Negative prefixes
Negative prefixes can be used with nouns, verbs, adjective and adverbs Negative prefixes can be used with nouns, verbs, adjective and adverbs. For example disapproval, disapprove, disapproving, disapprovingly. Usually im + p (impatient) but not always (unpleasant). Often il + l (illegal) but not always (unlikely). Often ir + r (irregular) but not always (unresponsive). Usually -ful changes to -less (harmful/less) but not always (endless). If you can't remember, choose un - it's the most common negative prefix.
unexpected unaware unbelievable unknown unable in- inaccurate inappropriate inefficient incapable ineffective dis- disapprove dislike disagree disbelief dishonest im- improbable impossible impolite imperfect impatient l
il- illegal illiterate illogical illegible ir- irregular irresponsible irrational irregular mis- misbehave misunderstand misspell misuse
practice makes perfect The politician was accused of being -_________(HONEST) His story was so _________I thought he was crazy. (BELIEVE) She looked at him in ________when he told her the shocking news. (BELIEVE) Many people are _________of the dangers of mobile phones. (AWARE) He's invited me to his party. It would be _______to say no. (POLITE) Too many children nowadays are growing up ___________. (LITERATE) That's not what I said! You've me__________. (UNDERSTAND) My dog is completely__________ . I promise he won't bite. (HARM) The medicine was __________- he didn't recover. (EFFECT) His answers were very _________so he failed the Maths exam. (ACCURATE) It's _________that people will ever live on the moon. (LIKELY) He waited ____________for the train(PATIENT) It's ___________to smoke in public places nowadays. (LEGAL) I would never teach children. They always__________ . (BEHAVE) The shirt he's wearing is completely _______________ for a job interview. (APPROPRIATE) His speech was__________. I thought he'd never stop talking. (END)
key Dishonest Unbelievable Disbelief Unaware Impolite Illiterate Misunderstood Harmless Ineffective Inaccurate Unlikely Impatiently Illegal Misbehave Inappropriate Endless