What are Prefixes?
Prefixes are word parts added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. They can:
* Modify the meaning: "un-" makes something the opposite (e.g., "happy" becomes "unhappy").
* Change the scope: "pre-" means "before" (e.g., "pre-game" means "before the game").
* Specify a quantity: "multi-" means "many" (e.g., "multicolored" means "many colors").
Turning Words into Opposites with Prefixes
Here's how to use prefixes to create opposites:
1. Identify the core meaning: What does the original word mean?
2. Choose the right prefix: Select a prefix that creates the opposite meaning. Some common prefixes for opposites include:
* "un-": This is a general-purpose prefix for making something the opposite. (e.g., "happy" -> "unhappy")
* "in-": This is used for opposites of adjectives and sometimes verbs. (e.g., "correct" -> "incorrect")
* "im-": This is often used before words starting with "p" or "b" to make them opposites. (e.g., "possible" -> "impossible")
* "dis-": This prefix often indicates separation or the opposite of an action. (e.g., "agree" -> "disagree")
* "non-": This prefix means "not" and is commonly used to create opposites of nouns or adjectives. (e.g., "fiction" -> "nonfiction")
Examples:
* Happy -> Unhappy
* Possible -> Impossible
* Active -> Inactive
* Correct -> Incorrect
* Agree -> Disagree
* Legal -> Illegal
* Orderly -> Disorderly
Important Notes:
* Not all words can be turned into opposites using prefixes. Some words have no opposite meaning.
* Some prefixes may have more than one meaning.
* You might find that certain prefixes work better than others for specific words.
Let's Practice!
Try creating the opposites of these words using prefixes:
* Tied
* Secure
* Pleasant
* Honest
Let me know if you want to try more examples! 😊