PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES

Adding affixes to existing words (the base or root) to form

new words is common in academic English. Prefixes are
added to the front of the base (like dislike), whereas suffixes
are added to the end of the base (active activate).

MOST COMMON
The most common prefixes used to form new
verbs in academic English are: re-, dis-, over-,
un-, mis-, out-. The most common suffixes
are: -ise, -en, -ate, -(i)fy. By far the most
common affix in academic English is ise.
WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

PREFIX MEANINGS
re- again or back restructure
dis- reverses the meaning of the verb
over- too much
un- reverses the meaning of the verb
mis- badly or wrongly
out- more or better than others

FIND THREE EXAMPLE VERBS FROM EACH

EXAMPLES of VERBS
restructure, revisit, reappear, rebuild, refinance
disappear, disallow, disarm, disconnect,

discontinue
overbook, oversleep, overwork
unbend, uncouple, unfasten
mislead, misinform, misidentify
outperform, outbid, outshine
NOW TRY TO FIND SOME NOUNS AND
ADJECTIVES

EXAMPLES of NOUNS & ADJECTIVES

reorganization, reassessment, reexamination

discomfort, dislike, disembarkation
overemphasis, overconfident, overjoyed

unfortunate, uncomfortable, unjust

misconduct, misdeed, mismanagement
outbuilding, outnumbered, outlived

MOST COMMON SUFFIXES: VERBS

-ise stabilise, characterise, symbolise,

visualise, specialise
-ate differentiate, liquidate, pollinate,
duplicate, fabricate
-fy classify, exemplify, simplify, justify
-en awaken, fasten, shorten, moisten

What do you think the most

common NOUN suffix in academic
English is?

ANSWER: -TION
The most common suffixes are: -tion, -ity, -er,
-ness, -ism, -ment, -ant, -ship, -age, -ery

SAMPLE NOUNS FROM EACH GROUP?

SAMPLE NOUNS

alteration, demonstration, expansion,

ability, similarity, responsibility
astronomer, geographer, builder
darkness, preparedness, consciousness
Marxism, Maoism, Thatcherism
development, punishment, unemployment
assistant, consultant, student
friendship, citizenship, leadership
breakage, wastage, package
bribery, robbery, misery

SOME OTHER VERB PREFIXES

be- make or cause: befriend, belittle

co- together :co-exist, co-operate, co-own
de- do the opposite of: devalue, deselect
fore- earlier, before: foreclose, foresee
inter- between: interact, intermix, interface
pre- before: pre-expose, prejudge, pretest
sub- under/below: subcontract, subdivide
trans- across, over: transform, transcribe,
transplant
under- not enough: underfund, undersell,
undervalue, undergo

QUIZ

1 There is nothing harmful or threatening in institutionalizing, and thereby

recognizing, a relationship which some fear, many object to, and most
still __________. (understand)
2 A man's useless tuxedo could be __________ into a woman's smart town
suit. (form)
3 In essence, the systems involve diffusing chemicals that __________ with
one another. (act)
4 The concept of entities that appear for only an instant and then
__________ was used by Buddhists to prove that all is merely
appearance. (appear)
5 Eduardo Duhalde, Argentina's caretaker president, today said that he
would __________ the peso as he prepared to unveil a high-risk plan to
end the country's economic turmoil. (value)

QUIZ PART II
6 In Garner's case the formal elements often go unnoticed because
they are __________ and made almost invisible by the emotional
power and urgency of the story. (merge)
7 Of themselves, of course, the rules are normative, and their validity is
thus __________ by issues of fact. (affect)
8 He became a porter, was __________, often not paid at all, but did
not complain. (pay)
9 The Maya priests discovered, however, that they had slightly
__________ the average synodic period of Venus. (estimate)
10 Nevertheless, this peculiar combination had a long life and was
destined to __________ in the Middle Ages. (appear)

Source and Homework Task

http://www.uefap.com/vocab/build/building.htm

TASK: Go to this site, and takes notes on the

meanings of the other prefixes and suffixes.
Do the exercises online and keep a record of
your scores.