PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES
STRUCTURE
Objective
Introduction
Prefixes
Suffixes
Summary
Key words
Self Assessment Questions
Set – 1
Set – 2
Suggested Readings
Objective:
The objective of this lesson is to help the students expand their vocabulary by learning about Prefixes and Suffixes.
Introduction:
Many words in English are formed by combining word elements. These word elements are the prefixes and the suffixes that are added to words to form new words with a different meaning. Recognizing them can help us to understand the meaning of the new word.
Prefixes:
Prefixes are those word elements that are added to the beginning of a word to form a new word.
Prefixes having a negative force: Prefix Meaning Illustration
A - To be without something. Examples: Amoral, Apathy, Asexual, Apolitical, Atheist.
An - To be without something. Examples: anarchy, anonymous, anemic
Anti - To be against or opposite the meaning of original word. Examples: antipathy, antithetical, anticlockwise, antibiotic.
Contra - Against controversy. Examples: contradict, contra vent, contraception
De – use to take away or remove the original meaning from the original word. Examples: Decadence, Decentralize, Deform, Decode, Decline, Devalue, Defrost, Degrade, Debase
Dis – use to bring about the opposite of the original word. Examples: discord, dislike, dishonest, disappear, disobey, displease, distrust
In - used to make opposite, not inarticulate, infinite, indecent, indifferent
Im – to make the opposite of the original word. Examples: impossible, immortal, improper
Il – to make the opposite of the original word. Examples: illogical, illegal, illegitimate
Ir – to make the opposite of the original word. Examples: irregular, irreversible, irrational
Mis – examples: mischance, misdemeanor
Pseudo - Pseudonym, Pseudo-secularism, Pseudo-classic
Non - Noncommittal, Non- cooperation, nonsense, Nonentity
Un - unnatural, unhappy, undo, unkind, unfold, uncover
Ob - obloquy
Oc- occlude
Counter- counteract, counterattack, counterrevolution
Sine- sinecure
Prefixes referring to size, degree or quality of something
Prefix Meaning Illustration
Arch- highest, first archenemy, archbishop, archetype, architexture
Demi- partly demigod
Extra- outside, beyond extra-curricular, extra ordinary
Extro- ------- do ------ excremental, extrovert
Hyper- excess, above hyper sensitive, hypertension, hyperbola
Hypo- below hypocrite, hypothermia, hypotension, hypoglycemia
Mini- little minibus, miniskirt
Macro- large, long macrocosm, macrobiotic
Out- beyond outdo, outgrow, outshine, outwit
Mega- great, million megalomania, megaton
Super- above, more supernatural, superhuman, superfluous, supervisor
Micro- small microcosm, microscope
Para- beyond parallel, paraphrase, paradox, parasite
Sub- under subdivide, subordinate, subplot, subhuman
Semi- partly semifinal, semicolon, semi-solid
Ultra- beyond ultra violet, ultrasonic, ultra modern
Under- below under estimate, underrate, understatement
Meta- beyond metaphysical, metamorphosis
Prefixes referring to time & order
Prefix Meaning Illustration
Ante- before ante dote, antecedent, antenatal
Ex- former ex-president, ex-husband, ex-mayor
Fore- before forecast, foretell, forenoon
Post- after posthumous, post war, post script, postmortem
Post graduate
Pre- before preamble, preplanned, predestined, preoccupied, premonition
Re- back, again reiterate, reimburse, recall, regain, recover, resettle
Prefixes that referring to number of things
Prefix Meaning Illustration
Bi- two binocular, bilingual, bipolar, biennial, bi-cycle
Mono- one monarchy, monotheism, monopoly, monologue, monotony, monogamy
Multi- many multipurpose, multidimensional, multicolored
Poly- many polygamy, poly clinic
Tri- three tricycle, triangle, tripartite, tri color
Uni- one unilateral, uni color
Di- two dichotomy, dilemma
Olig- few oligarchy
Quadr-, quadri-four quadrilateral, quadruplet
Deca-, dec- ten decade, Decalogue
Hemi- half hemisphere
Prefixes that referring to position or direction
Prefix Meaning Illustration
Inter- between intervene, international, interstate, interjection
Sub- beneath subterranean, subway, subside, submarine
Trans- across transplant, transaction, transport
Tele- far telephone, telegraphic, television, telepathy
Retro- backward retrospect, retroactive, retrograde
Proto- first prototype
Pro- forward, in favour of propulsion, proponent
Prim- first primary, primordial
Intra- within intramural
