Prefix and Suffix are known as the building blocks of a word. To explain them in simple language, Prefixes are attached to the beginning of a word, while suffixes are added to the end.
These affixes, which are added to the beginning or end of root words, serve to modify their meanings and grammatical functions. Understanding prefixes and suffixes not only enriches vocabulary but also aids in deciphering unfamiliar words, making them essential tools for language learners and proficient speakers alike.
As you continue reading this blog post you will find out the meanings of prefixes and suffixes, important spelling rules that one must follow when incorporating them into words, several examples and finally exercises related to this topic which will help you test your knowledge.
This Blog Includes:
- What is Prefix and Suffix- Meaning and Definition
- Importance of Prefix and Suffix in English Grammar
- Spelling Rules to be Followed When Using Prefix and Suffix
- 50 Examples of Prefix and Suffix with Meanings
- List of Words Containing Both a Prefix and Suffix with Meaning
- How to Learn Prefixes and Suffixes?
- Test Your Knowledge with These Exercises
- FAQs
What is Prefix and Suffix- Meaning and Definition
A prefix is a group of letters that are added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning or function. It can just be a single letter or two to five letters. A popular example of a prefix word could be ‘anti’ in ‘antifungal’ which means ‘medication or substance that kills or inhibits the growth of fungi.’ With the help of prefixes, new words are created to alter the original meaning of the word.
Some common examples of prefixes include:
Re- | Pre- | Bi- | Tri- | Im- | In- | Dis- |
A- | Co- | Anti- | De- | Ex- | Il- | Mis- |
A suffix, on the other hand, is a group of words that are added to the end of a word to change its meaning or form. An example of this is ‘ship’ in ‘friendship’ which transforms it from a noun (a person you know well and care about) to a noun describing the state or condition of being a friend.
Some of the common examples of suffixes include:
-s | -ed | -ing | -ion | -able | -ly |
-er | -or | -less | -ity | -ful | -en |
Suffixes can further be divided into four types, which are as follows:
- Inflectional Suffix: These suffixes change the form of the word to indicate tense, number, or case. For example, the suffix “-ed” can be added to a verb to form the past tense, as in “talk” + “-ed” = “talked.”
- Derivational Suffix: These suffixes change the part of speech of a word. For example, the suffix “-tion” can be added to a verb to form a noun, as in “prepare” + “-tion” = “preparation.”
- Diminutive Suffix: These suffixes make a word smaller or less important. For example, the suffix “-ie” can be added to a noun to form a diminutive, as in “dog” + “-ie” = “doggie.”
- Augmentative Suffix: These suffixes make a word larger or more important. For example, the suffix “-ish” can be added to a noun to form an augmentative, as in “dog” + “-ish” = “doggish.”
Check out: Simple English Sentences: 199+ Examples for Daily Use
Importance of Prefix and Suffix in English Grammar
Prefixes and Suffixes are important components of English Grammar because they significantly impact both the meaning and function of words. Here’s a breakdown of their importance:
- By attaching prefixes and suffixes to the root words, one can create new words with altered meanings. Thai helps in improving one’s vocabulary. Similarly, suffixes can change the part of speech of a word or modify its meaning.
- Recognising prefixes can help decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words. Similarly, suffixes provide clues about a word’s function.
- Understanding prefixes and suffixes enhances reading comprehension by allowing us to break down complex words into more manageable parts.
- By utilising prefixes and suffixes, writers can express themselves more precisely and expand their vocabulary, leading to more sophisticated and nuanced writing.
Check out: List of Difficult Words with Meaning In English
Spelling Rules to be Followed When Using Prefix and Suffix
When adding a prefix or suffix to a word, there are certain spelling rules which one must follow to maintain proper word formation. Let us look at all the spelling rules for effective writing and communication.
When Adding a Prefix
- The best thing about prefixes is that no changes are made to the base word; one can simply add the prefix before the prefix word. For example, the word ‘popular’ can become ‘unpopular’ with a prefix.
- When working with prefixes such as ‘non’ and ‘ex’, one must add a hyphen between the prefix and the root word. For example, non-violence, ex-minister.
When Adding a Suffix
- The original spelling of the root word might/might not change.
- Sufix can be added for all those words that end with consonants other than ‘y’. For example, truth will change to truthful and quick will change to quickly.
- Words Ending with Y: You will have to remove ‘y’ and change it to ‘i’ and then add the suffix. For example, try will change to trial and happy will change to happily.
