Prefixes
Identifying and understanding prefixes will help your spelling, vocabulary and reading.
In this lesson you’ll learn some common prefixes and some prefix rules.
There’s a video, spelling test, exercise and quizzes
We can change the meaning of a word by putting a little word called a prefix in front of the word.
Prefixes are so important to know because they will not only help your spelling but your reading and vocabulary too
A lot of prefixes change the meaning of the word to the opposite meaning: happy — unhappy, legal — illegal, like — dislike , patient — impatient, correct — incorrect.
There are hundreds of prefixes, some of the most popular are: in-, ir-, il-, im-, un-, dis-, pre-, ex-, anti-, uni-, bi-
There are some rules and patterns which help us to know which prefix to add to which word. But like all rules there are exceptions.
Use il- before words starting with l ~ legible — illegible, legal — illegal
Use ir- before words starting with r ~ relevant — irrelevant, responsible — irresponsible
Use im- before words stating with m, p and b ~ mature — immature, material — immaterial, perfect — imperfect, balance — imbalance
Exercise
Add a prefix to the following to make the opposite.
1. happy 2. mature 3. legal 4. kind. 5. patient 6. regular 7. fair 8. comfortable
Answers below.
Write out the sentences, press the player above and fill in the gaps: Or can you guess the answers.
1. This chair is so __________.
2. He's so ____________ I wish he would learn to be more ____________.
3. There was a ____________ between us but now we've resolved it but I still ____________ him.
4. Please____________ slowly then exhale.
5. It’s __________ to learn spelling even though you think it’s _______________.
6. Teachers should ____________ you not ____________ you.
7. I am writing to inform you that I was totally ____________ with the service I received from your company last Wednesday.
8. Too many goods are____________ into the UK and an ____________ amount____________
Exercise Answers
1. unhappy 2. immature 3. illegal 4. unkind 5. impatient 6. irregular 7. unfair 8. uncomfortable
Spelling Test Answers
1. This chair is so uncomfortable.
2. He's so impatient I wish he would learn to be more patient.
3. There was a misunderstanding between us but now we've resolved it but I still dislike him.
4. Please inhale slowly then exhale.
5. It's possible to learn spelling even though you think it's impossible.
6. Teachers should encourage you not discourage you.
7. I am writing to inform you that I was totally dissatisfied with the
service I received from your company last Wednesday.
8. Too many goods are imported into the UK and an insufficient amount exported.
How did you do?
Try the quiz below.
Can you do this next quiz that has spellings from the KS2 National Curriculum (England) SAT tests for ages 10-11?