Word formation

word formation quiz

by Anastasiya Begma for Lomonosov School

what is word formation?

• Word formation is a section of English grammar which includes adding prefixes and suffixes to the words in order to get new ones.

• Knowing rules of word formation is extremely important for the successful completion of tasks 19-36 of the USE in English.

PREFIXES

• Prefixes are parts of a word that come before its root. They can add various meanings to the word: negation, opposite, compatibility, precedence and other ones.

• Prefixes can be used to form nouns, verbs, adjectives and other parts of speech.
  
  

​prefixes of nouns and verbs

• re- reelection, reorganisation, redecorate, rebuild, recycle...

• dis- disbelief, dissatisfaction, disagree, disappear, disarm...

• mis- misadventure, misbehaviour, misspell, mistrust, misjudge...

• un- unwrap, unfold, unlock, unreality, untruth, uninstall...

• in- inability, inaction, intolerance, inattention, instability...

• im- imbalance, immortality, impurity, impossibility, immobilize...

Multiple Choice

Dr. Jackson shook his head in ....approval. He was clearly against this offer.

• dis

• re

• un

• mis

Multiple Choice

The New Year's Eve is soon! Are you going to ...decorate your house?

• dis

• re

• un

• mis

Multiple Choice

When we had entered our room in the hotel, we saw a bunch of cockroaches on our bed! We felt a huge ...appointment in this place!

• dis

• re

• un

• mis

Multiple Choice

I think I ....understood you. Could you repeat what you have said, please?

• dis

• re

• un

• mis

Multiple Choice

Happy birthday, Anny! Here's your present! Go on, ...wrap it!

• dis

• re

• un

• mis

Multiple Choice

Kate is a little bit overweight, so she has to deal with ....tolerance almost every day.

• re

• in

• mis

• un

Multiple Choice

Lord Voldemort is ...mortal. However, Harry Potter managed to kill him by destroying his horcruxes.

• re

• in

• im

• un

​prefixes of adjectives

The use of prefixes to form adjectives has some important rules:

• un-+g..: ungenerous, ungrateful, unglued, ungratious, ungovernable (искл. inglorious)

• un-+b..: unbalanced, unbroken, unbearable, unbreakable, unbelieveable...

• un-+i..: uninviting, unimpressive, uninhabited, unidentified, uninteresting (искл. inimitable)

• un-+w..: unwaged, unwanted, unwelcome, unworthy, unwritten, unwary, unwell, unwise...

• il-+l..: illegal, illiberal, illogical, illegible, illegitimate (искл. unlawful, unleaded, unlicensed...)

• ir-+r..: irregular, irresponsible, irresistible, irrelevant, irreligious (искл.unreal, unreasonable..)

• im-+m..: immoral, immobile, immaterial, immature, immortal (искл. unmade, unmarried...)

• im-+p..: impossible, impolite, impure, impatient, imprudent (искл. unpatriotic, unplanned...)

• dis-: disabled, dissimilar, dishonest, disunited, disloyal, displeased (искл. unorganised)

Multiple Choice

I remember that ...bearable pain that I felt when I broke my rib.

• im

• dis

• un

• ir

Multiple Choice

I think you are being quite ...honest with me. Please, tell me the truth.

• im

• dis

• un

• ir

Multiple Choice

Smoking here is ...legal.

• il

• dis

• un

• ir

Multiple Choice

Stop acting like a child and being so ...mature!

• un

• im

• dis

• il

Multiple Choice

In my opinion, buying this expensive ring is ...rational.

• un

• il

• ir

• dis

Multiple Choice

Our neighbours are so ...polite! They are always turning on loud music at night!

• im

• il

• dis

• um

Multiple Choice

This book is ...interesting - I almost fell asleep yesterday while reading it.

• im

• il

• un

• um

​suffixes of verbs

• V+-en: blacken, broaden, lengthen, widen, worsen, strengthen...

• V+-ify: clarify, justify, classify, notify, signify, simplify...

• V+-ize/ise*: legalize/legalise, specialize/specialise, realize/realise, memorize/memorise, organize/organise...

  *ise- британский вариант, ize- американский вариант, на ЕГЭ приветствуются оба, главное, не смешивать варианты написания