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Prefixes are fascinating tools in our language that allow us to alter the meaning of words with just a few letters. When we add these meaningful bits to the beginning of a word, we can transform the entire context, giving us the power to craft a vast array of nuanced expressions. Understanding prefixes is essential for our mastery of the English language, since they are foundational components that help us decipher meaning, even in words we may have never encountered before.
Table of Contents
Fundamentals of Prefixes
Definition of Prefixes
Prefixes are placed before the words to modify their meanings; likesuffixes, they are groups of letters that rarely serve a purpose unless attached to a word.
Types of Prefixes
Prefixes can be classified into several categories based on their function and meaning. Here are common types:
- Negation: Prefixes like “un-“, “in-“, and “non-” negate or reverse the meaning of the word they precede.
Prefix Example Meaning un- unhappy not happy in- invisible not visible non- nonstick not sticking - Time and Order: Prefixes such as “pre-“, “post-“, and “ex-” indicate timing or sequence.
Prefix Example Meaning pre- preseason before the season post- postgame after the game ex- ex-president former president - Amount or Intensity: “multi-“, “over-“, and “under-” convey the degree of something.
Prefix Example Meaning multi- multicolored having many colors over- overachiever to achieve excessively under- undercooked not cooked enough - Direction or Position: “sub-“, “inter-“, and “super-” denote location or direction.
Prefix Example Meaning sub- submarine under the sea inter- interact between actions super- supermarket over or above
Functions of Prefixes
Creating New Words
By affixing prefixes to existing words, weexplore new conceptual realms. For instance, the prefixanti-signifies opposition, so when we add it tovirus, formingantivirus, a word designating something that counters virus activity is born. Here’s a list of prefixes commonly used to forge new terms:
- Pre-: Preflight, Prepaid
- Re-: Rebuild, Reset
- Un-: Unfold, Unwind
Altering Word Class
When we attach certain prefixes to words, we canshift their grammatical role. For example, the addition ofen-toslave, creatingenslave, transforms a noun into a verb. Other prefixes that alter word class include:
- De-: Deactivate (verb from adjective/noun)
- Over-: Overcrowd (verb from adjective)
Conveying Negation or Opposition
We effectivelyconvey the opposite meaningthrough prefixes. The prefixun-attached to the adjectivehappyyieldsunhappy, indicating the lack of happiness. Here’s how prefixes commonly express negation or opposition:
- In-(orIm-,Il-,Ir-depending on the following letter for phonetic consistency): Inactive, Imbalance, Illegal, Irregular
- Non-: Nonprofit, Nonexistent
Common Prefixes in English
Tri–
- Meaning: Three
- E.g. triangle, tripod, etc.
- The sum of all the angles of atriangleis 180 degrees.
In–
- Meaning: Not
- E.g. inconvenience, infield, innocent, etc.
- I don’t want to put you to anyinconvenience.
Mis–
- Meaning: Wrong, wrongly
- E.g. misunderstand, misfire, misfortune, misbehavior, etc.
- Thismisbehaviorwill certainly go against his chances of promotion.
Ex–
- Meaning: Former, older, out of, away from, lacking
- E.g. exhale, ex-wife, excentral, exclude
- We canexcludethe possibility of total loss from our calculations.
Dis–
- Meaning: Not, opposite of, reverse
- E.g. disagree, disappear, disregard, disqualified, disqualify, etc.
- Lack of education willdisqualifyyou for most good jobs.
Re–
- Meaning: Again
- E.g. return, remainder, re-useable,refold, regain, etc.
- She will now begin occupational therapy toregainthe use of her hands.
Anti–
- Meaning: Against
- E.g. antifreeze, antipathy, antibiotic, antisocial, anti-war, etc.
- Lack ofantifreezeis a major cause of highway breakdowns.
Pre–
- Meaning: Before
- E.g. prefix, preschool, pre-intermediate, pre-tax
- But he is heading off topreschool, and we wanted to get him some educational programs.
Post–
- Meaning: Later
- E.g. post-office, postgraduate, postscript
- There was the usual romanticpostscriptat the end of his letter.
Auto–
- Meaning: Self,
- E.g. automatic, automobile
- The movements of machines are completelyautomatic, you only need to start and stop the machines.
Un–
- Meaning: Not
- E.g. unhappy, unfriendly, unpleasant, unwell, etc.
- Thisunpleasantincident detracted from our enjoyment of the evening.
Ir–
- Meaning: Not
- E.g. irrelevant, irregular, irresponsible, etc.
- Thick patchy fog andirresponsibledriving were to blame.
Im–
- Meaning: Not
- E.g. impolite, impossible, immortal, impatient, etc.
- Don’t be soimpatient! The bus will be here soon.
Over–
- Meaning: Too, in excess of
- E.g. overlook, overdose, overdue, overall, overconfident, etc.
- He provedoverconfidenton the witness stand.
Semi–
- Meaning: Half
- E.g. semifinal, semicircle, semi-final, semiformal, semiannual, etc.
- I had never been to asemiformaldance before, and now was my chance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give me examples of common prefixes used in English?
We often see prefixes likere-,un-, andpre-in the English language. For instance,re-is used in words likereturn, which means to go back, andun-is seen inunhappy, indicating not happy.
What prefixes are typically used in chemistry terminology?
In chemistry, prefixes likeiso-,poly-, andhydro-are quite prevalent.Iso-indicates molecules with the same formula but different arrangements,poly-is used for polymers or compounds with many parts, andhydro-relates to hydrogen.
Could you explain the meaning of some widely-used prefixes?
Sure! The prefixbio-means life, as seen inbiology, the study of life.Tele-implies distance, evident intelephone, a device for sound transmission over long distances.Auto-refers to self or same, like inautomatic, which operates by itself.
How would you go about pronouncing various prefixes?
We pronounce prefixes usually by stressing their first syllable. For example, ‘anti-‘ is pronounced as AN-ti, not an-TI. Learning correct pronunciation often comes from listening and practice.
