Prefixes 1

A prefix goes at the beginning of a word and changes its meaning. Today, let's look at some prefixes
that mean 'not' or change the word to its opposite.

un = opposite or 'not'

• happy -> unhappy

• kind -> unkind

in = opposite or 'not'

• correct -> incorrect

• dependent -> independent

im = opposite or 'not' (with word that start with 'm' or 'p')

• patient -> impatient

• possible -> impossible

il = opposite or 'not' (with words that start with 'l')

• legal -> illegal

• legible -> illegible

ir = opposite or 'not' (with words that start with 'r')

• regular -> irregular

• rational -> irrational

Apart from the spelling rules, we don't know which word goes with which prefix. We need to learn
them.
Let's review! Change the word so that it includes the prefix meaning 'not'.

1. I like freelancing, though the pay is _____. (regular)

2. She felt very _____ after she broke up with her boyfriend. (happy)
3. That answer is _____. Think again. (correct)
4. Why are you so _____? Just wait a minute. (patient)
5. It's _____ to park here. Let's park somewhere else. (legal)
6. I think that it's _____ to jump ten metres. (possible)
7. He is quite an _____ person. He's horrible to everyone. (kind)
8. His writing is _____. You can't read it at all. (legible)
9. She is very _____. She doesn't want help from anyone. (dependent)
10. He's a bit _____. He doesn't make reasonable decisions. (rational)
Answers

1. I like freelancing, though the pay is irregular.

2. She felt very unhappy after she broke up with her boyfriend.
3. That answer is incorrect. Think again.
4. Why are you so impatient? Just wait a minute.
5. It's illegal to park here. Let's park somewhere else.
6. I think that it's impossible to jump ten metres.
7. He is quite an unkind person. He's horrible to everyone.
8. His writing is illegible. You can't read it at all.
9. She is very independent. She doesn't want help from anyone.
10. He's a bit irrational. He doesn't make reasonable decisions.