A stem whose root is expanded by at least two additional morphemes is formed by parasynthesis if the root expanded by only one of these is not a stem constituting a lexeme of the language. It thus seems as if parasynthesis involved the combination of the base with two components at once. There are two subtypes, derivational and compositional parasynthesis.

In derivational parasynthesis, first a reliant stem is derived, which is then derived by another operator to produce a usable stem. German beschönigen ‘whitewash’ is verbalized by the prefix be-, which can derive verb stems from adjectives. However, there is no word schönig. Thus, the verb stem is formed by combination of the base schön ‘pretty’ both with the interfix -ig and the prefix be-.

In compositional parasynthesis, first a reliant compound is formed, which is then derived to produce a usable stem. German blauäugig ‘blue-eyed’ contains the compound stem blauaug, which however does not occur outside blauäugig. This stem is adjectivized by the suffix -ig. Thus, the adjective stem is formed by the combination of the base Auge ‘eye’ both with its determinans blau and the suffix -ig.

In the examples adduced, word formation by combination of the base with two components at once is only apparent. A process may generate a stem of a certain category without a guarantee that the product is a free form. Therefore these examples are amenable to a binary analysis as indicated.