SUFFIXES AND PREFIXES It’s helpful to have a good understanding of what prefixes and suffixes are. Knowing their meanings and when they are generally used can help you figure out unknown words and can also help you make your writing better.

Suffixes  are attached to the end of a word to form a new word or to alter the grammatical function of the original word. For example, the verb read can be made into the noun reader by adding the suffix -er; read can be made into the adjective readable by adding the suffix -able. Understanding the meanings of the common suffixes can help us deduce the meanings of new words.

A prefix comes before a root word and changes the meaning of a word. For example, if you take the root word game and add a prefix, it becomes something different. pregame- before the game postgame- after the game

It’s helpful to know the meaning of a prefix to help you figure out a word. Take a look at the following prefixes and the root words they’re attached to. un- means not: unhappy, untied over- means excessive or completely: overconfident, overjoyed

A suffix goes at the end of a root word A suffix goes at the end of a root word. It can tell you when something happened by changing the tense of a verb, modify the root word, or change the meaning. run- running strong- strongest care- careless

Learning prefixes  To learn prefixes and suffixes takes practice. Be sure to use learning tools, like dictionaries and books that you read every day. The table below defines and illustrates 26 common suffixes.

Common Suffixes NOUN SUFFIXES SUFFIX MEANING EXAMPLE -acy state or quality privacy -al act or process of refusal, rebutal -ance, -ence State or quality of maintenance, eminence -dom place or state of being freedom, boredom, kingdom -er, -or one who does something as a profession protector, teacher, trainer

Common Suffixes NOUN SUFFIXES SUFFIX MEANING EXAMPLE -ism doctrine, belief Communism, budhism, capitalism -ist one who chemist, typist, biologist, -ity,-ty quality of veracity - ment condition of argument –ness state of being heaviness

Common Suffixes NOUN SUFFIXES –ship position held fellowship, scholarship -tion state of being concession, transition I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU ARE AS LONG AS YOU SHARE YOUR OWN STUFF! I’M NOT A COMMUNIST. I’M A PHILANTHROPIST We’re dancers!

Common Suffixes VERB SUFFIXES -ate become eradicate -em enlighten -ify, -fy make or become terrify -ize, -ise civilize

ADJECTIVE SUFFIXES -able, -ible capable of being edible, presentable -al pertaining to regional -esque reminiscent of picturesque -ful notable for fanciful -ic, -ical musical, mythic -ious, -ous characterized by nutritious, portentous -ish having the quality of fiendish -ive having the nature of creative -less without endless -y sleazy

Common negative prefixes Un- Il- Ir- Dis- ACCEPTABLE – UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERATE – INCONSIDERABLE POLITE – IMPOLITE PROPER – IMPROPER RESPECTFUL – DISRESPECTFUL RESPONSIBLE – IRRESPONSIBLE LEGAL – ILLEGAL REAL – UNREAL Many wordsstarting with m- and p- for their negative with prefix im-. Many words starting with r- form their negative with the prefix ir- For example, impossible, immobile, irreplaceable. Exceptions: displeased, disrespectful

GO TO PAGE 53 AND DO EXERCISES E AND F

PLAY GAMES AND LEARN! http://www.vocabulary.co.il/prefixes/high-school/hs-prefix-meaning-match/ http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/vocabulary-games/synonyms/find-the-synonym.html http://www.vocabulary.co.il/antonyms/high-school/pick-the-antonym-college-prep-words/ http://www.vocabulary.co.il/antonyms/high-school/college-prep-word-antonyms/ http://www.vocabulary.co.il/suffixes/high-school/suffixmeaning-match/

CREDITS http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/comsuffixes.htm http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/vocabulary_games/suffixes-and-prefixes.html SLIDES BY TEACHER ANGELA CARVALHO – OUT/ 2012 Images: Google images