituent parts, such as roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Understanding morphology is crucial for recognizing how different word forms are derived and how they contribute to meaning within language.

For example, in the word "unhappiness," morphology allows us to identify the root "happy," the prefix "un-," which indicates negation, and the suffix "-ness," which transforms an adjective into a noun. By studying these structures, one gains insights into how language operates at a fundamental level.

Other options refer to aspects of language that are not related to morphology. Pronunciation is concerned with how words are spoken, meaning of sentences falls under semantics, and spelling relates to the written representation of words, which does not address their structure. Thus, the focus on the structure of words makes this a clear and defined aspect of what morphology studies.