English Grammar Insights: Exploring Prefixes and Suffixes
by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023
English Grammar Insights: Exploring Prefixes & Suffixes
Learning English grammar can be intimidating but with the help of prefixes and suffixes, it can be made much simpler to understand. Prefixes and suffixes are the building blocks of English grammar and are small groups of letters that have a special meaning when attached to a word.
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning and to form a new word. For example, in the word ‘unhappy’, ‘un’ is the prefix and ‘happy’ is the root word. Similarly, suffixes are added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning and to form a new word. For example, in the word kindness, ‘ness’ is the suffix and ‘kind’ is the root word.
Prefixes & Suffixes
Prefixes and suffixes can be divided into three categories: legal, illegal, and technical. Legal prefixes and suffixes are the most commonly used and have become part of everyday language. On the other hand, illegal prefixes and suffixes are rarely used, and technical prefixes and suffixes are used mainly in the field of medicine and science.
Legal Prefixes & Suffixes
Legal prefixes and suffixes are commonly used in everyday conversations and have become part of the English language. Some of the most commonly used legal prefixes and suffixes are listed in the table below.
| Prefix (उपसर्ग) | Meaning (अर्थ) |
|---|---|
| Un- | not |
| Re- | again |
| Pre- | before |
| Post- | after |
| Suffix (प्रत्यय) | Meaning (अर्थ) |
|---|---|
| -er | a person who performs an action |
| -or | an agent or instrument of an action |
| -ness | a quality |
| -ly | in a certain way |
Illegal Prefixes & Suffixes
Illegal prefixes and suffixes are much less commonly used as compared to legal ones and are mainly found in specialized vocabulary. Some examples of illegal prefixes and suffixes are listed in the table below.
| Prefix (उपसर्ग) | Meaning (अर्थ) |
|---|---|
| Mis- | bad or wrong |
| Mes- | middle |
| Di- | two or twice |
| Ex- | out of, beyond, or forms |
| Suffix (प्रत्यय) | Meaning (अर्थ) |
|---|---|
| -ate | make or become |
| -ion | action or state of being |
| -ic | belonging to |
| -ive | tending to |
Technical Prefixes & Suffixes
Technical prefixes and suffixes are much less common as compared to legal and illegal ones and are mainly used in the field of medicine and science. Some examples of technical prefixes and suffixes are listed in the table below.
| Prefix (उपसर्ग) | Meaning (अर्थ) |
|---|---|
| Bio- | life or living |
| Pseudo- | false or not real |
| Techno- | technology |
| Cryo- | cold |
| Suffix (प्रत्यय) | Meaning (अर्थ) |
|---|---|
| -ist | one who practices, believes or desires something |
| -ism | a belief or action |
| -logy | the study of something |
| -osis | an abnormal condition or state of being |
Conclusion
Prefixes and suffixes can be divided into three categories: legal, illegal, and technical. Legal prefixes and suffixes are the most commonly used and have become part of everyday language. On the other hand, illegal prefixes and suffixes are rarely used, and technical prefixes and suffixes are used mainly in the field of medicine and science.
These prefixes and suffixes provide a useful tool for understanding English words in their originally intended context. Knowing the origin and meaning of these prefixes and suffixes can help you to better comprehend English writing and speak concisely when conversing with others in the language. Additionally, when forming your own sentences, you can use these prefixes and suffixes to make your writing sound more dynamic and interesting.
Overall, understanding prefixes and suffixes is an essential part of learning English grammar. By using this knowledge, you can confidently improve your abilities in the language and become well-versed in English language.
