Prefixes Exercises: focus on “NOT”

Rule #1

The prefix in stands for not. So, the word inactive means not active. Here are some variations to the rule:

  • When the base word starts with an r, the in changes to ir (ex: irregular).
  • When the base word starts with an l, the in changes to il (ex: illegal).
  • When the base word starts with an m or p, the in changes to im (ex: immoral, impossible).

Directions: change each word to its negative form –not; then use the word correctly in the paragraph:

ORIGINAL WORD / PREFIX FOR NOT / ORIGINAL WORD / PREFIX FOR NOT
Regular / Polite
Mature / Visible
Perfect / Frequent
Movable / Logical
Correct / Complete

Choose from: frequent, correct, polite, mature

When I told him that his answer washe acted in an ______fashion, not at all as a senior should have. I told him it is ______that I became angry, but his comments were so ______that I had to ask him to leave.

Choose from: complete, regular, perfect, logical

While his behavior was ______, he had a logical reason for doing so; therefore, it was incorrect to say that he was acting ______. He said, “Your answer was ______; therefore, it was an ______paper and I could not give you an A+.”

RULE #2

Other prefixes that mean not are un, dis and non. The prefix un can also mean “to do the opposite of” as in unload.

Directions: Using either un, dis or non, make each of the following words negative:

  1. buckle your belt; ______your belt
  2. a common man; an ______man
  3. connect two parts; ______the two parts
  4. mount your horses; ______your horses
  5. the story is fiction, the story is ______
  6. he is a loyal soldier; he is a ______soldier
  7. a covered head; an ______head
  8. that water is drinkable; that water is ______
  9. his story was proven; his story was ______
  10. a happy marriage; an ______marriage
  11. this book is essential; this book is ______
  12. trust that stranger; ______that stranger

REVIEW

Directions: Change each of the following words into its negative form and complete the sentence in a way which shows its meaning. The positive meaning is given as well as an example:

POSITIVE MEANING / NEGATIVE MEANING / COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
Resistible
Able to stand against / Irresistible / No one could say “no” to her because her charm was irresistible.
Legible
Able to read / I could not read his note because
Moral
Good, pure, upright / Her mother would not let her read the book because
Passable
Able to pass or go through / That winter, heavy snows
Direct
Straight to the point / The mayor gave an evasive and
Responsible
Take credit or blame / The boy was
Partial
Showing favoritism to one side or person / The crowd booed the umpire because
Mortal
Sure to die sometime / No human being is
Dependent
Looking to another for support / He left home at an early age
Settle
To make calm / The news that day was
Logical
Orderly in thought / Because I found his argument
Charge
To load, fill / When you get your weapon, be sure
Refundable
Able to get a refund, money back / Some of those bottles are
Living
Having life / A rock is a
Scramble
To put out of order / Before you give the captain the coded message,