Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes
OH MY!
Quick Review:
Prefix, Root and Suffix?
 A prefix is one or more syllables placed BEFORE a root
word.
 A suffix is one or more syllables added at the end of a root
word.
Why do I need to know these?
If you are reading and you come across a
word that you do not know, there are a
couple good ways to define that word.
 You might use context clues (but what if that
doesn’t work?)
 You might see if you recognize part of the word.
 You can use prefixes to help determine the
general meaning!
For Example…
 Improper garbage disposal can cause
contamination of subterranean water sources.
Relocating garbage dumps doesn’t necessarily
solve this incredibly malignant problem. Laws
preceding the discovery of this problem were
predictably relaxed in terms of garbage disposal.
Can you define:
-Improper
-Subterranean
- Malignant
- Preceding
Common Prefixes
 Sub-, Suc-, suf-, sug-, susThe latin prefix sub- means “under” “below” or “secretly”. Adding
sub- to the root word “script” makes Subscript.
What can you infer this means?
Subculture, Subdivision, Substandard
 ig-, il-, im-, in-, irThese prefixes mean “not” “Into” “on” or “in”. Adding in- to the root
word “accessible” makes Inaccessible.
What can you infer this means?
Incorrigible, Ignoble, Irrevocable
Common Prefixes Cont.
 Macro-, micro-, megaMacro means large or long and micro means small. Mega means
large or great. Add macro- to the root molecule makes
Macromolecule.
What type of molecule is this?
Microsurgery, microscope, macroeconomics
 Mal- , MisMal- means “bad” or wrongful & mis- is “wrong.” Add mal- to the root
word function makes malfunction.
Misfire, Malignant, Misconduct