Add prefixes and suffixes to the word do

Suffixes and Prefixes are described along with the definition, meaning, examples, list, rules, uses, etc. All the concepts will be cleared in this session. There are an ever-increasing number of words in the English language. In addition to enhancing your vocabulary, learning new words can be overwhelming. However, if you know English prefixes and suffixes, you will learn many new words and gain a greater understanding of language.

It’s like learning a code when you master common prefixes and suffixes. Having cracked the code, you can not only spell words more accurately, but also recognize and perhaps even define unfamiliar words as well. Let’s explore Suffixes and Prefixes!

Let’s try to understand the basics of suffix and prefixes with examples.

Suffix and Prefix Basics

The English vocabulary is vast! We all know that, don’t we? But without an extensive stock of vocabulary, how can you improve your skills with the language? Well, expanding your vocabulary is not an easy task; you need to read a lot before your stock of words will reach a certain level.

• But what if you get some tricks to not only effectively use the language but also expand your vocabulary rapidly?
• Sounds interesting?

Well, this is exactly what you can do with suffix and prefix. So what are they exactly, and how do they function?

The Function of Suffix and Prefix

This is exactly what this post is all about. Thanks to the nature of the English language, just adding two letters before or after a particular word can change the meaning of the original word and create a new word altogether. These extra letters that you can add before or after any particular words are called suffix and prefix. But can you add these letters for every word in the English language?

In this post, we are going to find out all these answers regarding suffix and prefix. Read on as we talk about the definition, rules, and examples of suffix and prefix and how you can use them to expand your vocabulary. So without any further ado, let’s get started.

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What is The Definition Of Suffix And Prefix?

Well, before we move on to the definition of suffix and prefix, you need to understand where they occur in a word? Usually, the suffix and prefix will be added as per the root of every word. Now, the question arises what a root of a word is?

Well, to put it simply, a root of a word is nothing but the shortest base form of a word. For example, if we take the word ‘Video’, the root of the word is ‘vid’. The suffix and prefix will be added to the root of the word. This is how the meaning of the word will be determined after the change.

Suffix and Prefix with Examples

Let’s try to understand suffix and prefix with examples!

Let’s know about word formation before suffix and prefix.

Define Word Formation

A derivation and composition process results in words in a language. This is known as Word Formation.

Define Suffix: What is Suffix?

Suffixes form new words by adding a prefix to a root word, except they are added at the end of the root word. By adding a suffix to the root word, one can change the meaning of that word slightly, but only a little, not opposite or negative as prefixes do, instead, one can change the class of the word, as in making a verb an adjective. 

Suffix refers to the group of letters that sits after the word and alters the meaning or qualifies the meaning of the original word. Like for example, ‘able’ is a suffix that can be used with the word ‘comfort’, and together they make ‘comfortable’, which qualifies the meaning of the original word.

So, comfort + able = comfortable.

Hence, ‘able’ is a suffix here.

Define Prefix: What is Prefix?

A prefix is a word that is added to the beginning of a root for the formation of a new word. There is no meaning to a prefix word on its own, but when added to a root word it changes its meaning. Prefixes make words negative, indicate opinions, or show repetition.

Prefix denotes the group of letters that sits before a word based on the root and alters or qualifies the meaning of the original word. For example, ‘de’ is a prefix that can be used with the word ‘code’, and together they form the opposite of the original word ‘decode’.

In case of uncomfortable, we see that un + comfortable = uncomfortable.

Here, ‘un’ is a prefix. Are you still not clear about the concept? Let’s take a look at some other examples.

Prefix Examples

Prefix examples are as follows,

• Non, un, im, in, il, ir = not, opposite = Nonsense, invalid, unhappy, unchanged.
• Re- = again = redo, replay, revisit.
• Mis = wrongly, not = misunderstand, misguide.
• De = reverse, remove = Deconstruct, destruct, detonate.
• Co, com, con = with, together = Compute, construct, contrive.
• Dis, dif, di = separation, away = Disbelief, Disown, Disorder, dissect.

Suffix Examples

Suffix examples are as follows,

• Er, or = showing comparison = Donner, teacher, cheater.
• Able, Ible = capable = Respectable, Formidable, Credible.
• D, ed = forming the past tense = Respected, Cheated, Fired, Aggravated.
• Ing = continuous tense = Running, Eating, Fighting, Working.
• Ment = State of result = Disappointment, Appointment.
• Ive = having the quality = Decisive, Creative, Divisive.

