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Prefixes and Suffixes 01
Sometimes it is necessary to add both a prefix and a suffix to change the meaning of a word as in 'the referee DISallowED the goal'.

Prefixes and Suffixes 01

Some words in English are formed using both prefixes and suffixes, for example: "unhelpful". The original word, "help", is called the "base word". Many words will take extra letters both at the beginning and the end to create a new meaning.

Linguistic creativity is responsible for the number of words with prefixes and suffixes. Words can be invented by analogy. If you can "make" or "unmake" a bed, "load" or "unload" a dishwasher, why can't you "befriend" or "unfriend", or "follow" and "unfollow" someone? "Unfriend", in case you hear anyone complaining that it isn't a "real word", was first used in 1659. "Unfollow" hasn't made it into the dictionary, although "unfollowed" has existed as an adjective since 1508, but we immediately understand it because it is created by attaching the un- prefix to the well-known verb, "follow".

Just to make language even more interesting, in English words can be changed in such a way both by adding prefixes to the beginning of a word and suffixes to its ending. Often, as in this quiz, words have both!

Test your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes by playing this quiz.

1.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......manage.......
In.......able
In.......ship
Un.......able
Un.......ship
This quiz is not unmanageable
2.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......speak.......
In.......able
Post.......ing
Pre.......ing
Un.......able
Her performance was literally unspeakable!
3.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......reason.......
Dis.......ed
In.......able
Per.......ed
Un..............able
It would be unreasonable to make any other choice!
4.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......hope.......
Dis.......ful
Dis.......less
Un .......ful
Un.......less
They were unhopeful about their chances
5.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......allow.......
Dis.......able
In.......ed
Mis.......able
Per.......able
Disallowable
6.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......distinguish.......
Dis.......ment
In.......able
Mis.......able
Un.......ment
The correct answer was indistinguishable from those which were incorrect
7.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......arrange.......
Dis.......hood
Mis.......hood
Per.......ment
Pre.......ment
Prearrangement
8.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......appoint.......
Dis.......ment
In.......ful
Per.......ment
Un.......ful
Disappointment
9.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......resource.......
In.......ful
Per.......ment
Pre.......ment
Un.......ful
Don't be unresourceful!
10.
Select the correct affixes (an affix = prefix or suffix) for the following word.
.......interested.......
Dis.......ness
In.......able
Mis.......able
Un.......ness
Disinterestedness. Remember that "disinterested" does not have the same meaning as "uninterested"

 

Author:  Sue Daish

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