Prefixes and suffixes are essential building blocks in English. Let’s have a quick test.
Was this too hard? Study the article below and do the exercises at the bottom of the page.
Understanding how words are built helps learners expand their vocabulary and decode unfamiliar terms. Let’s explore how they work and how you can use them to understand or form new words.
What are these?
- A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
Example: un- + happy → unhappy (not happy) - A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its form or function (part of speech).
Example: joy + -ful → joyful (becomes an adjective)
These small parts can change meaning, tense, type, or degree. Learning them will help you recognize plenty of new words. Study them individually in the following articles: Prefixes, Adjective suffixes, Adverb suffixes, Noun Suffixes, Verb Suffixes.
Prefixes and Suffixes – Table
| Category | Common Examples | Function | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefixes | un-, re-, pre-, mis-, dis-, over-, under-, sub- | Change the meaning of the base word | unclear, rewrite, preview |
| Adjective Suffixes | -ful, -less, -ous, -able/-ible, -al, -ic, -y, -ish | Turn words into adjectives to describe things | hopeful, tasteless, artistic |
| Adverb Suffixes | -ly, -ward(s), -wise | Turn words into adverbs, showing manner or direction | slowly, forward, clockwise |
| Noun Suffixes | -er/-or, -tion/-sion, -ment, -ness, -ity, -ship, -ist | Create nouns: people, states, actions | painter, decision, kindness |
| Verb Suffixes | -ify, -ate, -en, -ise/-ize | Turn nouns/adjectives into verbs (actions) | simplify, activate, strengthen |
Combining Prefixes and Suffixes
Sometimes we add both to a base word. Here are some examples:
| Prefix | Base Word | Suffix | New Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| un- | help | -ful | unhelpful | not helpful |
| re- | act | -ion | reaction | the result of acting again |
| dis- | agree | -ment | disagreement | the state of not agreeing |
| mis- | understand | -ing | misunderstanding | wrong understanding |
| over- | cook | -ed | overcooked | cooked too much |
This is common in English and a great way to build vocabulary faster.
Exercises
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