Check a NICE VIDEO from Shaw English Online,

Importance of Prefix & Suffix

You will be able to get through the Verbal Ability section of Competitive exams with ease if you are familiar with the usage of prefixes and suffixes in English. The English section of most government exams is considered a common and important part of the exam. To master the English section one needs to have a good grasp of English vocabulary and word formation. 

It aims therefore to provide knowledge on the formation of words in the English language by using examples to illustrate how prefixes and suffixes work. Additionally, you will be able to download the list of prefixes and suffixes for your own reference. 

Basic Rules for Suffix and Prefix

Always remember that neither suffix nor prefix can be used with every word. So before you use them, you need to keep in mind certain aspects. Below, I am listing them for your better understanding.

Suffix Rules

Rule#1: While using a suffix, you need to understand that sometimes they can have multiple meanings.

• For example, the suffix ‘er’. Sitting after the word, it can refer to the person who does the activity.
• Like ‘a dancer, a singer’. Sometimes, they can help establish a comparison as well, like ‘ faster, weaker, lower’.

Rule#2: When the suffix is used, sometimes, it can change the spelling of the word.

• For example, when the ‘ing’ suffix is used, the spelling of the word is bound to be changed.
• Like for ‘running. Swimming, fighting’. Another similar example can be ‘iness’ which is often applicable for words ending with ‘y’. In that case, ‘y’ is replaced by ‘I’.

Suffixes are also similar in meaning to many prefixes. In like manner with the suffix, ‘er’ indicates the action performed by a person when added to a word such as Teachers, gardeners, performers, etc. Comparative adjectives and adverbs are also modified by adding the suffix ‘er’. Fast is shortened to faster and soon becomes sooner, etc.

The spelling of the base word can change when a suffix is added. In general, these are the base words ending in y or e. For example, happy becomes happier, costly becomes costlier with the suffix ‘er’, manage become managing, make become making with the suffix ‘ing’.

Prefix Rules

Rule#1: Many prefixes also mean the same. Like for example, un-, in-, and non mean the same as ‘mis’ and ‘ir’.

Rule#2: Sometimes using the prefix changes the spelling by introducing double letters. Like for example, ‘unnatural’ ‘unnoticeable’.

Rule#3: Using the prefix will never alter the root of the original word. This is very important. Like for example, if you take the word ‘Live’ and add the prefix ‘re’, it will be ‘relive’, keeping the root of the word intact.

A hyphen (-) should be used when adding a prefix to a common noun. Examples include Pro-American or Anti-Religion. 

After self- and ex-prefixes, hyphen must be used, for example, self-desirable, self-disciplined, ex-husband, ex-employee etc.

If you add a prefix, you should not change the spelling of the original word or root word; for example: undo, disappear, irrelevant, cooperation, irrational, etc.

When adding a prefix, letters can be repeated.

Prefixes that end with an ‘a’ are used as they are, like atypical, amoral, etc. With prefixes that end with a vowel, the base word will use it as it is.

Following point number 3 (don’t change spelling) is generally recommended even if it results in double consonants after adding the prefix.

The word Uncle begins with a prefix, but it does not have a prefix added to it.

There are many prefixes that can mean the same thing, such as ‘in’, ‘im’, ‘un’ all of these prefixes mean ‘opposite of’ or ‘not’.

List of Suffixes and Prefixes

Suffixes and prefixes lists are tabulated,

Prefixes List

Prefix	Meaning	Examples
anti-	against,	antibiotic,
auto-	self	autobiography
co-	with	co-operation
de-	down	decrease
dis-	opposite of,	disagree, disapprove
ex-	former,	ex-president,
extra-	beyond,	extraordinary,
il-,	not	illegal,
im-,	not	impossible,
In-	not	indefinite
ir-	not	irresponsible,
in-	into	insert,
inter-,	between	interact,
micro-	small	microscope,
mis-	wrongly	mistake,
mono-	one,	monotone,
para-	beside	parachute,
post-	after	postpone,
pre-	before	prefix,
re-	again	react
semi-	half	semicircle,
super-	over	superfood,
therm-	heat	thermodynamics
trans-	across,	transport,
tri-	three	triangle
un-	against	unusual

Suffixes List

Suffix	Meaning	Examples
-al	Related or action	annual, criminal
-able	able to,	remarkable
-dom	state	freedom
-ence	quality	ambience
-er	in comparison	bigger,
-est	superlative	heaviest
-fy	make	justify
-ful	full of	houseful
-ible	to form adjective	terrible
-ily	To form adverb	happily,
-ing	action	driving
-ist	Person who acts	psychologist
-less	without,	Fearless, helpless
-ness	to express the state	hardness
-tion	state	position
-y	to express condition	noisy

Why Do You Need To Learn And Practice Suffix And Prefix?

