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Prefixes & Suffixes

The document explains the concepts of prefixes and suffixes in the English language, detailing their definitions and functions in modifying root words. It provides examples of both prefixes and suffixes, as well as rules for their correct usage. Additionally, it includes exercises for practicing the application of prefixes to find opposites of verbs.

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HARSHA G S
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51 views14 pages

Prefixes & Suffixes

The document explains the concepts of prefixes and suffixes in the English language, detailing their definitions and functions in modifying root words. It provides examples of both prefixes and suffixes, as well as rules for their correct usage. Additionally, it includes exercises for practicing the application of prefixes to find opposites of verbs.

Uploaded by

HARSHA G S
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Prefixes & Suffixes

• Prefixes and Suffixes are common in English


and their correct use can help enhance the
language skills and deal with the unknown
vocabulary easily.
• What is Prefix?
A Prefix is a word that is added at the beginning
of the root word to form a new word. A prefix
word does not have any meaning of its own but
when added to a root word it modifies the
meaning of the word. A Prefix makes a word
negative, indicate opinion or show repetition
• Prefixes- examples :
Un (Prefix) + Happy (Root Word) = Unhappy
(new word)
Dis (Prefix) + Organised (Root word) =
Disorganised (new word)
• What are Suffixes?
Like Prefixes, Suffixes are also words that are
added to the root word to form a new word but
suffixes are added at the end of the root word.
Suffix does change the meaning of the word it is
added to but not make the word opposite or
negative like prefix do, it simply changes the
class of the root word like a verb is changed into
an adjective by adding a suffix.
• Suffixes- examples:
Forget (root word) + Ful (Suffix) = Forgetful (New
word)
Happy (root word) + Ness (Suffix) = Happiness
(New word)
Rules to Add Prefixes & Suffixes
1. Use hyphen (-) when adding prefix to a common noun. For
example: Pro-American, Anti-religion, etc.
2. Hyphen is must to be used after prefixes Self and Ex, example,
Self-dependant, self-esteem, Ex-husband, Ex-employee, etc.
3. When adding a Prefix, do not change the spelling of the original
word or root word; Examples: Undo, disappear, irrelevant,
cooperation, irrational, etc.
4. Repetition of letters is possible when adding prefix. Basically the
point number 3 (do not change spelling) is to be followed even if
the spelling results in double consonants after adding the prefix.
5. There are certain words that start with prefix but do not have
any prefix added to them like the word Uncle.
6. Many Prefixes can have the same meaning like ‘in’ ‘im’ ‘un’ all these prefixes
mean ‘opposite of’ or ‘not’.
7. Similarly many Suffixes also have the same meaning. Like the suffix ‘er’ when
added to any word will denote the action performed by the person. Example -
Teacher, Gardener, Performer etc.
8. Suffix ‘er’ is also added towards the end of adjectives or adverbs to help compare
two things. Example- Slow becomes slower, soon becomes sooner, fast becomes
faster etc.
9. When suffix is added , the spelling of the base word can change . This is mostly the
case when the base words ends with y or e . For example - happy becomes
happier, costly becomes costlier with suffix ‘er’, manage becomes managing,
make becomes making with suffix ‘ing’.
10. The Prefix that ends in a vowel, ‘a’ then the base word starting with a consonant
will use it as it is, like atypical, amoral, etc.
Use prefixes to find the opposite of these verbs:

• 1- wrap
• 2- use
• 3- agree
• 4- engage
• behave
• 6- understand
• 7- fold
• 8- spell
• 9- connect
• 10- close
1. He cracked the Civils Service Examination, he was ___ (success) for the second
time.
2. Ria is ___ (child), she was crying a minute ago and suddenly she started
laughing.
3. They are ___ (practice), perhaps they will win the ___ (champion) trophy.
4. My brother’s ___ (aim) is to be a ____ (mathematics) when he grows up.
5. He is ___ (manners), he does not know how to behave with elders.
6. The current ___ (govern) did as promised, the roads of the old city are now ___
(broad).
7. A ___ (combine) of motivation and hard work can fulfil your dreams.
8. The doctors have advised her to be ___ (stress) only then she can overcome the
__ (weak).
9. She ___ (behave) in the class because of which teachers ___ (agree) to let her sit
in the class.
10. College days are ___ (memory) days because here only we build ___ (relation)
that are never ___ (forget)

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