prefixes

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Prefixes��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

��

Understanding what a prefix is and how it changes themeaning of a word is an important skill for vocabulary enrichment.Being able to recognize that certain words are made up of rootsand prefixes almost always helps in learning the spelling andpronunciation of such words and often helps in arriving at theirmeanings.

This book provides a variety of exercises that will help studentsidentify prefixes, learn their meanings, and gain the skill to usethese prefixes to make new words from roots words. Included area pre/post test and an answer key.

�� is an effective teaching tool for many ages andability levels. It is suitable for use in grades 3-8. Readability is on the3rd-4th-grade level.

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTSUsing re– .................................................................................................................... 1

Adding un– or in– ..................................................................................................... 2

Choosing dis– or im– ............................................................................................... 3

Writing Words with non– or mis– ........................................................................ 4

Writing Words with super– or de– ...................................................................... 5

Review .................................................................................................................... 6-9

Identifying the com–, con–, per– and pro– Prefixes .................................. 10

Matching Words to Meanings (inter–, trans–, and sub–) ............................11

Matching Words to Meanings (tri–, post–, pre–, bi–, and uni–) .................12

Recognizing Prefixes (anti–, im–, de–, and ex–) ............................................13

Review ................................................................................................................ 14-15

Writing Prefixes ....................................................................................................16

Separating Prefixes from Root Words ............................................................17

Underlining Prefixes ............................................................................................ 18

Prefix Word Puzzles ....................................................................................... 19-21

Pre/Post Test

��

��

1. My dad had to __________________________ our house because some of theelectrical outlets were not working.

2. It was time to ___________________________ my library books.

3. Mom said I should ______________________________ my steps to see if I could

find the bracelet I lost.

4. She liked the products so much, she plans to _____________________________

them next year.

5. Dad will ___________________________ the house because the paint is peeling.

6. After a year's absence, he decided to ____________________________ the club.

7. The photographer had to ___________________________ the pictures.

8. They are going to try to ____________________________ the building so it willlook just like it did 100 years ago.

Write a sentence for each of the following words: return, refund, reuse, remind

A prefix is a syllable added to the beginning of a word.The new word has a different meaning.

The prefix re- means "again." Retell means "tell again." Write re- in front ofeach word below. Then write the new word on the line.

1. ________ trace ________________________________

2. ________ store ________________________________

3. ________ order ________________________________

4. ________ take ________________________________

5. ________ wire ________________________________

6. ________ join ________________________________

7. ________ new ________________________________

8. ________ paint ________________________________

Choose one of the new words from above to complete each sentence.

��

��

1. ________ able ___________________________

2. ________ correct ___________________________

3. ________ cooked ___________________________

4. ________ visible ___________________________

5. ________ active ___________________________

6. ________ done ___________________________

7. ________ fair ___________________________

8. ________ accurate ___________________________

Write your own sentences in which you use each of the new words in this lesson.


The prefixes un- and in- usually mean "not." Unhappy means "not happy."Inaccurate means "not accurate."

1. I can't eat this meat because it is _________________________.

2. The teacher said my answer was _________________________.

3. I am _________________________ to come to the party.

4. We thought that the volcano was _________________________.

5. I thought that the decision was _________________________.

6. The latch on the gate had come _________________________.

7. The faded writing was almost ________________________.

8. The weather forecast was _________________________. It rained allday, and our picnic was cancelled.

Put either un- or in- in front of each word below. Then write the new word.Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check yourchoices.


��

��


The prefixes dis- and im- usually mean "not." Dislike means "not like."Impatient means "not patient."

1. The girl’s actions were very _________________________ when she found outshe couldn't go to the school dance.

2. The statue was sold for less money because it was ________________________.

3. The store manager decided to _________________________ carrying pretzels.

4. Some people are _________________________ because they tell lies.

5. Going camping was _________________________ because it was raining.

6. Sometimes young children _________________________ their parents.

7. The two girls would often _________________________ over little things.

8. Cheating on a test is considered _________________________ conduct.

Write your own sentences in which you use each of the new words in this lesson.

