Prefixes and Suffixes
1. Introduction
In English grammar, prefixes and suffixes are important tools for word formation.
By adding small groups of letters before or after a word, we can create new words,
change the meaning, or shift the function of the word in a sentence.
• These groups of letters are called affixes.
• Prefix = comes before the root word.
• Suffix = comes after the root word.
Example:
• Root word = kind
• With prefix = unkind (opposite meaning)
• With suffix = kindness (state/quality)
• With both = unkindness
This system makes English a flexible language where new words can be easily
formed.
2. Prefix
Definition
A prefix is a group of letters added at the beginning of a root word to form a new
word with a different meaning.
Example:
• re + write = rewrite (to write again)
• dis + agree = disagree (to not agree)
Features of Prefixes
1. A prefix does not stand alone.
o e.g., "un" by itself has no meaning.
2. It changes the meaning of the root word.
3. It does not change the word class (most of the time).
o e.g., "happy" (adjective) → "unhappy" (adjective).
Types of Prefixes
(A) Negative Prefixes
• Show the opposite meaning.
Examples:
• un- → unfair (not fair)
• in-/im-/il-/ir- → incorrect, impossible, illegal, irregular
• dis- → dislike, disconnect, disagree
• non- → nonfiction (not fiction), nonstop (without stop)
(B) Prefixes of Time/Order/Place
• Show when or where.
Examples:
• pre- → preview (see before)
• post- → postgraduate (after graduation)
• ex- → ex-president (former president)
• sub- → submarine (underwater)
• inter- → international (between nations)
• trans- → transport (carry across)
(C) Prefixes of Degree/Size
• Show amount, intensity, or size.
Examples:
• over- → overcook (cook too much)
• under- → underpay (pay too little)
• super- → superstar (very famous person)
• hyper- → hyperactive (overactive)
• mini- → minibus (small bus)
• mega- → megastore (very large store)
(D) Prefixes of Attitude/Relation
Examples:
• pro- → pro-democracy (supporting democracy)
• anti- → anti-war (against war)
• co-/com-/con- → cooperate (work together), connect (join together)
• auto- → autograph (self-signature), automatic (works by itself)
Extended Examples with Prefixes
1. un + known = unknown
2. re + build = rebuild
3. mis + behave = misbehave
4. sub + way = subway
5. pre + heat = preheat
3. Suffix
Definition
A suffix is a group of letters added at the end of a root word to form a new word.
Example:
• help + ful = helpful
• child + hood = childhood
• quick + ly = quickly
Features of Suffixes
1. A suffix cannot stand alone.
2. It changes the form or function of the word.
o e.g., "teach" (verb) → "teacher" (noun).
3. It often changes the part of speech.
Types of Suffixes
(A) Noun-forming Suffixes
• Change a verb/adjective into a noun.
Suffix Function Examples
-er / -or person doing an action teacher, actor, driver
-ness state/quality happiness, kindness
-ment result of action enjoyment, achievement
Suffix Function Examples
-tion / -sion action/process creation, decision
-ity / -ty condition/state purity, honesty
-ship status/relationship friendship, leadership
-ist profession/belief artist, scientist
-dom state/condition freedom, kingdom
(B) Adjective-forming Suffixes
• Change a noun/verb into an adjective.
Suffix Function Examples
-ful full of joyful, careful
-less without hopeless, powerless
-ous / -ious having quality of dangerous, ambitious
-able / -ible capable of readable, visible
-ic relating to poetic, historic
-al connected with cultural, natural
-y characterized by sunny, lucky
-ish like / somewhat childish, foolish
(C) Verb-forming Suffixes
• Change a noun/adjective into a verb.
Suffix Function Examples
-en to cause to become darken, broaden
-ify / -fy to make / cause beautify, simplify
-ize / -ise to make / become modernize, realize
(D) Adverb-forming Suffixes
• Change an adjective into an adverb.
Suffix Function Examples
-ly in a manner quickly, happily
-ward / -wards direction forward, eastwards
-wise in relation to otherwise, clockwise
Extended Examples with Suffixes
1. play + er = player
2. dark + ness = darkness
3. kind + ly = kindly
4. nation + al = national
5. use + ful = useful
4. Words with Both Prefix and Suffix
Sometimes, a word can have both prefix and suffix.
Examples:
• un + help + ful = unhelpful
• dis + agree + ment = disagreement
• re + act + ion = reaction
• in + correct + ly = incorrectly
5. Difference Between Prefix and Suffix
Point Prefix Suffix
Position At the beginning of a root word At the end of a root word
Function Changes meaning of a word Changes form/class of a word
Point Prefix Suffix
Example un + happy = unhappy happy + ness = happiness
Effect Rarely changes part of speech Often changes part of speech
6. Practice Exercises
Add prefixes to form new words:
1. possible → impossible
2. regular → irregular
3. legal → illegal
4. connect → disconnect
5. mature → immature
Add suffixes to form new words:
1. child → childhood
2. read → reader / reading
3. strong → strength
4. happy → happiness
5. create → creation
With both prefix & suffix:
1. correct → incorrectly
2. agree → disagreement
3. useful → uselessness
4. act → reaction
5. comfort → uncomfortable
