Prefixes & Suffixes
Prefixes
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Prefixes are groups of letters placed before
words or roots to create new words.
We will introduce some common prefixes,
and also the sample vocabulary.
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a-, ac-, ad-, af-, ag-, al-, ap-, as-, at- to, toward, near, in addition to
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Example1: a + side = aside (adverb): to or toward the side
Example2: a +wake=awake (verb):stop sleeping
Example3: ac+com+modate= accommodate(verb): provide lodging or room for somebody
Example4: ac+com +pan+y = accompany(verb): walk or travel with somebody
Example5: ad+dict= addict(noun): person who is unable to stop taking drugs, alcohol, etc
Example6: ad+dress= address(noun): details of where a person lives, work, etc
Example7: af+fair= affair(noun): thing to be done; concern; matter
Example8: af+fect= affect(verb): have an influence on something or somebody
Example9: ag+ain= again(adverb): once more; another time
Example10: ag+gess+ive= aggessive(adject): apt or ready to attack; offensive; quarrelsome
Example11: al+arm = alarm(noun): warning sound or signal
Example12: al+bum = album(noun): book in which a collection of photographs, stamps, etc
Example13: ap+ology =apology(noun): statement to say one is sorry for having done wrong
Example14: ap+parent= apparent(adjective): clearly seen or understand; obvious
Example15: as+pect= aspect(noun): particular part or feature of something being considered
Example16: as+pire= aspire(noun): desire strongly to achieve something
Example17: at+tack= attack(verb): make an attack on something or somebody
Example18: at+tain= attain(verb): succeed in getting something
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a-, an- not, without
Example1: an + em + ia = anemia (noun): the condition (disease) of not having enough red
blood cells
Example2: an + alysis = analysis(noun):study of something
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ab-, abs- away from, off
Example1: ab + solve = absolve (verb): to be set free from one's actions or obligations
Example2: ab + sent = absent (verb): not be present
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ante- before
Example1: ante + rior = anterior (adjective): before or near the front
Example2: ante +tenatal = antenatal (adjective): existing or occurring before birth
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anti- against
Example1: anti + path + y = antipathy (noun): dislike, opposite feeling
Example2: anti + -aircraft = anti-aircraft (adjective): designed to destory enemy aircraft
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auto- self
Example1: auto + mot + ive = automotive (adjective): related to self-propelled machines
Example2: auto + bio + graphic = autobiographic (adjective): of concerning autobiography
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bi- two
Example 1: bi + ped = biped (noun): a twofooted animal
Example 2: bi + centen+ ary = bicentary
(noun): a two-hundredth anniversary
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cat-, cata-, cath- down, with
Example 1: cat + ch = catch (verb): stop and hold a moving object in the
hands
Example 2: cat+ ch + y = catchy (adjective): pleasant and easy to
remember
Example 3: cata + clysm = cataclysm (noun): sudden violent change or
disaster
Example 4: cata + logue = catalogue (noun): complete list of items
Example 5: cath + ar+sis = catharsis(noun): release of strong feelings
through the effect of art
Example6: cath + olic = catholic (adjective): including many or most things
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circum- around
Example 1 : circum + vent = circumvent (verb): to manage to get around a
situation
Example 2 : circum + spect = circumspect( adjective): considering
everything carefully before acting
C2
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co-, cog-, col-, com-, con-, cor- together, with
Example1: co+ -author= co-author(noun): somebody who writes a book, article, etc with
another person
Example2: co+de= code(verb):put or write in code
Example3: cog+nate = cognate(adjjective): having the same source or orgin as another one
Example4 : cog+itate= cogitate(verb): think deeply about something
Example5: col+lapse= collapse(verb): fall down or in suddenly
Example6: col+lar= collar(noun): band, upright or folded over, round the neck of a shirt
Example7: com+bat= combat(noun): fight or fighting between two people, armies, etc
Example8: com+bine= combine(verb): join or mix together to form a whole
Example9: con+ceit=conceit(noun): excessive pride in oneself or in one’s powers, abilities, etc
Example10:con+cen+trate= fous excusively and intensely on something
Example11:cor+res+pond= correspond(verb): contradict something or each other
Example12: cor + rect = correct (verb): make something right or accurate
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contra- against, opposite
Example1: contra + dict = contradict (verb) to state the opposite
Example2: contra+c+tion= contraction(noun): contracting or being contracte
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de- to do the opposite, to take away from
Example 1:de+bat+able= debatable(adjective): not certain; open to
question;arguable
Example 2: de + cre + ase = decrease (verb): to grow smaller, to become
less
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di-, dif-, dis- apart, separate, two, opposite, not
Example 1: di + vide = divide (verb): to separate into two or more parts
Example 2: di + li +gent= diligent(adjective): showing care and effect;
hard-workong
Example 3: dif +fer = differ(verb): not be the same; be unlike
Example 4: dif +fi+cult= difficult(adjective): requiring effort or skill; not
easy
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dis- not, opposite of, exclude
Example 1: dis + trust = distrust (verb): to have no confidence or trust
Example 2: dis + like = dislike(verb): not like
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ex- out, out of, from
Example 1: ex+act= exact(verb): demand and enforce the
payment
Example 2: ex+alt= exalt(verb): make somebody higher in
rank or greater in power
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en-, em- put into
Example 1: em + pow + er = empower (verb): to give power,
to put into power
Example 2: em + bark = embark(verb): go or be taken on
board a ship or an aircraft
Example 3: en + case = encase(verb): surround or cover
something with a case
Example 4: en + dange = endager(verb): cause danger
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epi- upon, beside, over
Example 1: epi + logue = epilogue (noun): the
