Answer Key
Prefixes & Suffixes (4): two-stage formations
Use the words in brackets to form adjectives, nouns and verbs with the help of prefixation & suffixation. Sometimes you will need to make changes at both the start and end of the word.
- Some cosmetic products may have [undesirable] (desire) effects and can, for example, cause [allergic] (allergy) reactions.
- The website looks very [unreliable] (rely). Only the first page is full of obvious errors and [outdated] (dated) information.
- In the end, he gave me an [irrelevant] (relevant) and [illogical] (logic) reply and left me standing there more confused than ever.
- I find Jack's swearing as [distasteful] (taste) as his [infidelity] (fidelity) to his caring wife.
- How you handle [discouragement] (courage) affects your [ability] (able) to take on new risks and chances that could result in huge benefits.
- The EU's military police force can be deployed to squash public [disobedience] (obedient) and ensure the status quo is maintained.
- Our Neighborhood [revitalization] (vitalize) Program is a pilot initiative whereby five neighborhoods received planning grants to develop comprehensive five-year action plans to address issues such as housing, education, recreation and [employment] (employ).
- These [persistent] (persist) negative changes are described as [indicators] (indicate) of the [unsustainability](sustainable) of mountain agriculture and the associated patterns of resource use.
- Suppose you wanted to get rid of economic [inequality] (equal). There are two ways of doing it: give money to the poor, or take it from the rich.
- Any disease or disability that requires complete bed rest or extremely limits your [activity](active) is considered [immobility] (mobile).
Common adjective prefixes
| In- | Inaccurate, incorrect, indecent |
|---|---|
| Il- | Illegal, illegible, illiterate |
| Ir- | Irrelevant, irreplaceable, irrational |
| Im- | Immoral, immature, impatient |
| Un- | Uncomfortable, unjust, unfair |
| Non- | Non-political, non-verbal, non-existent |
| Dis- | Dissatisfied, disorganized, disqualified |
| Sub- | Subconscious, substandard, suburban |
| Hyper- | Hyperactive, hypercritical, hyperdynamic |
| -ful | Useful, careful, hopeful |
|---|---|
| -less | Useless, careless, hopeless |
| -y | Healthy, sleepy, windy |
| -ly | Friendly, monthly, homely |
| -ish | Childish, selfish, foolish |
| -ous | Humorous, dangerous, nervous |
| -able | Considerable, fashionable, curable |
| -ible | Incredible, illegible, convertible |
| -ed | Amazed, embarrassed, confused |
| -ing | Amazing, embarrassing, confusing |
| -al / -ical | Hysterical, national, political |
| -ic | Optimistic, pessimistic, specific |
| -ive | Creative, attractive, sensitive |
| -ant / -ent | Excellent, brilliant, confident |
| -ary / -ory | Introductory, compulsory, explanatory |
| -ate | Considerate, accurate, moderate |
| -ian | Canadian, Brazilian, Indian |
Common noun prefixes
| Non- | Non-smoker, nonentity, non-event |
|---|---|
| Dis- | Disappearance, disqualification, disability |
| Mis- | Misprint, misfortune, misadventure |
| Co- | Co-pilot, co-driver, co-author |
| Ex- | Ex-husband, ex-wife, ex-mayor, |
| Re- | Resettlement, reconstruction, restoration |
| Over- | Overweight, overinvestment, overconsumption |
| Under- | Underweight, underboss, undersupply |
| Pre- | Preconception, pre-diagnosis, pre-activation |
| Sub- | Subcontractor, subway, submarine |
Common noun suffixes
| -eer | Mountaineer, puppeteer, engineer |
|---|---|
| -er | Player, teacher, employer |
| -or | Inspector, collector, censor |
| -ee | Employee, trainee, licensee |
| -ist | Capitalist, communist, pianist |
| -ant / -ent | Consultant, applicant, disinfectant |
| -ian | Custodian, comedian |
| -ance / -ence | Performance, preference, reference |
| -ion (-ation / otion / ution…) | Organization, participation, promotion |
| -ity / -ety | Possibility, infinity, variety |
| -ism | egoism, sadism, criticism |
| -al | Refusal, arrival, approval |
| -ment | Advertisement, improvement, appointment |
| -hood | Neighborhood, brotherhood, childhood |
| -ness | Sadness, madness, shyness |
| -ship | Membership, partnership, ownership |
| -cy | Fluency, accuracy, bureaucracy |
| -dom | Kingdom, freedom, boredom |
| -age | Postage, leakage, package |
Common verb prefixes
| Over- | Overthrow, overeat, overwork |
|---|---|
| Under- | Undercook, underline, undercharge |
| En- | Encourage, endanger, enslave |
| Un- | Unpack, unwrap, undo |
| De- | Defrost, decode, deconstruct |
| Re- | Redecorate, reassure, rebuilt, |
| Pre- | Prearrange, preannounce, preconceive |
| Dis- | Disconnect, discourage, discredit |
| Fore- | Foresee, forecast, foretell |
| Out- | Outnumber, outlive, outperform |
Common verb suffixes
| -en | Brighten, loosen, strengthen |
|---|---|
| -ify | Simplify, certify, magnify |
| -ize (American) / -ise (British) | Modernize, specialize, popularize |