Understanding English Prefixes

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of the prefix 'anti'?

against (correct)

in favor of

within

together

Which prefix indicates a meaning related to quantity, specifically two?

uni

tri

quad

bi (correct)

What does the prefix 'de' imply?

to bring together

to increase in intensity

to add

to go away from (correct)

Which word demonstrates the use of the prefix 'ex'?

exhale Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'cir' can enhance a word's meaning to indicate what?

around Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'epi' convey?

upon Signup and view all the answers

Which prefix means ‘together’?

com Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning associated with the prefix 'im'?

not Signup and view all the answers

Which root indicates the concept of equality?

equ Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'dis' denotes which type of action?

to separate Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix 'ous' indicate when added to a root word?

Full of or having Signup and view all the answers

In the word 'concurrence', what does the prefix 'con' mean?

Together with Signup and view all the answers

Which suffix indicates the ability or skill related to the root word?

ship Signup and view all the answers

The word 'malediction' is derived from which root meaning?

To say Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix 'ty' signify in the word 'unity'?

State or quality of Signup and view all the answers

In the term 'untenable', what is the significance of the prefix 'un'?

Not Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the root 'curr' found in 'concurrence'?

To run Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'pre' in 'precursor' implies what kind of relationship?

Before Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the root 'duc'?

To lead Signup and view all the answers

Which root means 'to believe'?

cred, credit Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words demonstrates the root meaning 'to carry'?

Referral Signup and view all the answers

What do the roots 'spec' and 'spect' generally relate to?

To appear, to look, to see Signup and view all the answers

Which root is associated with the concept of 'acting' or 'doing'?

act, ag Signup and view all the answers

Which word means 'to go before' and contains a related root?

Precede Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'scrib' indicate in context?

To write Signup and view all the answers

Which root corresponds to the meaning of 'equal'?

equ Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words relates to 'to be sent'?

Admit Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'pre-' in 'precursory' suggest?

Before Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the root 'plic'?

To fold or bend Signup and view all the answers

Which root conveys the meaning of 'to lead' prominently in the word 'conduct'?

duc Signup and view all the answers

Which word signifies 'to fold in or involve'?

Implicate Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'bas' in relation to physical space?

Low Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'tract' imply about the action described in related words?

To draw or pull something Signup and view all the answers

Which suffix indicates a state of being or an act?

ance Signup and view all the answers

The root 'ver' in the word 'revert' suggests the action of:

To turn back Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words contains the suffix that means 'full of'?

Fearful Signup and view all the answers

The word 'tenable' refers to something that is:

Capable of being maintained Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'ven' signify in the word 'advent'?

To come Signup and view all the answers

Which suffix indicates someone who performs a specific action?

ant Signup and view all the answers

The word 'biome' contains which suffix that indicates study?

logy Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'tact' imply about the words derived from it?

Ability to perceive by touch Signup and view all the answers

The word 'performance' features which suffix related to actions?

ance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words contains a suffix that suggests a condition?

Eagerness Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'tent' in 'extend' imply?

To stretch out Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words means 'able to be sold'?

Salable Signup and view all the answers

Which suffix indicates a concern with, or relating to something?

ory Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'inter' signify in the word 'interpose'?

Between, among Signup and view all the answers

Which of these prefixes indicates the meaning of 'many'?

Poly- Signup and view all the answers

What does 'nonprofit' specifically mean based on the prefix used?

Not making a profit Signup and view all the answers

Which word uses the prefix 're' correctly according to its meaning?

Retell Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'mal' indicate in the word 'malpractice'?

Bad, ill, wrong Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'post' in 'postmortem' refers to which of the following?

After Signup and view all the answers

What meaning does the prefix 'omni' convey in the word 'omnipresent'?

Everywhere, all Signup and view all the answers

What does 'super' mean in the word 'superstar'?

Over, above, greater Signup and view all the answers

Which prefix in 'transmute' suggests the meaning of 'across'?

Trans Signup and view all the answers

What does 'unilateral' imply based on its prefix?

Having one side Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'mis' in 'misplace' suggests which type of action?