concluding section of a play or literary work
Example 2: epi + sode = episode (noun): event
occurring as part of events as in a novel, etc
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extra- beyond
Example 1: extra + ordin + ary = extraordinary
(adjective): going beyond normal
Example 2: extra + -curricular = extracurricular(adjective): outside the regular course of
work or studies at school or college
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il-, im-, in-, ir, not, in
Example1: il + leg + ible = illegible (adjective): cannot be read
Example2: il + leg + al = illegal(adjective): against the law
Example3: im+ mature = immature(adjective): not sensible in behaviour or in
controlling feelings
Example4: im + moral= immoral(adjective): not following accepted standards of
morality
Example5: in+ take= intake(noun): process of taking liquid, gas, etc into a
machine,etc
Example6: in + flame = inflame(verb): make other feel angry
Example7: ir + re + cover + able = irrecoverable(adjective): cannot be recover
Example8: ir +re+duci+ble=irreducible(adjective): cannot be reduced
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inter- between, among
Example1: inter + ject = interject (verb): to throw something (usually a comment)
between other things
Example2: inter+ national = international(adjective): excisting beween two or
more nation
intro- into
Example: intro + spect + ion = introspection (noun): to look into one's own
thoughts and feelings
Example2: intro + duce = Introduce(verb): make someone known formally to
someone else
M
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mal- bad
Example 1: mal + funct + ion = malfunction (noun): when something does
not work properly
Example 2: mal + ic +ious = malicious(adjective): intended to harm other
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mis- wrong
Example 1: mis + con + duct = misconduct (noun): wrong doing, bad
behavior
Example 2: mis + take = mistake(noun): wrong idea or opinion
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multi- many
Example 1: multi + ply = multiply (verb): to increase in number
Example 2: multi + cultural = multicultural(adjective): including people of
several different races, religions or national tradition
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non- not, no
Example 2: non + sense = nonsense (noun):
something that has no meaning or makes no
sense
Example 2: non+ descript = nondescript(noun,
adjective): without a distinctive character and
so not easily classified
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ob-, oc-, of-, op- toward, against, in the way
Example: ob + tain = obtain (verb): to gain or get, to get a hold of
Example2: ob + ey =obey(verb): do what one is told or obliged to do by
somebody
Example3: oc + cas + ion = occasion(verb): particular time; suitable or
right time; opportunity
Example4: oc + cupa +tion = occupation(noun): action of occupying; state
of being occupied
Example5: of + fend = offend(verb): cause somebody to feel upset or angry
Example6: of + fer = offer(verb): put forward something to be considered
and accepted or refused; present
Example7: op + in + ion = opinion(noun): belief or judgement not
necessarily based on fact
Example8: op + po+ site = opposite(adjective): having a position on the
other side; facing
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over- excessive, above
Example: over + work = overwork (verb): to have too much work
Example2: over + rall = overall(adverb): including everything; on the
whole; generally
P
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para- beside
Exmaple1: para + dox = paradox (noun): a statement that seems true and contradictory at the
same time
Example2: para + normal = paranormal(adjective): unable to be explained scientifically or
rational
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per- through
Example1: per + secute = persecute (verb): to go after, to pursue
Example2: per + fect = perfect(noun): perfect tense
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post- after
Example1: post + pone = postpone (verb): to put off to a later time, to delay
Example2: post + graduate = postgraduate(adjective): done after taking a first degree
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pre- before
Example: pre + cede = precede (verb): to go before, to come in front of
Example2: pre + dict = predict(verb): say in advance that will happen; forecast
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pro- for, foward
Example: pro + pel = propel (verb): to push forward
Example2: pre + dict = predict(verb): say in advance that will happen; forecast
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re- back, again
Example: re + ad + mit = readmit (verb): to allow in
again
Example2: re + act = react(verb): behave differently
or chande as a result of something
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retro- backward
Example: retro + spect = retrospect (noun) to look
back at past events
Example2: retro + act +tive = retroactive(adjective):
effective from a past date
S
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se- apart, move away from
Example: se + cede = secede (verb): to withdraw from an organization
semi- half
Example: semi + annu + al = semiannual (adjective): occurring twice a year
sub-, suc-, suf-, sup-, sur-, sus under, beneath, near, from below, secretly, above, up
Example: sup + port = support (verb): to hold up, too keep up
super- over, above
Example: super + im + pose = superimpose (verb): to place something on top of
something else
syn-, sym- together, at the same time
Example: sym + path + y = sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings,
compassion
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trans- across, beyond, change
Example 1: trans + form = transform (verb): to
change shape
Example 2: trans + fer = transfer(verb): move
something/somebody from one place to another
tri- three
Example 1: tri + pod = tripod (noun): a three-legged
stand
Example 2: tri + angle = triangle(noun): geometric
figure with three straight sides and three angles
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un- not, against, opposite
Example: un + ceas + ing = unceasing (adjective):
never ending, continuous
Example2: un + able = unable(adjective): not having
the ability, opportunity or authority to do something
uni- one
Example: uni + form = uniform (adjective): having
the same form or consistancy
Example2: uni + fy = unify(verb): form something
into a single unit or make uniform
Suffixes
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A suffix follows the end of a word and forms
a new word.
