Language is a dynamic and ever-evolving tool for communication. One of the fascinating aspects of the English language is how simple units of meaning, known as prefixes and suffixes, can be combined with root words to create a vast array of new words. In this blog, we will explore the definitions and roles of prefixes and suffixes, along with a variety of prefix and suffix examples to illustrate their importance and versatility.
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What are Prefix and Suffixes?
Prefixes
Prefixes are groups of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. They often indicate a specific action, quantity, or negation. For instance, the prefix “dis-” can signal opposition or negation, as in the word “disagree.”
Suffixes
Suffixes are letters or groups of letters added to the end of a word. They can alter the word’s part of speech, changing a verb into a noun or an adjective into an adverb. For example, the suffix “-ly” transforms the adjective “quick” into the adverb “quickly,” describing how an action is performed.
Take a look at the following examples of Prefixes and Suffixes.
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Prefix and Suffix Examples
In this section, we will learn about different prefix and suffix examples through their meaning and usage. Also, check example sentences to understand these examples in a better way.
Common Prefix Examples
Here are some frequently used prefixes along with their meanings and examples:
Prefix | Meaning | Example Words | Example Sentences |
Un | Not | Unhappy (not happy)Unseen (not seen) | She is unhappy with her marks.He has unseen the messages. |
Re | Again | Rewrite (write again)Reread (read again) | Please rewrite this entire paragraph again. She is rereading the text to understand what he has written. |
Dis | Opposite of; not | Dislike (not like)Disapprove (not approve) | He is disliked by everybody.He disapproved of the entry. |
Mis | Wrongly; badly | Misunderstand (understand wrongly)Mislabel (label incorrectly) | He misunderstood me for him. |
Pre | Before | Preview (view before)Preheat (heat before) | We have to preheat the oven before baking the cake. |
Sub | Under; Below | Submarine (underwater vessel)Substandard (below the standard) | The submarine goes under the water. |
Anti | Against | Antibiotic | The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to fight the infection |
Auto | Self | Autobiography | She wrote an autobiography about her life experiences |
Bi | Two | BicycleBiography | He rode his bicycle to the park She has her biography written. |
Circum | Around | CircumferenceCircumstance | The circumference of the Earth is approximately 24,901 miles. |
Pseudo | False | Pseudo-intellectualPseudo-science | He often came across as a pseudo-intellectual, spouting off obscure jargon without any real depth of understanding. |
Multi | Many | MulticulturalMulti-level | New York City is a vibrant and multicultural metropolis, home to people from all over the world. |
Neo | Something old in a new form | Neoclassical | The museum’s neoclassical architecture, with its towering columns and grand staircase, made it a landmark in the city. |
Macro | Large | MacroeconomicsMacro-scale | Macroeconomics focuses on the overall performance of the national economy, including factors like inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. |
Also Read: Vocabulary Building Cheatsheet
Common Suffix Examples
Suffixes also come in a variety of forms, each serving a specific purpose in word formation. Here are some common suffixes and their meanings:
Suffix | Meaning | Example Words | Example Sentence |
-ly | Characteristics of | Quickly (in a quick manner)Happily (in a happy manner) | The rabbit quickly scurried through the tall grass. The children played happily in the park, their laughter echoing through the air. |
-ness | State of; quality | Darkness (state of being dark)Kindness (quality of being kind) | The darkness whispered secrets the moon couldn’t hear. True kindness isn’t about grand gestures, but small acts of consideration that brighten someone’s day. |
-ful | Full of | Joyful (full of joy)Thoughtful (full of thoughts) | The news of their victory filled them with joyful exuberance. His thoughtful gesture of bringing flowers to the hospital brightened her day. |
-tion / -sion | The act of; state of | Education (the act of educating)Decision (the act of deciding) | Education is the key to unlocking human potential and driving progress in society.The decision to proceed was a bold and decisive one. |
-er / -or | One who | Teacher (one who teaches)Actor (one who acts) | A dedicated teacher inspires young minds and fosters a love of learning.A skilled actor can seamlessly embody a wide range of characters, captivating audiences with their emotional depth and authenticity. |
-ant | Having an effect | DisinfectantCoolantAccelerant | She is cleaning her study room with a disinfectant. |
Also Read: Antonyms Examples: 500+ List of Opposite Words
Combining Prefixes and Suffixes
One of the most interesting aspects of prefixes and suffixes is their ability to be combined with root words to create complex meanings. Here are a few examples:
Word | Prefix | Root Word | Suffix | Meaning |
Unhappiness | un- (not) | Happy | -ness (state of) | The state of not being happy. |
Miscommunication | Mis- (Wrongly) | Communicate | -tion (the act of) | The act of communicating wrongly |
Reevaluation | re- (again) | Evaluate | -tion (the act of) | The act of evaluating again. |
Related Reads on Learn English!
FAQs on Prefix and Suffix Examples
un-: unhappy, unkind, unlock
dis-: disagree, disappear, dishonest
im-/in-/il-/ir-: impossible, inactive, illegal, irregular
-ful: helpful, hopeful, powerful
-less: careless, hopeless, useless
-able/-ible: readable, edible, flexible
-ment: enjoyment, movement, development
-tion/-sion: action, attention, confusion
-er/-or: teacher, worker, actor
Examples of prefixes:
pre-: pre-game, pre-school, pre-historic
post-: post-war, post-graduate, post-office
sub-: submarine, subway, submerge
Examples of suffixes:
-ness: happiness, sadness, kindness
-hood: childhood, adulthood, brotherhood
-ism: capitalism, communism, nationalism
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