In this lesson, we will explore prefixes, which are groups of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Understanding prefixes is essential for expanding your vocabulary and improving your comprehension in English.
What Are Prefixes?
Prefixes are small parts of words that are added to the beginning of a base word (or root) to modify its meaning. They can indicate negation, direction, time, size, or other relationships. Mastering prefixes helps you understand new words without needing to look them up in a dictionary.
Prefixes are small parts of words that are added to the beginning of a base word.
Common Prefixes and Their Meanings
Here is a table of some of the most common prefixes, their meanings, and examples:
| Prefix | Meaning | Example | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| un- | not / opposite of | unlock | /ʌnˈlɒk/ |
| re- | again | rewrite | /riːˈraɪt/ |
| pre- | before | preview | /ˈpriːˌvjuː/ |
| mis- | wrong / badly | misunderstand | /ˌmɪsʌndərˈstænd/ |
| over- | too much | overcook | /ˌoʊvərˈkʊk/ |
| under- | not enough | underestimate | /ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt/ |
| sub- | below / under | submarine | /ˈsʌbməriːn/ |
| inter- | between | international | /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/ |
| anti- | against | antibiotic | /ˌæntibaɪˈɒtɪk/ |
How to Use Prefixes
1. Negation
The prefix “un-” is often used to express the opposite of something:
- happy → unhappy
- do → undo
2. Repetition
The prefix “re-” means “again”:
- write → rewrite
- build → rebuild
3. Timing
The prefix “pre-” indicates something happens before:
- view → preview
- pay → prepay
4. Mistakes
The prefix “mis-” suggests an error or incorrect action:
- lead → mislead
- place → misplace
5. Quantity
Prefixes like “over-” and “under-” describe amounts:
- cook → overcook
- estimate → underestimate
Vocabulary Building with Prefixes
Let’s practice forming new words using prefixes. Complete the following sentences with the appropriate word:
- If you don’t want to lock the door, you should unlock it.
- She decided to redo her homework because she made many mistakes.
- The teacher gave us a preview of the next chapter.
- He misunderstood the instructions and got lost.
- Be careful not to overheat the soup while cooking.
Tips for Learning Prefixes
- Break Down Words: When you encounter a new word, try to identify if it has a prefix. This will help you guess its meaning.
- Practice Regularly: Create flashcards with base words and add different prefixes to see how the meanings change.
- Use Context Clues: Read sentences carefully to understand how the prefix alters the word’s meaning.