WORD FORMATION

• Onderwijswetenschappen
• WO
• Studiejaar 2

Prefixes 

and 

Suffixes

"Prefixes"?

"Suffixes"?

Negative Prefixes

The most common negative prefixes in English are 

in-, un-, non-, de-, dis-, a-, anti-, im-, il-, and ir-. 

Some root words can take more than one negative prefix, but the meaning of the word is then different, depending on the negative prefix used.

Make a negative out of "POSSIBLE"

Make a negative out of "EXPECTED".

On our (ARRIVE) we were greeted by the head of the department.

Emergency help is needed for (SURVIVE) of the earthquake.

Other "rules"

Often il + l (illegal) but not always (unlikely).

Often ir + r (irregular) but not always (unresponsive).

Usually -ful changes to -less (harmful/less) but not always (endful / endless).

If you can't remember, choose un - it's the most common negative prefix.

It was his (RESPONSIBLE).

A person with an (INFERIOR) complex is generally quite shy.

It is amazing how (YOUTH) she looks at her age.

Sufix -ee

Person who does something.

Being able to play football doesn't make you a good (REFER).

I am a student teacher, otherwise known as a (TRAIN).

Suffix -ism

theory, act or belief

e.g. criticism, humanism, professionalism, patriotism

(ABSENT) has been a main characteristic of the recent elections.

Suffix -ship

position held

e.g. worship, ownership, courtship, internship

The university gives five (FELLOW) a year.

Gaat dit lukken, denk je?

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