Answer Key

Prefixes & Suffixes (2)

Use the words in brackets to form adjectives, nouns and verbs with the help of prefixation & suffixation.
  1. Ghosts can easily pass through walls because they are  [immaterial] (material). 
  2. I did a system restore and it corrupted my.exe files. None of them work, and it won't let me [undo] (do) my last restoration. I'm pretty  [hopeless] (hope) when it comes to computers. What shall I do? 
  3. The idea behind the BYST  [foundation] (found) is to support the disadvantaged, young micro-entrepreneurs from  [underprivileged] (privileged) backgrounds, through the use of mentors, training, networking, marketing and loans. 
  4. An  [assessment] (assess) should represent all [meaningful] (meaning) aspects of performance and should have equitable standards that apply to all students. 
  5. No one is more  [intolerant] (tolerant) than a  [religious](religion) fundamentalist. 
  6. The site offers information about disease  [outbreaks] (breaks) everywhere in the world,  [searchable] (search) by time period, and with archives by disease. 
  7. It is a wise man who has recognized the error in his life and learned enough from them to be able to give  [valuable] (value) advice to anybody in need. This kind of [wisdom] (wise), however, usually comes to a man only in his old age. 
  8. The Ford GT has  [solidified] (solid) its position and reputation as one of the world's most coveted supercars. 
  9. This is not what I call poetry. It's just a jumble of  [nonsensical] (nonsense) words! 
  10. Aquoral is used to  [moisten] (moist) and lubricate the mouth, tongue and gums and is recommended for the treatment of patients with dry mouth. 

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 adjective suffixes

 

-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