What is a Prefix in English?
A prefix is a group of letters (sometimes a single letter) that is added at the start of a base word to alter its meaning. These letters are affixes. Affixes do not have any significance or meaning when used independently. They are either added before or afterward to create new words with new meanings. When affixes are added before a word, they are called prefixes and when they are added after a word, they are known as suffixes.
Example of a prefix: Use of the letters “hemi-” before the word ”sphere” to create a new word hemisphere which means half of a sphere.
Prefixes in English Grammar : Definition, Examples & How to use them?
In the English language, there are times when we come across a one-syllable or a group of letters being added to a base word to alter its meaning. For example, let us then consider the word “possible”. Adding the letters “im-” before it creates a new word called impossible which means the opposite of possible.
Such types of syllables or groups of letters (im-) are called prefixes and they play a key role in English grammar. Knowledge of prefixes helps enhance vocabulary and comprehension.
Table of Content
- What is a Prefix in English?
- Definitions of a Prefix
- List of 35 Most Common Prefixes in English
- When to Use Prefixes?
- Prefixes Examples
- Writing Prefixes With Hyphens
- How to Learn Prefixes in English?
- Prefixes Exercises
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