Affixes: Suffixes & Prefixes
An affix is a morpheme (the smallest unit of meaning) that is attached to a root word, either to modify its meaning or to create a new word. Affixes can be prefixes (added to the beginning of a word), suffixes (added to the end of a word), or infixes (inserted within a word, though this is less common in English).
Affix, Suffix & Prefix
What is an affix?
Affix: An affix is a morpheme which is attached to the beginning or end of a word base. Affixes do two things:
- Affixes change the meaning of words.
- Affixes change the form of words.
Types of Affixes:
Suffixes and Prefixes are two very common affixes.
What is a prefix?
A Prefix is a morpheme which is added at the beginning of the stem or base word. Prefixes mainly change the meaning of words; but do not change the class of words.
Examples of Prefix:
un-: unhappy, undo
Example Sentence: He was unhappy with the results of the experiment.
re-: rebuild, rewrite
Example Sentence: The architect decided to rebuild the old house.
pre-: preview, predict
Example Sentence: We watched a preview of the upcoming movie.
dis-: disconnect, disagree
Example Sentence: The two friends began to disagree on the topic
What is a Suffix?
A suffix is a morpheme which is added at the end of the stem or base word. Suffixes do not change the meaning of word. Suffixes form new parts of speech.
Examples of Suffix:
-ly: quickly, slowly
Example Sentence: The cat moved quickly across the room.
-ful: beautiful, playful
Example Sentence: The garden was full of beautiful flowers.
-ing: running, jumping
Example Sentence: The children were running in the park.
-ed: walked, danced
Example Sentence: She walked to the store to buy some groceries.
PREFIXES THAT CHANGE MEANING OF THE ORIGINAL WORDList of Common Suffixes
The following table shows you the most common prefixes which change the meaning of words:
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLES |
| a- | in a particular way | awake, asleep |
| a- | without | atypical. amoral |
| ante- | before | antechamber, antenatal, anteroom, antedate |
| anti- | against, opposte | antibiotic, antinuclear, antinuclear, antidepressant, antidote |
| auto- | self | autograph, autobiography |
| circum- | around | circumstance, circumvent, circumnavigate |
| co- | with | co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation |
| de- | to reverse/ to alter | devalue, defrost, derail, demotivate |
| dis- | to reverse, to remove | disarm, disagree, disappear, dismantle, disintegrate, disapprove, disqualify |
| down- | to lower, to reduce | downgrade, downsize |
| dys- | not regular, not normal | dyslexia, dysfunction |
| em- | cause to | embrace, embed |
| en- | cause to | encode, enclose, engulf |
| epi- | close to | epicentre, episcope, epidermis |
| ex- | former | ex-president, ex-boyfriend, exterminate |
| extra- | beyond | extracurricular, extraordinary, extra-terrestrial |
| fore- | before | forecast, forehead, foresee, foreword, foremost |
| half | one of two equal parts | halfway, halfmoon |
| homo- | same | homosexual, homonuclear, homoplastic |
| hyper- | more than usual, too much | hyperactive, hyperventilate |
| hypo | less than usual, too little | hypotension, hypothermia |
| il-, im-, in-, ir- | not | impossible, illegal, irresponsible, indefinite |
| im-, in- | into | insert, import, inside |
| infra- | below | infrastructure, infrared, infrasonic, infraspecific |
| inter- | between | interact, intermediate, intergalactic |
| intra- | within | intranet |
| intro- | directed within | introvert, introspection |
| macro | large | macroeconomics, macromolecule |
| micro- | small | microscope, microbiology, microfilm, microwave |
| mid- | middle | midfielder, midway, midsummer |
| mis- | wrongly | misinterpret, misfire, mistake, misunderstand |
| mono- | one, singular | monotone, monobrow, monolithic |
| non- | not, without | nonsense, nonentity, nondescript |
| omni- | all, every | omnibus, omnivore, omnipotent |
| para- | beside | parachute, paramedic, paradox |
| post- | after | post-mortem, postpone, post-natal |
| pre- | before | prefix, predetermine, pre-intermediate |
| re- | again | return, rediscover, reiterate, reunite |
| semi- | half | semicircle, semi-final, semiconscious |
| sub- | under | submerge, submarine, sub-category, subtitle |
| super- | above, over | superfood, superstar, supernatural, superimpose |
| therm- | heat | thermometer, thermostat, thermodynamic |
| trans- | across, beyond | transport, transnational, transatlantic |
| tri- | three | triangle, tripod, tricycle |
| un- | not | unfinished, unfriendly, undone, unknown |
| uni- | one | unicycle, universal, unilateral, unanimous |
PREFIXES THAT CHANGE THE CLASS WORDS
The following table shows you the most common prefixes which change the form of words:
| Prefix+Stem | New Word | Change of Form |
| be + little | belittle | Adjective to Verb |
| em + bed | embed | Noun to Verb |
| en + large | enlarge | Adjective to Verb |
Prefixes change the meaning of words.
