What is the Difference Between Prefix and Suffix in English?
Understanding prefixes and suffixes helps students build vocabulary for school, exams, and real-life English. Using these word parts correctly improves reading, writing, and speaking. Learning about prefix and suffix usage also boosts confidence and scores in grammar tests.
| Word | Prefix/Suffix | Meaning | Sentence Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unhappy | Prefix: un- | Not happy | She felt unhappy after missing the event. |
| Kindness | Suffix: -ness | State of being kind | Your kindness made my day better. |
| Impossible | Prefix: im- | Not possible | It is impossible to finish in one hour. |
| Beautiful | Suffix: -ful | Full of beauty | The park is beautiful in spring. |
| Reread | Prefix: re- | Read again | Please reread the instructions before you start. |
What is a Prefix and Suffix?
A prefix is a group of letters placed at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, "dis-" in "disagree" means "not." A suffix is a set of letters added to the end of a word, like "-ful" in "hopeful," which means "full of hope."
Common Prefixes and Their Meanings
Prefixes help form new words by changing the meaning of root words. Here are some commonly used prefixes and their meanings to help with exam revision and everyday English:
- un- : not (unfair)
- re- : again (rewrite)
- im-/in- : not (impossible, inactive)
- pre- : before (preview)
- mis- : wrongly (misjudge)
Use these prefixes with root words to quickly expand your vocabulary for both school and competitive exams.
Common Suffixes and Their Meanings
Suffixes are added at the end of root words to form new words or change their function. They often help with grammar and writing skills. Here are some examples:
- -ness : state or quality (goodness, kindness)
- -ful : full of (hopeful, careful)
- -less : without (hopeless, careless)
- -ly : in a way or manner (quickly, softly)
- -ment : result or action (enjoyment, movement)
Understanding suffixes will prepare you for vocabulary tests and improve your spoken and written English.
Prefixes vs Suffixes: Key Differences
| Feature | Prefix | Suffix |
|---|---|---|
| Position | At the beginning of a word | At the end of a word |
| Example | “un-” in “unfair” | “-ful” in “joyful” |
| Main Function | Changes the word’s meaning | Changes the word’s type or meaning |
| Can a word have both? | Yes (e.g., “unhappiness”: un- + happy + -ness) | |
Words with Both Prefixes and Suffixes
Some words include both prefixes and suffixes, showing how word parts combine in English. Here are a few:
- Unhappiness (un- + happy + -ness)
- Disagreement (dis- + agree + -ment)
- Imperfectly (im- + perfect + -ly)
- Reactivation (re- + activate + -ion)
- Carelessly (care + -less + -ly)
These words are helpful in school essays and daily communication.
Spelling Rules for Prefixes and Suffixes
- Prefixes usually do not change the base word’s spelling (e.g., read → reread).
- For suffixes: If the base word ends with “y,” change “y” to “i” before “-ness” or “-ful” (e.g., happy → happiness), but keep “y” before “-ing” (e.g., carry → carrying).
- If the base word ends in silent “e,” drop the “e” before “-ing” (e.g., hope → hoping).
- Double the last consonant when adding a suffix to a single, accented vowel and ending consonant (e.g., run → running).
Follow these rules to spell new words correctly with prefixes and suffixes.
Practice Activity: Identify Prefix or Suffix
Try to spot prefixes and suffixes in these words and explain their meaning. This quick activity helps test your understanding for school and exams:
- Disappear
- Joyful
- Prehistoric
- Childish
- Unfinished
Summary
Prefixes and suffixes let you form new words and understand meanings quickly. Prefixes come before a root word and suffixes come after. By learning key prefixes like “un-” and suffixes like “-ful,” you can improve your exam scores, vocabulary, and confidence in English grammar. At Vedantu, we help make these concepts simple for all learners.
FAQs on Prefix and Suffix: Definitions, Rules & Examples
1. What is a prefix and a suffix in English grammar?
A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning (e.g., "un-" in unhappy). A suffix is a word part added to the end of a root word to change its meaning or grammatical function (e.g., "-ly" in quickly, "-ness" in happiness).
2. What are 10 examples of prefixes?
Here are 10 common prefixes with examples:
- un- (unhappy, undo)
- re- (rewrite, redo)
- pre- (preheat, preview)
- mis- (misunderstand, misspell)
- in- (inactive, invisible)
- dis- (dislike, disagree)
- over- (overjoyed, oversleep)
- under- (underline, underestimate)
- anti- (antisocial, antibiotic)
- sub- (subway, submarine)
3. What are 10 examples of suffixes?
Here are 10 common suffixes with examples:
- -ing (running, playing)
- -ed (played, walked)
- -ly (quickly, happily)
- -ful (helpful, joyful)
- -ness (happiness, kindness)
- -ment (movement, judgment)
- -able (breakable, lovable)
- -less (hopeless, careless)
- -tion (action, reaction)
- -ity (ability, creativity)
4. How can I remember prefixes and suffixes easily?
Use these strategies:
- Create flashcards with prefixes and suffixes and their meanings.
- Learn prefixes and suffixes in groups based on meaning (e.g., negative prefixes like "un-", "in-", "dis-").
- Practice using them in sentences and word games.
- Use mnemonic devices (memory aids) to associate prefixes and suffixes with their meanings.
5. What is the main difference between a prefix and a suffix?
The key difference is their *position* in a word: prefixes come *before* the root word, while suffixes come *after* the root word. Prefixes primarily modify the meaning of the root word, while suffixes can change both meaning and grammatical function.
6. Can a word have both a prefix and a suffix?
Yes! Many words have both a prefix and a suffix. For example, "unhelpful" has the prefix "un-" (meaning "not") and the suffix "-ful" (meaning "full of").
7. How do prefixes and suffixes affect spelling and pronunciation rules?
Adding prefixes usually doesn't change the root word's spelling. However, adding suffixes can sometimes cause changes, such as dropping a final 'e' (hope + -ing = hoping) or doubling a final consonant (run + -ing = running). These changes can also slightly alter pronunciation.
8. What role do prefixes and suffixes play in medical or scientific terminology?
Medical and scientific terminology relies heavily on prefixes and suffixes to build complex words. Understanding these word parts helps in deciphering and memorizing medical terms (e.g., "cardiovascular," "hypotension").
9. How can understanding prefixes and suffixes improve reading comprehension?
Knowing prefixes and suffixes greatly enhances reading comprehension. By understanding their meanings, you can quickly decode the meaning of unfamiliar words, increasing your vocabulary and reading fluency.
10. Are there exceptions where an “apparent” prefix/suffix doesn’t change word meaning?
Yes, some word parts appear to be prefixes or suffixes but don't significantly alter the core meaning. These often have historical roots or are etymologically related, but their function is less about modification.
11. How do prefixes and suffixes help in building academic vocabulary?
Academic writing uses many words formed with prefixes and suffixes. Mastering these allows you to understand complex texts and use precise vocabulary in your own writing, improving clarity and sophistication.
12. What are some common prefixes and suffixes used in compound words?
Many compound words use prefixes and suffixes. For example, "underground" (prefix "under-" + root "ground") and "waterproof" (root "water" + suffix "-proof"). Understanding these parts helps in analyzing and creating compound words.
