DO NOW!
How many words can you
make from the letters in:
UNDERSTANDABLE
FORTY MOST FREQUENT
PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES
Word Beginnings and Endings
You Can Really Use
Erin Fischer, Peace Corps Volunteer RIOBAMBA
Why learn about prefixes
and suffixes?
OBJECTIVE

We will be able to recognize and use the most
common prefixes and suffixes in order to increase
our vocabulary and understanding of academic
texts.
BASIC TERMS
root form: a word with no prefix or suffix added; may
also be referred to as a base word, untouchable,
thermal
affix: meaningful part of a word attached before or after
a root or base word to modify its meaning
prefix: an affix which is placed before the stem of a
word (re-, un-, dis-)
suffix: an affix which is placed after the stem of a word
(-able, -ive, -ly)
derivation: a word formed from an existing word
electric
5
electricity
What Are Prefixes?


Prefixes are first syllables like “non-” and
“re-” that have their own meaning.
Prefixes combine with words to create new
meanings.
1.
2.
Pre + View = Preview (first look)
Super + Star = Superstar (top player)
Why Learn Prefixes?



Prefixes add meaning to thousands of
words.
Learn a few prefixes, and you open up the
meaning of thousands of words.
The four most frequent prefixes are 97% of
prefixed words!
Most Common Prefixes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Anti = against : anti-war
De = opposite : destroy
Dis* = not, opposite of : disagree
En(m) = cause to : encode, embrace
Fore = before : forecast
In(m) = in : intake, implant
Inter = between : interact
Most Common Prefixes
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Mid = Middle : Midway
Mis = Wrong : Mistake
Non = Not : Nonsense
Over = Over : Overlook
Pre = Before : Preview
Re = Again : Return
Semi = Half : Semicircle
Most Common Prefixes
15. Sub = Under : Submarine
16. Super = Above: Superstar
17. Trans = Across : Transport
18. Un = Not : Unfriendly
19. Under = Under : Undersea
20. In, Im, Il, Ir = Not : Injustice,
Impossible, Illiterate, Irreligious.
What Are Suffixes?


Suffixes are last syllables like “ed” and “ly”
that have their own meaning.
Suffixes combine with words to create new
meanings.
Turn + ed = Turned (in the past)
2. Quick + ly = Quickly (how it turned)
1.
Why Learn Suffixes?



Suffixes add meaning to thousands of
words.
Learn a few Suffixes, and you open up the
meaning of thousands of words.
The four most frequent suffixes are 97%
of suffixed words!
Most Common Suffixes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
-able, ible = can be done : doable
-al, ial = has property of : personal
-ed = past verb : turned
-en = made of : golden
-er = comparative : higher
-er = person who : doer, actor
-est = superlative : best, biggest
Most Common Suffixes
8. –ful = full of : careful, joyful
9. –ic = having property of : linguistic
10. –ing = present participle : running
11. –(t)ion = act, process : action
12. –(i)ty = state of : infinity, sanity
13. –(t)ive = adjective : abusive, imperative
14. –less = without : fearless, careless
Most Common Suffixes
15. –ly = having : quickly, quietly
16. –ment = action, process : enjoyment
17. –ness = state of : kindness
18. –ous = having : joyous, religious
19. –s = more than one : books
20. –y = having : happy, windy
Derivational Suffixes
16
Derivational suffixes change the part of speech.


Words ending with –tion, -ment, and -ness are
often nouns.
Words ending with –ive, –ish, –ity and are
often adjectives.
Susan Ebbers 2005
Examples







Creation is derived from create.
Supportive is derived from support.
Stylish is derived from style.
Stupidity is derived from stupid.
Kindness is derived from kind.
Amazement is derived from amaze.
Joyous is derived from joy.
TEAM CHALLENGE!
-s
talk
box
rest
cook
green
use
warm
color
-es
-ing
-ed
-er
-est
-ful
-less
TEAM CHALLENGE!
-s
-es
-ing
-ed
-er
talking
talked
talker
boxing
boxed
boxer
rests
resting
rested
cooks
cooking
cooked
cooker
greens
greening
greened
greener
uses
using
used
user
warms
warming
warmed
warmer
colors
coloring
colored
talks
boxes
-est
-ful
-less
restful
restless
useful
useless
colorful
colorless
greenest
warmest
INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE
Using prefixes and suffixes, how many derivations can
you create from:
HAPPY
Include the correct part of speech!
Can you use common affixes?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
I have a different idea; I __agree.
That can’t be; it’s just __possible.
Say that again; please __peat it.
Aliens look bad; they are __friendly.
Tina took the car since she want__ it.
Now the car is run__ down the road.
Tina is in a hurry; she’s driving quick__.
Do you think that she has any ticket__?