VOCABULARY:

PREFIX AND SUFFIX

Dr. Sunarsih, M.A.
BASIC WORD PARTS
Words are made up of word parts: prefixes, suffixes,
and roots.
COMMON PREFIXES

Prefixes are syllables that precede the root or

stem of a word and change or refine its
meaning.
 COMMON PREFIXES

Prefix Meaning Illustration

inter between, among intervene: come between
International: between nations
Interjection: a statement thrown in
mis bad, improper Misdemeanor: minor crime; bad conduct
Mischance: unfortunate accident
Misnomer: wrong name
re again, back Reiterate: repeat
Reimburse: pay back
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PREFIXES
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PREFIXES
COMMON ROOTS AND STEMS

Roots are basic word elements that have been

carried over into English. Stems are variations of
roots brought about by changes in declension or
conjugation.
 COMMON ROOTS AND STEMS

Root or Stem Meaning Illustration

fort strong Fortitude: strength, firmness of mind
Fortification: strengthening
Fortress: stronghold
labor, laborat to work Laboratory: place where work is done
Collaborate: work together with others
Laborious: difficult
omni all Omniscient: all knowing
Omnipotent: all powerful
Omnivorous: eating everything
COMMON SUFFIXES

Suffixes are syllables that are added to a word.

Occasionally, they change the meaning of the
word; more frequently, they serve to change the
grammatical form of the word (noun to
adjective, adjective to noun, noun to verb).
 COMMON SUFFIXES

Suffix Meaning Illustration

able, ible capable of Portable: able to be carried
(adjective suffix) Interminable: not able to be limited
Legible: able to be read
fy to make (verb Magnify: enlarge
suffix) Petrify: turn to stone
Beautify: make beautiful
ist dealer, doer Fascist: one who believes in a fascist state
(noun suffix) Realist: one who is realistic
Artist: one who deals with art
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SUFFIXES
SUFFIXES
SUFFIXES
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SUFFIXES
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 RESOURCES

Green. 2006. Barron’s Critical Reading Workbook for

the SAT. The United States of America: Barron’s
Educational Series, Inc.

Suprianto, Bambang. Critical Reading. ITB.