Exception: In the case of monosyllabic words without vowels. For example, shy will turn to shyly, and sly will turn to slyly.
- Words Ending with E: If you come across ending with an ‘e’, then ‘ity’ will be added as a suffix instead of ‘ty’ after omitting ‘e’. For example, sensitive will change to sensitivity, sentimental will change to sentimentality and so on. On the other hand, for most monosyllabic words and other disyllabic words ending with ‘e’, you will have to use suffixes such as ‘able’ and ‘age’. For example, words like use will change to usage, move will change to moveable and so on.
Exceptions:
- Words like, manage, recharge; ‘e’ will not be removed and will be written as likeable, manageable, and rechargeable.
- The same is the case with words that will take the suffix ‘ible’. For example, words like sense, and collapse will change to sensible and changeable.
5. With suffixes such as ‘tion’ and ‘sion’, you will have to omit the last consonant and the silent ‘e’. This rule is for words ending with ‘de’ or ‘te’. For example, words such as divide, fixate and ignite will change to division, fixation and ignition.
6. In words, when only the silent ‘e’ has to be omitted before adding ‘tion’, you will have to add ‘a’ before the suffix. For example, words like converse, mechanise and admire will change to conversation, mechanisation and admiration.
7. When adding ‘er’ and ‘est’ to the adjective, the word will become comparative and superlative degrees of comparison. Some monosyllabic adjectives will require you to double the final consonant before adding the suffix.
8. Lastly, you will come across words where you will have to add ‘li’ and then ‘ness’ to the end of the root word. For example, clean will become cleanliness and kind will become kindliness/kindness.
Must Read: Spelling Rules in English You Must Know! (Free PDF)
50 Examples of Prefix and Suffix with Meanings
After you have understood all the basics about prefixes and suffixes, it is time to look at this list of 50 examples along with their meanings.
25 Examples of Words with Prefix
Prefix | Word | Meaning |
Anti | Antisocial | Against society |
Anti | Antibiotic | Against bacteria |
A | Typical | Not typical |
A | Amoral | Without moral |
Auto | Autobiography | A story of one’s own life |
Circum | Circumnavigate | To sail or travel all the way around |
Circum | Circumference | The distance around a circle |
De | Decompose | To decay or rot |
De | Decrease | To become less |
Dis | Disadvantage | An unfavourable condition |
Dis | Disappear | To vanish |
En | Enlarge | To make bigger |
En | Enter | To go into |
Fore | Foretell | To predict the future |
Fore | Forehead | The part of the face above the eyes |
Im | Impossible | Not possible |
Im | Imperfect | Not perfect |
Inter | Interstate | Between states |
Inter | International | Between nations |
Mis | Misunderstand | To understand incorrectly |
Mis | Mislead | To guide someone wrongly |
Pre | Prehistoric | Before history |
Pre | Preview | To see something beforehand |
Sub | Submarine | A vessel that travels underwater |
25 Examples of Words with Suffix
Word | Suffix | After Suffix Word | Meaning |
Beauty | Ful | Beautiful | Having beauty |
Care | Ful | Careful | Showing care |
Help | Ful | Helpful | Giving help |
Power | Ful | Powerful | Having power |
Act | Or | Actor | A person who acts |
Conduct | Or | Conductor | A person who conducts |
Create | Or | Creator | A person who creates |
Doct | Or | Doctor | A person who treats illness |
Invest | Or | Investor | A person who invests |
Kind | Ness | Kindness | The quality of being kind |
Happy | Ness | Happiness | The state of being happy |
Sad | Ness | Sadness | The state of being sad |
Weak | Ness | Weakness | The state of being weak |
Wilder | Ness | Wilderness | The state of being wild |
Love | Ly | Lovely | In a lovable way |
Quick | Ly | Quickly | In a quick way |
Slow | Ly | Slowly | In a slow way |
Friend | Ly | Friendly | In a friendly way |
Sad | Ly | Sadly | In a sad way |
Length | En | Lengthen | To make longer |
Strength | En | Strengthen | To make stronger |
Short | En | Shorten | To make shorter |
True | Th | Truth | The quality of being true |
Wide | Ith | Width | The extent of something from side to side. |
List of Words Containing Both a Prefix and Suffix with Meaning
Here are some examples of words containing both a prefix and a suffix:
Word | Prefix | Suffix | Meaning |
Disagreeable | Dis | Able | Not Agreeable; unpleasant |
Unhappiness | Un | Ness | The state of not being happy; sadness |
Disagreement | Dis | Ment | A failure to agree; a difference of opinion |
Anticipation | Anti | ation | The act of anticipating; expectation of forestate |
Disappointment | Dis | Ment | The feeling of sadness or frustration when something expected does not happen. |
Overreaction | Over | tion | An excessively strong or emotional response |
Underestimation | Under | ation | The act of underestimating; the failure to appreciate the full extent of something |
Misunderstanding | Mis | ing | A failure to understand correctly |
Redevelopment | Re | ment | The process of developing again; improvement or renewal |
Precaution | Pre | tion | A preventive measure; careful action taken in advance |
Also Read: Jumbled Words: Tips, Tricks & Sample Questions
How to Learn Prefixes and Suffixes?
