Prefixes
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word. It
changes the word’s meaning. Think of it as a special code at the start! ♀️
Common Prefixes
Prefix Meaning Examples
nonsense, nonfat, nonstop, nonfiction,
non- not
nontoxic
in-, incorrect, invisible, impossible, impolite,
not
im- imperfect
midnight, midway, midair, midsummer,
mid- middle
midweek
too much, overeat, overflow, overdue, overreact,
over-
above overload
submarine, subway, subzero, subtitle,
sub- under, below
submerge
Prefix Exercises
A. Multiple Choice: Choose the correct prefix to complete the word.
1. A book that tells a true story is ___fiction. a) non- b) sub- c) mid-
2. If you eat too much cake, you ___eat. a) in- b) over- c) non-
3. The boat that travels under the water is a ___marine. a) over- b)
non- c) sub-
4. It is ___polite to interrupt someone when they are talking. a) mid-
b) im- c) sub-
5. We reached the ___way point of our hike, which was in the middle
of the trail. a) over- b) non- c) mid-
B. Fill in the Blank: Add the correct prefix (non-, im-, mid-, over-,
sub-) to the word in parentheses.
6. I was so tired I fell asleep in __________ (air) on the plane.
7. The temperatures dropped to __________ (zero) degrees.
8. It is __________ (possible) to be in two places at once.
9. This milk is __________ (fat), so it has no fat in it.
10.Don’t let the bathtub __________ (flow) with water!
🔑 Prefix Keys
A. Multiple Choice:
1. a) non-
2. b) over-
3. c) sub-
4. b) im-
5. c) mid-
B. Fill in the Blank: 6. midair 7. subzero 8. impossible 9. nonfat
10. overflow
Suffixes
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word. It changes the
word’s meaning or how it’s used in a sentence. It’s the grand finale of a
word! 🎉
Common Suffixes
Suffix Meaning Examples
-y characterized by cloudy, dirty, sleepy, rainy, messy
-ion, -
act, process of action, creation, election, motion, direction
tion
happiness, kindness, darkness, softness,
-ness state of being
sadness
action or argument, movement, excitement,
-ment
process payment, agreement
-ous having the dangerous, famous, joyous, nervous,
Suffix Meaning Examples
quality of poisonous
Suffix Exercises
A. Multiple Choice: Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
1. A snake with poison is __________. a) poisonous b) poisony c)
poisonment
2. The state of being happy is called __________. a) happy-y b)
happiness c) happy-tion
3. The __________ of the dancers was beautiful to watch. a) movement
b) moveness c) movey
4. We had a big __________ for my birthday. a) celebrate-y b)
celebratement c) celebration
5. After the rain, the field was very __________. a) mudness b) muddy
c) mudous
B. Fill in the Blank: Add the correct suffix (-y, -tion, -ness, -ment, -
ous) to the word in parentheses.
6. The rock star was very __________ (fame).
7. I felt a lot of __________ (excite) before the party.
8. The superhero’s main job is to take __________ (ac) against villains.
9. He showed great __________ (kind) by sharing his lunch.
10.The sky looks very __________ (storm); I think it’s going to rain.
🔑 Suffix Keys
A. Multiple Choice:
1. a) poisonous
2. b) happiness
3. a) movement
4. c) celebration
5. b) muddy
B. Fill in the Blank: 6. famous 7. excitement 8. action 9. kindness
10. stormy
