Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Prefixes
A TEACHING RESOURCE FROM...
REM 428
2003
Copyright by Remedia Publications, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
The purchase of this unit entitles the individual teacher to reproduce
copies for classroom use. The reproduction of any part for an
entire school or school system is strictly prohibited.
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INTRODUCTION
Understanding what a prefix is and how it changes the
meaning of a word is an important skill for vocabulary enrichment.
Being able to recognize that certain words are made up of roots
and prefixes almost always helps in learning the spelling and
pronunciation of such words and often helps in arriving at their
meanings.
This book provides a variety of exercises that will help students
identify prefixes, learn their meanings, and gain the skill to use
these prefixes to make new words from roots words. Included are
a pre/post test and an answer key.
CONTENTS
Using re .................................................................................................................... 1
Adding un or in ..................................................................................................... 2
Choosing dis or im ............................................................................................... 3
Writing Words with non or mis ........................................................................ 4
Writing Words with super or de ...................................................................... 5
Review .................................................................................................................... 6-9
Identifying the com, con, per and pro Prefixes .................................. 10
Matching Words to Meanings (inter, trans, and sub) ............................ 11
Matching Words to Meanings (tri, post, pre, bi, and uni) ................. 12
Recognizing Prefixes (anti, im, de, and ex) ............................................ 13
Review ................................................................................................................ 14-15
Writing Prefixes ....................................................................................................16
Separating Prefixes from Root Words ............................................................ 17
Underlining Prefixes ............................................................................................ 18
Prefix Word Puzzles ....................................................................................... 19-21
Pre/Post Test
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Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
The prefix re- means "again." Retell means "tell again." Write re- in front of
each word below. Then write the new word on the line.
1.
________
trace
________________________________
2.
________
store
________________________________
3.
________
order
________________________________
4.
________
take
________________________________
5.
________
wire
________________________________
6.
________
join
________________________________
7.
________
new
________________________________
8.
________
paint
________________________________
Choose one of the new words from above to complete each sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Write a sentence for each of the following words: return, refund, reuse, remind
Remedia Publications
Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
The prefixes un- and in- usually mean "not." Unhappy means "not happy."
Inaccurate means "not accurate."
Put either un- or in- in front of each word below. Then write the new word.
Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check your
choices.
1.
________ able
___________________________
2.
________ correct
___________________________
3.
________ cooked
___________________________
4.
________ visible
___________________________
5.
________ active
___________________________
6.
________ done
___________________________
7.
________ fair
___________________________
8.
________ accurate
___________________________
Choose one of the new words from above to complete each sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Write your own sentences in which you use each of the new words in this lesson.
Prefixes
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
The prefixes dis- and im- usually mean "not." Dislike means "not like."
Impatient means "not patient."
Put either dis- or im- in front of each word below. Then write the new word.
Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check your
choices.
1.
________ agree
___________________________
2.
________ possible
___________________________
3.
________ honest
___________________________
4.
________ proper
___________________________
5.
________ obey
___________________________
6.
________ perfect
___________________________
7.
________ mature
___________________________
8.
________ continue
___________________________
Choose one of the new words from above to complete each sentence.
1.
The girls actions were very _________________________ when she found out
she couldn't go to the school dance.
2.
The statue was sold for less money because it was ________________________.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Write your own sentences in which you use each of the new words in this lesson.
Remedia Publications
Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
The prefix non- means "not." Nonsense means "not sense." The prefix mismeans "wrong." Misspell means "spell wrong."
Put either non- or mis- in front of each word below. Then write the new
word. Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check your
choices.
1.
________ behave
___________________________
2.
________ stop
___________________________
3.
________ place
___________________________
4.
________ treat
___________________________
5.
________ fortune
___________________________
6.
________ toxic
___________________________
7.
________ fat
___________________________
8.
________ living
___________________________
Choose one of the new words from above to complete each sentence.
1.
2.