If you are struggling with how to learn prefixes and suffixes, then we have got you covered. Following are the steps through which you will be able to master this topic.
- Start with the Basics: You must understand the definition of both prefixes and suffixes.
- Learn common Prefixes and Suffixes: Begin with a list of frequently used ones. You can find many online resources and flashcards.
- Use active flashcard learning method: You can create flashcards using both prefixes and suffixes on one side and write the meaning on the other side along with the examples.
Now that you have gained all the knowledge about prefixes and suffixes, spelling rules need to be followed along with their examples. It’s time to test your knowledge through the questions that we have prepared for you.
Explore: 35+ Common Phrases for Daily Use
Test Your Knowledge with These Exercises
Take a look at all the exercises on prefixes and suffixes which we have prepared to test your understanding based on the knowledge you have gained. You will also be able to check your answers at the end.
Fill in the Blanks: Prefixes and Suffixes
Instructions: Fill in the blanks using prefixes and suffixes mentioned above in the questions.
- Un- (not)
- The weather was so ________ (pleasant) that we decided to go for a picnic.
- She felt ________ (happy) after receiving the good news.
- Re- (again)
- I need to ________ (write) this report because I made some mistakes.
- He decided to ________ (visit) his hometown after many years.
- Mis- (wrongly)
- She ________ (understand) the instructions and ended up doing it incorrectly.
- It was a ________ (take) to assume he would be there on time.
- -ful (full of)
- The garden was ________ (colour) with blooming flowers.
- She is very ________ (care) when it comes to her pets.
- -less (without)
- The book was so ________ (meaning) that I couldn’t put it down.
- He felt ________ (hope) after hearing the bad news.
- -able (capable of)
- This task is ________ (manage) if you plan it well.
- The new software is very ________ (use) for our needs.
- Pre- (before)
- We need to complete the ________ (view) before the meeting starts.
- She always does a ________ (prepare) before any big event.
- -tion (the act of)
- The ________ (create) of the new policy took several months.
- His presentation was a great ________ (success).
Answers:
- Unpleasant, Unhappy
- Rewrite, Revisit
- Misunderstand, Mistake
- Colourful, Careful
- Meaningless, Hopeless
- Manageable, Useful
- Preview, Preparation
- Creation, Success
Identify the Prefix and Suffix
Instructions: For each word below, identify the prefix and suffix. Write “None” if there is no prefix or suffix.
- Unhappiness
- Revisit
- Misunderstood
- Careful
- Happiness
- Disapprove
- Readable
- Excitement
- Irregular
- Joyfully
Answers:
- Unhappiness
- Prefix: Un-
- Suffix: -ness
- Revisit
- Prefix: Re-
- Suffix: None
- Misunderstood
- Prefix: Mis-
- Suffix: None
- Careful
- Prefix: None
- Suffix: -ful
- Happiness
- Prefix: None
- Suffix: -ness
- Disapprove
- Prefix: Dis-
- Suffix: None
- Readable
- Prefix: None
- Suffix: -able
- Excitement
- Prefix: None
- Suffix: -ment
- Irregular
- Prefix: Ir-
- Suffix: None
- Joyfully
- Prefix: None
- Suffix: -ly
Match the Prefix with its Meaning
Instructions: Match each prefix in Column A with its correct meaning in Column B. Write the letter of the correct meaning next to each prefix.
