Prefixes

​Word formation: prefixes

What is a prefix?

It is a group of letters that goes in front of words to change their meanings in English.

For example: correct - incorrect

Negative prefixes:
IN - negative prefix that means no or not.

IL - goes in front of the words that start with ”l”
example: logical - illogical, legal - illegal.

Word challenge: Which word would you use to express that something is impossible or almost impossible to read because of being very untidy or not clear?

IL ...........

ILLEGIBLE

IM - can be used with some adjectives and nouns that begin with M, B, P, to give their opposite meanings.

For example: polite - impolite, moral - immoral, mature - immature, possible - impossible.

Word challenge: What word would you use to express that something is not perfect?

IM ......

IMPERFECT

IR - we add it to words that begin with the letter ”R” to make them negative.

For example: responsible - irresponsible, relevant - irrelevant, regular - irregular.

Word challenge: Which word would you use to describe the action of not thinking enough or not worrying about the possible results of what you do?

IR ..............

IRRESPONSIBLE

IN - goes with any other letter in English;

For example: expensive - inexpensive; visible - invisible; complete - incomplete;

Word challenge: What word would you use to express that something is not correct?

IN ..........

INCORRECT

Complete the sentences with the correct prefixes:




1. Do not be .......polite.
2. ........moral behaviour will not be tolerated.
3. It is ........logical to think that something is good value just because it is ........expensive.

What would you do if you were invisible for a day?