Sunday Emmanuel

@sundayemmanuel · 30 Oct 2021

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What are prefixes

A prefix is a word or part of a word added to another at the beginning to form a new word; it has inherent meaning. prefixation can also be defined as the placing of a bond morphemes at the beginning of a word. For example 'Un' and.'is'- in the following words are prefixed. unadvisable, misdirection. let us examine the different types of prefixes.

Negative prefixes: the means 'the opposite of' or they mean 'not'. Some forms of negative prefixes are Un -e.g Unreliable, unserious, and untrue e.t.c
In-eg insane, incorrect, incorruptible, etc
Dis-eg. dislike, dishonest, disconnected, discontinue, etc
a-ab-eg amoral, atheist, absent, abnormal, etc.
ill-eg. illegal, illiterate, illicit, etc
Im-eg. impossible, improper, impolite, etc
Non-eg. non-smoker,non-sleeper, nonsense, etc

Reversative prefixes: they mean two reverse actions and they include:in-eg. unitied, unwrap, undress, etc.
Dis-e.g dishonest, disfigure, discontent
De-e.g depopulate, defrost, deforestation, etc.

Performative prefixes: the indication that an action is 'wrongly' or 'badly' performed and they include mis - eg.
misbehave, misfire, misinform
Mal - eg. malfunction, malnutrition, maltreat, etc.

Number prefixes: They indicate numbers and they include:
Uni -(meaning 'one')e.g unilateral, uniform, unisex, etc
Mono(meaning one)e g monologue, monotheism, monogram, monogamy
Bi - did - (meaning two)eg bilateral, bilingual, bilabial, dilemma, dichotomy, etc
TRI - (meaning three)e.g triangle, tripartite, trio, etc
Multi-poly (meaning 'many')e.g multiple, multiform, multilingual, etc.

Qualitative/quantitative prefixes: They include degree or size(in addition to quality and quantity)and they include;

Super-(meaning 'above' more than, better') e.g supernatural, superman,super-human, etc
Outer-(meaning 'to do something better faster or longer)e.g.outlive, outplay, outshine, etc.
Over -(meaning 'too much') e.g overrate, overconfidence, overhead, etc.

Attitudinal prefixes: They indicate attitude and they include:

Pro-(meaning 'on the side of')e.g pro-democracy,pro-government,pro-religion)
Co-(meaning 'with or jointly')e.g. co-workers, co-pilot, co-operate, co-ordinate,co-education, etc.

Miscellaneous prefixes: other forms of the prefix are identified below with their meanings and examples;

Vice -(meaning 'deputy) e.g vice principal
Semi -(meaning 'half') e.g semicircle
Pan -(meaning 'all of world-wide') e.g. Pan-American
Auto - (meaning 'self') e.g auto@Henkjan de Krijger #prefixes