📖Definition
A prefix is added to the start of a word, and a suffix is added to the end. They change the meaning or word type of the root word.
Knowledge Required
Learn common prefixes such as un-, dis-, re-, pre-, mis-, sub- and inter-. Learn common suffixes such as -less, -ful, -able, -ment, -ness and -ly.
✅How To Answer
Find the root word first.
Identify the prefix or suffix and recall what it usually means.
Check the whole word in a sentence to make sure the meaning fits.
✏️Example
In the word FEARLESS, what does the suffix -less mean?
without
✅Solution
Fearless means without fear. The suffix -less means without.
💡Multiple Choice Tip
A suffix can change the word type as well as meaning. For example quick is an adjective, while quickly is an adverb.
💡Tips/hints
Build word families: care, careful, careless, carefully, carelessness.
A prefix does not always make a simple opposite, so always check the whole word.