Put either dis- or im- in front of each word below. Then write the new word.Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check yourchoices.


1. ________ agree ___________________________

2. ________ possible ___________________________

3. ________ honest ___________________________

4. ________ proper ___________________________

5. ________ obey ___________________________

6. ________ perfect ___________________________

7. ________ mature ___________________________

8. ________ continue ___________________________

��

��

The prefix non- means "not." Nonsense means "not sense." The prefix mis-means "wrong." Misspell means "spell wrong."


Write a sentence for each of the following words: nonskid, mislay, nonsense, mis-understand

Put either non- or mis- in front of each word below. Then write the newword. Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check yourchoices.


1. ________ behave ___________________________

2. ________ stop ___________________________

3. ________ place ___________________________

4. ________ treat ___________________________

5. ________ fortune ___________________________

6. ________ toxic ___________________________

7. ________ fat ___________________________

8. ________ living ___________________________

1. The plane went _________________________ from New York to Phoenix.

2. The fumes from the tank did not hurt anyone because they were

_________________________.

3. When the children went to the play, they did not _________________________.

4. _________________________ milk has fewer calories than whole milk.

5. My mother and father always_________________________their keys.

6. It was his _________________________ to have lost his wallet.

7. A cat is a living thing, but a stone is a ________________________ thing.

8. Some people _________________________ animals because they are helpless.

��

��

The prefix super- often means "of greater size, degree, power, or importance."Supermarket means "large market." The prefix de- usually means "from."Depart means "go away from."


Write your own sentences in which you use the new words in this lesson.

Put either super- or de- in front of each word below. Then write the new word.Choose the prefix that sounds best. Use a dictionary to check your choices.


1. The speed limit on the _________________________ is 65 miles per hour.

2. Some people believe in _________________________ powers.

3. The comic book character _________________________ is really Clark Kent.

4. Mother forgot to _________________________ the meat for dinner.

5. Did they_________________________King Edward of England?

6. Superman has _________________________ powers.

7. When you take a ________________________, you go out of your way.

8. Mrs. Smith told Jenny not to _________________________ the key on thecomputer.

1. ________ tour ___________________________

2. ________ highway ___________________________

3. ________ man ___________________________

4. ________ press ___________________________

5. ________ human ___________________________

6. ________ natural ___________________________

7. ________ throne ___________________________

8. ________ frost ___________________________

��

��

1. not + polite = _____________________________________________

2. not + clean = _____________________________________________

3. not + sense = _____________________________________________

4. not + agree = _____________________________________________

5. not + stop = _____________________________________________

6. not + like = _____________________________________________

7. not + possible = _____________________________________________

8. not + interested = _____________________________________________

Underline the prefix in each of the words below.

1. untie

2. disappear

3. impose

4. immobile

5. disappoint

6. undone

7. dismiss

8. impair

9. nondelivery

10. unfold

Choose four words from above. Use each word in a sentence.

When you add negative prefixes to some root words, you get words thatmean the opposite of the root words.

dis- im- un- non-

Add a prefix to each word below. Use prefixes from the box.

��

��

Each word in the box below has a prefix. Underline the prefix in eachword.

unkind replay rewind refill disagree unbelievabledisplease rebuild unable disapprove

Write a sentence for each of the following words: unsure, disconnect,recharge, unhealthy

1. After you show the movie, you should _________________________ the video.

2. It is _________________________ to ignore your friend.

3. My mother will _________________________ the candy jar when it is empty.

4. Forgetting your homework will probably _________________________ yourteacher.

5. His story was _________________________.

6. The TV station plans to _________________________ the championship game.

7. My answers may _________________________ with yours.

8. I am _________________________ to begin my trip because of the weather.

9. My dad may _________________________ of what I plan to do.

10. The owner said he would _________________________ the damaged building.

(not please)

(not believable)

Replace the words in parentheses with a word from the box. Write it on theline.

