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When we are learning a new language, words at first seem to be big, confusing, and difficult to comprehend. However, do you know that you can break down many of the words in such a way, bringing them into smaller parts, which in a way makes it easier to learn them? English has two of the most significant building blocks, prefixes and suffixes. Knowing what a prefix and a suffix are, can enable you to figure out the meaning of hundreds of new words one by one without cramming them.
In this blog, we will explore what a prefix and a suffix are, their meanings, definitions, lists, and real-life examples that will make grammar simple and fun.
A prefix is a part of a word that is added to the start of the word to alter the meaning of the same. You can think of it as the little marker that changes a word.
For example:
Unhappy (not happy) = Unhappy
Re + write = write again
Pre-school = Preschool (before school)
So what is a prefix in grammar? The answer is quite easy: it is the part that completes the word before the root word with another sense.
A suffix is the opposite of a prefix. Rather than prefixed, it is merely tacked on to the end of a word. A suffix may alter the form of a word, or its sense, or even its syntax.
For example:
Player = Play + er (a person who plays)
Kind + ness = Kindness (being kind)
Hopeful = Hopeful (with hope)
In other words, trying to answer the question of what a suffix is in grammar, you may say it is the word part coming after the root, giving it a new twist.
When you know prefix and suffix grammar, you can:
1. Learn unknown words with ease
2. Work on your spelling and vocabulary.
3. Write in a more varied way.
Think of reading the word miscommunication. You can take a guess at the meaning, since you know that mis- means wrong, and -ion indicates some act: a wrong way of communicating.
Prefixes and suffixes are powerful.
Here is a prefixes list examples:
Un: not (unhappy, unjust)
Re: again: once more, a second time (rewrite, rebuild, replay)
Pre: before (preschool, preheat, preview)
Dis: the opposite (disagree, disappear, disable)
Over: Too much (to overeat, overwork, overreact)
The list of suffixes with examples is here:
Er: a person- teacher, player, singer:
ful: full/replete with (joy, help, hope)
being-ness: impliies having the quality of being (happiness, kindness, darkness)
less: without (hopeless, careless, endless)
action or result (enjoyment, development, movement )
To make things clearer, let’s look at prefix and suffix examples with answers:
Prefix Example:
Word: Impossible
Prefix: im- (not)
Root: possible
Meaning Not possible
Suffix Example:
Word: Happiness
In suffix: -ness (state of being)
Root: happy
Definition: The condition of being happy
The combination of Prefix and Suffix:
Word: Unhappiness
Prefix: un- (not)
Root: happy
Suffix -ness (condition of being)
Definition: The condition of unhappiness
These illustrations indicate how prefixes and suffixes can alter the meaning of a word in totality.
Here is a small test. Add a prefix or suffix to these root words and make up as many words of your own as you can:
1. Play +(Suffix)
2. Agree literal: (Prefix)
3. Teaching → _________ (Suffix)
4. Appear (Prefix)
5. Joy + -th + _________ (Suffix)
Answers:
1. Player
2. Disagree
3. Teacher
4. Disappear
5. Joyful
This exercise demonstrates that it is very easy to increase your vocabulary using prefixes and suffixes.
It is impossible find words with prefixes and suffixes everywhere. In advertisements, textbooks and newspapers, online posts, and many other places, word parts are everywhere around you.
For example:
In one of the headlines of the newspapers: Government brings new development plans.
(ment- result of).
On social networks: I will see you soon!
(re- = again)
At school: The teacher promoted good treatment of others.
(ness- state of being)
By paying attention, you’ll realize that learning examples of prefix and suffix words is like unlocking a secret code to English.
So, what is a prefix and suffix? In plain language, they are just word in parts, which are usually found at the beginning or the end of a word and have a different meaning of the word. Having known them will make you a better reader/writer/grammar comprehender.
When you practice with a prefixes and suffixes list and try out prefix and suffix examples, you’ll notice your vocabulary growing faster than ever.
The next time you come across a long or difficult word, break it into prefix, root and suffix. It will suprise you how easy it gets.
Prefixes and suffixes are not just grammar. They give you the key to a more powerful and richer language.
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Anchal Sinha is a highly motivated lady with an MBA in Finance and Marketing and has worked for three years in this field. After becoming a mother and carrying out the responsibilities of motherhood, she left her career. Thereafter, she planned to be a gratified writer and acquired three years of content writing experience till now. She also worked as a teacher in a school and a retail trainer at ICA Edu Skills Pvt Ltd. Taking forward this experience, she started working as a phonics educator at Bambinos Live. She put in all the efforts to engage kids in her classes. Seeing kids enjoying her class and participating in activities motivates her to work with full vigour. This made her competent to work in altering environments. She puts her 100% into whatever she makes up her mind to pursue. With these potentials, she desires to flourish in anything and everything.
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