Prefixes and suffixes
What are prefixes and suffixes, as well as infixes? First off, an affix is an element such as a prefix or suffix that attaches to another word. We attach affixes (prefixes, suffixes, and infixes) to words in order to create new words. So, just by knowing the most common prefixes and suffixes, you can increase your vocabulary without having to learn any new words! Let’s take a look at the chart below.
Remember, prefixes go at the beginning of a word and suffixes at the end of a word.
A quick example of prefixes and suffixes for the word 'doubt'
| Affix (prefix or suffix) | New word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| / | / | I doubt you’ll be able to resolve the problem. |
| / | / | There are still many doubts, I’m afraid. |
| Adjectival suffix: –ful. | Doubtful | I’m doubtful about your plans. |
| Adverbial suffix: –ly. | Doubtfully | He worked doubtfully. |
| Adjectival suffix meaning “without” or “not having”: –less. | Doubtless | We’re doubtless because we have no idea. |
| Prefix meaning “negation”: –un. | Undoubted | I am the undoubted champion of the world. |
| Prefix meaning “negation”: –un + adverbial suffix: –ly. | Undoubtedly | Undoubtedly, you were right. |
By just knowing prefixes and suffixes, you can increase your vocabulary fivefold! As can be seen from the chart above using the word 'doubt' of which we have five new words: doubtful, doubtfully, doubtless, undoubted and undoubtedly.
List of common prefixes
| Prefixes | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -ante | before | antenatal, anteroom, antedate |
| -anti | against, opposing | antibiotic, antidepressant, antidote, antifreeze |
| -circum | around | circumstance, circumvent, circumnavigate |
| -co | with, together | co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation, co-worker |
| de | off, down, away from | devalue, defrost, derail, demotivate, deactivate |
| -dis | opposite of, against | disagree, disappear, disintegrate, disapprove |
| -em, en | cause to, put into | embrace, encode, embed, enclose, engulf |
| -epi | upon, close to, after, central point | epicentre, episcope, epidermis |
| -ex | former, out of, no longer with | ex-president, ex-boyfriend, exterminate |
| -extra | more of, beyond | extracurricular, extraordinary, extra-terrestrial |
| -fore | before, beginning | forecast, forehead, foresee, foreword, foremost |
| -homo | same, two equal things | homosexual, homonuclear, homoplastic |
| -hyper | over, above, excess of | hyperactive, hyperventilate |
| -il, -im, -in, -ir | not, to negate, negative | impossible, illegal, irresponsible, indefinite |
| -im, -in | into, within | insert, import, inside |
| -infra | beneath, below | infrastructure, infrared, infrasonic, infraspecific |
| -inter, -intra | between | interact, intermediate, intergalactic, intranet |
| -macro | large, big version | macroeconomics, macromolecule |
| -micro | small, tiny, petite | microscope, microbiology, microfilm, microwave |
| -mid | middle, centre point | midfielder, midway, midsummer |
| -mis | wrongly, not correct | misinterpret, misfire, mistake, misunderstand |
| -mono | one, singular | monotone, monobrow, monolithic |
| -non | not, without | nonsense, nonentity, nondescript |
| -omni | all, every, all places | omnibus, omnivore, omnipotent |
| -para | beside | parachute, paramedic, paradox |
| -post | after | post-mortem, postpone, post-natal |
| -pre | before, beginning | prefix, predetermine, pre-intermediate |
| -re | again, repeat | return, rediscover, reiterate, reunite |
| -semi | half | semicircle, semi-final, semiconscious |
| -sub | under, below | submerge, submarine, sub-category, subtitle |
| -super | above, over, above | superfood, superstar, supernatural, superimpose |
| -therm | heat, temperature | thermometer, thermostat, thermodynamic |
| -trans | across, beyond | transport, transnational, transatlantic |
| -tri | three | triangle, tripod, tricycle |
| -un | not, to negate, negative | unfinished, unfriendly, undone, unknown |
| -uni | one | unicycle, universal, unilateral, unanimous |
List of common Noun Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -acy | state or quality | democracy, accuracy, lunacy, fallacy |
| -al | the action or process of | remedial, denial, trial, criminal |
| -ance, -ence | state or quality of | nuisance, ambience, tolerance |
| -dom | place or state of being | freedom, stardom, boredom |
| -er, -or | person or object that does a specified action | reader, creator, interpreter, inventor, collaborator, teacher, terminator |
| -ism | doctrine, belief, theory | Judaism, scepticism, escapism, cynicism |
| -ist | person or object that does a specified action | Geologist, protagonist, sexist, scientist, theorist, communist, physicist |
| -ity, -ty | quality of | extremity, validity, enormity, absurdity |
| -ment | condition, state of being | enchantment, argument, agreement |
| -ness | state of being, condition | heaviness, highness, sickness, staleness |
| -ship | position held | friendship, hardship, internship |
| -sion, -tion | state of being | position, promotion, cohesion, creation |
List of common Verb Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -ate | become | mediate, collaborate, create, mandate |
| -en | become | sharpen, strengthen, loosen |
| -ify, -fy | make or become | justify, simplify, magnify, satisfy, clarify |
| -ise, -ize | become | publicise, synthesise, hypnotise |
List of common Adjetive Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -able, -ible | capable of being | edible, fallible, incredible, audible, comprehensible, doable |
| -al | having the form or character of | fiscal, thermal, herbal, colonial |
| -esque | in a manner of or resembling | picturesque, burlesque, grotesque |
| -ful | notable for, possess a skill | handful, playful, hopeful, skillful |
| -ic, -ical | having the form or character of | psychological, hypocritical, methodical, nonsensical, musical |
| -ious, -ous | characterised by | pious, jealous, religious, ridiculous, malicious |
| -ish | having the quality of, being slightly of something | squeamish, sheepish, childish |
| -ive | having the nature of | inquisitive, informative, attentive, native |
| -less | without, zero | meaningless, hopeless, homeless |
| -y | characterised by | dainty, beauty, airy, jealousy, hardly, dandy |
List of common Adverb Suffixes
| Suffixes | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -ly | related to or quality | softly, slowly, happily, crazily, madly, hopefully |
| -ward, -wards | direction, movement | towards, afterwards, backwards, inward, downward |
| -wise | in relation to | otherwise, likewise, clockwise |
How prefixes and suffixes work
‘Affix’ is basically the umbrella term for all prefixes, suffixes, and infixes, (infixes are rare in English but very common in Spanish).
One really needs to understand prefixes (attached to the beginning of the word) and suffixes (attached to the end of the word) in order to speak English really well.
Correct implementation of prefixes and suffixes will allow you to completely alter or change the meaning of a word with ease and without having to change the whole sentence.
Moreover, there are not too many prefixes and suffixes, however, the problem resides in the fact that there is no rule to their correct implementation.
For example, the prefix ‘im’ negates ‘polite’ and not ‘in’, therefore, the correct negation for the adjective ‘polite’ is ‘impolite’.
The prefix ‘im’, just like all other prefixes, must be learned by heart or by memory, but nevertheless, it’s really not difficult to remember! Below, I’ll outline correct affix usage (prefixes and suffixes) with examples.
Remember, affixes alter: verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.