Prefixes
Prefixes are placed before the words to modify their meanings; like suffixes, they are groups of letters that rarely serve a purpose unless attached to a word. Here is a list of commonly used prefixes to give you an idea of how to identify them.
|
Prefix |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
-a |
On/in/out/from |
Away, aboard, arise, alight |
|
-al |
all |
Alone, already |
|
-be |
by |
Below, before |
|
-by |
Be/on the side |
Bypass, byword |
|
-for |
through |
forget, forgive |
|
-fore |
before |
Forecast, foresee |
|
-gain |
against |
Gainsay |
|
-in |
in |
Inside, income |
|
-mis |
wrong |
Mislead, mistake |
|
-over |
Above/beyond |
overflow, overcharge |
|
-out |
out |
Outside, outcome |
|
-to |
this |
Today, tonight |
|
-un |
Not/to reverse an action |
Unkind, untie |
|
-under |
below |
Underground, undersell |
|
-with |
Against/back |
Withdraw, withhold |
|
-wel |
In good condition |
Welcome, welfare |
