Day1
Prefixes and Suffixes
Prefixes and
suffixes are types of affixes used in English grammar.
An affix
is a letter or group of letters added to a word to change its meaning or form.
There are two
main types:
1.
Prefixes (added at the beginning of a word)
2.
Suffixes (added at the end of a word)
They help us
create new words and understand meanings more easily.
1.
Prefix
Definition:
A prefix
is a group of letters added before the root word (base word) to change
its meaning.
Formula:
Prefix
+ Root Word = New Word
Examples:
|
Prefix |
Root
Word |
New
Word |
Meaning |
|
un- |
happy |
unhappy |
not happy |
|
re- |
write |
rewrite |
write again |
|
dis- |
agree |
disagree |
not agree |
|
pre- |
test |
pretest |
before test |
|
mis- |
understand |
misunderstand |
understand
wrongly |
Common Prefixes with Meanings and Examples
1. un-
Meaning: not
Examples:
- unhappy =
not happy
- unfair = not
fair
- unsafe = not
safe
Sentence:
He feels unhappy today.
2. re-
Meaning: again
Examples:
- rewrite
- replay
- rebuild
Sentence:
Please rewrite the essay.
3. dis-
Meaning: opposite
/ not
Examples:
- dislike
- disconnect
- disagree
Sentence:
I disagree with you.
4. pre-
Meaning: before
Examples:
- preview
- prehistory
- preschool
Sentence:
We watched the preview.
5. mis-
Meaning: wrongly
Examples:
- misbehave
- misunderstand
- misplace
Sentence:
I misunderstood the question.
6. over-
Meaning: too
much
Examples:
- overeat
- overwork
- overreact
Sentence:
Do not overeat.
7. under-
Meaning: too
little / below
Examples:
- underpay
- underestimate
Sentence:
Never underestimate yourself.
8. anti-
Meaning: against
Examples:
- antivirus
- antisocial
Sentence:
Install an antivirus program.
9. non-
Meaning: not
Examples:
- nonliving
- nonfiction
Sentence:
This is a nonfiction book.
10. sub-
Meaning: under
/ below
Examples:
- submarine
- subway
Sentence:
A submarine travels underwater.
Importance of Prefixes
Prefixes help to:
✅ Change meaning
✅ Form opposite words
✅ Show time/order
✅ Expand vocabulary
Example:
happy → unhappy
write → rewrite
2.
Suffix
Definition:
A suffix
is a group of letters added after the root word to change its meaning or
grammatical function.
Formula:
Root
Word + Suffix = New Word
Examples:
|
Root Word |
Suffix |
New Word |
Meaning |
|
kind |
-ness |
kindness |
state of being
kind |
|
teach |
-er |
teacher |
person who
teaches |
|
care |
-ful |
careful |
full of care |
|
quick |
-ly |
quickly |
in a quick
manner |
|
hope |
-less |
hopeless |
without hope |
Common Suffixes with Meanings and Examples
1. -ness
Meaning: state or
quality
Examples:
- happiness
- kindness
- darkness
Sentence:
Kindness is important.
2. -er / -or
Meaning: person
who does something
Examples:
- teacher
- actor
- writer
Sentence:
My sister is a teacher.
3. -ly
Meaning: in a
certain way
Examples:
- quickly
- slowly
- carefully
Sentence:
She speaks slowly.
4. -ful
Meaning: full of
Examples:
- helpful
- beautiful
- careful
Sentence:
He is very helpful.
5. -less
Meaning: without
Examples:
- hopeless
- careless
- powerless
Sentence:
The patient felt hopeless.
6. -ment
Meaning:
action/result
Examples:
- development
- movement
- improvement
Sentence:
The country's development is rapid.
7. -tion / -sion
Meaning:
act/process
Examples:
- education
- discussion
- decision
Sentence:
Education improves society.
8. -able / -ible
Meaning: capable
of
Examples:
- washable
- readable
- visible
Sentence:
This book is easily readable.
9. -ist
Meaning: person
who practices
Examples:
- artist
- scientist
- pianist
Sentence:
She is a talented artist.
10. -ship
Meaning:
state/condition
Examples:
- friendship
- leadership
Sentence:
Their friendship is strong.