The fumes from the tank did not hurt anyone because they were
_________________________.
3.
When the children went to the play, they did not _________________________.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Write a sentence for each of the following words: nonskid, mislay, nonsense, misunderstand
Prefixes
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
The prefix super- often means "of greater size, degree, power, or importance."
Supermarket means "large market." The prefix de- usually means "from."
Depart means "go away from."
Put either super- or de- in front of each word below. Then write the new word.
Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check your choices.
1.
________ tour
___________________________
2.
________ highway
___________________________
3.
________ man
___________________________
4.
________ press
___________________________
5.
________ human
___________________________
6.
________ natural
___________________________
7.
________ throne
___________________________
8.
________ frost
___________________________
Choose one of the new words from above to complete each sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Write your own sentences in which you use the new words in this lesson.
Remedia Publications
Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
When you add negative prefixes to some root words, you get words that
mean the opposite of the root words.
dis-
im-
un-
non-
Add a prefix to each word below. Use prefixes from the box.
1.
not + polite =
_____________________________________________
2.
not + clean =
_____________________________________________
3.
not + sense =
_____________________________________________
4.
not + agree =
_____________________________________________
5.
not + stop =
_____________________________________________
6.
not + like =
_____________________________________________
7.
not + possible =
_____________________________________________
8.
not + interested =
_____________________________________________
untie
6. undone
2.
disappear
7. dismiss
3.
impose
8. impair
4.
immobile
9. nondelivery
5.
disappoint
10. unfold
Prefixes
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
Each word in the box below has a prefix. Underline the prefix in each
word.
unkind
replay
displease
rewind
rebuild
refill
disagree
unbelievable
unable
disapprove
Replace the words in parentheses with a word from the box. Write it on the
line.
1. After you show the movie, you should _________________________ the video.
(wind again)
Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
Choose a prefix from the box to add to each underlined word. Write the
prefix on the line.
re-
un-
de-
dis-
1. Mr. Fox will ________pay the money to the bank on the first of each month.
2. Many of the people at the party were ________friendly.
3. Many children ________like carrots.
4. We must take a ________tour because the road is closed.
5. The boy's shirt was ________buttoned because some buttons were missing.
6. Mr. Jones had to ________build the barn because it burned down.
7. The teacher ________missed the class at three o'clock.
8. We will have to ________order the item that is missing from the shipment.
9. Our plane will ________part at 10:15 a.m.
10. Because it was raining, we were _______able to have a picnic.
11. The old car was ________safe to drive.
12. Father was ________appointed because he couldn't go to the car races.
13. The child's actions showed that he was ________selfish.
14. The program will be ________continued.
Write a sentence for each of the following words: derail, unbroken, displease,
repack
Prefixes
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
in-
im-
re-
dis-
un-
Choose one of the prefixes from the box to add to each of the following
words. Write the new word on the line.
1. please __________________________ 11. active
__________________________
2. cover
__________________________
3. move
__________________________
4. prison
5. lucky
__________________________
7. take
8. true
__________________________
__________________________
10. prove
__________________________
Choose five of the new words you wrote above and use each word in a
sentence.
1.
__________________________________________________________________________
2.
__________________________________________________________________________
3.
__________________________________________________________________________
4.
__________________________________________________________________________
5.
__________________________________________________________________________
Remedia Publications
Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
PREFIX
com-, conperpro-
MEANING
with, together, completely
through, throughout
for, before, forward
contest
compress
pronoun
condense
perfume
compassion
Write the words with the prefix that means "with, together, completely."
________________________________________________________________________
2.
Write the words with the prefix that means "through, throughout."
________________________________________________________________________
3.
Write the words with the prefix that means "for, before, forward."
________________________________________________________________________
2.
3.
4.
If you lie in court after swearing to tell the truth, then you have committed
____________________ .
5.
The game is about to begin, and I ____________________ that the Eagles will win.
6.
7.
