Prefix: A set of letters that are added to a base word to create a word with a new meaning.

For example: Possible, means doable

Im    +   Possible  =  Impossible, means not doable

(Prefix)     (Word)

There are a lot of prefixes with different meanings. Let us learn about commonly used prefixes with examples.

 

A few things that we should keep in mind while understanding Prefixes:

 

1. Different prefixes can have a similar meaning.

- Dis/Dif- Means separate (Dissect, Differentiate)

- Un/Im- Means not (Unimportant, Impossible)

- En/Em- Means within (Embody, Encore)

 

2. While adding a prefix, double letters in the newly created word are possible when the ending letter of the prefix and the first letter of the base word are the      same.

- Im- Immature

- Dis- Dissect 

3. Not all words starting with letters such as ‘Re’, ‘Un’ and ‘Pre’ actually include prefix.

- Realise

- Until

- Precipitation 

 

Suffix: A set of words that are added to the end of a word to create a new word.

For example:  Pen      +      s        =    Pens

.                       .(Word)     (Suffix)

There are a lot of suffixes with different meanings. Let us learn about commonly used suffixes with examples.

 

A few things that we should keep in mind while understanding Suffixes:

1. Suffixes such as ‘er’ can have different meanings.

For example: Speak  +   er  = Speaker (Doing the action)

Fast     +   er  = Faster (Comparative form of fast)

 

2. While adding a suffix, the spelling of the base word can change.

For example: Write    +   ing  = Writing ( letter ‘e’ has been dropped)

Manage  +  ing  = Managing ( letter ‘e’ has been dropped)

Hop   +   er  =  Hopper ( letter ‘p’ has been added)

 

Studying the meaning of various prefixes and suffixes can aid in understanding the meaning of the word.

They can also help in creating new words by adding them to various base words, facilitating in vocabulary expansion.