Prefix Examples and Their Meanings in English
| Prefix | Meaning | Example Word | Sentence Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| un- | not, opposite | unhappy | She felt unhappy about the result. |
| re- | again | rewrite | Please rewrite your answer. |
| pre- | before | preview | We saw a preview of the movie. |
What is a Prefix in English?
A prefix in English is a set of letters placed before a base word. It changes the word’s meaning. Prefixes are useful for understanding many English words, especially in exams and everyday language.
Prefix and Suffix Difference
Prefixes are added before a word, while suffixes are added at the end. Both are called affixes and help create new words with different meanings.
- Prefix: un-happy (un- before happy)
- Suffix: care-ful (ful after care)
Learning both helps students understand word formation. For more details, visit the Prefix and Suffix page.
Common Prefix Examples in English
| Prefix | Meaning | Example | In a Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| dis- | not/opposite | dislike | I dislike loud music. |
| mis- | wrongly | misplace | He can misplace his keys. |
| in- | not/without | inactive | The volcano is inactive. |
| over- | too much | overeat | Do not overeat at dinner. |
| under- | insufficient | underpaid | The worker was underpaid. |
Types of Prefixes by Meaning
| Type | Example Prefixes | Sample Words |
|---|---|---|
| Negative/Opposite | un-, in-, dis-, im-, ir-, non- | unfair, incorrect, dislike, impossible, irregular, nonsense |
| Quantity/Number | mono-, bi-, tri-, multi-, semi-, poly-, uni-, micro-, mega- | monorail, bicycle, triangle, multipurpose, semicircle, polytechnic, uniform, microscope, megabyte |
| Time/Order | pre-, post-, re-, neo- | prefix, postpone, redo, neonatal |
| Position/Direction | sub-, over-, under-, inter-, trans-, super-, hyper-, out- | submarine, overtake, undercook, international, transfer, superman, hyperactive, outgrow |
Rules for Prefix Spelling and Hyphenation
Knowing prefix rules helps with spelling and writing clearly, especially in exams and essays on Vedantu or elsewhere.
- Use a hyphen when adding "ex-", "self-", or "all-" (e.g., ex-president, self-esteem, all-knowing).
- Add a hyphen if the base word is a proper noun (pro-American, non-English).
- If the prefix ends and the word begins with the same vowel (like "re-enter"), use a hyphen for clarity.
- Words like "cooperate" and "preexisting" are exceptions and do not need hyphens.
- Check a dictionary or grammar tool if unsure.
Why Learn Prefixes? (Student Uses)
Learning prefixes helps students guess the meaning of new words, write precisely, and speak clearly. Prefixes are often used in exam papers, competitive tests, and scientific terms.
You will find them in textbook vocabulary sections, comprehension passages, and grammar exercises. At Vedantu, we simplify English for students by covering such key grammar items in detail.
How to Use Prefixes in Daily English
Adding a prefix often creates the opposite or a related meaning. For example, “like” becomes “dislike,” and “honest” becomes “dishonest.” Use prefixes in writing, homework, and daily communication to make your language richer.
Prefix Usage Tips and Common Mistakes
- Do not use double negatives (e.g., “not unkind” means “kind”).
- Spell words carefully after adding a prefix.
- Use a hyphen with tricky combinations or for clarity.
- Remember, some words look like they have prefixes but do not (e.g., uncle, pretty).
Related English Grammar Concepts
- Suffix: Letters added at the end of words to modify meaning.
- Root Words: The base part of the word without any prefix or suffix.
- Affix: General term for both prefixes and suffixes.
- Morpheme: The smallest unit of meaning in a word.
- Word Formation: The process of making new words, including with prefixes.
- Parts of Speech: How prefixes can impact nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
In summary, prefixes in English grammar are essential tools for creating new words and understanding their meanings quickly. By learning them, you boost your vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills for exams and everyday use. Practice with examples and apply prefix rules to become a confident English learner.
FAQs on What Is a Prefix?
1. What is a prefix in English?
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning or create a new word. Understanding prefixes is crucial for improving your English vocabulary and grammar skills.
2. What are some examples of prefixes?
Many common prefixes exist in English. Here are a few examples with their meanings and uses:
- un- (opposite): unhappy, undo
- re- (again): replay, rewrite
- pre- (before): preview, prepay
- dis- (opposite/not): disagree, dislike
- mis- (wrongly): misspell, mistake
3. What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix?
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word, while suffixes are added to the end. Both alter the word's meaning or grammatical function. For example, "un-" (prefix) in "unhappy" and "-ly" (suffix) in "quickly".
4. What is a prefix and examples?
A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For instance, 'unhappy', 'replay', and 'preview' all show prefixes changing the base word's meaning. Understanding prefixes improves vocabulary and grammar skills.
5. Is Mr. or Mrs. a prefix?
Yes, "Mr." and "Mrs." are considered honorific prefixes. These prefixes are placed before names to show respect and marital status.
6. What are 20 prefix words?
Here are 20 words with prefixes: unhappy, rewrite, preview, dislike, misspell, impossible, international, anti-social, cooperate, transport, submarine, interject, extraordinary, oversleep, underpaid, superstar, proactive, substandard, counteract, forewarn.
7. What are prefixes and suffixes?
Prefixes and suffixes are word parts (affixes) that alter a word's meaning or function. Prefixes go at the beginning (e.g., 'un-' in 'unhappy'), while suffixes go at the end (e.g., '-ing' in 'running').
8. What is the difference between prefix and suffix?
A prefix comes before the root word (e.g., 'unbelieveable'), changing its meaning. A suffix comes after the root word (e.g., 'believeable'), altering its grammatical function or adding nuance to its meaning.
9. How do prefixes affect word meaning?
Prefixes significantly change a word's meaning. They can add a negative (unhappy), opposite (antisocial), or repetitive (rewrite) meaning, among others. Understanding these changes is key to improving vocabulary and reading comprehension.
10. Can two prefixes be used together in one word in English?
While rare in everyday English, some complex words, especially in scientific terminology, might use two prefixes. For instance, 'internationalization' combines 'inter-' and '–ization' prefixes.
11. How do prefixes help improve reading comprehension?
Knowing common prefixes helps decode unfamiliar words. Recognizing a prefix like 'un-' or 're-' allows you to predict the word's meaning, improving reading speed and comprehension.
12. Can learning prefixes support science or technical vocabulary?
Yes! Many scientific and technical terms use prefixes like 'micro-', 'macro-', 'hydro-', and others, making it much easier to understand complex concepts when you know their meanings.