(play again)

(not agree)

(not able)

(not approve)

(build again)

(wind again)

(fill again)

(not kind)

��

��

Choose a prefix from the box to add to each underlined word. Write theprefix on the line.

re- un- de- dis-

1. Mr. Fox will ________pay the money to the bank on the first of each month.

2. Many of the people at the party were ________friendly.

3. Many children ________like carrots.

4. We must take a ________tour because the road is closed.

5. The boy's shirt was ________buttoned because some buttons were missing.

6. Mr. Jones had to ________build the barn because it burned down.

7. The teacher ________missed the class at three o'clock.

8. We will have to ________order the item that is missing from the shipment.

9. Our plane will ________part at 10:15 a.m.

10. Because it was raining, we were _______able to have a picnic.

11. The old car was ________safe to drive.

12. Father was ________appointed because he couldn't go to the car races.

13. The child's actions showed that he was ________selfish.

14. The program will be ________continued.

Write a sentence for each of the following words: derail, unbroken, displease,repack

��

��

in- im- re- dis- un-

Choose five of the new words you wrote above and use each word in asentence.

1. __________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________

Choose one of the prefixes from the box to add to each of the followingwords. Write the new word on the line.

1. please __________________________

2. cover __________________________

3. move __________________________

4. prison __________________________

5. lucky __________________________

6. honest __________________________

7. take __________________________

8. true __________________________

9. proper __________________________

10. prove __________________________

11. active __________________________

12. fair __________________________

13. visible __________________________

14. mobile __________________________

15. patient __________________________

16. visit __________________________

17. believe __________________________

18. call __________________________

19. act __________________________

20. wise __________________________

��

��

PREFIX MEANINGcom-, con- with, together, completelyper- through, throughoutpro- for, before, forward

Underline the prefix in each word in the box.

1. Write the words with the prefix that means "with, together, completely."

________________________________________________________________________

2. Write the words with the prefix that means "through, throughout."

________________________________________________________________________

3. Write the words with the prefix that means "for, before, forward."

________________________________________________________________________

proclaimperjury

contestcompress

pronouncondense

Use words from the box to complete the sentences.

1. David entered the ____________________ because he thought he could win.

2. A word used in the place of a noun is called a ____________________ .

3. He will have to ____________________ his story in order to make it fit on onepage.

4. If you lie in court after swearing to tell the truth, then you have committed____________________ .

5. The game is about to begin, and I ____________________ that the Eagles will win.

6. Squeeze is another word for ____________________ .

7. Tara sprayed the expensive ____________________ on her arm.

8. The boy felt deep ____________________ for the injured dog.

perfumecompassion

��

��

inter- = between trans- = across sub- = under

Underline the prefix in each word in the box.

interlocktransportsubway

Match words to meanings. Use words from the box.

1. "across the Atlantic" _____________________________________________

2. "underwater boat" _____________________________________________

3. "between nations" _____________________________________________

4. "underground railroad" _____________________________________________

5. "lock between" _____________________________________________

6. "carry across" _____________________________________________

Meaning Word


1. The large truck will _________________________ the furniture.

2. We spotted a ________________________ close to the shore.

3. Citizens of many countries will attend the ________________________ meeting.

4. You can tell that the pieces fit because they ________________________.

5. She travels on the _________________________ each day.

6. We sent a ________________________ message to Europe from the UnitedStates.

internationaltransatlanticsubmarine

��

��

tri- = threepost- = after

uni- = one

Use prefixes from the box to make a word for each definition.

1. has three angles _________________________________________

2. after the war _________________________________________

3. has one wheel _________________________________________

4. every two weeks _________________________________________

5. three colors _________________________________________

6. before the game _________________________________________

7. after the date _________________________________________

8. two wheeler _________________________________________

9. pay before _________________________________________

10. imaginary animal with one horn _________________________________________

Choose four words you have written on the lines above. Use each word ina sentence.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________________________

pre- = beforebi- = two

��

��

antiwarimpossible

impolitedeport

exportantifreeze

extenddefeat

1. Write the words with the prefix that means "against."

___________________________________________________________________________

2. Write the words with the prefix that means "not."

___________________________________________________________________________

3. Write the words with the prefix that means "away, from."

___________________________________________________________________________

4. Write the words with the prefix that means "out."

___________________________________________________________________________


1. Members of the ____________________ group were against the war.

2. I hope our team can ____________________ last year's champions.

3. The government decided to _____________________ everyone who did

not have a passport.

