Prefixes and Suffixes

Objectives Use knowledge of root words as well as context clues and glossaries to understand specialized vocabulary in the content areas during reading. Use these words accurately in speaking and writing. Describe the origins and meanings of common, learned and foreign words used frequently in English language writing and literature. Identify new words that have been added to the English language over time using prefixes.

How many words are in the English Language? The Second Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171,476 words in current use, and 47,156 obsolete words. To this may be added around 9,500 derivative words included as subentries. Over half of these words are nouns, about a quarter adjectives, and about a seventh verbs; the rest is made up of interjections, conjunctions, prepositions, suffixes, etc. These figures take no account of entries with senses for different parts of speech (such as noun and adjective).

Shrinking Vocabulary The average sixth grade student knows approximately 25,000 words. The average high school graduate knows approximately 50,000 words. This means that average students learn roughly 2000- 3,000 words a year (Graves, 2007). This translates to 8 words a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year - including weekends or summers.

Half of all “high-frequency words” every day words, and two-thirds of all academic and technical words are derived from Latin or Greek. So learn the meanings of roots, prefixes, and suffixes and these basic elements make it easier to learn new words.

Prefixes Number Prefixes These prefixes indicate number value in a word: Bi- two —bicycle-two wheels Tri- three —triangle—three angles Prefixes are added to the beginning of words to change a words meaning. Cycle is something you ride. Bicycle is something you ride with two wheels.

You try Write a word that uses each prefix, then write a definition for the word: Bi- Tri-

Not Prefixes :These prefixes indicate the word not: il—illegal—not legal Im—impossible—not possible In—inactive—not active Ir—irregular—not regular Non—nonsense—no sense Un—unable—not able

You Try Write a word that uses each prefix, then write a definition for the word: il— Im— In— Ir— Non— Un—

Direction Prefixes: De—lower—descend-move to a lower place Mid—middle—midway—middle of the way In—in/into—inhale—breath in Im—in/into— import—bring into Re—back—re curve—a backwards bend Sub—under—submarine—underwater Super—above—superimpose—place above

You Try Write a word that uses each prefix, then write a definition for the word: De— Mid— In— Im— Re— Sub— Super—

Time Prefixes: Fore—ahead of time—forewarn—warn ahead of time Pre—before—prefix—before the word Re—again—redo—do again

You Try Write a word that uses each prefix, then write a definition for the word: Fore— Pre— Re—

Behavior Prefixes: Mis—wrongly—misunderstand—wrongly understand Mis—badly—misbehave—badly behave

You Try Write a word that uses each prefix, then write a definition for the word: Mis—

Combining Prefixes: Com—together—compact—packed together Con—with—contact—communicate with

You Try Write a word that uses each prefix, then write a definition for the word: Com— Con—

Suffixes -ment action or process movement, bewilderment, government -ness state of, condition of kindness, ruthlessness -able, -ible can be done comfortable, capable, visible -ful full of, having some or much useful, hopeful -or    -er    -ar a person connected with (changes verb to noun) actor, runner, beggar – ous -eous -ious possessing the quality of courteous, delicious, religious