Column A- Prefix | Column B- Suffix |
Un- | Before |
Re- | Not, without |
Mis- | Again, back |
Dis- | Opposite of |
Pre- | Excessive |
Over- | Insufficient, below |
Under- | Reverse action, not |
In-/Im-/Il-/Ir- | Wrongly, incorrectly |
Check Answers:
- Un- → D (Opposite of)
- Re- → C (Again, back)
- Mis- → H (Wrongly, incorrectly)
- Dis- → G (Reverse action, not)
- Pre- → A (Before)
- Over- → E (Excessive)
- Under- → F (Insufficient, below)
- In-/Im-/Il-/Ir- → B (Not, without)
Form New Words
Instructions: Use the given base word to create a new word by adding the appropriate prefix or suffix. Write your new word in the space provided.
- Happy → __________ (Prefix: Un-)
- Write → __________ (Suffix: -ing)
- Care → __________ (Suffix: -ful)
- Place → __________ (Prefix: Re-)
- Manage → __________ (Suffix: -able)
- Like → __________ (Prefix: Dis-)
- Joy → __________ (Suffix: -ful)
- Act → __________ (Suffix: -ion)
- Regular → __________ (Prefix: Ir-)
- Appear → __________ (Prefix: Dis-)
Answers:
- Happy → Unhappy
- Write → Writing
- Care → Careful
- Place → Replace
- Manage → Manageable
- Like → Dislike
- Joy → Joyful
- Act → Action
- Regular → Irregular
- Appear → Disappear
True or False
Instructions: Read each statement carefully and decide whether it is true or false. Write “T” for True and “F” for False.
- A prefix is added at the end of a word.
- The suffix “-less” means “full of.”
- The prefix “re-” means “again.”
- The suffix “-ment” is used to form nouns.
- The prefix “dis-” indicates a negative or opposite meaning.
- Adding the suffix “-ful” to a word makes it negative.
- The prefix “un-” can be used to negate adjectives and verbs.
- The suffix “-able” means “capable of being.”
- The prefix “mis-” indicates something done incorrectly or badly.
- The suffix “-ly” is used to form adjectives from nouns.
Answers:
- False (A prefix is added at the beginning of a word.)
- False (The suffix “-less” means “without.”)
- True (The prefix “re-” means “again.”)
- True (The suffix “-ment” is used to form nouns.)
- True (The prefix “dis-” indicates a negative or opposite meaning.)
- False (Adding the suffix “-ful” to a word makes it positive.)
- True (The prefix “un-” can be used to negate adjectives and verbs.)
- True (The suffix “-able” means “capable of being.”)
- True (The prefix “mis-” indicates something done incorrectly or badly.)
- False (The suffix “-ly” is used to form adverbs from adjectives.)
Choose the Correct Affix
Instructions: Choose the correct prefix or suffix from the options given in parentheses to complete each word.
- (un-/ful) – She is very ________ (care) when driving.
- (dis-/re) – We need to ________ (place) the furniture after cleaning.
- (mis-/in) – He often ________ (understand) what I say.
- (over-/able) – This task is not ________ (manage) without help.
- (pre-/ment) – The ________ (prepare) for the event took weeks.
- (ir-/less) – The project was ________ (meaning), so we decided not to pursue it.
- (joy-/dis) – She felt ________ (satisfaction) after finishing her work.
- (re-/tion) – The company is looking for a new ________ (direct) to improve sales.
- (in-/ly) – He spoke ________ (calm) during the presentation.
- (mis-/ful) – It was a ________ (take) to assume he would be there on time.
Answers:
- careful (suffix: -ful)
- replace (prefix: re-)
- misunderstands (prefix: mis-)
- manageable (suffix: -able)
- preparation (suffix: -tion)
- meaningless (suffix: -less)
- dissatisfaction (prefix: dis-)
- director (suffix: -or)
- calmly (suffix: -ly)
- mistake (prefix: mis-)
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FAQs
Prefixes and suffixes are word parts that can be added to the beginning or end of a word, respectively, to change its meaning or grammatical function.
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. While suffixes are a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function.
Some examples of Prefix includes Unhappy, Rewrite, Mispelt. While some examples of SUffix includes joyful, helpful, quickly and slowly.
No, “Dr.” is not a prefix. It’s an abbreviation for “Doctor,” which is a title used before the names of people with certain academic or professional degrees.
Top 10 examples of suffix include: joyful, careless, actor, quickly, eatable, creation, reality, motivation, admiration and helpful.
5 examples of prefixes are unhappy, rewrite, misspell, preview and inactive.
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