Use of Prefix and Suffix
Use of Prefix and Suffix
Use of Prefix and Suffix
A. PREFIX
A Prefix is a syllable or syllables placed at the beginning of a word to make a new word. It adds something to the meaning. In the English language, most suffixes come from Latin and Greek. A list of some common Prefixes is given below:
Use of Prefix and Suffix
1. Re (= again): rewrite a letter, re-enter a room, remarry a widow. regain life.
2. Semi (= half): semi-skilled workers, a semi-conscious state, a semivowel.
3. Mono (= one): monorail, monolingual, a monotone.
4. Multi (= many): a multinational company, a multi-storey building.
5. Super (= big/more): a superstory, a superstore, a superhuman effort, a supersonic aircraft.
6. Sub (= under/less): subconscious, subnormal intelligence, sub-zero temperatures.
7. Mini (= small): a minilamp, a minibus, a miniskirt, a minicomputer
8. Pre (= before): a preface, a preview, the pre-war years, prehistoric times.
9. Post (= after): a post-dated cheque, the post-war period, a postmortem report.
10. Ex (= previously):Â ex-wife, ex-Director, ex-Principal, ex-student.
11. Inter (= between): inter-city trains, an international phone call, an interaction, an inter transaction.
12. Trans (= across): transcribe, transaction, transatlantic flight, transplant.
13. Co (= together): co-exist, co-operate, a co-production, my co-driver
14. Over (= too much): overburden, overdone, over more, overcrowded, ill from overwork, an overgrown garden, overweight
15. Under (= too little): undermark, undervalue, underrank, undercooked food, an understaffed office, underpaid
16. Out (= more/better): outlived both her children, outnumber the opposition, outplayed their opponents,
17. Pro (= in favour of): pro-government forces, pro-European policies, pro institutional discipline.
18. Anti (= against): anti-war policies, anti-nuclear treaty, anti-aircraft guns
19. Mis (= badly/wrongly): misrule, mishave, misuse, misbehave, misgovern, miscount, misunderstanding.
20. Un: undo, unfold, unhappy, unfair, unofficial, unemployed, unplug, unpack a suitcase.
21. In: influence, inhabit, inexact, independent, indirect, inexpert, injustice, infinite.
Note:Â ‘In’ is not use before l, m, p or r. We use il, im and ir instead, as:
immoral, impossible, impatient, irrelevant, ill-luck, illegal, illogical; immobile, irresponsible
22. Dis: discover, dislike, disturb, disdain, dishonest, disunited, disagree, disappear, dislike, disadvantage
23. Non: non-vegetarian, non-alcoholic drinks, a non-stop flight, a non-smoker
24. De: deform the body, defeat, dethrone the king, defrost a fridge, the depopulation of the countryside, the decentralization of government.
25. Demi (= half): demi-god, demi-official, demi-clerk.
26. Ultra (= beyond): ultra-violet, ultra-modern.
27. Tri (= three): Trinity, tricolour, triple, triangle.
28. Pseudo (= false): Pseudo-classic, pseudo-name, pseudo-philanthropist.
29. Bi (= two): bi-colour, biennial, bigamy, bicycle, biweekly, bifocal, bisect.
30. Ambi (= both sides): ambivalent, ambiguous, ambidextrous, ambition.
31. Ante (= before): antenatal, antemeridiem, anti war, antedate
32. Anti (= against): anti-war, antinational, anti-social, antidote, anticipate.
33. Arch (= chief): arch-angel, arch-bishop, arch-enemy.
34. Auto (= self): Autograph, autobiography, automatic, automobile, autocrat.
35. Bene (= well): beneficial, benefactor, benefit.
Use of Prefix and Suffix
36. Circum (=around): circumstance, circumscribe, circumvent, circumference.
37. Contra (= against): contradict, contravene.
38. Counter (= against): counteract, counter-attack.
39. Em (= in): embark, embody, emblem, embolden.
40. Equi (= equally): equivocal, equidistant, equilateral, equivalent.
41. Extra (= beyond): extraordinary, extravagant.
42. Homo (= like): homogeneous, homonym.
43. Hetero (= different): heterogeneous, heterodox.
44. Hexa (= six): hexagon, hexameter.
45. Hyper (= over): hypertension, hypersensitive, hyperbole, hypercritical.
46. Non (= not): nonsense, nonviolent, non-cooperation.
47. Pan (= all): Pan-Islamic, Pan-American, panorama.
48. Philo (= love): philosophy, philanthropy.
49. Poly (= many): Polytechnic, polyester, polyclinic, polygamy,
Use of Prefix and Suffix
 B. SUFFIX
A Suffix is a syllable or syllables placed at the end of a word to qualify its meaning and forms a new word. It adds something to the meaning. In the English language, many new words are made by placing suffixes at the end of the verb, adverb adjective etc. A list of some common suffixes are given below:
Use of Prefix and Suffix
Noun Suffixes
(a) The following suffixes are used to form Abstract Nouns:
- al: removal, denial, renewal, betrayal, burial.
- meant: astonishment, argument, punishment, judgement, bewilderment, improvement.
3. mony: harmony, matrimony, ceremony.
4. ism: communism, socialism, patriotism, Hinduism, Jainism.
5. ice: practice, service, avarice.
6. age: breakage, mileage, baggage, bondage, shortage.
7. ance: distance, allowance, abundance, observance, abundance.
8. ence: innocence, difference, reference, preference.
9. cy: efficiency.
10. dom: freedom, kingdom, earldom, thraldom, wisdom, random.
Use of Prefix and Suffix
11. hood: motherhood, boyhood, priesthood, manhood, childhood,
12. ion: expression, attention, radiation, fashion, ration, nation.
13. y: study, envy, misery, remedy, finery, robbery.
