Prefixes

A. Negative Prefixes

  Being isolated, the prefixes (dis-, de-, il-, ir-, un-, im-and-in) are meaningless. But they convey a sense of negation when added to appropriate words. Please, consider the following examples. 

 

Examples:

similar → dissimilar

forestation → deforestation

logical → illogical

responsibility → irresponsibility

familiar → unfamiliar

precise → imprecise

accurate → inaccurate

 

Practice:

1. Divide the following words into affixes and roots.

decentralization, illegality, irreparably, depopulation, disapproval, irrationality, unable, immaturity, disharmony, unaffected, dissimilarity, deformed, uncomfortable, immeasurable, inadequately.

2. Split the following words into affixes and roots.

decode, illegible, irreconcilable, deregulation, unacceptable, disarm, irreplaceable, disloyal, immobility, disassociate, unaccompanied, degenerate, immodest, inadvisable.

3. Divide the following words into affixes and roots.

disappearance, decolonization, illegitimacy, irrecoverable, disapprove, desegregate, disingenuous, unaccustomed, irrepressible, disunity, degradation, unaccountable, immorality, unclassified, inattentive.

4. Divide the following words into affixes and roots.

unable, decompose, unacknowledged, disintegrate, illiberal, deselection, disarrange, irredeemable, disequilibrium, unachievable, dehumanize, irreproachable, unchallengeable, immortality, incomparable.

5. Divide the following words into affixes and roots.

disadvantage, decompression, disband, irresolution, unacquainted, dishonest, devaluation, unadventurous, displeasure, irreducible, disused, demilitarize, uncertainty, immovable, incomprehension.

 

Keys:

1.

word prefix Root suffixdecentralizationillegalityirreparablydepopulationdisapprovalirrationalityunableimmaturitydisharmonyunaffecteddissimilaritydeformeduncomfortableimmeasurableinadequately

de-il-ir-de-dis-ir-un-im-dis-un-dis-de-un-im-in-

centrallegalrepairpopulateapproverationablematureharmonyaffectsimilarformcomfortmeasureadequate

-ize, -ation.-ity-able, -ly.-ion-al-al, -ity.

-ity

-ed-ity-ed-able-able-ly

2.

word prefix Root suffixdecodeillegibleirreconcilable

de-il-ir-

codelegiblereconcile -able

-ion

deregulationunacceptabledisarmirreplaceabledisloyalimmobilitydisassociateunaccompanieddegenerateimmodestinadvisable

de-un-dis-ir-dis-im-dis-un-de-im-in-

regulateacceptarmreplaceloyalmobileassociateaccompanygeneratemodestadvise

-able

-able

-ity

-ed

-able

3.

word prefix Root suffixdisappearancedecolonizationillegitimacyirrecoverabledisapprovedesegregatedisingenuousunaccustomedirrepressibledisunitydegradationunaccountableimmoralityunclassifiedinattentive

dis-de-il-ir-dis-de-dis-un-irdis-de-un-im-un-in-

appearcolonylegitimaterecoverapprovesegregateingenuousaccustomrepressunitygradeaccountmoralclassattend

-ance-ize, ation.-acy-able

-ed-ible

-ation-able-ity-ify, -ed-ive

4.

word prefix Root suffixunabledecomposeunacknowledgeddisintegrate

un-de-un-dis-

ablecomposeacknowledgeintegrate

-d

-ion

illiberaldeselectiondisarrangeirredeemabledisequilibriumunachievabledehumanizeirreproachableunchallengeableimmortalityincomparable

il-de-dis-ir-dis-un-de-ir-un-im-in-

liberalselectarrangeredeemequilibriumachievehumanreproachchallengemortalcompare

-able

-able-ize-able-able-ity-able

5.

word prefix Root suffixdisadvantagedecompressiondisbandirresolutionunacquainteddishonestdevaluationunadventurousdispleasureirreducibledisuseddemilitarizeuncertaintyimmovableincomprehension

dis-de-dis-ir-un-dis-de-un-dis-ir-dis-de-un-im--in

advantagecompressbandresoluteacquainthonestvaluateadventurepleasurereduceusemilitarizecertainmovecomprehend

-ion

-ion-ed

-ion-ous

-ible-d

-ty-able-sion

Suffixes

A.    Suffixes and Verbs

  The addition of the suffix –en to a number of adjectives results in the formation of their corresponding verbs. The suffix –en has no meaning alone and requires being attached to suitable adjectives to get verbs.