Intro- within introvert
Dia- across diagonal, diameter
VI Miscellaneous prefixes
Prefix Meaning Illustration
Be- completely behead, beside, befriend, beloved
En- cause to be endanger, endear, enjoy, encyclopedia
Em- cause to be empower, emboss, embitter, emblem
Com together compassion, commingle
Auto- self autobiography, automobile
Ambi- both ambivalent, ambiguous, ambition
Co- with, together cooperation, correspondence, coexist, collaborate
Mis- hated misogynist, misanthrope
Neo- new neo-type, neologism
Per- completely permeable, pervade
Sub subjugate
Suc succumb
Suf under, suffuse
Sug less suggest
Sup supper
Sus suspend, suspicion
Syn with, synchronize
Sym together sympathize
Syl syllogism
Sys system
a in, on, in the state of ashore, amid, asleep
ante- before anteroom, antenatal
by- less important, near by- product, by-election, bystander
equi- equal equidistant, equivalent
geo of the earth geography, geology
homo same homogeneous, homophone
SUFFIXES
A suffix is a syllable or a letter or a group of letters that is added to the end of a word. Occasionally it changes the meaning of the word; more frequently, it serves to change the grammatical form of the word e.g., noun to adjective, adjective to noun, noun to verb. A large number of suffixes are used in English language. For our convenience and easy understanding we can classify them as follows:
Suffixes forming nouns
Suffix Meaning Illustrations
-ITY state of being: credulity, sagacity, possibility, Adversity, vitality, vulgarity, Superiority, probability
-NESS cleverness, boldness, kindness, Sadness, happiness, goodness
-TH truth, depth
-CY accuracy, literacy, constancy, democracy, obstinacy
-ARY dictionary, honorary, luminary
-ISM capitalism, socialism, monotheism, fanaticism, Hinduism, Budhism
-OSIS psychosis, hyposis
-TUDE fortitude, magnitude, certitude, gratitude, solitude
Suffixes forming adjectives
Suffix Illustration
-AL national, educational, emotional, cultural, normal
-Y wealthy, healthy, airy, watery, worthy needy, hungry, worthy, praiseworthy
-LESS faithless, homeless
-ISH foolish, stylish, girlish, childish
-FUL hopeful, fruitful, colorful, playful, meaningful
-IVE attentive, attractive, massive, narrative, derivative
-IC tragic, patriotic, aquatic, poetic, analytic, domestic
-ac cardiac, meniac
-ARIAN disciplinarian
-EAN canadean
-EOUS courteous, piteous
-OUS superstitious, famous, dangerous
-IOUS glorious, superstitious
-SCIOUS, icious audacious, avaricious
-LY womanly, miserly
-LIKE godlike, ladylike
-SOME handsome, quarrelsome, wholesome
-ESQUE picturesque, picaresque
-ING burning, helping
-ED learned, stained, starred, gifted.
-IBLE negligible, reversible
-ABLE considerable, remarkable, portable
-ESE Nepalese
-AN Russian, American, Puritan
-ANT, ent eloquent, suppliant
-ANY honorary
-ESCENT evanescent, pubescent
-FIC terrific, soporific
-IFEROUS pestiferous, vociferous
-IL, ile ceil, puerile
-OID ovoid, anthropoid, spheroid
-OSE verbose
-LEN hopeless, shameless, fearless, endless
-EE trainee, employee, addressee, devotee, Payee
-TH growth, health, stealth
-AL portal, logical, proposal, withdrawal, refusal, arrival, approval
-EER mutineer, engineer, volunteer
-OR author, inspector, protector, actor, debtor
-ESTER youngster, gangster, spinster
-ER painter, baker, swimmer, rider
-ATION examination, irritation, admiration, preservation, sterilization, adoration
-ING slurring, smoking, walking, counseling
-ANT accountant, servant, consultant, assistant, attendant, claimant
-MENT punishment, improvement, development, judgment, agreement
-ENT, eloquent, suppliant
-DOM freedom, wisdom, kingdom
-SHIP hardship, friendship, leadership, and kingship
-LET leaflet, tablet, armlet, booklet
-HOOD childhood, brotherhood, manhood
-EES poetess, authoress, tigress
-FUL spoonful, mouthful
-ERY machinery, archery, slavery, robbery
Suffixes forming Verbs:-
Suffix Illustration
-IZE, (ise) liberalize, commercialize, harmonize
-ER glimmer
-EN shorten, harden, sweeten
-IFY modify, qualify, magnify, petrify
-ATE consecrate, mitigate
-SE cleanse, rinse
Suffixes forming adverbs:-
Suffix Illustration
-WAY straightway, always
-WISE likewise, otherwise
-WARD wayward, upward, toward(s)
-LONG headlong, sidelong
-LY badly, kindly, nearly
Summary:
In this lesson we have discussed about prefixes and suffixes, which will help the students, expand their vocabulary.
Key words: Suffixes, prefixes, vocabulary.
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