We Use Prefixes to Change Meaning (See Also 5E)

Lesson 5

Word Formation

Prefixes

We use prefixes to change meaning They never change the part of speech. (Most suffixes change the part of speech.)

• Many prefixes give a word a meaning which is the opposite or negative of the original. For example, we can use the prefixes dis or un: dis + appear = disappear un + tie = untie

There are a few rules:

•We use il instead of in with words that begin withil + legal = illegal

•We use im instead of in with words that begin with m or p: im + polite = impolite

•We often use ir instead of in with words thatbegin with r:

ir + responsible = irresponsible.

•Some common mistakes are:

X You must unconnect the cables first y You must disconnect the cablesfirst. X They expelled him for disbeliaving. / They expelled him for misbehaving.

•Note that many words with a prefix have a basepart that never exists on its own. Here are

examples: immediate, incontrovertible, uncalled-for

I. Add a correct prefix to the following words. You may use your dictionary.

II. Complete the crossword with the correct prefixes.

III. Add a prefix to the correct form of the word at the end of each line and use the word in the space on the same line. The first (0) is given as an example.

Attempts to communicate in a foreign language can easily (0) misfire.fire

I'm always (1).....by my attempts to get speak Greek.appoint

The waiter on Mykonos (2)....what I wanted and insteadunderstand

of beetroots brought me mushrooms. I (3)....mushrooms intenselylike

but when I asked him to (4).....them with beetroots he smiled,place

went into the kitchen and (5).....with a plateful of aubergines.turn

He also (6)..... my friendly attitude towards everyone I meettake

and when I complained that they had (7)....the meat,cook

Manuel (that was his name if I'm not (8)....) grinned andtake

twirled his moustache. To cap it all, I (9)....the bill and accusedread

the poor man of (10).....me! It was just my awful Greek again.charge

Part 2

We have seen (see Part 1) that we use prefixes to change meaning. They never change the part of speech. (Most suffixes change the part of speech.). Many prefixes give a word a meaning which is the negative of the original. Examples are dis, in, un. Other prefixes change meaning in different ways, for example: multi + ethnic = multiethnic (= made up of many different ethnic groups)

Here are some more prefixes:

IV. Add a prefix from the list opposite to the words (1-20). You will use each prefix more than once. Then write down the meaning of the new word. You can use your dictionary.You can give an equivalent in Russian instead.

Example: escalate de-escalate means to remove or reduce the amount offighting

de ex mini micro mono multi semi sub

1.final means ……

2.partner means……

3. standard means……

4. national means……

5. section means……

6. bus means……

7caffeinated..... means……

8ethnic...means……

9zero...means……

10regulate...means……

11plot...means……

12wife...means……

13nationalise..... means…

14biology...means………

15rail...means………

16skirt...means………

17soil...means………

18chip...means………

19code...means………

20darkness...means………

V. Underline the correct word A, B, C or B to fill the spaces in the sentences.

1. I'm not sure what the doctor wrote - it's almost....

A inlegible B illegibleC legibleD illegal

2. If she left me, life would be....

A unbearable B debearableC subbearableD non-bearable

3. If only I hadn't married so young - I was very...at the time.

A inmatureB immatureC matureD unmature

4. The examiners remove marks for...words, don't they?

A unspeltB semi-speltC under-spelt D misspelt

5. Wear what you like - we're pretty...in this office.

A formal B informalC unformal D deformal

6.Unless you.....the fish first, your guests won't enjoy it.

A semi-bone B unboneC pre-bone D debone

7. I think the Government should..... the post office.

A denationalise B unnationalise C disnationalise D innationalise

8. I wish my...... and I were still on speaking terms.

A ex-partnerB pre-partnerC non-partner D departner

9. Use this.....tool and you'll do an excellent job.

A macropurpose B monopurpose C micropurpose D multipurpose

10. Let's form a....and do something about the poor state of the common.

A subcommittee B anti-committee C multi-committee D undercommittee

VI. Use the word given at the end of each line to form a word that fits the gap in the same line.

ABREATHOFFRESHAIR

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