Some common suffixes will be introduced
and the sample vocabulary will be given.
A(1)
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-acy, -cy state or quality
Example 1: immediacy = (Noun): the state of something seem real and important
Example 2: accuracy = (Noun)the state of correct and exact
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-age
1.activity, or result of action
Example: courage = (Noun) : having the spirit to overcome fear
2.cause to be
Example: graduate = (Verb): to give a degree to, to pass from one stage to the next
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-al action, result of action
Example 1 : international =(Adj) involving more than one country
Example 2 : medical = (Noun)an examination of your body by a doctor to find out if
you are healthy
A(2)
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-an person
Example: african = (Noun) : a person of or from Africa
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-ance, -ence action, state, quality or process
Example 1 : performance = (Noun) : the action of
entertaining others
Example 2 : violence = (Noun) : actions or words which are
intended to hurt people
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-ancy, -ency used to form nouns showing a state or quality
Example 1: de + pend + ent = dependen(Noun)t: a thing
supported by another, a thing determined by another
Example 2: frequency = (Noun): the number of times
something happens within a particular period
A(3)
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-ate
1.action, resulting state
Example: educate = (Verb) to teach someone
2.kind of state
Example: in + viol + ate = inviolate(Adj) : not disturbed, pure
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-able, -ible worth, ability
Example 1 : available = (Adj)able to be obtained, used, or reached
Example 2 : in + cred + ible = incredible(Adj): not able to be believed, amazing
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-ial, -ical quality, relation
Example 1 : territ + or + ial = categorical(Adj): related to a category, aboslute
Example 2 : economical = economical(Adj): not using a lot of fuel, money, etc
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-ar, -ary resembling, related to
Example 1 : spectac + ul + ar = spectacular (Adj): related to something that is eyecatching or amazing
Example 2 : primary = primary(Adj): more important than anything else; main
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-dom place, state of being
Example 1 : wis + dom = wisdom(Noun) :
possessing knowledge
Example 2 : free + dom = the condition or
right of being able or allowed to do, say, think,
etc.
