Prefixes

In this lesson , we will learn about a group of affixes called "prefixes". As the name suggests these affixes come before the words and change their meanings and not their parts of speech.

Here we start with some prefixes which apply a negative meaning to the words they are added to.

prefixes with the meaning "not"

Look at these example...consider how a prefix can change a word's meaning into negative:

happy                       unhappy
possible                  impossible
correct                     incorrect

like (v)                       dislike (v)

legal                           illegal

regular                    irregular

where to use each of these prefixes:

un- is the most common:

unfriendly , unable , unusal , unnecessary , unkind , etc.

in- is often used before words with a Latin origin:

invisible , informal , in adequate

im- is used before some words beginning with 'm' or 'p' :

impolite, impossible, impatient.

il- can be used before 'l' :

illegible

ir- is only used before a few words beginning with ‘r’ :

irresponsible

dis- is used before some adjectives and a few verbs:

dishonest (adj)  , dislike (v) , disagree(v)

note that:

Word stress doesn’t usually change, e.g. " happy / unhappy"

Verb prefixes: un- and dis-

These prefixes usually reverse the meaning of verbs.

The plane appeared in the sky, then suddenly disappeared behind a cloud.

I got dressed (= put on my clothes) and had my breakfast....I got undressed (= took off my clothes) and got into bed.

I had to pack my suitcase/do my packing (= put everything in it) very quickly, so when I unpacked (= took things out) at the hotel, most of my clothes looked terrible.

extra points : there are some other verb prefixes with sepecific meaning.

re- (= again)                The shop closed down but it’ll reopen next month.
                                        I failed my exam but I can retake/redo it next year.

over- (= too much)      My boss is overdoing it at the moment.(working too hard)

                                         I went to bed very late and I overslept (slept too long.)

mis- (= badly or incorrectly)      I’m afraid I misunderstood what he said.

                                                         Two of the students misread the first question.

  Practice time

download the prefix worksheet and do the exercises, then you can download the answer sheet and check your answers:

prefix worksheet             answers       

After you're done with the practices , you need to take this little quiz:

Prefix Quiz

  Reflection Time:

By the end of this session you should be able to:

Homework:

To spark student interest in origin of familiar words the class will read Frindle by Andrew Clements for the next session. Frindle is a story of a boy who gaind fame a teased his teacher by inventing new word.

Click on the above picture to download the story