Prefixes and Suffixes: Building New Words
Prefixes and suffixes are like word building blocks. They are added to the beginning or end of a word to change its meaning or create a new word entirely.
Prefixes are added at the beginning of a word:
* Example: "un" + "happy" = "unhappy"
* "Un" changes the meaning of "happy" to its opposite.
Suffixes are added at the end of a word:
* Example: "care" + "ful" = "careful"
* "Ful" adds the meaning of "full of" to "care," making it "full of care."
Here's a breakdown of their function:
Prefixes:
* Modify the meaning of the root word
* Can indicate negation, location, size, direction, number, etc.
* Examples: "pre-", "re-", "dis-", "un-", "mis-", "over-", "under-"
Suffixes:
* Change the word's grammatical function (noun, verb, adjective, adverb)
* Can indicate plurality, possession, tense, degree, etc.
* Examples: "-ing", "-ed", "-er", "-est", "-ly", "-ness", "-tion"
Let's see them in action:
* Prefixes:
* Impossible (im- + possible) - not possible
* Prehistoric (pre- + historic) - before history
* Misunderstand (mis- + understand) - understand incorrectly
* Suffixes:
* Beautiful (beauty + -ful) - full of beauty
* Happily (happy + -ly) - in a happy manner
* Workers (work + -ers) - people who work
Understanding prefixes and suffixes helps with:
* Vocabulary building: Recognizing these elements helps you understand the meaning of new words.
* Spelling: Knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes helps you spell unfamiliar words correctly.
* Reading comprehension: Being able to decipher the meaning of words through their components makes reading more efficient.
Remember, the more prefixes and suffixes you learn, the more words you'll be able to understand and use!