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-er, -or
1.person or thing that does something
Example 1 : speaker = speaker(Noun): someone who speaks a particular language
Example 2 : col + lect + or = collector(Noun): a person who collects or gathers
things
2.action
Example 1 :pond + er = ponder : to think about
Example 2 : col + lect + or = collector(Noun): : a person who collects or gathers
things
-en
1.to cause to become
Example: moist + en = moisten(Verb) : to cause to become moist or damp
2.material
Example: silk + en : silken(Adj) :made from silk, a fiber produced by worms
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-ful
1.an amount or quanity that fills
Example: mouth + ful = mouthful(Noun) : an amount that fills
the mouth
2.having, giving, marked by
Example: fanci + ful = fanciful(Adj) : marked by imagination
-fold in a manner of, marked by
Example 1 : four + fold = fourfold(Adv) : being four times as
great
Example 2 : mai + ni + flod = manifold(Adj): many and of
several different types:
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-ian, an related to, one that is
Example 1 : ped + estr + ian = pedestrian (Noun) : a
person who walks
Example 2 : hum + an = human(Noun) : a person
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-ia names, diseases
Example 1 : phob + ia = phobia(Noun) : an illogical
fear of something
Example 2 : anaemia = a medical condition in which
there are not enough red blood cells in the blood
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-ing
1.material made for, activity, result of an activity
Example: swim(m) + ing = swimming(Noun): the activity of
swimming or moving through water
2.present participle
Example:de + pict + ing = depicting (Verb) : showing,
describing with images or pictures
-ion condition or action
Example 1 : ab + duct + ion = abduction(Noun) : the action of
carrying someone away by force
Example 2 : col + lect + ion = collection(Noun) : when
something is taken away from a place
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-ism doctrine, belief, action or conduct
Example 1 : form + al + ism = formalism(Noun) : a belief in
sticking to prescribed forms or artistic styles
Example 2 : feminism = feminism(Noun) : the belief that
women should be allowed the same rights, power and
opportunities as men
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-ist person or member
Example 1 : pod + iatr + ist = podiatrist(Noun) : a foot
doctor
Example 2 : tourist = tourist(Noun) :someone who visits a
place for pleasure and interest
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-ish having the character of
Example 1: new + ish = newish(Adj) : modern, recent
Example 2 : Irish = Irish(Noun) : people from Ireland
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-ive, -ative, -itive having the quality of
Example 1: sens + itive = sensitive(Adj): easily felt,
responsive to the senses
Example 2 : alterative = alterative (Adj):Tending to restore to
normal health
Example 3 : sens + itive = sensitive(Adj): easily felt,
responsive to the senses
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-less without, missing
Example 1 : mot + ive + less = motiveless(Adj) :
without a reason for someone to do something
Example 2 : end + less = endless(Adj) : never finishes
or seems never to finish
-ly in the manner of
Example 1 : flu + ent + ly = fluently(Adv) : marked by
ease of movement, effortlessly smooth
Example 2 : pri + est + ly = priestly(Adj) : relating to
or like a priest
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-ment condition or result
Example 1: docu + ment = document (Noun) : an official paper
usually showinf proof or evidence of something
Example 2 : man + age + ment = management(Noun) : the
control of the way an organization operates
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-ness state, condition, quality
Example 1: kind + ness = kindness(Noun) : the quality of
being kind or nice
Example 2 : fit + ness = fitness(Noun): the physical fitness
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-or condition or activity
Example 1 : val + or = valor(Noun) : bravery, courage
Example 2 : su + per + i +or = superior(adjective) : better than average or better
than other people or things of the same type
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-ory place for, serves for
Example 1 : territ + ory = territory(Noun) : an area around a place
Example 2 : fact + ory = factory(Noun): a building or set of buildings
where large amounts of goods are made using machines
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-ous, -eous, -ose, -ious having the quality of, relating to
Example 1 : ad + vent + ur + ous = adventurous(Adj) : charcterized by the
desire to seek new experiences or risks
Example 2 : cl + ose = close(Adj) : having direct family connections or
shared beliefs, support and sympathy
Example 3 : serious = serious(Adj) : severe in effect; bad
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-ship having the rank, position, skill or
relationship of the stated type
Example 1: re + lat + ion + ship = relationship
(Noun) : the state of being related or
connected to something or someone
Example 2 : friend + ship = when two people
are friends
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-ure act, condition, process, function
Example 1:ex + pos + ure = exposure(Noun) :
the condition of being exposed or unprotected
Example 2 : fail+ ure = failure(Noun) : when
someone or something does not succeed
Example 3 : procedure =procedure (Noun) : a
set of actions which is the official or accepted
way of doing something
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-ward in a direction or manner
Example: home + ward = homeward(Adv) :
toward home
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-wise in the manner of, with regard to
Example: time + wise = timewise(Adverb):
with regard to time
Y
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-y
1.state, condition, result of an activity
Example: soci + et + y = society(Noun) :
companionship
2.marked by, having
Example: hungr + y = hungry(Adj) : having
hunger, marked by a desire
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Here is an exercise for our classmates to learn
more about Prefixes & Suffixes.
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1. ab-, abs2. bi3. circum4. dis5. extra6. intro7. mis8. non9. over10. pre-
A. around
B. not, no
C. away from, off
D. before
E. wrong
F. excessive, above
G. two
H. not, opposite of, exclude
I. into
J. beyond
Suffixes
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1. –an
2. –ism
3.-ment
4.-ory
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5. -ize
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6. -able, -ible
7.-est
8. -less
9. -ous, -eous, -ose, -ious
10. -ly
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A. Noun: person
B. Verb: cause
C. Adjective: superlative
D. Noun: doctrine, belief
,action or conduct
E. Adjective: having the
quality of, relating to
F. Noun: condition or result
G. Adverb: in the manner of
H. Noun: place for, serves for
I. Adjective: without, missing
J. Adjective: worth, ability
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Prefixes
1.C 2.G 3.A 4.H 5.J 6.I 7.E 8.B 9.F
10.D
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Suffixes
1.A 2.D 3.F 4.H 5.B 6.J 7.C 8.I 9.E
10.G