8.
Prefixes
10
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
inter- = between
trans- = across
sub- = under
interlock
transport
submarine
subway
Word
1.
_____________________________________________
2.
"underwater boat"
_____________________________________________
3.
"between nations"
_____________________________________________
4.
"underground railroad"
_____________________________________________
5.
"lock between"
_____________________________________________
6.
"carry across"
_____________________________________________
2.
3.
4.
You can tell that the pieces fit because they ________________________.
5.
6.
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Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
tri= three
post- = after
uni-
pre-
= before
bi-
= two
= one
Use prefixes from the box to make a word for each definition.
1. has three angles
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
5. three colors
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
8. two wheeler
_________________________________________
9. pay before
_________________________________________
Choose four words you have written on the lines above. Use each word in
a sentence.
1.
______________________________________________________________________________
2.
______________________________________________________________________________
3.
______________________________________________________________________________
4.
______________________________________________________________________________
Prefixes
12
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
anti- = against
de- = away, from
extend
defeat
1.
export
antifreeze
im- = not
ex- = out
impolite
deport
antiwar
impossible
2.
3.
Write the words with the prefix that means "away, from."
___________________________________________________________________________
4.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
prein-
disun-
imre-
Prefixes
impolite
distrust
prepaid
uncooked
incapable
reread
preview
impossible
disconnect
repaint
uneasy
independent
14
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Name ______________________________________
deplane
antipollution
submerged
intermission
export
preview
undivided
compose
supernova
immobile
Choose a word from the box to match each definition. Use a dictionary, if
necessary.
1. between the acts
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
3. against pollution
_____________________________________________
4. not separate
_____________________________________________
5. to see beforehand
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
8. to put together
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
deplane__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2.
submerge_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3.
export_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
Each of these words begins with a prefix. Write the prefix on the line.
1. __________
disorder
11. __________
incapable
2. __________
interstate
12. __________
unreal
3. __________
mishandle
13. __________
perform
4. __________
informal
14. __________
prolong
5. __________
bicyclist
15. __________
unfair
6. __________
defend
16. __________
confess
7. __________
preschool
17. __________
discount
8. __________
remain
18. __________
explain
9. __________
superstar
19. __________
injustice
impure
20. __________
misprint
10. __________
Choose five of the words from above and use each in a sentence.
1. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Prefixes
16
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
Word
Prefix
Root Word
1. present
_____________________________________________________
2. interstate
_____________________________________________________
3. tripod
_____________________________________________________
4. reform
_____________________________________________________
5. percent
_____________________________________________________
6. unfinished
_____________________________________________________
7. subtitle
_____________________________________________________
8. discover
_____________________________________________________
9. deport
_____________________________________________________
10. impure
_____________________________________________________
11. compound
_____________________________________________________
12. interview
_____________________________________________________
13. invisible
_____________________________________________________
14. unseen
_____________________________________________________
15. disappear
_____________________________________________________
16. antiaircraft
_____________________________________________________
17. bicyclist
_____________________________________________________
18. exclaim
_____________________________________________________
19. misjudge
_____________________________________________________
20. perchance
_____________________________________________________
21. transact
_____________________________________________________
22. uniform
_____________________________________________________
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Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
1. antibiotic
11. disconnect
2. compromise
12. disguise
3. immovable
13. recycle
4. intermission
14. transport
5. subsoil
15. conform
6. superstar
16. exchange
7. misunderstood
17. dissatisfy
8. biplane
18. perform
9. discover
19. mistrust
10. insensitive
20. tricolor
Choose five words from above. Use each word in a sentence that shows its
meaning.
