DETERMINE THE MEANINGS OF WORDS WITH PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES: REVIEW

Key Notes :

  • Prefixes: Word parts added to the beginning of a base word that change its meaning. Examples: un-, re-, dis-, pre-.
  • Suffixes: Word parts added to the end of a base word that change its meaning or part of speech. Examples: -ful, -less, -ly, -ed.

  • Un-: Means “not.” Examples: unhappy (not happy), untie (to not tie).
  • Re-: Means “again” or “back.” Examples: redo (do again), return (come back).
  • Dis-: Means “not” or “opposite of.” Examples: dislike (not like), disappear (cease to be seen).
  • Pre-: Means “before.” Examples: preview (view before), preheat (heat before).

  • -ful: Means “full of.” Examples: joyful (full of joy), helpful (full of help).
  • -less: Means “without.” Examples: hopeless (without hope), fearless (without fear).
  • -ly: Turns an adjective into an adverb, meaning “in a way that is.” Examples: quickly (in a quick way), happily (in a happy way).
  • -ed: Indicates past tense or a completed action. Examples: walked (past tense of walk), painted (completed action of paint).

  • Identify the Base Word: Start by recognizing the root of the word (e.g., “happy” in “unhappy”).
  • Analyze the Prefix/Suffix: Determine the meaning of the prefix or suffix and how it affects the base word (e.g., “un-” means “not,” so “unhappy” means “not happy”).
  • Context Clues: Use the context in which the word is used to help understand its meaning.

  • Prefix Example: “Replay” (re- means again, so replay means to play again).
  • Suffix Example: “Careless” (-less means without, so careless means without care).

Let’s practice!