Answer Key

Prefixes (3)

Use the words in brackets to form adjectives, nouns and verbs with the help of prefixation.
  1. The teacher felt that discussions such as those could  [undermine] (mine) his authority in class. 
  2. The original plan is totally  [impossible] (possible), so we will have to  [reevaluate] (evaluate) the situation. 
  3. A  [subcontractor] (contractor) is an individual or a business that signs a contract to perform part or all of the obligations of another's contract. 
  4. Do you really think you can  [outwit] (wit) him? Give it up! You won't pull one over on him! 
  5. The petition claims  [substandard] (standard) conditions in most prisons. 
  6. I guess I expected too much from them. When I  [unwrapped] (wrap) the gift and saw a pair of socks, I felt really  [unsatisfied] (satisfied). 
  7. His name has become synonymous with  [disloyalty] (loyalty). He will always be remembered as a liar and a traitor. 
  8. The internet provider finally admitted to  [overcharging] (charge) its clients by over 10%. 
  9. I was terribly  [impatient] (patient). I couldn't read the entire book and I had to jump to the very end. 
  10. In his provocative documentary film, “ [deconstructing] (constructing) the Myth of AIDS”, he challenges virtually every statement ever made by the American medical industrial complex in regard to the virus. 

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

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 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