Prefixes (1) - cours

Prefixes

• Many prefixes give a word a meaning which is the opposite or negative of the original. For example, we can use the prefixes dis or un:

dis + appear - disappear

un + tie - untie

• We use il instead of in with words that begin with l:

• We use im instead of in with words that begin with m or p:

• We often use ir instead of in with words that begin with r:

 ir + responsible = irresponsible.

• Some common mistakes are:

X You must unconnect the cables first.

You must disconnect the cables first.

X They expelled him for disbehaving.

• Note that many words with a prefix have a base part that never exists on its own. Here are examples: immediate, incontrovertible, uncalled-for