- Definition
A "base" is the main part of a word that gives it its core meaning, like "act" in words such as "acted" or "action." Sometimes, a base can stand alone as a word, like "eat," but other times it needs an ending or beginning added to it to make a complete word.
The word 'play' is the base in the words 'playing' and 'played'.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A base word is like the main Lego block you start with before adding smaller pieces on top.
Ask your child: What small word do you hear inside the word 'playing'?
Common mix-up: Kids may see words like 'play' and 'playing' as completely separate. The base word is the main part that holds the core meaning.
Examples
- 'Help' is the base word in 'helpful' and 'helped'.
- 'Look' is the base word in 'looking' and 'looks'.
base is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 1 The Arts
- Grade 1 Language Arts
- Grade 2 Language Arts
- Grade 3 Language Arts
- Grade 4 Language Arts
- Grade 5 Language Arts
- Grade 6 Language Arts
- Grade 7 Language Arts
+7 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
