Prefix / Suffix (teacher Key)

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________Date: _________________________________________

R6.A.1.2.1 Identify how the meaning of a word is changed when an affix is added; identify the meaning of a word from the text with an affix.

A prefix is a group of letters added before a word or base to alter its meaning and form a new word.

Examples: un- dis- re-

mis-

de-

im-

in-

il-

non-

anti- pre-

A suffix is a group of letters added after a word or base.

Examples: - ful - less - ent

- ist - tude - ist - ity - ism - ed - er - ary

Why It Matters:

Words with similar spelling or meaning can result from a base word using prefixes and suffixes. By understanding how these prefixes and suffixes work, it is often easier to deal with unknown vocabulary. 1.) Changes in grammatical form. The adjective 'special' can change to a verb (specialize) or a noun (specialty)

2.) Changes in meaning. Prefixes and suffixes can change the meaning of a word The meaning of 'possible' is reversed with the addition of the prefix im- (impossible) 3.) Changes in pronunciation. When prefixes and suffixes are added to root words, the word stress sometimes changes noun & verb: 'photograph' adjective: 'photographic' opposite: 'unphotographic'.

Practice Using Affixes Directions: Fill in the blank using the correct suffix or prefix for each root word. 1.) The supervisor inquired about the situation in the factory. (inquire) 2.) Ms. Marcischak’s comments were unhelpful to Tavian. They did not assist his understanding. (help) 3.) Isaiah was very thankful to my family for providing him with food and shelter. (thank) 4.) Three of his answers were incorrect so the teacher marked them wrong. (correct) 5.) The recipe requires that I preheat the oven before I bake the cake. (heat) 6.) Rashida will need to reselect her reading partner. This choice will be her second change this year. (select)