Prefixes

As you have learned, a prefix comes before a root word. For example, a prefix is used to make the word transport. Trans- means “across” and port means to carry. Trans- is the prefix and port is the root word. Adding the prefix to the root word creates transport and changes the meaning of port to “carry across from place to place.”

trans + port = transport (Latin)
trans- = “across”	port = “to carry”	transport = “to carry across from place to place”

The following is a list of the 20 most frequently used prefixes. Being familiar with these will help you as you work to increase your vocabulary and reading skills.

1. un- = not	11. pre- = before
2. re- = again	12. inter- = between
3. in-, im-, il-, ir- = not	13. fore- = front or before
4. dis- = away, not	14. de- = down
5. en-, em- = to make into, to put into	15. trans- = across
6. non- = not	16. super- = above
7. in-, im- = in	17. semi- = half, partly
8. over- = above	18. anti- = against
9. mis- = wrong	19. mid- = half
10. sub- = under	20. under- = under

Source: www.cdl.org

Let's look at some other prefixes.

mono + tone = monotone (Greek)
mono- = “one”	tone = “sound, color, style”	monotone = “sameness, dullness, repetition in sound, color , style, or manner”

contra + dict = contradict (Latin)
contra- = “against”	dict = “to say or speak”	contradict = “to speak against ”

inter + ject = interject (Latin)
inter- = “between, among”	ject = “to throw”	Interject = “to throw in, interrupt”

Suffixes

A suffix comes after a root word. A suffix is used to make the word laughable. The suffix -able means “able to or capable of” and laugh is the root word. So laughable means “able to laugh or capable of a laugh.” Adding the suffix -able modifies the meaning of the word.

The following is a list of the 20 most frequent suffixes. You’ll see that suffixes are more complicated than prefixes and often determine a part of speech. Familiarizing yourself with these will help improve your reading skills.

1. -s, -es = plural	11. -ity, -ty = act, state, quality
2. -ed = past tense	12. -ment = action or process
3. -ing = ongoing	13. -ic = pertaining to
4. -ly = degree	14. -ous, -eous, -ious = full of
5. -er, -or = one who	15. -en = to become or made of
6. -in, -tion, -ation,-ition = action	16. -er = comparative
7. -able, -ible = able to be	17. -ive, -ative, -tive = quality of, that which, causing
8. -al, -ial = relating to pertaining to	18. -ful = full of
9. -y = characterized by	19. -less = unable to
10. -ness = a state of being	20. -est = superlative

Let's look at some other suffixes.

cred + ible = credible (Latin)
-ible = “able to or capable of ”	cred = “believe”	credible = “able to believe”

hydro + phobia = hydrophobia (Latin)
-phobia = “fear of”	hydro = “water”	hydrophobia = “intense fear of water”

Take a minute and study the prefixes and suffixes and their meanings and then complete the activity below to test your knowledge. Click and drag each prefix or suffix below from the box on the left to the oval next to its meaning. For example, click and drag the prefix trans-, which means “across or because” into the first oval below.

Now, using the your notes, make a list of five affixes you use frequently. Think about sports or hobbies that interest you, assignments or classes pertaining to your school work, or tasks and responsibilities related to a job. What words containing affixes do you use most often? (No answers are provided since answers will vary.)

Example: I play soccer; I’m skillful with the ball.

List five affixes that you use weekly:

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. 
   
5.