As mentioned earlier as well, learning suffixes and prefixes will not only help you understand the grammatical elements better but will also help you expand your vocabulary too.

Keep in mind that suffix and prefix can only be used for certain words. Hence, you need to practice regularly to master the concept. Plus, as for everything related to English grammar, the more you read, the more you will learn. The same can be said for suffix and prefix as well.

• So, from now on, whenever you will read something in English, try to locate the words that are using suffixes or prefixes.
• Firstly, it will help you understand the usage better and refer to the points I have mentioned above about using them.
• Apart from that, you can also note down the words in a copy. This can be a great practice to improve your vocabulary and learn new words.

Conclusion

So, what else would you like to know about suffix and prefix? Should you have any further queries about them, then reach out to us, and we will surely get back to you to the best of our knowledge. Further Study you can refer below:

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Verbs are words that describe what people do, how they feel and how things are in general. We can make new verbs by adding prefixes and suffixes to words we already know.

Prefixes to form verbs

Prefixes go at the beginning of words. We use prefixes to change the meaning of words, including verbs:

• Alex decided to rewrite his paper to get a better grade. (‘write’ — ‘rewrite’)
• Why did you undo all of the work I did on the website? Now I have to redo it all. (‘do’ — undo’)
• I think you should disconnect the printer and then reconnect it. That might work. (‘connect’ — ‘disconnect’)
• You have to preorder items so that you get them on time. (‘order’ — ‘preorder’)

The most common verb prefixes and their meaning:

Prefix	Meaning	Examples
re-	again or back	restructure, revisit, reappear, rebuild, refinance
dis-	reverses the meaning of the verb	disappear, disallow, disarm, disconnect, discontinue
over-	too much	overbook, oversleep, overwork
un-	reverses the meaning of the verb	unbend, uncouple, unfasten
mis-	badly or wrongly	mislead, misinform, misidentify
out-	more or better than others	outperform, outbid
co-	together	co-exist, co-operate, co-own
de-	do the opposite of	devalue, deselect
fore-	earlier, before	foreclose, foresee
inter-	between	interact, intermix, interface
pre-	before	pre-expose, prejudge, pretest
sub-	under/below	subcontract, subdivide
trans-	across, over	transform, transcribe, transplant
under-	not enough	underfund, undersell, undervalue, underdevelop

Note: You may see verbs with prefixes written with a hyphen (-).  This happens when a verb is not commonly used with a prefix, such as: ‘re-submit’.  This will also depend on the type of English (American or British).

Suffixes to form verbs

Suffixes go at the end of words. We use suffixes to change a word, like a noun or an adjective, to a different type of word, such as a verb.  

• The butter is very soft because of the heat. – The butter softens when it is hot.  

‘Soft’ is an adjective, and it changes to a verb when we add ‘-en’.

Another example is ‘-ize’, which turns nouns to verbs.

• I find it hard to sympathise with you because my life is so different.
• We should try to synthesize all of this information so that it is easier to understand.

The most common verb suffixes and their meaning:

Suffix	Meaning	Examples
-en	To become	Soften, darken, widen, weaken, strengthen
-ise/-ize	To make or become	Sympathise, empathise, synthesize
-ate	To become	Activate, collaborate, create
-ify, -fy	To make or become	Justify, magnify, amplify, satisfy

• Nowadays students need to learn how to collaborate on projects.
• You should use clear arguments to justify the opinions in your essay.

Thus, suffixes can determine the word’s part of speech. Certain suffixes make the base or root word a noun, a verb, an adjective, or even an adverb. For example, add ‘-ize’ to make it ‘realize’, which is a verb.

Note: It is important to be able to identify the root word or base word. This will help you create new words, such as ‘justify – justice – justification – just – justly’. The root word is often the verb and then other words, like nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, are created with it, like ‘create – creative – creativity’.

