Prefixes-Suffixes in English Grammar-
Prefix is an element that is added before the Base Word. For example, in the word ‘preview’, ‘pre’ is a prefix and ‘view’ is the Base word. Every prefix has its own meaning, and we can form many new words by adding prefixes to words. This process of word formation is known as ‘Prefixation’.
Suffix is an element that is added at the end of the Base Word. For example, in the word ‘wrongly’, ‘ly’ is a suffix and ‘wrong’ is the Base word. Every suffix has its own meaning, and we can form many new words by adding suffixes to words. This process of word formation is known as ‘Suffixation’.
Prefixes
| Prefixes | Meaning | Examples |
| Ambi | Two, double, both | Ambiguity, ambivert, ambivalent |
| Auto | Self | Autograph, autocorrect, autobiography |
| Anti | opposite | Anti-social, anti-war, anti-environment |
| Bio | Related to life | Biodiversity, biography, biopic |
| Bi | Two | Bilingual, bimonthly, biweekly |
| Pro | Supportive | Pro-war, proactive, pro-Indian |
| Co | With | Co-author, co-worker, co-wife |
| Counter | Against | Counter-attack, counter-argument |
| De | Remove | Defrost, deforest, de-tan |
| Dis | Showing negative | Discontinue, discontent, discomfort |
| Extra | Beyond | extra-marital, extra-curricular, extraordinary |
| Hyper | Exceeding the limit | Hypertension, hyperthyroidism |
| Inter | Between | Inter-college, inter-state, inter-city |
| Micro | Fine, small | Micro-economics, microscope, micro-organism |
| Mini | Short | Mini-bus, mini-skirt, minimize |
| Mis | Wrongly | Misuse, miscarriage, misspell, mispronounce |
| Mono | One | Monogamy, monotone, monolingual |
| Non | Showing negative | Non-cooperation, non-aided, non-qualified |
| Over | Too much | Over-state, over-eat, over-react, over-smart |
| Out | Excel | Outstanding, outdo, outlive |
| Post | After | Post-war, Post-Covid, post-test |
| Pre | Before | Pre-election, pre-test, pre-war |
| Re | Again | Re-read, re-write, re-unite |
| Semi | Half | Semi-circle, semi-final, semi-English |
| Sub | Under | Sub-inspector, sub-type, sub-category |
| Super | Above | Superheat, super-hit, super-flop |
| Tele | Remote | Telephone, telecommunication, telecast |
| Un | Showing negative | Unwanted, unbearable, unbelievable |
| Under | Too little | Underestimate, undervalue, under-state |
| Vice | Next in rank | Vice-principal, vice-president, vice-captain |
| Mal | Bad | Maltreat, malfunction, malnutrition |
| Tri | Three | Tri-Colour, triangle, trilingual |
Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Examples |
| -able -ible |
Having the quality of something | Admissible, acceptable, permissible, practicable |
| -al | Related to something | Logical, rational, seasonal |
| -an -ian |
Person associated with something | Musician, Indian, technician |
| -ant -ent |
Something or someone | Defendant, recipient, assistant |
| -ance -ence |
Action, or quality | Tolerance, patience, acceptance |
| -ar | Related to something | Tabular, circular, muscular |
| -cide | Killing | Homicide, patricide, matricide |
| -cy | Quality | Privacy, accuracy, urgency |
| -ee | Someone | Detainee, employee, payee |
| -en | Made up of/make | Earthen, wooden, lessen, blacken |
| -er -or |
Someone doing something | Examiner, carpenter, actor, collector |
| -ess | Feminine gender | Lioness, mistress, tigress |
| -free | Without | Tension-free, dust-free, tax-free |
| -ful | Having quality | Awful, wonderful, faithful |
| -gamy | Related to number of marriage | Monogamy, Polygamy |
| -hood | State or condition | Motherhood, boyhood, girlhood, manhood |
| -ic | Related to | Photogenic, psychic, photographic |
| -ify | Make | Nullify, fortify, qualify, magnify |
| -ion | Condition | Jurisdiction, connection, satisfaction |
| -ise -ize |
Make | Centralize, finalize, regularize |
| -ish | Belonging to or having the quality | British, blackish, Irish, yellowish |
| -ism | Belief in philosophy of | Pantheism, Marxism, secularism, romanticism |
| -ist | Person having faith in | Pantheist, Marxist, secularist, romanticist |
| -ity -ty |
Quality | Punctuality, regularity, honesty, amnesty |
| -less | Without | Shameless, jobless, reckless, clueless |
| -let | Small size | Piglet, droplet, pamphlet, booklet |
| -logy | Study of particular subject | Psychology, penology, morphology, phonology, philology |
| -ment | Act | Management, government, adjustment |
| -ness | Condition | Tenderness, carefulness, wellness |
| -ocracy | Government | Ochlocracy, democracy, bureaucracy |
| -ous | Quality | Treacherous, dangerous, venomous |
| -proof | Intact | Sound-proof, dust-proof, rust-proof, leak-proof |
| -ship | Position/skill | Scholarship, kingship, penmanship |
| -y | Full of | Cloudy, starry, rainy, windy |
| -ly | Manner of | Slowly, gently, mainly, broadly, madly |
Activity Set 1
Add suitable prefixes (mal, re, mis, im, un, ill) and suffixes (-tion, -less, -ance –able, -ment) to the words given below.
