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    Prefixes

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    Nikenino
    List and examples of main prefixes used in English

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    Prefixes

    Uploaded by

    Nikenino
    3K views2 pages
    List and examples of main prefixes used in English

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    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

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    DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    List and examples of main prefixes used in English

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    3K views2 pages

    Prefixes

    Uploaded by

    Nikenino
    List and examples of main prefixes used in English

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    WORD FORMATION: Prefixes

    Being able to recognize prefixes (as well as suffixes) will help you guess the meaning of new
    words.

    o Prefixes generally do not alter the word-class of the base: verbs, nouns, adjectives.
    o They are generally added to the base as a one single word.
    o They may also be found hyphenated to their base when the strongest stress in the
    word falls on the prefix, e.g. ex-president, pseudo-scientific, non-smoker.
    o Generally the prefix receives a light stress, falling the main stress on the main word.
    o They can be grouped by meaning.

    Prefixes in use are hundreds and we can only list but a few bellow:

    1. Negative and opposite prefixes:


    Unfair, unadorned, unfortunately
    Non-conformist, non-smoker, non-returnable
    Invisible, incredible, insensitive
    Impossible, immediate, immoral
    Illogical, illegal, illiterate
    Irregular, irresponsible
    Disloyal, disobey, disfavour, disorder, disrespect
    Amoral, atheist, apolitical

    2. Reversible prefixes : un- de- dis-


    Undo, undress, untie
    Defrost, depopulate, deregulation
    Discourage, disinfect, disenchanted, disheartened

    3. Pejorative prefixes:
    Misleading, misinterpret, misbehave, misleading, misfortune
    Malfunction, malnutrition, maltreat, malformation.
    Pseudo-academic, pseudo-scientific

    4. Prefixes of degree and size:


    Archbishop, archduke, archenemy
    Hyperactive, hypertension, hypersensitive
    Superstar, supernatural, superman
    Overflow, overdo, overtake, overgrown
    Outbound, outnumber, outrun, outlive
    Surplus, surrealistic, survivor, surround, surname, surcharge
    Extra-thin, extraordinary
    Ultrasonic, ultramodern, ultraconservative, ultraviolet
    International, inter-city, interact
    Semicircle, semicolon, semi-detached, semi-skilled
    Vice-president, vice-chancellor
    Miniskirt, minibus, minicab

    © Sonia Aznar 2010 1/2


    Microwave, microphone, microsystem
    Substandard, subway, subconscious, subnormal
    Underestimate, undertake, undervalue, underpaid

    5. Prefixes of Attitude:
    Pro-abortion, pro-republican, pro-British
    Co-operative, co-pilot, co-proprietor, cohabitate
    Counterproductive, counteract, counterattack, counterespionage
    Antiperspirant, anti-nuclear, antidemocratic
    Well-equipped, well-behaved, well-dressed

    6. Prefixes of time and order:


    Foresee, foreplay, foreword, foreman, foretell
    Preheat, pre-war, pre-exist, pre-marital, pre-colonial
    Post-mortem, post-marital, postponed
    Ex-President, ex-wife
    Rebuild, resolution, reconstruction, relocation
    International, inter-city, interact

    7. Number prefixes:
    Unilateral, unify, unicellular
    Monosyllable, monotone, monogram
    Bisexual, bifocal, dichotomy
    Triangle, tricycle, tripod
    Multicultural, multiracial, multilingual
    Polygamous, polyphony, polysyllabic

    8. Conversion prefixes:
    Behead, bewitch, befriend, belittle
    Endanger, entitle, enable, encircle,
    Empower, embody, embed
    Afloat, aflame, asleep, awake

    © Sonia Aznar 2010 2/2

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