Adjective + Suffix (–en) → Verb

Examples:

short + (-en) → shorten (V)

wide + (-en )→ widen (V)

 

Practice:

Turn the following adjectives into verbs by adding the appropriate suffix.

sad, awaken, deep, dark, short, soft, rough, bright, tight, sharp, white, red, worse, quiet, hard.

Key:

adjective suffix verbsadawakedeepdarkshortsoftroughbrighttightsharpwhiteredworse

-en

saddenawakendeependarkenshortensoftenroughenbrightentightensharpenwhitenreddenworsen

quiethard

quietenharden

B. Suffixes and Nouns

  A large number of nouns can be formed by adding particular suffixes to either verbs or adjectives.

 

V + Suffix (-ion, -tion, ition, -ation,-sion, -xion, -ment, -ing, -er, -or) → Noun

Examples:

administrate → administration

deduce → deduction

interpret →interpretation

→ition

decide → decision

connect → connexion (or connection)

achieve → achievement

come → coming

speak  → speaker

act  →actor

Adjective + Suffix (-ity, -ety, -ty, -ness) → Noun

Examples:

sensitive  → sensitivity

proper  → propriety

honest → honesty

helpful  → helpfulness

 

Noun+ Suffix (-er, -ist) → Noun

Examples:

astronomy → astronomer

cartoon → cartoonist

science → scientist

 

Practice:

1. Turn the following verbs into nouns by adding the appropriate suffix.

arbitrate, arrange, assess, attack, attend, bake, begin, argue, assort, attach, call, campaign, counsel, counterfeit, 

2. Turn the following verbs into nouns by adding the appropriate suffix.

 evade, express, collect, imitate, interpret, contaminate, reduce, educate, converse, select, attract, innovate, construct.

3. Turn the following adjectives into nouns by adding the appropriate suffix.

sad, infirm, uniform, real, jealous, human, popular, electric, complex, fertile, feminine, happy, severe, passive, anxious, curious.

4. Turn the following adjectives into nouns by adding the appropriate suffix.

flexible, profitable, necessary, hospitable, stupid, moral, legal, responsible, probable, safe, personal, physical, able.

Keys

1.

verb suffix nounarbitrate arrange assess attack attendbake beginargueattachinnovatecallcampaigncampcapturecounselcounterfeitcreatechallenge

-or/-ion/-ing-er/-ment/-ing-or/-ment/-ing-er/-ing-er/-ance/-ing-er/-ing-er/-ing-ment/-ing-ment/-ing-or/-ion/-ing-er/-ing-er/-ing-er/-ing-or/-ing-or/-ing-er/-ing-or/-ion/-ing-er/-ing

arbitrator/arbitration/arbitratingarranger/arrangement/arranging assessor/assessment/assessing attacker/ attacking attender/attendance /attendingbaker/baking beginner/beginningargument/arguingattachment/attachinginnovator/innovation/innovatingcaller/callingcampaigner/campaigningcamper/campingcaptor/capturingcounselor/consellingcounterfeiter/counterfeitingcreator/creation/creatingchallenger/challenging

2.

verb suffix nounevadeexpresscollectimitateinterpretcontaminatereduceeducateconverseselectattract

-sion-ion-ion-ion

-ation-ion-tion-ion

-ation-ion-ion

evasionexpression collectionimitation interpretation contaminationreductioneducationconversationselectionattraction

innovateconstruct

-ion-ion

 innovationconstruction

3.

adjective suffix nounInfirmsaduniformrealjealoushumanpopularelectriccomplexfertilefemininehappyseverepassiveanxiouscurious

-ity-ness-ity-ity-y

-ity-ity-ity-ity-ity-ity

-ness-ity-ity-ety-ity

Infirmitysadnessuniformityrealityjealousyhumanitypopularityelectricitycomplexityfertilityfemininityhappinessseveritypassivityanxietycuriosity

 

4.

adjective suffix nounflexibleprofitablenecessaryhospitablestupidmorallegalresponsibleprobablesafepersonalphysicalable

-ity-ity-ity-ity-ity-ity-ity-ity-ity-ty-ity-ity-ity

flexibilityprofitabilitynecessityhospitabilitystupiditymoralitylegalityresponsibility probabilitysafetypersonalityphysicalityability

B.    Suffixes and Adjectives

 Adjectives can be formed with the addition of specific suffixes to verbs as well as to nouns. Please consider the coming patterns.