Put in wrong place Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words uses the prefix 'sub' correctly?

Submarine Signup and view all the answers

Identify the correct meaning of the prefix 'polysyllable'.

Many syllables Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the prefix 'ob' in 'obviate' relate to?

To be apparent Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'uni' imply in the context of 'unanimous'?

One view Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes

A set of 20 prefixes and 14 roots unlocking the meaning of over 100,000 words is possible
Similarly, 29 prefixes and 25 roots can unlock the meaning of over 125,000 words when added to suffixes
Reviewing prefixes, suffixes, and roots helps English Language Learners (ELLs) understand relationships between languages (e.g., Latin, Spanish, French, Italian)

Table 1: 32 Prefixes

a, ab, abs: away from (abscond - to run away, absent - not present)
ad, a, ac, af, ag, an, ar, at, as: to, toward (adhere - to stick to, annex - to add, attract - to draw near)
anti: against (antifreeze - substance preventing freezing, antisocial - not social)
bi, bis: two (bicycle, biannual)
circum, cir: around (circumscribe - to draw around, circle)
com, con, co, col: with, together (contact - to touch, collect, co-worker)
de: away from, down, the opposite of (depart, decline, dislike)
dis, dif, di: apart (dishonest, distant)
epi: upon, on top of (epitaph, epilogue)
equ, equi: equal (equalize, equitable)
ex, e, ef: out, from (exit, eject, exhale, inject)
in, il, ir, im, en: in, into (impose, inactive, ignoble, irreversible, irritate) Note that some prefixes also indicate a negation

Table 2: 27 Roots

act, ag: to do, to act (agent, activity, aperture)
apert: open (aperture, basement)
bas: low (basement, captive)
cap, capt, cip, cept, ceive: to take, to hold, to seize (captive, receive, capable, recipient)
ced, cede, ceed, cess: to go, to give in (precede, access, proceed, credible)
cred, credit: to believe (credible, incredible, credit)
curr, curs, cours: to run (current, precursory, recourse)
dic, dict: to say (dict, indicate induce)
duc, duct: to lead (conduct, aqueduct)
equ: equal, even (equanimity)
fac, fact, fic, fect, fy: to make, to do (facile, factory, fiction).
fer, ferr: to carry, bring (referral)
graph: write (monograph, graphite)
mit, mis: to send (missile)
par: equal (parity)
plic: to fold, to bend, to turn (implicate, complicate)
pon, pos, posit, pose: to place (transpose, deposit)
scrib, script: to write (transcript, subscription)
sequ, secu: to follow (sequence)
spec, spect, spic: to appear, to look, to see (specimen, aspect)
sta, stat, sist: to stand, or make stand (constant, standing)

Table 3: 23 Suffixes

able, ible, ble: like, having the quality of (edible, salable)
acious, cous, al: the act of, a state of being (nocturnal, vivacious)
ance, ancy: the act of, a state of being (truancy, occupant)
ant, ent, er, or: one who (teacher, creator, beneficiary, respondent)
ar, ary: connected with, related to (ocular, cardiac)
ence: quality of, act of (existence)
ful: full of (fearful)
ic, ac, il, ile: of, like, pertaining to (infantile, acidic)
ion: the act or condition of (correction)
ism: the practice of, support of (patriotism)
ist: one who makes, does (artist)
ity, ty, y: the state of, character of (unity, active, quality)
ive: having the nature of (active, showy, impressive)
less: lacking, without (heartless)
logy: the study of (biology)
ment: the act of, the state of (retirement, statement)
ness: the quality of (eagerness)
ory: having the nature of, a place or thing for (laboratory)

Table 4: Taking words apart

Includes examples of how prefixes, roots, and suffixes combine to create words (e.g., concurrence, exaggerate, irreversible, etc.) and their meanings.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of English prefixes with this quiz! You'll encounter questions that explore the meanings of various prefixes like 'anti', 'de', and 'ex'. This quiz is perfect for students looking to enhance their vocabulary skills.