Types of Suffixes
A. Derivational Suffix
Changes the
meaning or word class.
Examples:
- teach →
teacher
- happy →
happiness
B. Inflectional Suffix
Changes
grammatical form only.
Examples:
- play →
played
- cat → cats
Difference Between
Prefix and Suffix
|
Prefix |
Suffix |
|
Added at
beginning |
Added at end |
|
Changes meaning |
Changes meaning
or grammar |
|
Example:
unhappy |
Example:
happiness |
Examples of Prefix +
Suffix Together
1.
unhelpful
un- + help + -ful
2.
disagreement
dis- + agree + -ment
3.
rewriting
re- + write + -ing
Sentence Examples
Prefix:
- Please rewrite
the letter.
- He felt uncomfortable.
Suffix:
- Her kindness
impressed everyone.
- The boy
answered carefully.
Why Are Prefixes and
Suffixes Important?
They help in:
✅ Understanding unknown words
✅ Expanding vocabulary
✅ Improving spelling
✅ Doing well in grammar exams like Tribhuvan
University entrance and IELTS
Final Summary
Prefix
A group of
letters added before a root word to change meaning.
Example:
un + happy = unhappy
Suffix
A group of
letters added after a root word to change meaning or grammar.
Example:
kind + ness = kindness
Easy
trick:
Prefix = Pre (before)
Suffix = comes after the word
Prefix Practice Questions Set1 MCQs
1. What is the correct prefix in the word unhappy?
A) happy
B) un
C) py
D) hap
Answer:
B) un
2. The prefix re- means:
A) before
B) not
C) again
D) after
Answer:
C) again
3. Which word has the prefix meaning not?
A) dislike
B) preview
C) rewrite
D) cooperate
Answer:
A) dislike
4. The prefix in preview is:
A) pre
B) view
C) vi
D) ew
Answer:
A) pre
5. The prefix mis- means:
A) wrong
B) before
C) over
D) under
Answer:
A) wrong
6. Which word means write again?
A) preview
B) rewrite
C) unwritten
D) postwrite
Answer:
B) rewrite
7. The prefix sub- means:
A) above
B) under
C) after
D) not
Answer:
B) under
8. Which word contains the prefix meaning before?
A) postwar
B) rewrite
C) pretest
D) dislike
Answer:
C) pretest
9. The prefix in incorrect is:
A) correct
B) in
C) cor
D) rect
Answer:
B) in
10. The word postpone contains the prefix:
A) post
B) pone
C) po
D) st
Answer:
A) post
11. The prefix over- means:
A) below
B) too much
C) again
D) wrong
Answer:
B) too much
12. Which word means too cooked?
A) uncooked
B) overcooked
C) precooked
D) recooked
Answer:
B) overcooked
13. The prefix inter- means:
A) within
B) between
C) after
D) not
Answer:
B) between
14. Which word has a prefix meaning across?
A) transport
B) unhappy
C) dislike
D) postwar
Answer:
A) transport
15. The prefix anti- means:
A) against
B) under
C) before
D) over
Answer:
A) against
16. Which word contains the prefix meaning half?
A) semicircle
B) bicycle
C) triangle
D) recycle
Answer:
A) semicircle
17. The prefix in international is:
A) nation
B) inter
C) al
D) tern
Answer:
B) inter
18. Which prefix means under or below?
A) super-
B) sub-
C) pre-
D) re-
Answer:
B) sub-
19. Which word means not legal?
A) rewrite
B) illegal
C) preview
D) overact
Answer:
B) illegal
20. The prefix co- means:
A) together
B) not
C) before
D) again
Answer:
A) together
Common Prefixes to Remember
- un- = not
- re- = again
- pre- = before
- mis- = wrong
- dis- =
opposite/not
- sub- = under
- inter- = between
- anti- = against
- co- = together
- over- = too much
Suffixes
20 Practice Prefix Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Choose the
correct prefix to complete each word. Answers are given after each
question.
1. She had to ___write the essay because of
mistakes.
A) re
B) un
C) pre
D) mis
Answer:
A) re → rewrite
2. It is ___possible to finish this work in
one minute.
A) inter
B) im
C) sub
D) post
Answer:
B) im → impossible
3. The teacher gave us a ___test before the
final exam.