Verb + Suffix (-ed, -ible, -able…) → Adjective

Examples:

want  → wanted

reproduce →reproducible

drink →drinkable

Noun + Suffix (-ic, -full, -ous, -less, -al, -y…) → Adjective

Examples:

atmosphere → atmospheric

wonder → wonderful

courage→ courageous

motion → motionless

education → educational

smoke → smoky

Practice:

1. Turn the following verbs into adjectives by adding the appropriate suffix.

 break, cover, print, rely, eat, access, crack, justify, count, present, deliver, challenge.

2. Turn the following verbs into adjectives by adding the appropriate suffix.

 realize, note, move, like, predict, remedy, observe, comfort, discuss, change.

3. Turn the following nouns into adjectives by adding the appropriate suffix.

care, atom, drama, change,  caprice, strategy, sympathy,  beauty, politics, climate, job, economy, magic, mathematics, romance.

4. Turn the following nouns into adjectives by adding the appropriate suffix.

danger, alcohol, home, syntax, grammar, regard, help, comedy, criticism, count, charisma, practice, courage, rhythm, therapy.

5. Turn the following nouns into adjectives by adding the appropriate suffix.

guilt, blood, bog, mint, booze, cloud, bounce, breath, wood, breeze, brine, brood, milk, bubble, bulk, bush, carrot, count, rain, craft, crag, craze, creak. 

6. Turn the following nouns into adjectives by adding the appropriate suffix.

ease, chalk, risk, smoke, fun, fur, fuss, fuzz, need, fruit, wealth, health, grease, film, flake, flesh, flint, streak, mess, spike.

Keys:

1.

verb suffix adjectivebreakcoverprintrelyeataccessjustifycrackcountpresentdeliverchallenge

-able/-ible/-ed

breakable/brokencovered printable/printed reliable eatable/eatenaccessible justifiable/justifiedcracked countable/counted presentable/presented deliverable/deliveredchallenged/challenging

2.

verb suffix adjectiverealizenotemovelikepredictremedyobservecomfortdiscusschange

-able/-ible/-ed

realizable/realized notable/noted movable, moveable likeable/liked predictable/predicted remediable/remedied observable/observed comfortable/comforted discussable/discussedchangeable/changed

3.

noun suffix adjectivecareatomdramachangecapricestrategycashsympathybeautypoliticsclimatejobeconomyfruitmagicmathematicsromance

-ful/-less/-ic/-ous

careful/carelessatomicdramaticchangelesscapricious strategiccashlesssympatheticbeautiful political climaticjoblesseconomicfruitful/fruitlessmagical mathematicalromantic

4.

noun suffix adjectivedangeralcoholhomesyntaxgrammarregardhelpcomedycriticismcountcharismapracticecouragerhythmtherapygrace

-ful/-less/-ic/-ous

dangerousalcoholichomelesssyntacticgrammaticalregardlesshelpfulcomic criticalcountlesscharismatic practicalcourageousrhythmic therapeuticgraceful

5.

noun suffix adjective

guiltbloodbogmintboozecloudbouncebreathwoodbreezebrinebroodmilkbubblebulkbushcarrot

-y

guiltybloodyboggymintyboozycloudybouncybreathywoodybreezybrinybroodymilkybubblybulkybushycarroty

countraincraftcragcrazecreak

countyrainycraftycraggycrazycreaky

 

6.

noun suffix adjective

easechalkrisksmokefunfurfussfuzzneedfruitwealthhealthgreasefilmflakefleshflintstreakmessspike

-y

easychalkyriskysmokyfunnyfurryfussyfuzzyneedyfruitywealthyhealthygreasyfilmyflakyfleshyflintystreakymessyspiky

Prepositions

A. Verb + Preposion

Examples:

believe + in → believe in

complain + about → complain about

boast + of → boast of

Practice:

1. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C- Some people still rely- Aristotle and other philosophers worked- Archaeologists divided Egypt’s history-The pharaohs put all the resources- The idea of dividing an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds came

intofromoninto

-the building of pyramids.-the ancient Mesopotamians.-observing plants and animals and organizing them into different types.- horses to travel long distances.-six different time periods.

2. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-The Egyptians worked- In Sumerian times, even kings had to ask the Assembly-The Phoenicians were a great race which descended- Indian advances in iron-working led-because ancient Arabs were nomadic, they had relied-The famous mosque at Samarta did not look

likeforonto

fromout

- the Babylonian or Semitic stock.-carpets and hangings for decoration.- any one built before.-some new ideas in the 1000’s and 1100’s AD.-ways good ways to move water from the Nile to outlying farms in the desert.-permission to do certain things.

3. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-Embezzling is the act of taking money that has been placed in your trust but belongs from

-regional laws and restrictions.-gifts offered in genuine good will?

-What distinguishes bribes-The punishment for bribery depends-Money laundering refers- The best way to understand the concept of money laundering is to look

onatto

-another person.-the process of concealing financial transactions.-some common examples.

4. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-All citizens suffer-Tax evasion prevents the government-When these funds are not collected, services have to be curtailed and thus result-Most mints around the world use a number of safety system to protect their currency-Children can take up light summer jobs that do not interfere

forwithin

from

-counterfeiting.-their school timings.-collecting funds.-a lower quality of life for all citizens.-tax evasion.

5. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-The evolution of culture, and human beings as a species depended-Pupils  will write

aboutwithto

- their children the expectation that they will perform better than the pupils believe they are capable of.-the creation of examination stress.

-Both the school and the family can contribute-Experts compared this stress-One thing parents should avoid is to impose

on -that experienced by high powered businessmen.- the Algerian Revolution and its aftermath.-the practice of transmitting knowledge.

Keys:

1.

- Some people still rely on horses to travel long distances.

- Aristotle and other philosophers worked on observing plants and animals and organizing them into different types.

- Archaeologists divided Egypt’s history into six different time periods.

-The pharaohs put all the resources into the building of pyramids.

- The idea of dividing an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds came from the ancient Mesopotamians.

2.

-The Egyptians worked out ways good ways to move water from the Nile to outlying farms in the desert.

- In Sumerian times, even kings had to ask the Assembly for permission to do certain things.

-The Phoenicians were a great race which descended from the Babylonian or Semitic stock.

- Indian advances in iron-working led to some new ideas in the 1000’s and 1100’s AD.

-Because ancient Arabs were nomadic, they had relied on carpets and hangings for decoration.

-The famous mosque at Samarta did not look like any one built before.

3.

-Embezzling is the act of taking money that has been placed in your trust but belongs to another person.

-What distinguishes bribes from gifts offered in genuine good will?

-The punishment for bribery depends on regional laws and restrictions.

-Money laundering refers to the process of concealing financial transactions.

- The best way to understand the concept of money laundering is to look at some common examples.

4.

-All citizens suffer from tax evasion.

-Tax evasion prevents the government from collecting funds.

-When these funds are not collected, services have to be curtailed and thus result in a lower quality of life for all citizens.

-Most mints around the world use a number of safety system to protect their currency from 

-Children can take up light summer jobs that do not interfere with their school timings.

5.

-The evolution of culture, and human beings as a species depended on the practice of transmitting knowledge.

-Pupils will write about the Algerian Revolution and its aftermath.

-Both the school and the family can contribute to the creation of examination stress.

-Experts compared this stress with that experienced by high powered businessmen.

-One thing parents should avoid is to impose on their children the expectation that they will perform better than the pupils believe they are capable of.

 

B. Adjective + Preposition

Examples:

aware + of → aware of

interested + in → interested in

Practice:

1. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C- Closer contacts among neighbours, friends and families had to be beneficial-The Greeks were very interested-The ancient Sumerians invented a system of mathematics based- The Babylonians were very good-The ancient Egyptians grew very proud

inonofatfor

-science as a way of organizing the world and making order out of chaos.- the pharaoh and their country.- communal harmony.-astronomy.- the number of 60.

2. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-Ancient Egyptian scientists were extremely good- Pythagoras was interested-The Nile was so important-Greek women usually were thought to be incapable- The Greeks had developed building styles different

infromatof

-finding the patterns and rules in mathematics and music.-studying science.- those of the Egyptians.- observing nature and practical engineering.-Egyptian farming.

3. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-The Phoenicians were earth’s first-known sailors and explorers who were always eager-The arrival of Islamic conquerors about 1000 AD  brought to India iconoclasm and a love of varied and complex patterning derived- This affected even Hindus artists who had not converted-Indian mathematicians may have been responsible-One of the things the Romans are famous

fromforto

-Arabic and Persian models.-inventing the numeral zero and the decimal system.-is their architecture.-Islam.-adventure.

4. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-Arabic scholars were able to read the books of Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle and translated them-Because architects who lived in Baghdad adopted Sassanian architectural traditions, their buildings looked very different-The term “window dressing” is similar-However, this term is broader and can be applied

tofromlikeinto

-creative accounting -other fields.-the ones built by the Greeks.-Arabic.

5. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-According to the World Bank, economic development is closely linked-Particularly in countries which are based-The collected funds are used-Persons who become aware-This will help to minimize the chances of being suspected

onofforto

-corruption reduction.-the operation of essential services to the population.-an error on calculating taxes on reported income should contact the tax agency.-tax evasion, and allow the matter to be settled before interest charges become significant.-egalitarian ideals, bribery is often viewed immensely offensive.

6. Match parts from column A with parts from both columns B and C so that you get meaningful sentences.

A B C-Most modern counterfeiting is focused-Someone who is convicted-Teachers who are specialized-Education as a science cannot be separated-Parents should be concerned-If a pupil senses that his or her parents are worried-Regular and consistent support is important to young people involved

offor

aboutin

fromon

- forthcoming examinations, it is almost certain that the same fear will be passed on to the pupil him/herself.-counterfeiting will spend at least a decade in prison.-competitive situations.-astrophysics, law or zoology, for example, may teach only a certain subject.-their offsprings’ career prospects.-the educational traditions that existed before.-paper money, because it has a higher face value.

Keys:

1.

- Closer contacts among neighbours, friends and families had to be beneficial for communal harmony.

-The Greeks were very interested in science as a way of organizing the world and making order out of chaos.

-The ancient Sumerians invented a system of mathematics based on the number of 60.

- The Babylonians were very good at astronomy.

-The ancient Egyptians grew very proud of the pharaoh and their country.

2.

-Ancient Egyptian scientists were extremely good at observing nature and practical engineering.

- Pythagoras was interested in finding the patterns and rules in mathematics and music.

-The Nile was so important to Egyptian farming.

-Greek women usually were thought to be incapable of studying science.

- The Greeks had developed building styles different from those of the Egyptians.

3.

-The Phoenicians were earth’s first-known sailors and explorers who were always eager for adventure.

-The arrival of Islamic conquerors about 1000 AD brought to India iconoclasm and a love of varied and complex patterning derived from Arabic and Persian models.

- This affected even Hindus artists who had not converted to Islam.

-Indian mathematicians may have been responsible for inventing the numeral zero and the decimal system.

-One of the things the Romans are famous for is their architecture.

4.

-Arabic scholars were able to read the books of Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle and translated them into Arabic.

-Because architects who lived in Baghdad adopted Sassanian architectural traditions, their buildings looked very different from the ones built by the Greeks.

-The term “window dressing” is similar to creative accounting.

-However, this term is broader and can be applied to other fields.

5.

-According to the World Bank, economic development is closely linked to corruption reduction.

-Particularly in countries which are based on egalitarian ideals, bribery is often viewed immensely offensive.

-The collected funds are used for the operation of essential services to the population.

-Persons who become aware of an error on calculating taxes on reported income should contact the tax agency.

-This will help to minimize the chances of being suspected of tax evasion, and allow the matter to be settled before interest charges become significant.

6.

-Most modern counterfeiting is focused on paper money, because it has a higher face value.

-Someone who is convicted of counterfeiting will spend at least a decade in prison.

-Teachers who are specialized in astrophysics, law or zoology, for example, may teach only a certain subject.

-Education as a science cannot be separated from the educational traditions that existed before.

-Parents should be concerned for their offsprings’ career prospects.

-If a pupil senses that his or her parents are worried about forthcoming examinations, it is almost certain that the same fear will be passed on to the pupil him/herself.

-Regular and consistent support is important to young people involved in competitive situations.