| Words | Prefix | Suffix |
| Represent | Misrepresent | Representation |
| Use | Reuse, misuse | Useless |
| Perfect | Imperfect | Perfection |
| Read | Re-read, Unread | Readable |
| Important | Unimportant | Importance |
| Settle | Unsettle | Settlement |
| Treat | Ill-treat | Treatment |
| Understand | Misunderstand | Understandable |
| Exam | Re-exam | Examination |
| Nutritional | Malnutrition | Nutrition |
Activity Set 2
Add suitable prefixes (pre, hyper, de, over, dis, in) and suffixes (-ty, -cy, -ness, -tion, -free) to the words given below.
| Words | Prefix | Suffix |
| Pregnant | Pre-pregnancy | Pregnancy |
| Sensitive | Hyper-sensitive | Sensitivity |
| Forest | Deforest | Deforestation |
| Smart | Over-smart | Smartness |
| Satisfy | Dissatisfy | Satisfaction |
| Frost | Defrost | Frosty |
| Tension | Hyper-tension | Tension-free |
| Active | Inactive | Activity, Activeness |
| Historic | Pre-historic | Historicity |
| Colonial | De-colonial | Colonialization |
Activity Set 3
Add suitable prefixes (super, re, auto, bi, mono) and suffixes (-ous, -ism, -er/or, -tion, -ist, -ly) to the words given below.
| Words | Prefix | Suffix |
| Suggest | Auto-suggest | Suggestion |
| Lingual | Bi-lingual | Linguist |
| View | Review | Reviewer |
| Natural | Supernatural | Naturalism |
| Tone | Monotone | Monotonous |
| Week | Bi-weekly | Weekly |
| Play | Re-play | Player |
| Imagine | Re-imagine | Imagination |
| Month | Bi-monthly | Monthly |
| Present | Re-present | Presentation |
Activity Set 4
Add suitable prefixes (un, semi, pro, extra, dis) and suffixes (–an, -less, -fy,-ment,-lar, -ness, -ous) to the words given below.
| Words | Prefix | Suffix |
| Dark | Semi-dark | Darkness |
| America | Pro-American | American |
| Count | Extra-count | Countless |
| Continue | Discontinue | Continuous |
| Agree | Disagree | Agreement |
| Solid | Semi-solid | Solidify |
| Active | Pro-active | Activeness |
| Sophisticated | Unsophisticated | Sophistication |
| Circle | Semi-circle | Circular |
| Content | Discontent | Contentment |
Activity Set 5
Add suitable prefixes (im, inter, post, un, ir, de, auto, mis,en) and suffixes (-al, -like, -ity,-ance, -ed, -tion) to the words given below.
| Words | Prefix | Suffix |
| Nation | International | National |
| War | Post-war | War-like |
| Regular | Irregular | Regularity |
| Permanent | Impermanent | Permanence |
| Match | Mismatch | Mismatched |
| Centralize | Decentralize | Centralization |
| Biography | Autobiography | Biographical |
| Parallel | Unparalleled | Paralleled |
| Balance | Imbalance | Balanced |
| Tangle | Entangle | Tangled |