Check out this video from Daniel Byrnes showing how we can make new verbs adding suffixes:

Read more on this topic:

How to Form Adverbs

Noun Formation: Common Prefixes

Noun Formation: Common Suffixes

Adjective Formation: Common Prefixes and Suffixes

What is word formation in grammar? and what are the methods of word formation? What are prefixes and suffixes?

Word formation definition: 

Merriam Webster dictionary defines word formation as the formation of words in a language by the processes of derivation and composition.

We usually add a prefix or suffix to make new words. How are prefixes and suffixes alike? Both are a type of affix and both can change a word’s meaning. 

Word formation prefixes and suffixes in English: Word formation examples lists

Word formation suffixes and prefixes (important word formation lists)

List of prefixes and suffixes

Generally, we use prefixes and suffixes to make new words. This post deals with words with prefixes and suffixes.

Word formation prefixes

Prefix meaning

A prefix is defined as a letter or group of letters that we add to the beginning of a word to form new words. Prefixes can be used to guess the meaning of words.

Below is a high-quality poster that can be printed out. The poster contains prefixes list, their meanings, and examples. Also, there is a link to an outstanding video on prefixes

Prefix examples

Look at the words tie, retie and untie.  What do they have in common? ( prefix of tie)

They all include the word tie. So the word tie is the root word or base word. Adding a prefix changes the meaning of the root.

Adding a prefix changes the meaning of the root.

Here are lists of common prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings and examples, that we use in word formation.

The word formation examples list below shows prefixes (word building prefixes)

What prefix means new? What is the prefix for new and recent?

The prefix meaning new and recent is neo-

The prefix of tie is un- (untie)

The prefix of look is over- (overlook which means fail to notice = misheed)

The prefix with present or potent is omni- (omnipresent, omnipotent)

The prefix of appeared is dis-. It means the opposite of. (disappeared is the opposite of appeared).

The prefix of able is un- or dis- (Examples: unable, disable)

The prefix of see is un- or for- (Examples: unsee, forsee)

The prefix of paid is under- (underpaid)

The prefix for potent is im- (impotent)

The prefix for tied is un- (untied)

The prefix of populated is un- (unpopulated which means uninhabited)

The prefix for the word trust is dis- , un- or mis- ( we can say distrust, untrust or mistrust. All of them mean lack of trust or confidence)

The prefix for accurate is in- (inaccurate which means not accurate or incorrect or wrong)

The prefix of use is mis- (misuse which means use in the wrong way or badly) (The prefix mis means wrongly or badly)

The prefix of necessary is un- (unnecessary)

The prefix that means recent is neo- (Words with prefix neo-)

The prefix for tie (tie prefix) is un- (untie)

The poster below shows over 10 examples of prefixes

The prefixes in-, im-, il-, ir-, un-, dis- have the same meaning. They mean ‘opposite of’ or ‘not’. When we add these prefixes to a word, they give its opposite.

Prefixes examples and prefixes rules and tips

• im– is used before a word beginning with ‘m’ or ‘p’ {e.g. Immature, impatient…}

  Adjectives beginning with c usually take the prefix in– {e.g.  incorrect…}

• il– is used before a word beginning with ‘l’ {e.g. illiterate, illegal…}

• ir–  is used before a word beginning with ‘r’ {e.g. irregular, irrelevant…} What does the prefix ir mean? The prefix ir means ‘opposite of’ or ‘not’
  

• There are no rules for in– , un– and dis–
• We can also use the prefixes un– and dis– with verbs to form their opposites. (e.g. untie, unfasten, unpack, undo, unlock, undress, disagree, disappear, dislike, disqualify, disobey, disconnect etc.)
• dis meaning (with adjectives, adverbs and nouns): The prefix dis- in adjectives, adverbs and nouns mean ‘not’ or ‘opposite of’ (dishonest, disagreeably, disadvantage)
• in prefix meaning (meaning of the prefix in-)  (in prefix): The prefix in means ‘not’ or ‘opposite of’ (in prefix words: incorrect (= not correct), infinite, inaccurate, inactive, inadequate, incapable, incoherent, incomplete, indirect…) (words with the prefix in)
• The prefix of able can be dis-, un– or en-. Here are some examples: disable (verb), unable (adjective), enable (verb).

Prefix video

• Word formation suffixes

What is a suffix in English? /What does suffix mean? / Suffix meaning formation?

A suffix is the letters or syllables that we add to the end of a word to create new words. Using suffixes to form new words is a good way to enrich your vocabulary.

