MEKNES ENGLISH CORNER

Using Prefixes to Expand Your Vocabulary

What is a prefix?

You must understand what a root word is in order to understand what a prefix is.

A root word is a word you can change into a new word by adding a beginning and/or an ending.

A prefix is a beginning that is added to a root word.

For example, take the root word "purpose." By adding the prefix "multi" to "purpose," the new word "multipurpose" is formed.

Every prefix has its own meaning. When added to a root word, a prefix changes the meaning of the root word to which it is added. The root word "purpose" means "an aim or a goal one wishes to achieve." The prefix "multi" means "many." The new word "multipurpose" means "designed or used for many purposes."

Learning to identify prefixes and knowing their meanings are great ways to expand your vocabulary. An expanded vocabulary will increase your listening and speaking comprehension. It will also help you communicate more effectively when writing or taking tests.

Some Common Prefixes

Here are some common prefixes. The meaning of each prefix is shown, as well as words that can be formed by adding the prefix to root words. Using these prefixes and others will expand your vocabulary.Prefix            Meaning of Prefix    Words Formed Using the Prefix

re        again   replay, resend, replace

hyper  over    hyperactive, hypersensitive, hyperventilate

un       not      unclear, unsure, undecided

tri        three   triangle, tricycle, triweekly

pre      before prepay, prepackage, predate

mis      wrong misconduct, misspell, misunderstand

sub      below  subway, substandard, submarine

Some More Prefixes

Here are some more prefixes and their meanings. You can add these prefixes to many root words to form new words and expand your vocabulary.Prefix          Meaning         Prefix Meaning

ante     before auto    self

bi         two      circum            around

equi     equal   im        not

hypo   under  inter    between

neo      new     omni   all

poly     many  retro   backward

semi    half     trans   across

To build your vocabulary using prefixes, do the following:

When you see a prefix whose meaning you do not know, look up its meaning in a dictionary.

Write the prefix and its meaning where you can refer to it easily and often.

Review the meaning of these prefixes from time to time.

Form words by adding these prefixes to root words.

Use these words when you speak and write.