1. _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Prefixes
18
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
1
9
6
2
13
11
10
12
14
Across
1. bad luck
2. put in the wrong place
Down
1. behave badly
3. open again
4. plant again
5. not said
6. paid again
7. load again
7. remember
10. lack of order
8. not certain
9. fill again
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Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
2
3
1
6
9
4
11
12
10
8
13
Across
1. not happy
Down
2. paint again
3. not usual
4. not important
3. not even
5. not obey
6. not correct
8. read again
7. take again
9. cover again
Prefixes
20
Remedia Publications
Name ______________________________________
2
4
1
5
8
13
11
15
7
9
10
12
14
Down
2. not armed
Across
1. between nations
4. against war
6. below zero
8. underground railroad
11. three-sided shape
7. use again
9. before the war
Remedia Publications
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Prefixes
Name ______________________________________
Pre/Post Test
Circle the prefix in each word below. Write the root word on the line.
1. antifreeze
_______________________
10. pronoun
_______________________
2. disobey
_______________________
11. compress
_______________________
3. impolite
_______________________
12. rewire
_______________________
4. subway
_______________________
13. contest
_______________________
5. transport
_______________________
14. depart
_______________________
6. misfortune
_______________________
15. bicycle
_______________________
7. rebuild
_______________________
16. postmark
_______________________
8. displease
_______________________
17. superstar
_______________________
9. misbehave
_______________________
18. uniform
_______________________
Make a new word by adding re- , un- , dis- , de- , non- , super- , in- , or im- to
each word below. Write the new word on the line.
1. agree
_______________________
11. sense
_______________________
2. perfect
_______________________
12. market
_______________________
3. possible
_______________________
13. accurate
_______________________
4. treat
_______________________
14. lucky
_______________________
5. play
_______________________
15. mobile
_______________________
6. divided
_______________________
16. pure
_______________________
7. frost
_______________________
17. visible
_______________________
8. able
_______________________
18. tell
_______________________
9. toxic
_______________________
19. equal
_______________________
_______________________
20. feat
_______________________
10. correct
Prefixes
22
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Answer Key
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
unkind, replay, rewind, refill, disagree, unbelievable, displease, rebuild, unable, disapprove
1)rewind 2)unkind 3)refill 4)displease 5)unbelievable 6)replay 7)disagree
8)unable 9)disapprove 10)rebuild
Page 8
1)re 2)un 3)dis 4)de 5)un 6)re 7)dis 8)re 9)de 10)un 11)un 12)dis 13)un
14)dis
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
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Prefixes
Answer Key
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
1)im 2)un 3)un 4)re 5)dis 6)in 7)im 8)un 9)pre, re 10)re 11)dis 12)in
im polite, un cooked, pre view, re paint, dis trust, in capable, im possible, un easy,
pre paid, re read, dis connect, in dependent
Page 15
Page 16
1)dis 2)inter 3)mis 4)in 5)bi 6)de 7)pre 8)re 9)super 10)im 11)in 12)un
13)per 14)pro 15)un 16)con 17)dis 18)ex 19)in 20)mis Sentences will vary.
Page 17
1)pre sent 2)inter state 3)tri pod 4)re form 5)per cent 6)un finished 7)sub title
8)dis cover 9)de port 10)im pure 11)com pound 12)inter view 13)in visible 14)un
seen 15)dis appear 16)anti aircraft 17)bi cyclist 18)ex claim 19)mis judge 20)per
chance 21)trans act 22)uni form
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Pre/Post Test: 1)anti freeze 2)dis obey 3)im polite 4)sub way 5)trans port 6)mis fortune
7)rebuild 8)dis please 9)mis behave 10)pro noun 11)com press 12)re wire
13)con test 14)de part 15)bi cycle 16)post mark 17)super star 18)uni form
1)disagree 2)imperfect 3)impossible 4)mistreat, retreat 5)replay, display
6)undivided 7)defrost 8)disable, unable 9)nontoxic 10)incorrect 11)nonsense
12)supermarket 13)inaccurate 14)unlucky 15)immobile 16)impure 17)invisible,
nonvisible 18)retell 19)unequal 20)defeat
Prefixes
24
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