As we said before, we add prefix or suffix to make new words. Knowing the different suffixes can enable you to guess the meaning of new words and recognize whether the word is a verb, a noun, an adjective, an adverb, etc.

The suffix can change the spelling of the original word. For example, the -e ending of the verb ‘create’ and the adjective ‘wise’ is omitted when the suffix is added.

• Create → creation
• wise→ wisdom

Adding the suffixes change the spelling of the original word.

In the English language, not only do suffixes change the spelling of the original word but they also change the word’s part of speech. For example, the suffix ly changes adjectives to adverbs. (brave (adjective) → bravely (adverb), correct → correctly )

Here is a list of common suffixes (suffixes list/suffix examples) 

Suffixes tips:

• The suffix less meaning (less definition): The suffix less means ‘without’.
• al suffix meaning: The suffix al in adjectives means ‘having the quality of’ or ‘connected with’. The suffix al in nouns means ‘the state or process of’
• able suffix meaning: The suffix able means ‘that can or must be’ or ‘having the quality of’

The table below displays more suffixes with meaning and examples (suffix words)

Very Important Related Posts:

How Are Prefixes and Suffixes Alike?

Important Prefixes and Suffixes Exercises with Answers pdf

Prefixes and Suffixes Exercises / Prefixes and suffixes worksheet (Word formation exercises)

In the exercises below, you should add prefixes and suffixes to the words in the sentences so that they are meaningful sentences.

A. Fill in the blanks with the correct prefix. Make any necessary changes

1. He has never been to school. He is …………literate. He can’t write and read.
2. Male students …………..number female students in rural areas.
3. He is so ……..……honest that nobody trusts him.
4. My father is ……..…..partial. He does not discriminate between his children.
5. I’m sorry to …….…….pronounce your name.
6. Children in some African countries are ………..fed. They suffer from hunger.
7. China is an………..…populated country. It has over a billion people.
8. It is ……….…responsible of some students not to prepare for their exams and resort to cheating.
9. Big cities are usually ………………..crowded.
10. It’s ………………moral to smoke in class and expose students to danger.
11. Most workers are complaining that they are ………………paid.

B. Complete with the right suffixes. Make any necessary changes.

1. Georgia is cap……………….of helping you with your problems. Why don’t you ask her to?
2. Be care………………! A car is coming.
3. The best treat………..……..for obesity is doing sport every day.
4. Our factory has installed two video cameras for secure ………………reasons.
5. An anonym………………person called me twice last night.
6. The belief that things will improve is called optim……….., whereas the belief that things will get worse is called pessim……..
7. The legs of these trousers are too long. Could you short…………..them for me, please?
8. Don’t be pessimist……..…….. Everything will be all right.
9. Could you simple ………..………..your instructions, please?
10. Nobody can understand this sentence. It is meaning…………
11. Criticize…………………is useful on condition that it is constructive.
12. He does exercise every day so as to strength……………his muscles.
13. The news of his best friend’s death sad……..….….him.
14. I don’t see any similar…………….between the two presidents.
15. She works very hard. She has the able…….………to succeed.
16. For further inform………..….., contact me on this mobile number.

People who search for word formation, also search for prefixes and suffixes worksheets, prefixes and suffixes pdf, prefixes and suffixes examples, and prefixes and suffixes exercises.

Download prefixes and suffixes worksheet pdf here

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• Words that end in i

What are the 10 examples of prefix?

Prefix	Prefix meaning	Words with prefixes/ examples of prefixes/prefixes examples
en-	cause to be/make/put into	enrich, enlarge, encircle, enable, endanger…
re-	do again/back	rewrite, reread, resend, readmit, re-advertise, reaffirm…
pre-	before/earlier	prehistoric, preplan, pretest…
post-	after	postgraduate, post-war, post hoc, posthumous, postmodifier, postmortem…
non-	not/ not connected with	non-alcoholic, non-governmental, non-aligned, non-essential…
under-	too little/ not enough	undercooked, underpaid, undercharge, underdone, underfed…
mis-	wrongly/badly	misunderstand, misbehave, misapply, misdeed…
self-	by oneself	self-education, self-analysis, self-confidence, self-assured…
multi-	many / more than one	multinational, multimedia, multi-access, multicolored…
bi-	twice/ two/double	bilingual, biannual, bicameral, bicycle, biennial…
Neo–	Prefix meaning new/recent	neo-Georgian, neo-colonialism, neo-fascist, neoliberal,
Tri-	Prefix meaning three	Tricycle, triatomic, triacid, tri-band, tri-focused, tri-camera photography

Words with Both Prefixes and Suffixes List

Here is a list of words with a prefix and suffix and a root.

