The null morpheme is a morpheme with no phonetic form. It can be considered an invisible affix. The null morpheme is often represented with the symbol Ø.
The singular of English nouns can be represented with the null morpheme. This contrasts with the plural morpheme -s. Here are examples:
book + Ø = singular
book + s = plural
chair + Ø = singular
chair + s = plural
table + Ø = singular
table + s = plural
The null morpheme can also indicate the plural of irregular nouns:
sheep + Ø = singular
sheep + Ø = plural
The null morpheme also marks the present tense of verbs which are not third person singular.
he/she run + s = third person singular
they run + Ø = third person plural
I run + Ø = first person singular
The null morpheme is common not only in English but also in other languages. It is very useful for illustrating contrasts with overt morphemes. In English the null morpheme exhibits contrasts with the plural morpheme and the third personal singular verb morpheme.
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