4. Have ________________________ put in your car's radiator before winterbegins.

5. It is ________________________ to interrupt the teacher when he is talking.

6. We think it is _________________________ to complete the report by tomorrow.

7. The city plans to ______________________ the new highway another 20 miles.

8. That country will ______________________ thousands of tons of grain this

year.

anti- = against im- = notde- = away, from ex- = out

��

��

pre-in-

dis-un-

im-re-

Use prefixes from the box to complete the sentences.

1. Do you become ________patient when you have to wait?

2. Our team thought the umpire was ________fair.

3. Mother told me to be sure and buy an _______cooked ham.

4. I had to ________plant my garden after the storm.

5. Jerry was in trouble because he ________obeyed his teacher.

6. I stayed after school because my homework was ________complete.

7. My paper was marked _______perfect because it was not finished.

8. We can't get in until we ________lock the door.

9. Every Monday, we have a ________test on our spelling words.

10. I hope you can ________pay the money you borrowed.

11. Jim's teacher was ________pleased because he was late.

12. An ________active person does not usually like jogging.

Circle the prefix in each word below.

impolite

uncooked

preview

repaint

prepaid

reread

disconnect

independent

distrust

incapable

impossible

uneasy

��

��

Choose a word from the box to match each definition. Use a dictionary, ifnecessary.

1. between the acts _____________________________________________

2. under the water _____________________________________________

3. against pollution _____________________________________________

4. not separate _____________________________________________

5. to see beforehand _____________________________________________

6. send out of the country _____________________________________________

7. an extremely bright star _____________________________________________

8. to put together _____________________________________________

9. not able to be moved _____________________________________________

10. to get off the airliner _____________________________________________

Use each word below in a sentence that shows its meaning.

1. deplane__________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. submerge_________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

3. export_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

deplaneantipollutionsubmergedintermission

exportpreviewundivided

composesupernovaimmobile

��

��

1. __________ disorder

2. __________ interstate

3. __________ mishandle

4. __________ informal

5. __________ bicyclist

6. __________ defend

7. __________ preschool

8. __________ remain

9. __________ superstar

10. __________ impure

1. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Choose five of the words from above and use each in a sentence.

Each of these words begins with a prefix. Write the prefix on the line.

11. __________ incapable

12. __________ unreal

13. __________ perform

14. __________ prolong

15. __________ unfair

16. __________ confess

17. __________ discount

18. __________ explain

19. __________ injustice

20. __________ misprint

��

��

1. present _____________________________________________________

2. interstate _____________________________________________________

3. tripod _____________________________________________________

4. reform _____________________________________________________

5. percent _____________________________________________________

6. unfinished _____________________________________________________

7. subtitle _____________________________________________________

8. discover _____________________________________________________

9. deport _____________________________________________________

10. impure _____________________________________________________

11. compound _____________________________________________________

12. interview _____________________________________________________

13. invisible _____________________________________________________

14. unseen _____________________________________________________

15. disappear _____________________________________________________

16. antiaircraft _____________________________________________________

17. bicyclist _____________________________________________________

18. exclaim _____________________________________________________

19. misjudge _____________________________________________________

20. perchance _____________________________________________________

21. transact _____________________________________________________

22. uniform _____________________________________________________

Word Prefix Root Word

Each of the following words has a prefix. Separatethe prefix from the root word.

��

��

Underline the prefix in each word below.

Choose five words from above. Use each word in a sentence that shows itsmeaning.

1. _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

1. antibiotic

2. compromise

3. immovable

4. intermission

5. subsoil

6. superstar

7. misunderstood

8. biplane

9. discover

10. insensitive

11. disconnect

12. disguise

13. recycle

14. transport

15. conform

16. exchange

17. dissatisfy

18. perform

19. mistrust

20. tricolor

��

��

8

Down 1. behave badly

3. open again

6. paid again

7. load again

8. not certain

9. fill again

10. not honest

13. not safe

Across 1. bad luck

2. put in the wrong place

4. plant again

5. not said

7. remember

10. lack of order

11. not equal

12. treat badly

14. heat again

Complete the crossword puzzle.

