Lesson 1 : An Introduction
un-comfort-able
(un = prefix; comfort = root word; able = suffix)
Now, separate the root words, affixes (prefixes and suffixes) of the following words and compare your answers with your partner :
unfair, empower, dishonest, misunderstand, helpful, player, coming, shortly.
A. Now, ask and answer the questions in pairs.
What is the common name of the groups of letters added to the root words to form new words?
What is known as a prefix?
What is a suffix?
Why do we use prefixes and the suffixes?
So, you can understand that an affix is a group of letters added to a word to change its meaning and parts of speech. Some affixes can be added to the front of words and some others at the back. An affix added to the beginning of a word to form a new word with new meaning is known as a prefix. For example, 'mis' in misunderstand, and 'un' in untie are called prefixes.
The most common prefixes in English are - dis, in, re, un. These four cover most of the prefixed words. On the other hand, the most common suffixes are -ed, ing, ly, es. They also cover most of the words made with suffixes.
B. Look at the following words that have added some letters at the end of the words (suffix). Try to separate the root words and the suffixes.
powerful, kindness, suddenly, latest, player
C. Now, read the most commonly-used prefixes, their meaning, and examples from the following table.
| Prefix | Implied meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| en | increase | enrich, encourage, enlarge, enjoy, endanger |
| un | not | unhappy, unjust, uncommon, unpaid, unready |
| re | again | rewrite, reenter, recall, return, rethink |
| in, im, ir | not | incorrect, impossible, irrelevant, irregular |
| dis | opposite | dislike, discomfort, dishonour, dismiss, disclose |
| non | not | nonsmoker, nonstop, nonregistered, non-Indian |
| im | not/opposite | impossible, impure, impatient, immoral |
| over | above /extra | overtime, overwork, overweight, overnight, |
| ll | opposite | illegal, illiterate, illegible, illogical, ill-practice |
| mis | wrong | misdeed, mistake, misguide, misunderstand |
| sub | under | substation, submarine, subcommittee, subdue |
| anti | against | anti-nuclear, anti-aircraft, anti-liberation |
D. Look at some prefixes, their meaning, and words formed with them.
| Prefixes | Implied meaning | Words formed |
| under | small/little | undersize, underpaid |
| co | with/together | co-author, coordinator |
| mal | opposite/bad | malpractice, malnutrition |
| de | opposite | defrost, deform |
E. Look at the most commonly-used suffixes, their meaning, and words made with them from the following table.
| Suffixes | Implied meaning | Words/Examples |
| s, es | pluralize/make a verb singular | books, goes |
| ed | form past tense/past participle/adjective | helped, (had) helped |
| ing | form present participle/adjective/ gerund | running, running car |
| ly | Indicate how, 'when, where, or something happens | slowly, friendly |
| er | 1. indicates a person who does a particular work 2. make comparative degree | bigger, taller |
| ic | having qualities | heroic, patriotic |
| able, ible | able to be | comparable, invisible |
| ness | indicate state, condition, degree | brightness, kindness |
| ful | having something | powerful, handful |
| ment | completion | payment, punishment |
Exercise 1
Make five new words using the following suffixes ing, ic,er, ful, es. Then compare your answer in pairs.
Exercise 2
Ask and answer the questions in pairs. Use affixes in your answers. You can choose the affixed words below. The first one is done for you.
invisible, recently, shortly, unkind, illegal
Question : Is Mr. Rahman kind to the poor people?
Answer : No, he is unkind.
When are you coming back?
Is the moon visible in the new moon?
Is it legal to drive a car when the red light is on?
When has your father come from abroad?
Exercise 3
Read the text and use affixes (prefixes and suffixes) to make the story grammatically correct. Then compare your answers with your partner.
Farzana began her journey when she receive an urgent call from her mother. Her journey was comfort because of bad weather. She was look for an umbrella as it was rain heavy. There was no rickshaw in the road. However, Farzana was astonish to see the kind of an auto driver. Hear her trouble, the drive offer her a lift. She was thank to the driver for his kind. "I will remember your help for long period of time" said Farzana. The driver polite made a bow, lowered his head towards Farzana and left the place.
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