Word Formation

Word Formation Prefixes | Suffixes |
Prefixes of time & order | Noun-forming suffixes |
Prefixes of numbers | Adjective-forming suffixes |
Prefixes of location | Adverb-forming suffix |Prefixes of size | Verb-forming suffixes |
Negative & positive prefixes | Words ending in -ing |
Other prefixes |   |
Exercises using prefixes and suffixes:1|2|3|4|5| |
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When you arereading, you will come across unfamiliar words. It is often possible to guess their meanings if you understand the way words in English are generally formed: |
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PREFIX | | STEM | | SUFFIXES |

AnEnglish word can be divided into three parts: a prefix, a stem, and a suffix. Pre- means 'before. A prefix, therefore, is what comes before the stem. Consider, as an example, the prefix de- (meaning'reduce' or 'reverse') in a word like demagnetize (meaning 'to deprive of magnetism'). A suffix is what is attached to the end of the stem. Consider, as an example, the suffix -er (meaning 'someonewho') in programmer ('a person who programmes').

Suffixes change the word from one part of speech to another. For example, -ly added to the adjective quick gives the adverb quickly. Prefixes, on theother hand, usually change the meaning of the word. For example, un- changes a word to the negative. unmagnetizable means 'not capable of being magnetized'.

Let us now consider some prefixes, their usualmeanings, and how they change the meanings of English words. |
Part 1: prefixes |

Prefixes: |
Negative & positive | Size | Location | Time & order | Number |
un- | semi- | inter- | pre-| mono- |
non- | mini- | super- | ante- | bi- |
in- | micro- | trans- | fore- | hex- |
dis- | | ex- | post- | oct- |
re- | | extra- | | multi- |
| | peri- | | |

Study these tables. Tryand find additional examples using your dictionary: |

1. Negative and positive prefixes: |
  | Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
Negative: | un- | not | unmagnetized |
| in- | not | incomplete |...