• Unhelpful
• undoubtedly
• Unacceptable
• Uninteresting
• Unconsciousness
• Unsuccessful
• Unsuccessfully
• Impossibly
• Antidisestablishmentarianism
• Disrespectful
• Disrespectfully
• Distasteful
• Disconnected
• Disloyalty
• Ilogically
• Nonconformist
• Replacement
• Reappearance
• Immeasureable

 Learn English online with Englishdotcom

Prefix definition: an affix attached to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning.

Suffix definition: a particle attached to the end of a word to modify its meaning or change it into a different word class.

What is the Difference Between Prefixes and Suffixes?

In the English language, we often place prefixes and suffixes at the beginning and end, respectively, of a word in order to modify it.

The original word does have meaning in itself, but by adding a prefix or suffix to it, we change the word.

What is a prefix? Prefixes are placed at the beginning of a word in order to alter its meaning.

• Janet resubmitted her application after she was initially denied a loan.

Resubmitted includes the prefix re which means again.

What is a suffix? Suffixes are placed at the end of a word in order to alter its meaning or change the classification of the word.

• We work hard in order to ensure our children’s happiness.

Happiness includes the state of being suffix ness. By adding the suffix, we have changed our word from an adjective to a noun in order for it to fit grammatically in our sentence.

What does prefix mean? A prefix can be a letter or group of letters that may be added to the beginning of a word in order to modify its meaning.

Prefix Examples:

• a-, an- = without; amoral, anemic
• ante- = before; antecedent
• co- = with; co-worker
• de- = off, remove; de-ice
• ex =out of, former; ex-boyfriend
• il = not; illegal
• inter = between; intergalactic
• post = after; postpone
• super = above; supersede
• un = not; unnatural

Let’s try using a prefix in a sentence.

• Craig was dissatisfied with the customer service he received at the store.
  • Prefix = dis = negative

When to Hyphenate Prefixes

Do you hyphenate prefixes? At times, you will want to add a hyphen in between your prefix and word.

Proper nouns: when adding a prefix to a proper noun, you must add a hyphen:

• Not liking apple pie may be seen as un-American.

Same vowel: If the last letter of your prefix is the same as the first letter in the word, you need to add a hyphen:

• In order to be allowed re-entry to the amusement park, patrons must obtain a stamped ticket.

Special prefixes: Always use a hyphen when you use ex- and self-.

• Lisa was self-conscious about her body after having a baby.
• The ex-student body president trained the current officer on how to organize prom.

Clarification: Use a hyphen when a word may cause confusion or look odd in the sentence.

• The mother reminder the children to re-cover the sandbox after they were done playing.

We need the hyphen, so that readers don’t confuse re-cover with the word recover, which means to reinstate health or regain a lost possession.

What are Suffixes?

What does suffix mean? Suffixes are used at the end of words in order to change the word to fit grammatically within your sentence.

Suffix Examples:

• –al = having characteristics of; remedial, denial
• –ed = past-tense verbs; traveled, talked
• –en = made of, consisting of; wooden, golden
• –er, -est = comparative; stronger, strongest
• –tion, -ion = state of being, condition; completion, relation
• –ity = quality of; humility, enormity
• –less = without; hopeless, homeless
• –ly = characteristic of; brotherly, lovely
• –s, -es = more than one; apples, trenches

Let’s look at an example of a suffix used in a sentence:

• In government class, students will research the current election.
  • Suffix = ion = act, process

When to Hyphenate Suffixes

Do you hyphenate suffixes? We rarely hyphenate suffixes, but here are some instances in which you may add one.

Cumbersome words: an optional hyphen can be used when a word seems lengthy without one.

• community-wide

Exception words: -like, -type, -elect,

• scholarly-like

When last letter is same as first letter:

• graffiti-ism, past-tense

Summary

Define prefix: the definition of prefix is an element placed at the beginning of a word to alter or qualify its meaning.

Define suffix: the definition of suffix is a particle placed at the end of a word to alter its meaning or adjust its grammatical sense.

In summary,

• Prefixes and suffixes are added to words to change them.
• Prefixes are added to change the meaning of the root word.
• Suffixes are added so that the word will make grammatical sense in a sentence.

