AFFIXES

Prefixes
Suffixes

Affixes
A group of letters that is added to a root word.
Prefix: a group of letters that is added to the beginning
of a root word.
e.g. impossible, disadvantage, antisocial, preview
Suffix: a group of letters that is added to the end of a
root word.
e.g. possibility, advantageous, socialize, viewer

Prefix
Prefix

Meaning

Example

anti-

opposite

anti-climax, antisocial, anti-aircraft

co-

together

co-pilot, co-worker

de-

opposite

devalue, demotivate, deactivate

dis-, il-,
im-, ir-, in-,
un

opposite

disadvantage, disappear, illegal,

immigrant, irregular, incapable,
inaccurate, unclear, unnecessary

ex-

former

ex-husband, ex-president

inter-

between

interpersonal, interactive,
interaction

pre-

before

precaution, pre-evaluation,

post-

after

post-mortem, post-interview

sub-

under

submarine, subconscious

tri-

three

tricycle, triangle, tribunal

Task 1: write the missing opposite

(dis-, il-, im-, in-, ir-, un-, non-)
____similar

____balance

____active

____honest

____appear

____sense

_____ability

____polite

____native

____surprisin
g

____natural

____existent

____popular

____mature

____proper

____successfu
l

____literate

____correct

___complete

____ease

.?
Look at the words in Task 1. complete the
sentences below.
(in-, im-, il-)
1.

Use _____ with most words that start with

b, m, or p.

2.

Use _____ with most words that start with

l.

Suffix- nouns
Suffix

Meaning

Example

-acy, -ance,
-ity, -ment,
-ness,

quality/state of the
original word

privacy, importance,
curiosity, argument,
politeness

-al

act of the original

word

refusal, arrival, burial

-dom

place/ state of being

kingdom, freedom, boredom

-er, -or

the doer

teacher, creator, trainer

-ism

principle, belief

communism, tourism

-ist

the doer

communist, tourist, guitarist

-ship

position held of the

original word

fellowship, membership,
kinship, relationship

-sion, -tion

state of being

transition, completion,
obsession, oppression

Suffix- verb
Suffix

Meaning

Example

-ate

eradicate , fabricate

-en

strengthen, enlighten

-ify, fy
-ize,
-ise

Act of the original

word

beautify, clarify, simplify

strategize, energize,
criticize

Suffix- adjective
Suffix
-able

Meaning

Example

Capable of being

readable, beatable

-al
-ful
-ious,
-ous

national, cultural
characterize the original
word

successful, merciful
nutritious, dangerous

-ish

childish, snobbish

-ive

creative, innovative

-y
-less

sleepy, brainy
without

brainless, endless

Task 1: Identify the part of speech of

the words in the box below.
practical
management
speaker
assignment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

education
harmful

Students study ______ to become managers.

A native ______ of English speaks English fluently.
To become a better reader, you have to practice
reading. Reading is ______ skill.
Do your instructors assign a lot of homework? Do
they give many reading ______ too?
Educators try to improve the quality of ______ in
schools.
Can smoking harm people? Is it a ______ habit?

Task 2: circle the correct word

(noun/adjective) in the bracket.
1.

Words appear in a dictionary in (alphabet, alphabetical)

order.

2.

If you study (grammar, grammatical), youll learn about

parts of speech.

3.

Vacation is the moment for (relaxation, relax) and

(recreation/ recreate).

4.

In Japan, people use landmarks such as buildings in their

(directions/ directing)

5.

The scenery in some areas is (spectacle, spectacular).

Task 3: Fill in the chart with the missing

words.
Nouns

Adjectives

Adverbs

Intelligence

Intelligently

Responsibility

Responsibly
Active

happiness
perfectly
Bored

Task 4: Add affixes to the root words below.

Then, write a sentence for each word according
to the theme given.
inspire
1. inspiration (noun)
The fallen policemen will be a source of
inspiration for the rest of the troop in protecting
our country.
2.

inspiring (adjective)
We are moved by the fellow policemans
inspiring farewell speech.

3.

inspires / Inspire / inspired (verb).

The self-proclaimed Sultanate of Sulu inspires
his troop to fight for Lahad Datu.

List of words
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Compete
Argue
Differ
Author
Surprise
Force
Specific
power

Themes
politics

education

health

marine

economy

sports

technolog
y

tourism

Penalty for losing team:

Collect ALL the RUBBISH
in the class