Here's a breakdown:
* Combining Forms: These are word parts that can't stand alone but combine with other parts to create new words. They often represent a concept or idea related to the word's meaning. Examples: "bio" (life), "derm" (skin), "neuro" (nerve).
* Prefixes: These are word parts that come at the beginning of a word and modify its meaning. Examples: "un-" (not), "re-" (again), "pre-" (before).
Overlap: Some combining forms can function as prefixes because they add meaning to the word and are placed at the beginning. Here are some examples:
* "auto-" (self) - *autobiography* (a biography written by the subject)
* "tele-" (distance) - *telecommunication* (communication over long distances)
* "geo-" (earth) - *geology* (the study of the earth)
* "photo-" (light) - *photography* (taking pictures with light)
Distinction: While some combining forms can be prefixes, not all prefixes are combining forms.
* Combining forms typically relate to a specific subject area or field of study. For instance, "bio-" is commonly used in biology and medicine.
* Prefixes are more general in their function. They can be used in various contexts and fields to modify the meaning of a word.
In essence, some combining forms act as prefixes, but not all prefixes are combining forms.