Prefixes and suffixes
_
Feel free to leave a comment if you find any errors or if you have any suggestions to make to improve this lesson.
Prefixes and suffixes in English: what is it?
These are letters that attach to a basic word to transform it into a new word (it can be a noun, an adjective, a verb or an adverb). Prefixes go in front, and suffixes go behind that word.
The same word can have one or more translations depending on the prefix or suffix that is added to it, and there are many of them!
⚠️ Prefixes and suffixes each have a meaning, for example:
- the prefixes dis-, il-, im-, ir- have a negative value, opposite: appear → disappear
- the prefix un- means the opposite: friendly → unfriendly
- the prefix mis- means ‘wrongly’: understand → misunderstand
- the suffix -ity has an exaggeration value: brutal → brutality
- the suffix -wards implies the direction: back → backwards
and so on….
The prefixes
Here are the main English prefixes in a table.
Prefixes | Example |
co- | co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation |
de- | devalue, defrost, derail, demotivate |
dis- | disagree, disappear, disintegrate, disapprove |
em-, en- | embrace, encode, embed, enclose, engulf |
ex- | ex-president, ex-boyfriend, exterminate, ex-wife |
extra- | extracurricular, extraordinary, extra-terrestrial |
fore- | forecast, forehead, foresee, foreword, foremost |
il- | illegal |
im- | import, impossible, impolite |
in- | inside, insert, indefinite |
inter-, intra- | interact, intermediate, intergalactic, intranet |
ir- | irresponsible |
micro- | microscope, microbiology, microfilm, microwave |
mid- | middle, midway, midsummer |
mis- | misbehave, mistake, misunderstand, misread |
mono- | monotone, monobrow, monolithic |
out- | outpatient, outive sb |
over- | overstate, overrated |
post- | post-mortem, postpone, post-natal, post-war |
pre- | prepaid, preschool |
re- | return, rediscover, refresh, reunite |
sub- | submerge, submarine, sub-category, subtitle |
super- | superfood, superstar, supernatural, supermarket |
trans- | transport, transnational, transatlantic, transparent |
tri- | triangle, tripod, tricycle |
un- | unfinished, unfriendly, undone, unknown, unable, unhappy |
under- | undergournd, underestimate |
uni- | unicycle, universal, unilateral, unanimous |
up- | uproot, upgrade |
mini- | minivan, minimarket |
⚠️ We use im- instead of in- with words that start with the letter m or p: There are a few rules to remember:
- impolite
- impossible
⚠️ Many words with a prefix or suffix have a base that does not exist by itself, for example immediate (the word mediate alone does not exist).
Suffixes
It’s the same as for prefixes except that they are added at the end!
⚠️ The same word can have different meanings depending on the suffixes assigned to it, and can transform it into a noun or adjective:
- read + er = reader
- read + able = readable
⚠️ you can also put both a prefix and a suffix to certain words!
- un + read + able = unreadable
Suffix | Example |
SUFFIX TO A NAME | |
-acy | democracy, accuracy, lunacy |
-al | remedial, denial, trial, criminal |
-ance, -ence | nuisance, ambience, tolerance |
-dom | freedom, boredom, kingdom |
-ee | employee, trainee |
-er, -or | reader, creator, interpreter, inventor, collaborator, teacher |
-holic | alcoholic |
-hood | brotherhood, childhood, neighbourhood |
-ism | communism, scepticism, socialislm |
-ist | geologist, protagonist, sexist, scientist, theorist, communist |
-ity, -ty | brutality, equality, cruelty |
-ment | government, argument |
-ness | happyness, highness, sickness |
-ship | friendship, hardship, internship, relationship |
-sion, -tion | position, promotion, cohesion |
SUFFIX TO A VERB | |
-ate | irritate, collaborate, create, complicate |
-en | sharpen, strengthen, loosen, harden, soften |
-ify, -fy | justify, simplify, magnify, satisfy, clarify |
-ise, -ize | publicise, synthesise, hypnotise |
ADJECTIVE SUFFIXES | |
-ible | edible, incredible, audible |
-able, -ible | usable, laughable |
-al | fiscal, thermal, herbal, colonial |
-ese | Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese |
-en | broken, golden, wooden |
-esque | picturesque, burlesque, grotesque |
-ful | handful, playful, hopeful, skilful, armful, useful |
-ic, | classic, Islamic, poetic |
-ical | psychological, hypocritical, methodical, nonsensical, musical |
-ious, -ous | jealous, religious, ridiculous |
-ish | spanish, british, childish |
-ive | inquisitive, informative, attentive |
-less | meaningless, hopeless, homeless |
-ly | daily, monthly, weekly |
-y | dainty, beauty, airy, jealousy |
-est | biggest |
ADVERB SUFFIXES | |
-ly | softly, slowly, happily, crazily, madly, easily |
-ward, -wards | towards, afterwards, backwards, inward |
-wise | otherwise, likewise, clockwise |
©Englishfornoobs.com
The word “mediate” does exist. It can mean “to settle (disputes, strikes, etc.)”.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mediate