Understanding Prefixes
A prefix is a word part added at the beginning of another word to change its meaning. Prefixes are commonly used in the English language to create new words or modify the meaning of existing ones. Understanding prefixes is important in building vocabulary and deciphering the meanings of unfamiliar words.
How to Solve Prefixes Questions in Exams:
- Identify the Prefix: When you encounter a word with a prefix, the first step is to recognize the prefix itself. Common prefixes include “un-“, “re-“, “pre-“, “dis-“, “mis-“, and many others.
- Understand the Meaning: Know the meanings associated with common prefixes. For example, “un-” usually means “not” or “opposite,” while “re-” often means “again” or “back.”
- Break Down the Word: Divide the word into its prefix and the root word (the part without the prefix). This helps you analyze the word’s structure and meaning.
- Combine the Meanings: Combine the meaning of the prefix with the meaning of the root word to understand the word as a whole. For example, “unhappy” means “not happy.”
- Context Matters: Consider the context of the sentence or passage. Sometimes, the prefix’s meaning might be modified by the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words for clues.
- Practice: To improve your prefix skills, practice with vocabulary exercises, quizzes, or reading comprehension. The more you encounter prefixes, the better you’ll become at deciphering their meanings.
Prefixes are powerful tools for expanding your vocabulary and understanding the English language. By mastering them, you’ll be better equipped to tackle word-related questions in exams and enhance your overall language skills.
Common Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a-, an- | without | amoral, anarchy |
| anti- | against | antidote, antifreeze |
| auto- | self | automobile, autonomy |
| bi- | two | bicycle, bilateral |
| co- | with or together | cooperate, coordinate |
| de- | reverse or remove | deactivate, deconstruct |
| dis- | not or opposite | disagree, disapprove |
| ex- | former or out of | ex-president, exit |
| fore- | before | forecast, foretell |
| in- | not or into | invisible, invade |
| inter- | between or among | international, interact |
| mis- | wrong or badly | misbehave, misunderstand |
| non- | not | nonstop, nonfiction |
| over- | excessive | overconfident, overload |
| pre- | before | prepay, preview |
| re- | again or back | reapply, revisit |
| sub- | under or below | submarine, subpar |
| super- | above or beyond | superhuman, superstar |
| trans- | across or beyond | transport, transform |
| un- | not | unhappy, undo |
| under- | beneath or below | undersea, underestimate |
| vice- | deputy or substitute | vice-president, vice-chair |
| ultra- | beyond or extreme | ultraviolet, ultrasound |
| semi- | half | semicircle, semifinal |
| tri- | three | tricycle, triangle |
| multi- | many | multicolored, multimedia |
| micro- | small or millionth | microscope, microwave |
| mega- | large or million | megabyte, megaton |
| macro- | large or long | macroeconomics, macrocosm |
| mono- | one | monologue, monotonous |
| poly- | many or much | polyglot, polygraph |
| post- | after or behind | postwar, postgraduate |
| pre- | before | prepay, preview |
| tele- | distant or far | telephone, telepathy |
| uni- | one or single | unicycle, universe |
| out- | beyond or outside | outcast, outnumber |
| over- | excessive | overdo, overeat |
| pro- | for or in favor of | pro-life, proponent |
| para- | beside or beyond | paranormal, paralegal |
| hypo- | under or less than | hypothermia, hypodermic |
Conclusion: Understanding prefixes is a valuable skill that can aid in vocabulary comprehension and language proficiency. Whether for exams or daily communication, a grasp of prefixes enhances your ability to decipher and utilize words effectively.
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