Prefix

📝 Word Formation

English Word Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes

Most words used in the English language today were not originally English.

These words were borrowed (taken) from other languages. The majority of English words have Latin or Greek origins. It is helpful for students to know some of these origins or "roots" of English vocabulary. 

It may be possible to guess the meaning of an unknown word when one knows the meaning of its root. Knowing prefixes and suffixes can also assist in the process.

An English word can consist of three parts: 

the root, 

a prefx 

and 

a suffix.


The root is the part of the word that contains the basic meaning (definition) of
the word. 

The root is the base element of the word. 

A prefx is a word element that is placed in front of a root. A prefix changes the word’s meaning or makes a new Word. 

A suffix is a word element that is placed after the root. The suffix changes the word's meaning as well as its function (use). 

🔷 Prefixes and suffixes are called affixes because they are attached to a root.

Root: act

act means "do" or "perform"

act : "do" verb-  to perform, behave

sentence : You act like a child.



Preffx: re-
Prefix (re-) : means "back" or "again"
re + act = react (preffix+root) :"do back"
definition : verb; to act in response to something, to act in opposition to something
sentence : How will she react when she hears the news?

Suffix: -ion
Suffix(-ion): indicates that the word has become a noun

re + act + ion = reaction 

(prefix + root + suffix): something done back,  noun- a response to something,

Definition: an opposing action
Sentence: Her reaction to the news was childish.



🔷 Prefixes
Prefixes and suffixes were originally words themselves but they are now groups of letters added to words or to roots to create new words. 

Prefixes 

pre (before) + fix (fasten) = fasten before

Prefixes are groups of letters placed before words or roots. 

🔷 Prefixes modify or extend the meanings of words and roots.

Following is a list of commonly used prefixes and sample vocabulary.


Prefix -

: Words : meaning of the word

A

a -  

: aside (adverb):  to or toward the side

ac -  

: accompany (verb): to go with someone as a companion

ad- 

: adjust (verb): to correct, to move closer to a correct position

af-    toward   

: affx (verb): to attach to something, to fasten

ag-       near, in addition to         

: aggression (noun): hostile behaviour, towards someone or something

al-                                        

: allocate (verb): to distribute to specific people or for specific purposes

an-                                   

: annihilate (verb): to destroy

ap- , as -                                   

: associate (verb): to join with

at-                                      

: attend (verb): to look after, to go to

a-, an-        not, without      

: apolitical (adjective): without interest in politics,
                                               

: anemia (noun): the condition (disease) of not having enough red blood- -cells

ab-   away from, off    

: abrupt (adjective): unexpected change, 

: absolve (verb): to be set free from one's actions or obligations

ante-       before                  

: anterior (adjective): before or near the front

anti-      against                    

: antipathy (noun): dislike, opposite feeling

auto-      self                          

: automotive (adjective): related to self-propelled machines