A) pre
B) anti
C) dis
D) mis
Answer:
A) pre → pretest
4. His answer was completely ___correct.
A) in
B) re
C) co
D) over
Answer:
A) in → incorrect
5. They had to ___build the damaged bridge.
A) anti
B) re
C) sub
D) inter
Answer:
B) re → rebuild
6. Smoking is ___healthy.
A) un
B) co
C) semi
D) post
Answer:
A) un → unhealthy
7. The team showed great ___operation.
A) co
B) dis
C) mis
D) over
Answer:
A) co → cooperation
8. The child ___behaved in class.
A) mis
B) pre
C) anti
D) inter
Answer:
A) mis → misbehaved
9. We must fight against ___social activities.
A) anti
B) over
C) dis
D) sub
Answer:
A) anti → antisocial
10. The plane flew across ___national borders.
A) sub
B) inter
C) un
D) re
Answer:
B) inter → international
11. He was ___paid for his hard work.
A) under
B) over
C) co
D) anti
Answer:
A) under → underpaid
12. The food was ___cooked and burned.
A) over
B) pre
C) re
D) mis
Answer:
A) over → overcooked
13. The students were asked to ___arrange the
chairs.
A) post
B) re
C) anti
D) sub
Answer:
B) re → rearrange
14. The soldier worked in a ___marine vessel.
A) sub
B) un
C) co
D) inter
Answer:
A) sub → submarine
15. The manager will ___view the report
tomorrow.
A) pre
B) dis
C) re
D) anti
Answer:
C) re → review
16. This machine is ___functional now.
A) mal
B) inter
C) post
D) semi
Answer:
A) mal → malfunctional
17. The glass is only ___transparent.
A) anti
B) semi
C) over
D) sub
Answer:
B) semi → semitransparent
18. The event happened in the ___war period.
A) post
B) mis
C) co
D) under
Answer:
A) post → postwar
19. Please do not ___agree without thinking
carefully.
A) dis
B) inter
C) re
D) anti
Answer:
A) dis → disagree
20. The company wants to ___launch the
product.
A) re
B) un
C) sub
D) semi
Answer:
A) re → relaunch
Important Prefixes to Remember
- re- = again
- un- = not
- pre- = before
- mis- = wrongly
- dis- =
opposite/not
- inter- = between
- sub- = under
- over- = too much
- under- = below
- anti- = against
20 Practice Questions on
Suffixes (Multiple Choice)
Choose
the correct suffix to complete each word.
Answers are given after all questions.
Questions
1.
Kind + ___ =
Kindness
a) -ful
b) -ness
c) -ly
d) -ment
2.
Teach + ___ =
Teacher
a) -er
b) -ness
c) -tion
d) -ful
3.
Care + ___ =
Careful
a) -less
b) -ly
c) -ful
d) -ment
4.
Quick + ___ =
Quickly
a) -ness
b) -ly
c) -ship
d) -tion
5.
Happy + ___ =
Happiness
a) -ness
b) -ful
c) -er
d) -ment
6.
Move + ___ =
Movement
a) -ful
b) -ship
c) -ment
d) -er
7.
Hope + ___ =
Hopeless
a) -less
b) -ness
c) -ly
d) -tion
8.
Act + ___ =
Action
a) -ship
b) -ly
c) -tion
d) -ful
9.
Friend + ___ =
Friendship
a) -ship
b) -er
c) -ness
d) -ly
10.
Read + ___ =
Reader
a) -tion
b) -er
c) -ness
d) -ful
11.
Beauty + ___ =
Beautiful
a) -ful
b) -ly
c) -ment
d) -ship
12.
Slow + ___ =
Slowly
a) -er
b) -ly
c) -ness
d) -less
13.
Develop + ___ =
Development
a) -ment
b) -ful
c) -ship
d) -er
14.
Power + ___ =
Powerful
a) -ly
b) -ful
c) -ness
d) -tion
15.
Dark + ___ =
Darkness
a) -ment
b) -ship
c) -ness
d) -er
16.
Create + ___ =
Creation
a) -tion
b) -ful
c) -ly
d) -ship
17.
Help + ___ =
Helpful
a) -less
b) -ness
c) -ful
d) -tion
18.
