Prefixes and suffixes
Some words (root words) can have words or parts of words added to the beginning or end that
change their meaning.
If you add parts of words to the beginning of a word, it is called a prefix.
If you add parts of words to the end of a word, it is called a suffix.
un help ful
The children were unhelpful to their mother
prefix root word suffix
re paint ing
I ended up repainting the kitchen
prefix root word suffix
Prefixes usually do not change the class of the base word, but suffixes usually do change the class
of the word.
Knowing about these parts of words is useful for spelling because they help you break down
longer words into smaller parts and they also give you clues about their meanings.
Prefixes of a Verb to make a new Verb
Prefix Meaning Examples
re- again or back restructure, revisit, reappear, rebuild, refinance
dis- reverses the meaning of the verb disappear, disallow, disarm, disconnect, discontinue
over- too much overbook, oversleep, overwork
un- reverses the meaning of the verb unbend, uncouple, unfasten
mis- badly or wrongly mislead, misinform, misidentify
co- together co-exist, co-operate, co-own
de- do the opposite of devalue, deselect
inter- between interact, intermix, interface
pre- before pre-expose, prejudge, pretest
sub- under/below subcontract, subdivide
trans- across, over transform, transcribe, transplant
under- not enough underfund, undersell, undervalue, underdevelop
Suffixes to make a Verb
Suffix Example
-ise stabilise, characterise, symbolise, visualise, specialise
-ate differentiate, liquidate, pollinate, duplicate, fabricate
-fy classify, exemplify, simplify, justify
-en awaken, fasten, shorten, moisten
Prefixes of a Noun to make a new Noun
Prefix Meaning Examples
anti- against anticlimax, antidote, antithesis
auto- self autobiography, automobile
bi- two bilingualism, biculturalism, bi-metalism
co- joint co-founder, co-owner, co-descendant
counter- against counter-argument, counter-example, counter-proposal
dis- the converse of discomfort, dislike
ex- former ex-chairman, ex-hunter
inter- between interaction, inter-change, interference
kilo- thousand kilobyte
mega- million megabyte
mis- wrong misconduct, misdeed, mismanagement
mini- small mini-publication, mini-theory
mono- one monosyllable, monograph, monogamy
poly- many polysyllable
re- again re-organisation, re-assessment, re-examination
semi- half semicircle, semi-darkness
sub- below subset, subdivision
super- more than, above superset, superimposition, superpowers
tele- distant telecommunications,
tri- three tripartism
ultra- beyond ultrasound
under- below, too little underpayment, under-development, undergraduate
vice- deputy vice-president
Suffix added to a verb (V), noun (N) or adjective (A) noun
Suffix Meaning Examples
-tion alteration, demonstration
action/instance of V-ing
-sion expansion, inclusion, admission
person who V-s advertiser, driver
-er
something used for V-ing computer, silencer
-ment action/instance of V-ing development, punishment, unemployment
-ant assistant, consultant, contestant
person who V-s
-ent student
-age action/result of V breakage, wastage, package
-al action/result of V denial, proposal, refusal, dismissal
-ence preference, dependence, interference
action/result of V
-ance attendance, acceptance, endurance
action/instance of V-ing bribery, robbery, misery
-ery/-ry
place of V-ing refinery, bakery
Suffix added to verbs or nouns adjective
Suffix Example
-al central, political, national, optional, professional
-ent different, dependent, excellent
-ive attractive, effective, imaginative, repetitive
-ous continuous, dangerous, famous
-ful beautiful, peaceful, careful
-less endless, homeless, careless, thoughtless
-able drinkable, countable, avoidable,
Negative + adjective adjective
Prefix Examples
un- unfortunate, uncomfortable, unjust
im-/in-/ir-/il- immature, impatient, improbable, inconvenient, irreplaceable, illegal
non- non-fiction, non-political, non-neutral
dis- disloyal, dissimilar, dishonest
EXERCISE:
1. Change the words in the box into people by adding suffixes (-ER , -OR , -IAN or -IST) ,
then fill in the gaps in the sentences below
art - collect - direct - electric - guitar - library - manage - own - politics - survive - terror - write
1. Have you ever heard of the German Albrecht Dürer?
2. She has been a stamp for ages.
3. Many Americans think that Winston Churchill was the greatest of the 20th century.
4. If you need a certain book, the will help you look for it.
5. He always wanted to be a , so we weren't surprised when his first novel came out.
6. The of the football club resigned because it was the fourth defeat in a row.
7. The of the red Ford escort should move his car because it is blocking the emergency
entrance.
8. He was the only in a plane crash that killed 8 people.
9. My son is an . He helps us with lighting and wiring in our new house.
10. There is tight security at the airport and other public paces in order to prevent
a attack.
11. The film gave the whole crew the afternoon off. Shooting would start again at 9 the
following morning.
12. She started her career as a , but then played the saxophone in a band.
2. Complete the sentences using a negative form of the word in brackets!
1. I'm sorry I her message completely. I simply didn't pay attention (UNDERSTAND)
2. We as soon as we got to the hotel, then we went for a walk (PACK)
3. She was here a minute ago but then she . I don't know where she went. (APPEAR)
4. We usually have similar opinions but I totally with him on this subject (AGREE)
5. My homework was so bad that I had to it (WRITE)
6. Her alarm clock didn't go off and she (SLEEP)
7. It's to bring those things with you on a plane (LEGAL)
8. She finally managed to the door and we were able to go in (LOCK)
9. I the movie but everyone else enjoyed it (LIKE)
10. I don't think I will pass the exam but I can it in September (TAKE)
