UNIT 10 Suffixes and Prefixes
Lesson 1: An Introduction
un-comfort-able
(un = prefix; comfort = root word; able = suffix)
Now, separate the root words, affixes (prefixes and suffixes) of the following
words and compare your answers with your partner:
unfair, empower, dishonest, misunderstand, helpful, player, coming, shortly.
A. Now, ask and answer the questions in pairs.
What is the common name of the groups of letters added to the root words to
form new words?
What is known as a prefix?
What is a suffix?
Why do we use prefixes and the suffixes?
So, you can understand that an affix is a group of letters added to a word to
change its meaning and parts of speech. Some affixes can be added to the
front of words and some others at the back. An affix added to the beginning of
a word to form a new word with new meaning is known as a prefix. For
example, 'mis' in misunderstand, and 'un' in untie are called prefixes.
The most common prefixes in English are – dis, in, re, un. These four cover
most of the prefixed words. On the other hand, the most common suffixes are
-ed, ing, ly, es. They also cover most of the words made with suffixes.
B. Look at the following words that have added some letters at the end of
the words (suffix). Try to separate the root words and the suffixes.
powerful, kindness, suddenly, latest, player
C. Now, read the most commonly-used prefixes, their meaning, and
examples from the following table.
D. Look at some prefixes, their meaning, and words formed with them.
Prefixes Implied meaning Words formed
under small/little undersize, underpaid
CO with/together co-author, coordinator
mal opposite/bad malpractice, malnutrition
de opposite defrost, deform
fore front/before forehead, forecast
E. Look at the most commonly-used suffixes, their meaning, and words made
with them from the following table.
Suffixes Implied meaning Words/Examples
s, es pluralize/make a verb singular books, goes
ed form past tense/ past helped, (had) helped
participle/adjective
Ing form present participle/ running, running car
adjective/ gerund
Ly Indicate how, 'when, where, slowly, friendly
or something happens
er 1. indicates a person who player, farmer
does a particular work
2. make comparative degree bigger, taller
ic having qualities heroic, patriotic
able,ible able to be comparable, invisible
ness indicate state, condition, degree brightness, kindness
full having something powerful, handful
ment completion payment, punishment
Exercise 1
Make five new words using the following suffixes ing, ic,er, ful, es. Then
compare your answer in pairs.
Exercise 2
Ask and answer the questions in pairs. Use affixes in your answers. You can
choose the affixed words below. The first one is done for you.
invisible, recently, shortly, unkind, illegal
Question: Is Mr. Rahman kind to the poor people?
Answer: No, he is unkind.
When are you coming back?
Is the moon visible in the new moon?
Is it legal to drive a car when the red light is on?
When has your father come from abroad?
Exercise 3
Read the text and use affixes (prefixes and suffixes) to make the story
grammatically correct. Then compare your answers with your partner.
Farzana began her journey when she receive an urgent call from her mother.
Her journey was comfort because of bad weather. She was look for an
umbrella as it was rain heavy. There was no rickshaw in the road. However,
Farzana was astonish to see the kind of an auto driver. Hear her trouble, the
drive offer her a lift. She was thank to the driver for his kind. “I will remember
your help for long period of time” said Farzana. The driver polite made a bow,
lowered his head towards Farzana and left the place.
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