What is a prefix?

1. What is a prefix? A prefix is a word part placed in front of a base word. A prefix usually changes the meaning of the base word. Here's an example: un + happy = unhappy The two most common prefixes are un re  un means not example: unhappy Re means again example: redo

2. The spelling of the base word never changes. Simply add the prefix to the beginning of the base word, as in the word unhappy. • The spelling of the prefix never changes. A prefix will be spelled the same no matter what base word it is attached to. For example, if you learn to spell the prefix poly, as in polygon, you can depend on poly to be spelled the same in the words polygraph, polyester, and polygram. • Be aware that double letters can occur. If you add the prefix un to natural, both the prefix and the base word retain their original spelling. The result is unnatural. Take a look at these other words where double letters occur: • il + logical = illogicalim + mature = immatureil + legal = illegalun + necessary = unnecessary

3. Add the prefix re to the following words • Base add re to base what does it mean • Do - redo to do over • Build - • Open - • Think - • Fill - • Pay - • Make - • Move - • Place - • Turn -

4. Add the prefix re to the following words Base add re to base what does it mean Do - redo to do over Build - rebuild to build over again Open - reopen to open again Think - rethink to think again Fill - refill to fill over again Pay - repay to pay back Make - remake to make over again Move - remove to move over again Place - replace to place over again Turn - return to turn over again or go back to where it was first

5. Let’s use the dictionary a little • Look up prefixes in the dictionary and examine the entries near the word. • When you look up the word hydro, for example, you’ll see words : hydroelectric, hydropower, and hydrophobia. Discuss how the prefix affects the meaning of the base word.

6. Spelling will never change • The spelling of the prefix never changes. A prefix will be spelled the same no matter what base word it is attached to. For example, if you learn to spell the prefix poly, as in polygon, you can depend on poly to be spelled the same in the words polygraph, polyester, and polygram.

7. Be aware that double letters can occur.If you add the prefix un to natural, both the prefix and the base word retain their original spelling. The result is unnatural. Take a look at these other words where double letters occur.il + logical = illogicalim + mature = immatureil + legal = illegalun + necessary = unnecessary

8. More examples of double letters when adding a prefix • UN- Other examples: unnoticeable, • IL- illiteracy, immaterial, • IM- immeasurable, immigrant, immobile, immoral, • DIS- dissatisfy, disservice, dissimilar, dissolve, • IR- irreconcilable, irregular, irrelevant, irrestistible, irresponsible, • MIS- misspoke, misspell, misstep

9. Prefixes key

10. im-not in-not dis-not pre-before re-again un-notAdd a prefix to each word in parenthesis ( ) to complete each sentence.1. Tricia was ________________________ to visit her friend because she had a lot ofhomework to do. (able)2. Thomas' teacher told him to ________________________ his essay. (write)3. He had spelled dozens of words _________________________________. (correctly)4. Mrs. Sieracki was _________________________________ with the low Social Studies test scores. (happy)5. Christian _____________________________ his jacket when he came inside thehouse. (buttoned)6. Please help you mother _____________________________ the groceries fromthe car. (load)7. The students were told they will would not have recess because they ____________ (behaved)8. The dog was hit often by the man. The dog _________ (liked) the man.9. The dog ran down the street because the boy left the rope _______(tied)10. The student was acting __________(appropriate) in the classroom.