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Prefixes are words added before a root word to derive a newer meaning.
Let us explore the usage of prefixes in detail:
1. Prefixes that derive antonyms/opposites: The prefixes "anti", "de", "dis", "un", "in", "im", "ir" usually denotes the opposite meaning of the root words.
Example:
social - antisocial
lock - unlock
agree - disagree
motivate - demotivate
active - inactive
reversible - irreversible
possible - impossible
lock - unlock
agree - disagree
motivate - demotivate
active - inactive
reversible - irreversible
possible - impossible
2. Prefixes that mean "cause to": The prefix "en" usually denotes the causing effect.
Example:
able - enable (cause to able)
joy - enjoy
danger - endanger
joy - enjoy
danger - endanger
3. Prefixes that mean "before to": The prefix "fore" usually denotes anything done before/earlier (denotes the verb).
Example:
cast - forecast
go - forego
father - forefather
go - forego
father - forefather
4. Prefixes that mean "amongst": The prefix "inter" usually denotes amongst others.
Example:
national - international
state - interstate
state - interstate
5. Prefixes that mean "middle": The prefix "mid" usually denotes being in the middle part or position.
Example:
day - midday
night - midnight
week - midweek
ocean - mid-ocean
night - midnight
week - midweek
ocean - mid-ocean
6. Prefixes that mean "doing again": The prefix "re" usually denotes the repeating of an action.
Example:
start - restart
do - redo
write - rewrite
do - redo
write - rewrite
7. Prefixes that mean "too much": The prefix "over" usually denotes too much or a lot of
Example:
do - overdo
load - overload
load - overload
8. Prefixes that mean "before": The prefix "pre" usually denotes previous to, before
Example:
historic - prehistoric
view - preview
plan - preplan
view - preview
plan - preplan
9. Prefixes that mean "under" and "above": The prefix "sub" usually denotes under, and "super" denotes above
Example:
text - subtext
marine - submarine
natural - supernatural
market - supermarket
marine - submarine
natural - supernatural
market - supermarket
10. Prefixes that mean "little or low": The prefix "under" usually denotes lesser
Example:
estimate - underestimate
age - underage
age - underage
Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| anti | against | antisocial |
| de, dis | opposite, not | dehydrate, disengage |
| en, em | cause to | enable |
| fore | before | forego |
| in, im | not, opposite | immoral, inedible |
| inter | among | international |
| mid | middle | midway |
| mis | wrong | misunderstanding |
| non | not | nonsense |
Prefixes used in the lesson "The Attic":
1. disappointing
2. unperturbed
3. discontinue
4. recollect
5. unpleasant
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