DETERMINE THE MEANING OF A WORD WITH PRE-, RE- OR MIS-

Key notes:

Understanding Prefixes

1. Definition of Prefix:
   • Explain that a prefix is a group of letters placed at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

Common Prefixes

2. “Pre-“:
   • Meaning: “before” or “in advance”.
   • Examples:
     • Preheat (to heat before),
     • Preview (to see beforehand),
     • Preschool (before school).

---

2. “Re-“:
   • Meaning: “again” or “back”.
   • Examples:
     • Redo (to do again),
     • Return (to come back),
     • Replay (to play again).

---

2. “Mis-“:
   • Meaning: “wrong” or “badly”.
   • Examples:
     • Misunderstand (to understand wrongly),
     • Misplace (to put in the wrong place),
     • Mislead (to lead in the wrong direction).

---

Techniques to Determine Meaning

5. Break Down the Word:
   • Teach students to separate the prefix from the base word.
   • Example: “Replay” = “Re-” + “Play”.
6. Understand the Base Word:
   • Ensure students know the meaning of the base word.
   • Example: “Play” means to engage in an activity for enjoyment.
7. Combine the Meanings:
   • Combine the meaning of the prefix and the base word to understand the new word.
   • Example: “Replay” means to play again.

Let’s practice!