Inflection & Derivation Question

Hi, Everyone,

I am reading about morphemes to understand word classes and wanted to see if my current understanding is correct.

The word "fat" can be an adjective (1) or a noun (2):

(1) The fat man; or
(2) The man liked to eat fat.

If I make (1) "fatter", this is an example of inflection (same word class).

In contrast, while not a grammatical sentence if you make (2) "fatter", this would be an example of derivation due to a change in word class.

Am I on the right track with my understanding?

Many thanks,

Philip

12/19/202:51 AM

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Gustavo, Co-ModeratorProfessor of Legal and Financial Translation

Hi, Philip,

@Philip posted:
The word "fat" can be an adjective (1) or a noun (2):
(1) The fat man; or
(2) The man liked to eat fat.
If I make (1) "fatter", this is an example of inflection (same word class).

Yes, that's correct.

@Philip posted:
In contrast, while not a grammatical sentence if you make (2) "fatter", this would be an example of derivation due to a change in word class.
Am I on the right track with my understanding?

I don't understand how you can convert the noun "fat" to "fatter." An example of derivation would be the verb "fatten."

12/19/204:50 AM