14. our: honour, humour, behaviour.
15. ure: nature, culture, vulture, pleasure, closure, measure, feature, stature.
16. ness: greatness, darkness, vastness, boldness, calmness.
17. ight: flight, height, might, right, Knight, fight.
18. ty: dignity, reality, cruelty, priority, novelty.
19. tude: gratitude, attitude, longitude, fortitude, magnitude.
20. th: birth, health, wealth, death, breath, width. length.
21. red: hatred, kindred.
22. ship: friendship, hardship, fellowship, relationship, workmanship, showmanship, dictatorship, readership.
(b) The following suffixes are used to form Concrete Nouns:
1. en: warden, citizen.
2. ate: curate, magnate, advocate.
3. ard: coward, drunkard, dullard.
4. ee: payee, absentee, examinee, refugee, employee, trustee.
5. y: jury, attorney.
6. monger: fish-monger, war-monger, rumour-monger.
7. ster: youngster, spinster, songster.
8. ist: artist, botanist, scientist, violinist, dentist, novelist.
9. ian: musician, politician, historian, Olympian,
10. an: pagan, Roman, librarian
Use of Prefix and Suffix
11. ain: villain, chieftain, captain.
12. ess: tigress, lioness, heiress, authoress,
13. ary: secretary, dignitary, dowery, monetary.
14. eer: charioteer, profiteer, mountaineer, racketeer.
15. ar: liar, beggar.
Use of Prefix and Suffix
16. or: sailor, orator, visitor, senator, governor, doctor, motor.
17. er: speaker, writer, fighter, officer, leader, seer, caterer.
18.wright: wheel-wright, cart-wright, playwright.
(c) The following suffixes are used to form Diminutives:
1. kin: napkin, manikin, lambking
2. cle: chronicle, particle, circle, pericle.
3. el: satchel, kernel, damsel, parcel,
4. le: handle, paddle, granule, globule.
5. y, ie: puppy, mummy, daddy. lassie, birdie.
6. let: pamphlet, booklet, rivulet, brooklet, leaflet.
7. ling: darling, duckling.
8. en: maiden, kitten, chicken.
9. et, ette: packet, cigarrette, coronet.
10. ock: bullock, hillock, buttock, padlock.
(d) The various suffixes are used to form Nouns:
1. ry: dowery, vestry, pantry
2. Ic: artistic, systematic, physic, logic, lunatic.
3. ique: critique, physique.Â
4. ade: blockade, crusade, barricade.
5. ful: palmful, houseful spoonful, mouthful.
6. al: capital, denial, arrival.
7. ant: giant, tenant, merchant, pregnant
8. ary: aviary, apiary, library, dispensary, treasury.
(Use of Prefix and Suffix)
Adjective Suffixes
(a) The following suffixes are used to form Adjectives:
1. al: loyal, legal, national, regal, mortal.
2. ar: circular, regular, solar, lunar.
3.ary: contrary, arbitrary.
4. ant: brilliant, repentant, radiant.
5. ent: magnificent, dependent, obedient.
6. ine: divine, feline, feminine.
7.esque: grotesque, picturesque.
9.en: golden, woolen, earthen.
10. ible: audible, visible, possible, admissible, contemptible.
11. ish: foolish, stylish, childish, greenish, bookish, greyish.
12. y: wealthy, greedy, grassy.
13.ward: wayward, homeward, forward, backward.
14. worthy: praiseworthy, trustworthy, blameworthy.
15. some: handsome, tiresome, wholesome, fulsome.
16. like: godlike, childlike, boxlike, fatherlike.
17. ous: glorious, dangerous, copious, ruinous.
18. ory: migratory, introductory, illusory.Â
19. less: lawless, meaningless, senseless, paintless, priceless, loveless, joyless, restless.
20. lent: turbulent, violent, prevalent,
21. ive: active, progressive, massive, decisive.
22. ique: antique, unique.
23. ful: helpful, fruitful, playful, willful, faithful.
24. ly: friendly, beastly, keenly, hourly, kingly, lovely, earthly, truly, certainly.
Use of Prefix and Suffix
Verb Suffixes
Many English Verbs are formed by adding the following suffixes to words, as:
1.fy: pacify, justify, purify, simplify, beautify, clarify, nullify, qualify.
2. en: broaden, strengthen, weaken, soften, lengthen, lighten.
4.ish: publish, furnish, finish.
5. ite: expedite, excite, invite.
6. ise (from an adjective): equalise, nationalise, generalise.
7. ise (from a Noun): advise, familiarise, practise, apologise, monopolise, memorise.
(Use of Prefix and Suffix)
Adverb Suffixes
Many English Adverbs are formed by adding the following suffixes to words:
1.ly: acutely, rapidly, keenly, beautifully.
2. ward: forward, backward, upward. downward.
4.ther: hither, thither, whither.
5. st: amidst, amongst.
6. ce: once, twice, thrice. 0 0 0
Use of Prefix and Suffix
N.B. Â The article ‘Use of Prefix and Suffix’ originally belongs to the book ‘School English Grammar Part- II‘ by Menonim Menonimus. Use of Prefix and Suffix
Books of Composition by M. Menonimus:
- Advertisement Writing
- Amplification Writing
- Note Making
- Paragraph Writing
- Notice Writing
- Passage Comprehension
- The Art of Poster Writing
- The Art of Letter Writing
- Report Writing
- Story Writing
- Substance Writing
- School Essays Part-I
- School Essays Part-II
- School English Grammar Part-I
- School English Grammar Part-II..
Books on Linguistics by M. Menonimus:
- A Brief History of the English Language
- Essays on Linguistics
- My Imageries
- Felicitous Expression: Some Examples
- Learners’ English Dictionary
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