Use + ___ =
Useful
a) -ly
b) -ful
c) -ship
d) -ness
19.
Employ + ___ =
Employee
a) -ee
b) -ment
c) -ship
d) -ly
20.
Care + ___ =
Careless
a) -ful
b) -ness
c) -less
d) -tion
Answers
|
Question |
Answer |
|
1 |
b) -ness |
|
2 |
a) -er |
|
3 |
c) -ful |
|
4 |
b) -ly |
|
5 |
a) -ness |
|
6 |
c) -ment |
|
7 |
a) -less |
|
8 |
c) -tion |
|
9 |
a) -ship |
|
10 |
b) -er |
|
11 |
a) -ful |
|
12 |
b) -ly |
|
13 |
a) -ment |
|
14 |
b) -ful |
|
15 |
c) -ness |
|
16 |
a) -tion |
|
17 |
c) -ful |
|
18 |
b) -ful |
|
19 |
a) -ee |
|
20 |
c) -less |
Quick Revision of Common Suffixes
- -ness →
state/quality
- -er → person
who does
- -ful → full of
- -less → without
- -ly → manner
- -ment →
action/result
- -tion →
process/action
- -ship →
state/relationship
- -ee → receiver
of action
20 Fill in the Blanks on
Suffixes
Choose
the correct option and check the answer after each question.
1.
Her ______ made
everyone happy.
(kind)
a) kindly
b) kindness
c) kinder
d) kindful
Answer:
b) kindness
2.
My father is a
skilled ______.
(teach)
a) teaching
b) teacher
c) teachness
d) teachful
Answer:
b) teacher
3.
Please drive
______ on this road.
(care)
a) carefully
b) carefulness
c) careful
d) careless
Answer:
a) carefully
4.
The country is
making rapid ______.
(develop)
a) developing
b) development
c) developer
d) developful
Answer:
b) development
5.
He felt ______
after losing the match.
(hope)
a) hopeful
b) hopeless
c) hoping
d) hopely
Answer:
b) hopeless
6.
The student
answered the question ______.
(correct)
a) correction
b) correctly
c) correctful
d) correctness
Answer:
b) correctly
7.
Their ______
lasted for many years.
(friend)
a) friendly
b) friendship
c) friendless
d) friender
Answer:
b) friendship
8.
The room was
filled with ______.
(dark)
a) darkly
b) darkness
c) darkful
d) darker
Answer:
b) darkness
9.
She gave a very
______ speech.
(power)
a) powerful
b) powerly
c) powerness
d) powerless
Answer:
a) powerful
10.
This machine is
very ______.
(use)
a) useless
b) useful
c) usement
d) usely
Answer:
b) useful
11.
The child
completed the task ______.
(quick)
a) quickness
b) quickly
c) quickful
d) quicker
Answer:
b) quickly
12.
His ______
surprised everyone.
(brave)
a) bravely
b) bravery
c) braveful
d) braveness
Answer:
b) bravery
13.
The artist showed
great ______.
(create)
a) creator
b) creativity
c) creationly
d) createness
Answer:
b) creativity
14.
She is known for
her ______.
(gentle)
a) gentleness
b) gentlely
c) gentleful
d) gentler
Answer:
a) gentleness
15.
The manager
accepted my ______.
(apply)
a) applicant
b) application
c) applying
d) applyful
Answer:
b) application
16.
The worker is
very ______.
(help)
a) helpless
b) helping
c) helpful
d) helpness
Answer:
c) helpful
17.
The teacher
appreciated his ______.
(improve)
a) improvement
b) improving
c) improver
d) improveful
Answer:
a) improvement
18.
The boy acted
very ______.
(polite)
a) politely
b) politeness
c) politeful
d) politer
Answer:
a) politely
19.
The doctor
treated the patient with great ______.
(kind)
a) kindly
b) kindness
c) kinder
d) kindship
Answer:
b) kindness
20.
Success requires
hard ______.
(work)
a) worker
b) working
c) workmanship
d) workful
Answer:
c) workmanship
Practice Tip
When solving
suffix questions, first identify what the sentence needs:
- Noun → -ness,
-ment, -tion
- Adjective → -ful,
-less
- Adverb → -ly
- Person/Doer → -er, -or
No comments:
Post a Comment