Understanding Prefixes and Root Words

• A prefix is a letter or group of letters added before a root word, modifying its meaning.
• A root word is the base form of a word that cannot be broken down further.
• Prefixes can have multiple meanings.
• Prefixes can be added to proper nouns.
• Hyphens can change a prefix's meaning.
• Prefixes usually don't change a word's spelling, but consulting a dictionary is recommended.
• Familiarity with prefixes aids in understanding unfamiliar words.

Prefix Examples

• un- is a common prefix that can be added to adjectives to create an opposite meaning; for example, unhappy (un- + happy) means the opposite of happy.
• un- can also be added to verbs to indicate reversal; for example, unfold (un- + fold) is the opposite of fold.
• extra- is another common prefix, as seen in words like extraordinary and extranet.
• The word extraordinary is a combination of extra- and the root word ordinary, meaning not common or unique
• The word extranet is a combination of extra- and the root word net
• re- has varied meanings and can be hyphenated or not.
• regain (re- + gain) means to get again, with no hyphen used.
• re- has different meanings, spellings, and pronunciations in recollect and re-collect.
• The word recollect to remember has no hyphen, and the /e/ sound is pronounced like the word red.
• The word re-collect, meaning to collect again, includes a hyphen, and the /e/ sound is pronounced as reads.

List of Prefixes and Examples

• ante-: antecedent, antedate
• anti-: antioxidant, antibiotics, antidepressant, antidote, antisocial
• auto-: automobile, automatic, autopilot, autonomous
• circum-: circumstance, circumvent, circumference, circumnavigate, circumcision
• co-: co-worker, co-pilot, cooperative, cooperation, coauthor, coexist, cohabitation
• de-: decomposing, demotivate, default
• dis-: disconnect, discomfort, disjoint
• en-: endanger, encounter
• ex-: ex-president, ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, ex-husband
• extra-: extracurricular, extra-economic, extraordinary
• fore-: forecast, foreshadow, foremost, foresee, forehead
• homo-: homosexual, homo-nuclear, homocentric, homoplastic, homonym, homogeneous
• hyper-: hypermarket, hypertension, hyperactive, hyperbole, hyperventilate
• il-: illegal, illogical, illegitimate
• im-: imbalance, impossible, import
• in-: inside, inmate, injustice, incompetent, indoors, inhumane, infiltrate, infield
• infra-: infrastructure, infrared, infrasonic
• inter-: international, interact, internal, interior
• intra-: intranet
• ir-: irregular, irreparable, irreversible, irreplaceable, irrelevant, irrecoverable
• macro-: macroeconomics, macromolecule, macromolecular
• micro-: microscope, microbiology, microfilm, microwave, micromanage
• mid-: midway, midterm, midwife, midnight, Mideast, Midwest, Middle East
• mis-: misunderstand, misinterpret, misjudge, mismatch, misplace, mistake, mistaken
• mono-: monotone, monotonous, monogamy, monolithic
• non-: nonsense, nonexistent, nonissue, nonverbal, nonstick, nonspecific
• over-: overpower, overlook, overdue, overload, overdo, overreact, overboard, overdose, overweight, overall
• para-: parachute, paralegal, parameter, paradox
• pre-: prerequisite, preschool, preparatory, predominantly
• pro-: proceed, promote, propose, progress, pro-American, proportion
• post-: postmortem, postpone, postal, post-accident, post-abortion, post-adolescence
• re-: return, rebuild, recollect, revise, review, reread, rewrite, rewritten
• semi-: semifinal, semicircle
• sub-: subway, submerge, sub-Saharan, subcontinent
• super-: superman, superstar, superpower, supernatural
• therm-: thermometer, thermodynamic, thermal, thermos
• tri-: triangle, tripod, tricycle
• trans-: transatlantic, transport, transportation, transgender, transgenerational
• un-: unfriendly, unsatisfied, unhappy, unbearable, unimportant
• under-: understand, undersea, underestimate, under-appreciated, undervalued

Suffixes

• Suffixes are letters added after word roots to change their meanings.
• Unlike prefixes, suffixes can sometimes change a word's part of speech.
• Adding -ion to the verb situate creates the noun situation.
• Adding -ion to the verb posit creates the noun position.

List of Suffixes and Examples

• -s: bells, takes, stays, bottles
• -tion: station, preposition, attention
• -ing: indicating, resuming, walking
• -hood: neighbourhood, adulthood, statehood, parenthood
• -ly: slowly, quickly, indignantly, instantly, warmly, sadly, actively, proactively
• -less: selfless, jobless, homeless, merciless, careless, speechless, endless
• -or: conductor, director, indicator
• -er: photographer, charter, partner, beginner, warmer, easier, harder
• -ish: blackish, reddish, feverish
• -ity: fertility, radioactivity, activity, sanity
• -ment: argument, shipment, statement, achievement, excitement, development
• -ful: beautiful, harmful, helpful, useful
• -en: broken, strengthen, straighten
• -ed: stayed, relied, talked, revoked, commenced
• -some: wholesome, handsome, awesome, quarrelsome
• -ic: pathetic, psychotic, neurotic
• -ous: poisonous, venomous, insidious, joyous
• -wise: clockwise
• -able: capable, unable, reliable
• -est: easiest, sweetest, coldest, hottest, loudest
• -ward: inward, outward, toward, forward
• -ive: conductive, active, proactive, communicative, informative, expansive, extensive, expensive, pensive
• -ness: expensiveness, happiness, sadness, awesomeness, priceless, hardness

Explore the functions of prefixes and root words in English. Learn how prefixes modify word meanings and how to identify common prefixes like 'un-' and 'extra-'. Understand the role of prefixes in expanding vocabulary and improve reading comprehension.