Introduction to Prefixes and Suffixes
Prefixes and suffixes are groups of letters added to the beginning or end of a base word to change its meaning or grammatical function. Prefixes usually modify the meaning of a word, while suffixes often change its part of speech.
Common Prefixes
Here are some frequently used English prefixes with their meanings and examples.
un-
un
not, opposite of
re-
ree
again, back
pre-
pree
before
dis-
dis
not, opposite of
Common Suffixes
The following suffixes are commonly used to form new words.
-ness
ness
state or quality
-ful
ful
full of
-less
less
without
-ly
lee
in the manner of (adverb)
Prefixes with Negative Meaning
Some prefixes give a negative or opposite meaning to the base word.
unhappy
un-hap-ee
not happy
disagree
dis-uh-gree
to have a different opinion
impossible
im-pos-uh-buhl
not possible
Suffixes that Form Nouns
These suffixes create nouns from adjectives or verbs.
happiness
hap-ee-ness
the state of being happy
friendship
frend-ship
the state of being friends
teacher
tee-chur
a person who teaches
Suffixes that Form Adjectives
These suffixes often create adjectives from nouns or verbs.
careful
kair-ful
full of care
fearless
feer-less
without fear
friendly
frend-lee
in a friendly manner
Usage Examples in Sentences
She is unhappy with the results.
Shee iz un-hap-ee with the ree-zults.
She is not happy with the results.
Please rewrite the paragraph.
Pleez ree-ryt the par-uh-graf.
Please write the paragraph again.
His kindness is appreciated.
Hiz kind-ness iz ap-ree-shee-ay-tid.
His quality of being kind is appreciated.
The fearless soldier won the battle.
The feer-less sol-jer wun the bat-l.
The soldier without fear won the battle.
Practice Word Lists
Try to identify the prefixes or suffixes in these words and their meanings.
With Prefixes
- Preview (pre-: before)
- Disconnect (dis-: opposite of)
- Rewrite (re-: again)
- Impossible (im-: not)
With Suffixes
- Careful (-ful: full of)
- Hopeless (-less: without)
- Quickly (-ly: in the manner of)
- Friendship (-ship: state or condition)