A prefix is a part added to the beginning of a word that changes its meaning. A prefix is usually added before a base word or a root word, creating a new meaning.
Rules of Prefixe:
1. Change the root word's meaning: Adding a prefix changes the meaning of the root word. Example: happy → unhappy (not happy)
2. Grammar doesn't change: Adding a prefix generally does not change the part of speech of a word. Example: able → disable
3. Spelling Adjustment: When adding a prefix, in some cases, **spelling changes** may occur. Example: regular → irregular (not regular)"ir-" is used because the word "regular" starts with "r".
4. Multiple Prefixes: In some cases, multiple prefixes can be added to a single word. Example: mistakable → unmistakable (cannot be mistaken)
5. The prefix has its own meaning: Each prefix has a specific meaning that is added to the root word. Example: view → preview (before viewing)
Common Prefixes and Their Meanings:
| Prefix | Example |
|---|---|
| un- (not) | unfair |
| re- (again) | rebuild |
| dis- (opposite of) | dislike |
| in- (not) | invisible |
| pre- (before) | preview |
| mis- (wrongly) | misunderstand |
| im- (not) | impossible |
| anti- (against) | antibiotic |
| co- (together) | cooperate |
| sub- (under) | submarine |
| over- (excessive, above) | overeat |
| auto- (self) | automatic |
| bi- (two) | bicycle |
| tri- (three) | triangle |
| multi- (many) | multinational |
| inter- (between, among) | international |
| super- (above, beyond) | superstar |
| ex- (out, former) | exit |
| en- (cause to) | enable |
| non- (not, without) | nonprofit |
| under- (below, insufficient) | underestimate |
| fore- (before, in front of) | forecast |
| de- (reverse, remove) | deforest |
| post- (after) | postpone |
| out- (surpassing, more) | outperform |
| up- (increase, raise) | upgrade |
| down- (decrease, lower) | downsize |
| ab- (away, from) | absent |
| ad- (towards, addition) | advance |
| pro- (for, forward) | promote |
| post- (after) | postscript |
| en- (cause to) | encourage |
| com- (together, with) | combine |
| semi- (half, partial) | semicircle |
| pro- (for, forward) | progress |
| ultra- (beyond, extreme) | ultraviolet |
| retro- (backward, behind) | retroactive |
| neo- (new, recent) | neologism |
| mega- (large, great) | megabyte |
| mono- (one, single) | monologue |
| paleo- (ancient, old) | paleontology |
| pan- (all, across) | pandemic |
| hemi- (half) | hemisphere |
| trans- (across, beyond) | transport |
| hyper- (over, excessive) | hyperactive |
| hypo- (under, beneath) | hypothermia |
| bi- (two) | bilingual |
| un- (not, reverse) | unhappy |
| mis- (wrong, badly) | misplace |
| pre- (before) | precaution |
| de- (reverse, reduce) | decrease |
Examples in Sentences:
1. Un- (not): The answer is unclear.
2. Re- (again): Can you rewrite this paragraph?
3. Mis- (wrongly): He misread the instructions.
4. Pre- (before): We watched the preview of the movie.
5. Co- (together): They decided to cooperate on the project.