1. Changes the meaning: Prefixes are small units of meaning added to the beginning of a word. They often modify the original word's meaning in a specific way, creating a new word with a different sense.
* Examples:
* un- in unhappy makes the word opposite in meaning to happy.
* pre- in pre-game indicates something that happens before the game.
* super- in supernatural implies something beyond the natural world.
2. Creates new words: Prefixes allow us to create new words by combining them with existing words. This expands our vocabulary and provides more nuanced ways to express ourselves.
* Examples:
* anti- + virus = antivirus
* re- + arrange = rearrange
* multi- + task = multitask
3. Can change the part of speech: Some prefixes can change the grammatical function of a word.
* Examples:
* re- can turn a verb into another verb (write becomes rewrite)
* -ness can turn an adjective into a noun (happy becomes happiness)
4. Can affect pronunciation: Sometimes, adding a prefix can change the pronunciation of the word.
* Examples:
* il- in illegal changes the pronunciation of the word legal.
* in- in impossible changes the pronunciation of the word possible.
5. Adds specific connotations: Prefixes can add specific shades of meaning or connotations to a word.
* Examples:
* pro- can convey support or approval (pro-democracy)
* anti- can convey opposition or disapproval (anti-war)
Overall, prefixes are powerful tools that allow us to modify the meaning, create new words, change grammatical function, affect pronunciation, and add specific connotations to existing words.