Prefix-Suffix - Basic
Prefix-Suffix Basic problems involve adding a prefix (beginning) or suffix (ending) to a root word to form a new word. You must identify the correct new word formed by adding the given affix.
What You'll Learn
Introduction to Prefix-Suffix - Basic
Prefix-Suffix Basic problems involve adding a prefix (beginning) or suffix (ending) to a root word to form a new word. You must identify the correct new word formed by adding the given affix.
Prerequisites
How to Solve Prefix-Suffix - Basic Problems
Step 1: Identify the root word and the affix (prefix or suffix)
Step 2: For prefix: Add the prefix at the beginning of the root word
Step 3: For suffix: Add the suffix at the end of the root word
Step 4: Check if spelling changes are needed (e.g., drop final 'e' before 'ing')
Step 5: Verify that the resulting word is a valid English word
Step 6: For multiple-choice, select the correctly formed word
Example Problem
Example: What word is formed by adding the prefix 'UN' to 'HAPPY'? Solution: Step 1: Root word: HAPPY, Prefix: UN Step 2: Add UN at beginning: UN + HAPPY = UNHAPPY Step 3: UNHAPPY is a valid English word (meaning not happy) Answer: UNHAPPY
Pro Tips & Tricks
- Common prefixes: UN- (not), RE- (again), DIS- (opposite), IN-/IM-/IR-/IL- (not), PRE- (before), POST- (after), MIS- (wrongly), OVER- (too much), UNDER- (too little)
- Common suffixes: -ING (action), -ED (past tense), -ER/-OR (person who), -ABLE/-IBLE (capable of), -TION/-SION (state/action), -NESS (quality), -LY (manner)
- Spelling rules: Drop final E before adding suffix starting with vowel (MAKE → MAKING)
- Change Y to I before adding suffix (HAPPY → HAPPINESS, not HAPPYNESS)
- Double final consonant after short vowel (RUN → RUNNING, but JUMP → JUMPING)
- Some words change spelling significantly (EXPLAIN → EXPLANATION)
Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Practice Worksheets
Practice makes perfect! Work through these worksheets to master Prefix-Suffix - Basic. Each worksheet contains 20 questions with detailed explanations. Start from Worksheet 1 and progress through increasing difficulty levels.
Exam Importance
Prefix-Suffix - Basic is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:
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Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes: