At a glance
Word building
- Prefix (at the start)changes the meaning
- notun-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, dis-, non-
- againre-: rewrite
- wronglymis-: misspell
- before / afterpre-, post-
- too much / too littleover-, under-
- Suffix (at the end)changes the word class
- noun-ness, -ment, -tion, -ity, -er, -ship, -hood
- adjective-ful, -less, -able, -ous, -al, -ive, -y
- verb-ize, -ify, -en
- adverb-ly
- Start
- Does the word start with m or p?Yesim-impossible, immature, impatient
- Does it start with l?Yesil-illegal, illogical
- Does it start with r?Yesir-irregular, irresponsible
- in-incorrect, invisible, informal
Prefixes
lock → unlock
write → rewrite (write again)
eat → overeat (eat too much)
hero → superhero
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| un- | not, opposite | unhappy, unkind, unlock |
| dis- | not, opposite | dislike, disagree, disappear |
| in- / im- / il- / ir- | not | incorrect, impossible, illegal, irregular |
| non- | not | non-stop, non-smoker |
| re- | again | redo, rewrite, rebuild |
| mis- | wrongly | misspell, misunderstand |
| pre- | before | preview, prehistoric |
| post- | after | postwar, postgraduate |
| over- | too much | overeat, oversleep |
| under- | too little, below | underpaid, underground |
| co- | together | co-worker, cooperate |
| inter- | between | international, internet |
| sub- | under | subway, submarine |
| super- | above, very big | supermarket, superhero |
| anti- | against | antivirus, antisocial |
| ex- | in the past | ex-president, ex-student |
Suffixes
careful = with care
careless = without care
| Suffix | Makes a… | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -er / -or / -ist | person | teacher, actor, artist |
| -ness | noun | kindness, darkness |
| -ment | noun | movement, payment |
| -tion / -sion | noun | education, decision |
| -ity | noun | ability, reality |
| -ship / -hood | noun | friendship, childhood |
| -ful | adjective (with) | helpful, beautiful |
| -less | adjective (without) | helpless, homeless |
| -able / -ible | adjective (can be done) | washable, visible |
| -ous / -al / -ive / -y | adjective | famous, national, active, sunny |
| -ize / -ify / -en | verb | modernize, simplify, widen |
| -ly | adverb | quickly, happily |
Practice
Answer the questions. Get 7 out of 10 to finish this lesson.