What is an allomorph?

An allomorph is an alternative manifestation of a morpheme (a set of meaningful linguistic units). Allomorphs vary in shape or pronunciation according to their conditions of use, but not as to meaning.

Here are some examples of allomorphs. In English, the negative prefix in has several allomorphs:

• In-capable
• Il-logical
• Im-probable
• Ir-reverent

• Concept module: allomorph
• In overview module: Glossary (Literacy): A
• In modular book: Glossary of literacy terms
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 28 June 1999

© 1999 SIL International