Here are a couple of final examples of how we use prefixes and suffixes.

• Many science fiction books include an intergalactic war.
  • Prefix = inter = between

• The employee rushed to his car after work on Friday.
  • Suffix = ed = past-tense verb

Contents

• 1 What is the Difference Between Prefixes and Suffixes?
• 2 What are Prefixes?
• 3 When to Hyphenate Prefixes
• 4 What are Suffixes?
• 5 When to Hyphenate Suffixes
• 6 Summary

English Prefixes and Suffixes Exercises about: choosing the right suffix or prefix to make new words, identifying parts of speech, giving prefixed and suffixed word meanings, defining affixes meanings and making nouns, adjectives, verbs ans adverbs.

Use the word in brackets to create a new word. Be very careful at analyzing which part of the speech is missing in your sentence so you can use the right prefix or suffix:

1. How long is the __________ from Rome to Paris ? (fly)

2. I have a very good __________ with both my parents. (relation)

3. Pulling my front tooth didn’t hurt. -It was completely __________. (pain)

4. I can tell from your __________ that you’re not really happy. (express)

5. We offer free __________ for purchases over 100$. (deliver)

6. James hasn’t had a lot of __________ lately, so I hope he’ll do well with his new company. (succeed)

7. It is __________ colder today than it was yesterday. (certain)

8. What __________ is he? Spanish or Portuguese? (nation)

9. You have the __________. — You can either go by bus or walk. (choose)

10. My best friend has a great __________. (person)

11. You need a lot of __________ to write a good story. (imagine)

12. The lesson was __________. I almost fell asleep. (bore)

13. Don’t be so __________. This is the second vase you have broken this month. (care)

14. It’s simply __________. I have won the lottery. (believe)

15. I have to hold a __________ at my brother’s wedding. (speak)

16. There’s a lot of __________ about that on the internet. (inform)

17. The children were very __________ when the teacher came in. (noise)

18. The film was a bit __________. I didn’t really understand what happened. (confuse)

19. He has to wear these gloves for __________ reasons. (safe)

20. Sally was __________ for two years before she found a new job. (employ)

21. In India, there are a lot of __________ in the streets. (beg)

22. When I gave up smoking, I started putting on more __________. (weigh)

23. I had no __________ in finding the right street. (difficult)

24. He talked about __________ and peace in our world. (free)

25. __________, I was invited to watch the new film. (lucky)

26. The __________ of our rainforest is a serious problem. (destroy)

27. Animals in the zoo don’t live in their __________ environment. (nature)

28. __________ does not have anything to do with how much money you have. (happy)

29. Thank you for being so __________ yesterday. (help)

30. He has been a long- __________ runner for a few years now. (distant)

31. The bill should have been less than this. I think the waiter has __________ us. (charge)

32. Teachers don’t earn enough. They’re definitely __________. (pay)

33. Do you prefer watching a dubbed film or one which is __________. (title)

34. Is that dictionary __________ or is it French-English? (lingual)

35. Famous people often write their __________ when they are still quite young. (biography)

36. You should always install a good __________ software to protect your computer. (virus)

37. You must have __________ Steve when he gave you the directions. We’re lost. (understood)

38. My first computer only had half a __________ of memory. (byte)

39. I like to wear __________ clothes when I’m at home. (comfort)

40. We had a __________ night last night. The baby just wouldn’t stop crying! (sleep)

41. My mom’s one of the most __________ people I know. She’s always happy! (cheer)

42. One of the main problems facing governments today is __________. (terror)

43. Since Jane’s been going to the gym, she’s noticed a definite __________ in the way she looks and feels. (improve)

44. The rate of __________ has been very low in my country this year. (inflate)

45. Martin’s biggest __________ is that he can’t concentrate for very long. (weak)

46. Medicine bottles have to be __________; so that young children can’t open them. (child)

singer	………………………………
worthless	………………………………
tallest	………………………………
cheerful	………………………………
doable	………………………………
slower	………………………………
youngest	………………………………
breakable	………………………………
fearless	………………………………
careful	………………………………

dishonest	………………………………
replay	………………………………
underwater	………………………………
preview	………………………………
unable	………………………………
redo	………………………………
preschool	………………………………
untied	………………………………
mistreat	………………………………
underage	………………………………

Make as many words as you can, adding prefixes to the left and suffixes to the right of the stems below. You may use a prefixes and suffixes lists.

