Prefixes

What is a “prefix”?

A prefix is a letter or group of letters added at the beginning of a root word to affect its meaning.

Usually, the root word will be recognizable as a word in itself, but not always.

“Port” (“carry”) is the root or stem in these words: “trans+port,” “re+port,” “im+port,” “de+port”. The prefixes are “trans­­-” (“across”), “re-,” (“back”) “im-” (“upon”), and “de-” (“away”). While each is built on the “port” stem, they have different meanings.

Given the huge number of prefixes in the English language, let me refer you to Wikipedia’s extensive list which explains the ones we use in speaking and in writing. In their “Contents” box, click on “5. List of English prefixes.”

(Read through the first section, “Selectional Restrictions,” for information about how prefixes can have completely different meanings depending upon the part of speech (noun, adjective, etc.) to which they are attached.)

However, having already created this list for negatives, you will find below most negative prefixes and their root words.

Camouflage

Some change the last letter of the prefix to coordinate with the first letter of the root word.

Negative prefixes

These prefixes make the root word negative, the opposite of what it normally means.

Please note that those letters at the beginning of a word may or may not be a negative prefix.

In most cases, the stem or root word is recognizable.

“Non-” and “un-” are the most common negatives.

“a-/an-” (without, lacking)

“a-” precedes root words beginning with a consonant

Obviously, not every word that begins with the letter “a” is negative.

This prefix can also mean “on,” as in afire, aboard, ahorseback.

“an-” precedes root words beginning with a vowel sound. (Some “h” words do not pronounce the initial consonant.)

Examples:

“anti-” (against, opposing, opposite)

Examples:

“contra-” (against, opposite)

Examples:

“de-” (do the opposite)

Examples:

“dis-” (do the opposite, deprive of)

Examples:

“il-/im-/in-/ir-” (not)

Languages are spoken. Each letter is pronounced (or not) in connection with other letters. Some sound combinations are more difficult for English speakers than others. For example, we pronounce “ng” at the end of a word, but not at the beginning (as do some other languages).

As time has modified our language, pronunciation has often changed.

“il-” comes before root words beginning with “l”

Examples:

“im-” comes before root words beginning with “b,” “m,” or “p”

Examples:

“ir-” comes before root words beginning with “r”

Examples:

“in-” comes before everything else

Examples:

“mis-” (bad, wrong)

Examples:

“non-” (reverse of, lacking)

Examples:

“un-” (not)

Examples:

Source of word cloud: freewordcloudgenerator.com