1) Prefixes:

Definition: Prefixes are letters which we add to the beginning of a word to make a new word
with a different meaning. Prefixes can, for example, create a new word opposite in meaning to
the word the prefix is attached to. They can also make a word negative or express relations of
time, place or manner. Here are some examples:
Prefix Root word Examples Usage / Meaning
Un- - Necessary - Unnecessary Used to negate the root
- Able - Unable word
Dis- - Connect - Disconnect To show the
- Agree - Disagree opposite/negation of the
root word
Non- - Stop - Nonstop To show the negation of
- Violent - Nonviolent the root word
Pre- - View - Preview Time (before)
- Install - Preinstall
Anti- - Social - Antisocial against/opposed to
- Biotic - Antibiotic
Auto- - Mobile - Automobile self
- Biography - Autobiography
De- - Forestation - Deforestation Reverse or change
- Motivate - Demotivate
Down- - Turn - Downturn Reduce or lower
- Grade - Downgrade
Extra- - Ordinary - Extraordinary Beyond
- Enteric - Extraenteric
Hyper- - Active - Hyperactive Extreme
- Tension - Hypertension
* il- (solely - Legal - Illegal Not
combined with - Possible - Impossible
adjectives that - Accurate - Inaccurate
start with L ) - Recognizable - Irrecognizable
* im- ( combined
with adjectives
that start with M
or P )
* in- ( combined
with adjectives
that start with A,
C, D, or S)
* ir- ( solely
combined with
adjectives that
start with R )

Co- - Author - Co-author Together, joint

- Operation - Co-operation
Inter- - National - International Between
- Active - Interactive
Mega- - Death - Megadeath Very big, important
- Ton - Megaton
Mid- - Night - Midnight Middle
- Term - Midterm
Mis- - Understand - Misunderstand incorrectly, badly
- Fortune - Misfortune
2) Suffixes:
Definition: A suffix is a letter or group of letters added at the end of a word which makes a new
word.
a) Noun suffixes:
Suffix Examples
-age luggage, baggage, package
-al Survival, burial, denial
-ance / -ence Importance, existence
-dom Freedom, boredom
-ee Employee, trainee
-er / -or Worker, visitor

-hood Childhood, neighborhood

-ism Tourism, racialism

-ist Cyclist, tourist
-ity / -ty Community, reality
-ment Disappoinment, arguement
-ness Awareness, loneliness
-ry Robbery, ministry
-ship Hardship, relationship
-tion / -sion / -xion Creation, expression, reflexion
-acy Accuracy
b) Adjective suffixes:
Suffix Examples
-able / -edible Understandable , edible
-al Eternal, herbal
-en Golden, woolen, broken
-ese Vietnamese, Taiwanese,
-ful Joyful, sadful, useful
-i Yameni, Pakistani, Iraqi
-ic / -ical politic, classic, political
-ish Foolish, selfish, British
-ive Positive, attractive, effective
-ian Cambodian, Canadian, Peruvian
-less Careless, fearless
-ly Daily, monthly, friendly
-ious / - ous Precious, delicious, famous, jealous
-y Sunny, windy, stormy
-esque Statuesque, picturesque

c) Verb suffixes:

-ate separate, communicate, dominate

-en Strengthen, lengthen, frighten,
lighten
-ify Identify, modify, beautify
-ise / -ize Realize, criticize
-ice Sacrifice
d) Adverb suffixes:

-ly Quickly, slowly

-ward / - wards Afterwards, forward
-wise Otherwise, likewise