Stem	Adjective	Nouns	Verbs
help	……….	……….	……….
kind	……….	……….	……….
literate	……….	……….	……….
loyal	……….	……….	……….
mature	……….	……….	……….
popular	……….	……….	……….
rely	……….	……….	……….
sense	……….	……….	……….
success	……….	……….	……….
thought	……….	……….	……….
understand	……….	……….	……….
use	……….	……….	……….

Try to find two beginnings for each of the suffixes below. What parts of speech are they?

Stem	Words	Part of Speech
-ion	……….	……….
-ness	……….	……….
-er	……….	……….
-(i)ly	……….	……….
-less	……….	……….
-able	……….	……….
-ous	……….	……….
-ate	……….	……….
-ment	……….	……….
-ist	……….	……….
-cy	……….	……….
-al	……….	……….
-ful	……….	……….
-ical	……….	……….
-ance/ence	……….	……….
-ive	……….	……….

Match the (prefix/suffix) with its definition below. 

Choose from the following: muta, pre, aud, post, psych, ize, dox, fid, urb, anti

……………………..	= fear
……………………..	= faith
……………………..	= city
……………………..	= mind
……………………..	= before
……………………..	= belief
……………………..	= make
……………………..	= change
……………………..	= against
……………………..	= after

Put the word in brackets into the correct form. You will have to use prefixes and/or suffixes. Some rules to follow:

1. He was sitting ____________ in his seat on the train. (comfort)

2. There was a ____________ light coming from the window. (green) 

3. This word is very difficult to spell, and even worse, it’s ____________. (pronounce)

4. He’s lost his book again. I don’t know where he has ____________ it this time. (place)

5. You shouldn’t have done that! It was very ____________ of you. (think)

6. He didn’t pass his exam. He was ____________ for the second time. (succeed)

7. Some of the shanty towns are dreadfully ____________. (crowd)

8. There is a very high ____________ that they will be late. (likely)

9. You need to be a highly trained ____________ to understand this report. (economy)

10. She arrived late at work because she had ____________. (sleep)

11. He was accused of ____________ documents. (false)

12. They had to ____________ the lion before they could catch it. (tranquil)

19. He needed to ____________ the temperature. (regular)

20. There was a three-hour ____________ because of the strike. (stop)

21. I try not to go to the supermarket at 5 pm because it’s ____________. (practice)

22. It is very ____________ to run air-conditioning with the door open. (economy)

23. His ____________ has been expected for the last half an hour. (arrive)

24. She looked at her ____________ in the mirror. (reflect)

25. I told him my plan but he wasn’t very ____________. (receive)

26. She had no ____________ of going to see him. (intend)

27. He spent half an hour ____________ himself with the building. (familiar)

28. Failing her driving test was a great ____________ to her. (appoint)

29. He decided to study ____________ at university. (journal)

30. The film was ____________ good. (surprise)

31. There was the need for ____________ construction when the fighting stopped. (war)

32. I don’t like him at all. He’s so ____________. (satisfy)

33. The company has over 500 ____________. (employ)

34. The new manager was very efficient and ____________. (business)

35. It really isn’t mine. I think that you are ____________. (take)

36. The rate of ____________ in Brazil has been rising steadily. (employ)

37. With the real plan, the rate of ____________ in Brazil has fallen. (inflate)

38. The party was ____________, everything went wrong. (disaster)

39. The film was so ____________ that we left before the end. (bore)

40. The film was terrible, I felt really ____________. (bore)

41. I think that there has been a ____________, I didn’t order this. (understand)

42. The bacteria are so small that you need a ____________ to see them. (scope)

43. Have you seen that new ____________? He’s very funny. (comedy)

44. The event was totally ____________. It was terrible. (organize)

45. I arrived late for work because I had ____________. (sleep)

46. There is a small ____________ explaining the new traffic code. (book)

47. He was ____________. He wouldn’t change his mind. (compromise)

Look at the above examples again. Give the verbs from which these nouns have been formed. You may use the dictionary.

Verb	Noun
create	➜ creation
……………………..	➜ fixation
……………………..	➜ demolition
……………………..	➜ arrangement
……………………..	➜ assistance
……………………..	➜ difference
……………………..	➜ refusal
……………………..	➜ coverage

Complete the meanings of these sentences by using the correct form (noun or verb) of the words in parentheses.