7/29/2019 Minor Processes of Word Formation Nada Kvacanovic

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MINOR PROCESSES OF WORD FORMATION

PORTMANTEAU WORDS

Certain English words are formed by combining parts of two words, often the first part of one and the

last part of another (e.g. smog is a combination ofsmoke + fog) and sometimes the two first parts (e.g.

a moped is a motorized,pedal-assisted bicycle.

I Explain the meaning of the following blends or portmanteau words and then put each in its

correct sentence below:

Swatch, brunch, motel, Oxfam, bedsit, Oxbridge, Interpol, Eurovision, Chunnel

1. The __________ Song Contest is watched by millions of viewers from Portugal to Finland, fromGreece to Iceland, and in other countries.

2. The __________ organization, which has the aim of relieving hunger throughout the world, wasfounded in Oxford.

3. The International Police Commission, with headquarters in Paris, is usually referred to as__________.

4. If you get up late at the week-end, you might decide to have __________ in the middle of themorning.

5. The British and French governments have built a __________ to link the two countries.6. After driving all day, we looked for a cheap, clean __________ to stop at for the night.7. In the past a university degree from __________ was a great advantage to anyone wanting a

career in the diplomatic service.

8. Theres a certain kind of Swiss watch called a __________.9. She cant afford a proper flat. She rents a __________.

REDUPLICATION

Reduplication or doubling is the repeated use of essentially the same syllable, with or without

accompanying consonant or vowel change. It is usually found in the common colloquial expressions.

II Put each of these words in its correct place in the sentences below:

Ship-shape, mish-mash, wishy-washy, flip-flops, dilly-dally, tittle-tattle, shilly-shally, topsy-turvy, nitty-

gritty, higgledy-piggledy, humdrum, hanky-panky, silly-billy, willy-nilly, mumbo-jumbo, riff-raff

1. In the army you dont have much choice where you go. Youre sent where youre needed,__________.

7/29/2019 Minor Processes of Word Formation Nada Kvacanovic

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2. You must make up your mind about the job quickly. If you __________ any longer, theyllwithdraw the offer.

3. Oh, I am a __________. Ive bought salt and I meant to buy sugar.4. I like to see everything neat and tidy, everything in its place. I like to keep everything

__________.

5. Oh, I dont believe those stories they tell about him. Theyre just __________.6. In the morning they found the whole office __________ and realized it had been burgled.7. Michael Watsons latest play is a confusing mixture. It is neither a comedy, a serious work, nor a

musical, but a __________ of all three.

8. Go and get some biscuits from the shop and come straight back. Dont __________ on the way.9. A companys annual report must be clearly written and contain only the necessary facts. A

report which is vague and __________ is useless and makes a bad impression.

10.Shed like to find a more interesting, exciting job. She finds her present work very __________.11.After the robbery everything was in a mess, __________ all over the place.12.The two world leaders met and after the usual greetings and formalities got down to the

__________ of their talks.

13.There have been accusations of illegalities, suspicious irregularities and other __________during the elections. Theres going to be an inquiry.

14.The club I belong to is very expensive, he said snobbishly. They only accept upper-classpeople, not ordinary, vulgar __________.

15.She didnt believe in having a religious wedding and considered the church service to be just alot of __________.

16.__________ are cheap, open sandals, each consisting of a rubber sole and a strap between thetoes.