List of Common Prefixes
Suffixes also change the meaning sometimes. But most importantly suffixes change the class of words. We can often tell which part of speech a word is by looking at its suffix. Here are the most common suffixes we use every day.
SUFFIXES WHICH FORM NOUNS:
The following suffixes form nouns from other parts of speech.
| Suffix | Examples | Function |
| -age | baggage, mileage | count to non-count noun |
| -al | arrival, burial, withdrawal | verb to noun |
| -ant/-ent | assistant, coolant, deodorant, student | |
| -ance/-ence | defiance, insistence, pretence | verb to noun |
| -arium/-orium | aquarium, crematorium, sanatorium | |
| -dom | boredom, freedom, stardom, wisdom | |
| -ee | absentee, devotee, trainee | |
| -ar/-er/-or | registrar, singer, indicator | verb to noun |
| -ie/-y | kiddie, daddy, puppy | |
| -hood | childhood, motherhood, knighthood | |
| -ism | defeatism, Marxism, pacifism | |
| -ist | Buddhist, exhibitionist, impressionist | |
| -ity/-ty | deity, rarity, similarity, cruelty, casualty | |
| -let/-ette | hamlet, booklet, kitchenette | |
| -ment | amazement, disappointment | verb to noun |
| -ness | friendliness, kindness | adjective to noun |
| -ary/-ery/-ory | library, fishery, laboratory | |
| -(r)y | entry, inquiry, bribery | verb to noun |
| -ship | craftsmanship, membership | |
| -sion/-tion/-xion | confusion, ammunition, expedition, infection, complexion | |
| -(at)ion | formation, resignation | verb to noun |
Suffixes which form adjectives
| Suffix | Examples | Function |
| -ble | readable, workable, responsible | verb to adjective |
| -al | informal, criminal | |
| -ed | bearded, long-sighted, short-tailed | noun to adjective |
| -en | woollen, golden, wooden | noun to adjective |
| -ese | Japanese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese | noun to adjective |
| -ful | grateful, helpful, mindful | |
| -i | Pakistani, Iraqi, Omani | noun to adjective |
| -ic(al) | heroic, poetic, historic(al) | noun to adjective |
| -ish | foolish, Danish, Polish | noun to adjective |
| -ive | adhesive, offensive, productive | verb to adjective |
| -ian | Brazilian, Christian, Iranian | noun to adjective |
| -less | childless, priceless | |
| -like | business-like, rubber-like | |
| -ly | monthly, yearly, manly | noun to adjective |
| -ous | enormous, famous, nervous | |
| -type | A-type, Hollywood-type | |
| -y | windy, shaky, frosty |
Suffixes which form verbs
| suffix | examples | |
| -ate | dominate, irritate | |
| -en | harden, lengthen, stiffen | adjective to verb |
| -ify | identify, magnify | |
| -ise/-ize | caramelise, Americanize |
Suffixes which form adverbs
| suffix | examples | |
| -ly | slowly, aggressively | |
| -ward(s) | backwards, homeward(s) | |
| -wise | clockwise, edgewise |
Now-a-days non-suffixed and suffixed forms of words are being used more or less synonymously (e.g. disorient/ disorientate; transport/ transportation).