1

5

7

4

2

3

6

12

1011

9

13

14

��

��

Down 2. paint again

3. not even

5. not obey

7. take again

9. cover again

10. not agree

Across 1. not happy

3. not usual

4. not important

6. not correct

8. read again

11. make again

12. not active

13. charge again


3

4

59

10

11

1

2

6 7

13

8

12

��

��

Down 2. not armed

4. against war

6. below zero

8. underground railroad

11. three-sided shape

13. added to the beginning

Across 1. between nations

3. has one wheel

5. spell wrong

7. use again

9. before the war

10. underwater ship

12 no fat

14. not pure


1

2

4

65

3

78 11 13

14

10

12

9

of a word

15. set ahead of time

15

��

��

Circle the prefix in each word below. Write the root word on the line.

Make a new word by adding re-, un-, dis-, de-, non-, super-, in-, or im- toeach word below. Write the new word on the line.

1. agree _______________________

2. perfect _______________________

3. possible _______________________

4. treat _______________________

5. play _______________________

6. divided _______________________

7. frost _______________________

8. able _______________________

9. toxic _______________________

10. correct _______________________

11. sense _______________________

12. market _______________________

13. accurate _______________________

14. lucky _______________________

15. mobile _______________________

16. pure _______________________

17. visible _______________________

18. tell _______________________

19. equal _______________________

20. feat _______________________

Pre/Post Test

1. antifreeze _______________________

2. disobey _______________________

3. impolite _______________________

4. subway _______________________

5. transport _______________________

6. misfortune _______________________

7. rebuild _______________________

8. displease _______________________

9. misbehave _______________________

10. pronoun _______________________

11. compress _______________________

12. rewire _______________________

13. contest _______________________

14. depart _______________________

15. bicycle _______________________

16. postmark _______________________

17. superstar _______________________

18. uniform _______________________

��

��

��

�� !�� !��

�� " ��#��$��#� �� %��#�� ##�� ##�� #�� $��#��%��" ��#� ��

�� #��$��#��#�� #�� &�� "��&��#��$��'�� #��#�� "��#��

�� $�"$��%��(�� #�� $�#�� $ �� $�"$��%�� (�� #�� $ �� !�� $�#��

�� #��" ��#�� !�� #��##��#��#�� %��

�� !� ��%!� ��!� � ��!��" ��!��!��!� ��!��!�� %��" ��

��

�� !� �� !�� #��#� ��%��$�� #� �� #� ��!�� !� �� !� �� ##��#��

�� #!�� %!��!��#� ��!�� !��!�� #�!��#��!��#� ��!��!��#�� #�!�� %�� #!�� %�� #��#� �� #��#��

�� !�� !��#� ��!�� !�� !��%�� #� �� %�� #� �� %��

��

��

�� "�� %��%�� "�#��%�� %��

�� )�!�� #��!��#�� !�� &��!��&�� )��#��#��&��&��

�� #�� #�� !� �� #��!��!�� !� ��!�� !��!��#��!��%!� ��!� �� !��!��

�� #��#� "�� &�� #��##��

�� #�� #�� &��#��

�� #�� $�� #�� #�� %��&��#��#��"�� $�� #

�� #� �#��##�� #�� #�� "�� %�� #��&�$��"�� %�� #��#��

�� #�� #�� *��#�� $��#��$�� $��

�� $��%��#�� #�� $� "�� %�� " ��

�� %��#�� #� �� #�� #�� )� ��%�� "�� &��

�� )��%��#��%�� #�� #��$�� #�� %��#� �� #��" ��#�� #��#�� !� �� %!��%�� !��&�� #� �� %��##��#�� !�� *��

prefixes

Documents

writing words

new words

matching words

following words

roots words

certain words

root words

writing prefixes