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A prefix is a type of affix and is attached to the beginning of a base word (or root) to change its meaning.
The word prefix itself begins with the prefix pre , which means "before" or "in front of." It is attached to the root word fix , which means " attach ."
Prefixes are always derivational, meaning that once a prefix is used, it leads to a word with an entirely new meaning from the base word. They are bound morphemes meaning that they can appear only as part of a larger expression.
When the prefix " un " is added to the base word " happy " it leads to the word " unhappy ," the complete opposite of the base word.
Since prefixes alter the meaning of the word they are also called preformative , meaning that they affect something that comes later.
As a verb, "prefix" implies placing in front of
"Redo" : re is prefixed to the base word do , to alter the meaning to do it again.
As a noun, a prefix is an affix attached to the beginning of a base word to alter the meaning forming a derivative word
"Polyglot": the prefix poly (meaning: many ) is attached to the base word glot (meaning: speaking or writing in a language ), to form a new word (polyglot) which is used to refer to a person who knows and is able to speak in more than one language.
The following table shows a comprehensive but not exhaustive list of prefixes.
There are certain prefixes that lead to a new word with the opposite or nearly opposite meaning of the base word.
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| a / an | lack of, without, not | asymmetric, atheist, anaemic |
| away | away, not | abnormal, absent |
| anti | contrary to, against | anti-inflammatory, antisocial |
| counter | contrary to, against | counter-argument, counterproposal |
| de | undo, remove | deter, deactivate |
| ex | previous, former | ex-husband |
| il | not, without | illegal, illogical |
| in the | not, without | improper, impossible |
| in | no, lacking | injustice, incomplete |
| ir | not | irreplaceable, irregular |
| non | not, lacking | non-fiction, nonnegotiable |
| U.N | not, lacking | unkind, unresponsive |
Some prefixes don't necessarily negate the meaning of a base word but just alter it to express relationships of time, place or manner.
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
| ante | before, prior to | anterior, antebellum |
| automobile | self | autobiography, autograph |
| bi | two | bicycle, binomial |
| circum | around, to go around | circumnavigate, circumvent |
| co | jointly, together | copilot, coworker |
| di | two | diatomic, dipole |
| extra | beyond, more | extracurricular |
| hetero | different | heterogeneous, heterosexual |
| homo | same | homogeneous, homosexual |
| inter | in between | intersect, intermittent |
| mid | middle | midpoint, midnight |
| pre | before | preschool |
| post | nach | post workout |
| semi | partial | semicircle |
Keep in mind that there are no rigid rules regarding when you must use a hyphen to separate a base word from its prefix.
Nevertheless, you must use a hyphen if a prefix is attached to a proper noun.
A hyphen should be used with a prefix in cases where it may lead to confusion over meaning or spelling.
Re-cover vs Recover
The words re-cover (cover again) and recover (return to normal state) have different meanings.
If a prefix ends with the same vowel that the base word starts with, use a hyphen to separate the two.
NOTE: There may be exceptions to this rule with the vowel "o".
Coordinate is correct whereas coowner is incorrect.
In such cases using a spellchecker may prove to be helpful.
There are certain prefixes such as "ex" and "self" that are always followed by a hyphen.
Knowing how to use prefixes will make you more proficient in the language and improve your vocabulary. It will also allow you to convey information in a more concise and precise manner.
Using the word " reestablish " instead of " establish it again " will allow for more concise communication.
A prefix is a type of affix, that is a group of letters attached before the root word, which changes its meaning.
Some examples of prefix are bi, counter and ir.
Common prefixes are those that alter the meaning of the root word, to express relationships of time, place or manner. Some examples are: ante, co, and pre.
In English, prefixes are attached before the base word. They may or may not be separated by a hyphen.
The prefix a/an mean not or without.
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