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Prefix
Prefix
Npm : 19052023
Class : 4C
Prefix
A Prefix is a morpheme or a type of an affix that comes before the base, root or stem word; it
comes at the frontal position of the root word. In other words, a prefix has to do with a kind of
subdivision present in some words and it is likely to be affixed at the beginning of a possible
English word, usually with a hyphen.
A prefix will add meaning to the base word; it can occur in different other words but it cannot stand
alone as a word.
Examples of a Prefix
Look at the word affixes, it explains clearly the concept of what a prefix is:
Af – Fix – es
Let us proceed to consider the different types of prefixes and their examples.
Prefixes of Negation
These are prefixes that when added to a word, they negate the meanings of such word. Examples of
these prefixes include:
Un
Mis
Non
De
Pseudo
Ab
In
Prefixes of Attitude
Anti
Pro
Co
Counter
Contra
Di/Bi
Examples include: dicotyledon, bi-annual, bi-weekly, bilateral, bicameral, bicycle, bilabial, bifocal,
etc.
Tri
Quad
Tetra
Pent
Deca
Deci
Multi
Examples include: mini mart, miniskirt, mini stadium, minibus, minivan, etc.
Hyper
Over
Out
Examples include: outnumber, outspoken, outsmart, outwitted, outrun, outgoing, outlast, outlive,
outgrowth, etc.
Less
Examples include: less important, less privileged, less tedious, less beautiful, less attended, less
dominating, etc.
Infra (Below)
Ultra (Beyond)
Additive/Replacive Prefixes
decrease/increase
appreciate/depreciate
accelerate/decelerate
absent/present
displace/replace
inflate/deflate
implode/explode
import/export
immigrate/emigrate
inflow/outflow
Examples include: predate, preeminent, premeditation, prefrontal, prepaid, preschool, prefix, etc.
It is important to stress that it is not in all words that you can bring out prefixes as have been
discuseed above. There are some words that cannot be further broken down into prefixes and base
or root words. Examples of such words are listed below:
Post in postpone
Extra in extraneous or extrapolate
Inter in interest, interpret or intervene
Pre in prefer, pretend or prevent
Pro in produce, profile and protect
Re in receive, repeat or reveal
Sub in subsist, subvert or support
Super in in supersede or supervise
Trans in transport or transcript
Anti in in antigen or antipathy
Hyper in hyperbole
Note that prefixes come under the Grammatical Unit called Morphemes.