ENGLISH GRAMMAR - AFFIX - PREFIX - SUFFIX

 

AFFIX

An affix is a group of letters that are added to the beginning or the end of a root word that can change the word's meaning. An affix is added to the root of a word to change its meaning.

 EXAMPLES

Like – Dislike

Short – Shortage

Fast – Faster

Happy – Unhappy

Responsible – Irresponsible

PREFIX

An affix that comes at the beginning of a word is called a prefix. The most common prefixes in use are ‘dis, in, re, un’.

EXAMPLES

PREFIX	WORD WITH PREFIX
non-	nonsense, nonverbal, nonstick
ab-	abnormal
a-	along
en-	enjoy, enlighten
a-	amoral
ante-	antecedent, antenatal
mid-	midterm, midway, midnight
anti-	anti-establishment
auto-	autopilot
super-	supersonic, superstar
circum-	circumvent
co-	co-conspirator, co-pilot
con-	contact
contra-	contradiction
de-	depose, dehydrated
de-	delist, devalue
fore-	foresight, forecast
dis-	disappear
dis-	discomfort, discord
en-	enclose, envelop
ex-	extract, ex-governor
extra-	extracurricular
hetero-	heterosexual
homo-	homonym, homophone
hyper-	hyperactive
il-	illegal
im-	implant, impractical, immoral
ir-	irregular, irresponsible, irritate
pre-	preview, pretest
in-	invade, inconsiderate, inedible
in-	incapable, insert
inter-	interstate, internet, intersection,
intra-	intranet, intravenous
mis-	misjudge, mismatch, misplace
macro-	macronutrients
micro-	microscope
mono-	monocle
non-	nonentity, nonstarter,
omni-	omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient
over-	overload, overdo, overact
post-	post-mortem
pre-	preplan, precede
pro-	project
re-	rewrite, return
sub-	submarine, substandard
semi-	semicircle, semicolon, semifinal
syn-	synchronize
sub-	submarine, subtext, substitute
super-	supervisor, superhuman
trans-	transfer, transmit
tri-	tripod, triceratops
un-	uncover, unlock, undone, unfinished,
uni-	unicorn, unilaterally

 

SUFFIX

A suffix is a series of letters added at the end of a word. The most common suffixes in use are ‘ed, ing, ly, es’.

EXAMPLES

SUFFIX	WORD WITH SUFFIX
-ance	acceptance, attendance, insurance
-able	predictable, comfortable
-ation	celebration, information, education
-al	proposal, personal, arrival
-ed	laughed, danced, jumped
-en	golden, wooden
-sion	division, revision, profession
-er	tidier, nicer
-age	package, baggage, marriage
-or	conductor, actor, narrator
-er	bigger, faster, worker
-est	nicest, greatest
-ful	wonderful, beautiful, cupful, careful
-ic	heroic, linguistic, sarcastic
-ing	writing, dancing, singing, ending
-ion	attraction, attrition
-ity	civility, infinity, stupidity
-ty	humility
-ery	machinery, slavery
-ive	expensive
-less	restless, topless, fearless
-ly	simply, honestly, nicely, quickly
-eer	dancer, farmer, lawyer
-ment	enjoyment, movement
-ness	darkness, eagerness, kindness
-ist	bicyclist, physicist
-ous	fabulous, dangerous, joyous
-s, -es	tables, foxes
-y	tasty, fatty, happy, jumpy
-ship	ownership, worship
-th	death, strength
-hoop	motherhood, childhood
-ant	brilliant, vigilant
-ary	military, complimentary
-ious	cautious, victorious
-ive	creative, expensive
-ical	logical, magical, historical
-ish	foolish, childish
-en	soften, shorten, brighten
-ise	advertise
-ize	memorialize, apologize, digitalize
-ify	clarify, modify, satisfy
-ate	activate, animate, cooperate
-ward	awkward, afterward
-wise	otherwise, clockwise
-ure	failure, pressure, departure