How are prefixes and suffixes alike? What is the similarity and difference between prefix and suffix?
Both prefixes and suffixes are a type of affix and both of them can change a word’s meaning.
An affix is a letter or group of lettres that can be added to the beginning or end of a word to change its meaning. The prefix im- in the word impossible and the suffix -less in the word effortless are affixes.
How Are Prefixes and Suffixes Alike?
Both are a type of affix and both can change a word’s meaning.
A prefix and suffix are both an affix
10 Examples of Prefixes
Prefixes are letters that can be added to the beginning of a word to form a new word. A prefix can change the word’s meaning.
The table below shows prefixes with meaning and prefixes examples.
Prefixes | Meaning | Prefixes examples |
un- | not/ the opposite of | unlucky, unhappy, unfortunately, unimportant, unpaid, unable, unanswered, etc. |
re- | do again | rewrite, redo, reread, rearrange, reapply, readmit, etc. |
mis- | wrongly or badly | misunderstand, misuse, mishear, misinterpret, misbehave, misinform, etc. |
out- | more than/ greater/better, etc. | outweigh, outnumber, outwit, outgrow, outlive, etc. |
under- | not enough/ too little | underdeveloped, underpaid, undercooked, underripe, etc. |
over- | excessively/too much | overpopulated, oversleep, overcooked, overdo, etc. |
pre- | earlier/ before | preplan, preheat, pre-war, pre-book, pre-cut, pre-exist, etc. |
post- | after | post-war, post-graduate, post-date, post-natal, post-production, etc. |
en- | cause to be/ make/ put into | enlarge, enrich, encircle, endanger, encase, etc. |
il-, in-, im-, ir- | not/opposite of | illegal, illiterate, inexperienced, impolite, irrelevant, irregular, etc. |
What Are the 10 Examples of Suffix?
Suffixes are letters added to the end of a word to make a new word. Suffixes change the word’s meaning.
Suffixes can also change the parts of speech.
Suffix Table
The table below displays suffixes, their meaning and suffixes examples.
Suffixes | Meaning | suffixes examples |
-ful | full of | helpful, hopeful, careful, respectful, doubtful, forgetful, harmful, etc. |
-less | having no/ without/ | meaningless, helpless, hopeless, homeless, careless, etc. |
-able/ -ible | able to / can be done/capable of being | acceptable, presentable, drinkable, edible, flexible, etc. |
-ish | like/having the nature of | childish, snobbish, foolish, boyish, yellowish, owlish, etc. |
-ness | state of /quality of | happiness, rudeness, sadness, carelessness, helplessness, etc. |
-ous, -ious | having the nature or quality of | delicious, courageous, nutritious, concious, disastrous, humourous, poisonous, hazardous, etc. |
-en, -n | become/make | broaden, lengthen, widen, worsen, etc. |
-ment | condition of/action of /state of | development, treatment, excitment, achievement, improvement, commitment, management, etc. |
-al | connected with | natural, cultural, universal, environmental, etc. |
-ial | typical of | financial, partial, industrial, etc. |
How Are Prefixes and Suffixes Alike?
Suffixes Sentences and Prefixes sentences
The sentences below show that both prefixes and suffixes are a type of affix that can change the word’s meaning.
- It was careless of him to drive so fast in such a busy street.
- Our teacher is very helpful.
- The guitar is a musical instrument.
- To broaden your knowledge, you need to read books.
- Don’t drink this water. It’s undrinkable.
- I hope you won’t misunderstand her.
- The factory had to close down because of financial difficulties.
- Your piece of writing is full of careless mistakes. You need to rewrite it.