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This learning packet should review:
-What are prefixes?
-How do prefixes function?
-What are some common prefixes and their meanings?
-What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix?
By appealing to a variety of learning styles, this packet aims to introduce all students (regardless of prior knowledge or age) to the concept of prefixes in English grammar. The packet includes a highly entertaining and informative video clip, several slide show presentations, and helpful text. Definitions, examples, helpful tips, lists of common prefixes, and opportunities for practice are all provided by this packet.
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Prefixes were originally words themselves but they are now groups of letters added to words or to roots to create new words. Prefixes [pre(before)+fix(fasten)=fasten before] are groups of letters placed before words or roots. Prefixes modify or extend the meaning of words and roots.
Source: http://www.southampton.liunet.edu/academic/pau/course/webpre.htm, modified by Rebecca Oberg
While it also discusses suffixes and root words, this catchy rap song gives great examples and some quick information about prefixes.
Source: YouTube
A prefix is a letter or a group of letters attached to the beginning of a word that partly indicates its meaning. For example, the word prefix itself begins with a prefix--pre-, which generally means "before."
Understanding the meanings of the common prefixes can help us deduce the meanings of new words that we encounter. But be careful: some prefixes (such as in-) have more than one meaning (in this example, "not" and "into").
The table below defines and illustrates 35 common prefixes.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| a-, an- | without | amoral |
| ante- | before | antecedent |
| anti- | against | anticlimax |
| auto- | self | autopilot |
| circum- | around | circumvent |
| co- | with | copilot |
| com-, con- | with | companion, contact |
| contra- | against | contradict |
| de- | off, away from | devalue |
| dis- | not | disappear |
| en- | put into | enclose |
| ex- | out of, former | extract, ex-president |
| extra- | beyond, more than | extracurricular |
| hetero- | different | heterosexual |
| homo- | same | homonym |
| hyper- | over, more | hyperactive |
| il-, im-, in-, ir- | not, without | illegal, immoral, inconsiderate, irresponsible |
| in- | into | insert |
| inter- | between | intersect |
| intra- | between | intravenous |
| macro- | large | macroeconomics |
| micro- | small | microscope |
| mono- | one | monocle |
| non- | not, without | nonentity |
| omni- | all, every | omniscient |
| post- | after | postmortem |
| pre-, pro- | before, forward | precede, project |
| sub- | under | submarine |
| syn- | same time | synchronize |
| trans- | across | transmit |
| tri- | three | tricycle |
| un- | not | unfinished |
| uni- | one | unicorn |
