What is the purpose of interfixes?

Interfixes serve the specific function of creating compound words through the process of central affixing. Essentially, they are inserted within two base words to facilitate their combination, often enhancing the pronunciation, flow, or meaning of the resulting compound. By placing an interfix between these words, it helps to create a smoother transition and integrate the two distinct units more effectively, resulting in a new word that conveys a unified concept.

Other choices do not accurately reflect the role of interfixes. The creation of new root words typically involves prefixes or suffixes rather than interfixes. Attaching elements at both ends of a base word is not characteristic of interfixes; rather, that describes the function of certain types of affixes. Lastly, the concept of illustrating grammatical tense pertains more to inflections and verb conjugations, which are entirely different from what interfixes accomplish in word formation. Thus, the choice that identifies the role of interfixes in forming compound words is the most accurate representation of their purpose.