A List of Common Prefixes
Here is a list of common prefixes with some examples:
Prefix Meaning Example
a-, an- without amoral, atypical
ante- before antecedent, antenatal
anti- against anti-establishment
auto- self autopilot
circum- around circumvent
co- with co-conspirator, co-pilot
com-, con- with companion, contact
contra- against contradiction
de- off delist, devalue
dis- not disappear
en- put into enclose, envelop
ex- out of, former extract, ex-governor
extra- beyond, more extracurricular
than
hetero- different heterosexual
homo- same homonym, homophone
hyper- over, more hyperactive
il-, im-, in-, not, without illegal, impractical, inconsiderate,
ir- irresponsible
in- into insert
inter- between internet, intersection,
intra- inside intranet, intravenous
macro- large macronutrients
micro- small microscope
mono- one monocle
non- not, without nonentity, nonstarter,
omni- all, every omnipresent, omniscient
post- after post-mortem
pre-, pro- before, forward precede, project
sub- under submarine, substandard
syn- same time synchronize
super- above supervisor, superhuman
trans- across transmit
tri- three tripod, triceratops
un- not undone, unfinished,
uni- one unicorn, unilaterally
Examples of Prefixes
We are now going to take a look at some examples of these prefixes and
words in which you might see them, as well as displaying them in sentences
in order to better understand their use.
un – this prefix means not or reverses the meaning of words. Some
examples of words that can use this prefix are; unreal, untidy,
unbreakable, unreliable.
re – this prefix refers to something happening again. Some examples
of words that use this prefix are; revive, renew, reveal, regenerate.
dis – this prefix means not, away or separate. Some examples of words
that can use this prefix are; disappear, disregard, disengage.
pre – this prefix means before. Some examples of words that can use
this prefix are; prepare, premeditate, prefix, prejudice.
mis – this prefix means wrong or bad. Some examples of words that
can use the prefix are; misconception, miscarriage, mistake, misjudge.
en – this prefix means within or make. Some examples of words that
use this prefix are; enforce, enslave, encourage, engrave.
anti – this prefix means against. Some examples of words that use the
prefix are; anticlockwise, antidote, antibiotic.
co – this prefix means with. Some examples of words that use the
prefix are; co-worker, co-dependant, co-operate.
de – this prefix means off, away from or down. Some examples of
words that use the prefix are; defame, defer, determine, degenerate.
fore – this prefix means before. Some examples of words that use the
prefix are; foreward, forehead, foresee, foreskin.
mono – this prefix means single or one. Some examples of words that
use the prefix are; monobrow, monopoly, monotone.
para – this prefix means next to or beside. Some examples of words
that use the prefix are; paraphrase, parachute, paramedic, paraglider.
sub – this prefix means under. Some examples of words that use the
prefix are; submerge, submarine, subtitle.
trans – this prefix means across. Some examples of words that use the
prefix are; transgender, transparent, transatlantic, transport.
Negatives prefixes
A List of Common Suffixes
Examples of Suffixes
We are now going to take a look at some examples of common suffixes and
some words which they are used with, as well as looking at these words in
action so that we can get a better understanding of their use.
Here is a list of common suffixes with some examples:
Suffix Meaning Example
-able, -ible can be done comfortable,
passable
-al, -ial having the characteristics personal
of
-ed past-tense verbs (weak danced, jumped
verbs)
-en made of golden, wooden
-er comparative tidier, nicer
-er, -or one who actor, narrator,
worker
-est superlative nicest, greatest
-ful full or full of cupful, careful
-ic having characteristics of linguistic, sarcastic
-ing verb form (present dancing, singing
participle and gerund)
-ion, -tion, - act or process attraction, attrition
ation, ition
-ity, -ty state of humility, infinity
-ive, -ative, adjective form of a noun expensive, plaintive
itive
-less without topless, fearless
-ly adverb ending nicely, quickly
-ment action or process enjoyment,
entrenchment
-ness state of, condition of eagerness,
kindness
-ous, -eous, - possessing the qualities of erroneous, joyous
ious
-s, -es plural tables, foxes
-y characterized by fatty, happy, jumpy
acy – this suffix refers to the state or quality of something. Some
examples of words which use this suffix are; legacy, accuracy,
democracy.
dom – this suffix refers to a place of being. Some examples of words
which use this suffix are; stardom, freedom, kingdom.
ism – this suffix means belief. Some examples of words which use this
suffix are; Hinduism, Judaism, escapism.
ist – this suffix refers to an object or person who does an action. Some
examples of words which use this suffix are; protagonist, typist, lyricist,
journalist.
ness – this suffix is a state of being. Some examples of words which
use the suffix are; happiness, ruefulness, gratefulness, kindness.
en – this suffix means to become. Some examples of words which use
the suffix are; deepen, harden, sharpen, tighten.
ful – this suffix means that something is noted for. Some examples of
words which use this suffix are; beautiful, plentiful, useful, bashful.
ish – this suffix refers to the character of something or someone. Some
words which use this suffix are; childish, squeamish, blueish.
ive – this suffix refers to the nature of the object. Some examples of
words which use this suffix are; invasive, informative, attentive.
ing – this suffix refers to an action which is happening. Some examples
of words which use the suffix are; going, becoming, taking, relaxing.
ly – this suffix means related to. Some examples of words which use
the suffix are; softly, quickly, ably, angrily.
ward(s) – this suffix relates to the direction. Some examples of words
which use the suffix are; towards, afterwards, forward, backward.
Prefixes and Suffixes
Example Sentences of Prefixes
We will now look at some examples of sentences in which these common
prefixes might be used.
This book is unbelievable.
I must return to work.
When my sister feels sad, she tends to disappear into her bedroom.
We are going to prepare the food.
I made a terrible mistake.
Last week, my boyfriend and I got engaged.
I do not like to see antisocial behaviour in my street.
Are you co-pilot?
He will determine what the problem is.
You have a lump on your forehead.
That man has a large monobrow on his face.
The man used the parachute when the plane crashed.
I completely submerge myself underwater when I swim.
My friend is flying transatlantic.
Example Sentences of Suffixes
We are now going to take a look at these suffixes used in a sentence:
The accuracy of this clock is amazing.
He was so glad to regain his freedom.
My friend follows the faith of Sikhism
The antagonist in the story was interesting.
She always shows such faithfulness to her partner.
I always try to strengthen my muscles.
My daughter is very beautiful.
This new coat is very stylish.
The surgery is invasive but necessary.
We are running to the park.
He stroked the cat very gently.
I walked towards the sea.
Combining Forms
You can't create an article about affixes without talking about combining
forms. While combining forms aren't exactly an affix, they do act similarly.
By definition, a combining form is a new word that is created by
combining two independent words (para + trooper) or two affixes (micro-
+ -scope). While affixes are added to existing root words or roots to
modify the meaning, combining forms work to create new words. For
example, the para- in paratrooper represents the word parachute.
Trooper and para- are combined to create a word for military officers that
parachute out of planes.
