PREFIXES 1 (TOEFL CBT)

A prefix is a short string of letters (usually only one syllable long) affixed to the beginning of a word in order to change its meaning. For example, the prefix pre- means ‘comes before’. When pre- is attached to the root, - fix, which means ‘at-tach,’ you can determine that a prefix is a group of letters attached to the front of a word. Following are some of the most commonly used prefixes and examples that will help you to identify them.

a or ab

the prefix a- or ab- means ‘away from,’ ‘from,’ or ‘not.’

The men averted their eyes from the accident. (meaning; the men turned their eyes away from the accident.)

The man’s skin growth was abnormal. (meaning: the man’s skin growth was not normal)

The women abducted the young boy. (meaning: the women led the boy away, meaning she kidnapped him)

Sheila was absent yesterday.(meaning: Sheila was not present yesterday)

It is atypical. (meaning it is not typical)

a or an

the prefix a- can have another meaning, which is the same as the meaning of prefix an-. As the following examples show, this prefix means ‘without’.

It is amorphous. (meaning; It is without shape.)

It is anhydrous. (meaning: It is without water)

He is amoral. (meaning: He is without morals.)

It is aseptic. (meaning: It is without disease-causing microorganisms)

ad-

the prefix ad- means ‘to’ or ‘toward.’ When this prefix is attached to a root that starts with certain letters – d, f, g, l, m, q, r, s, and t – the d drops out and the first letter of the root is repeated. For example, when ad – is added to the root – fix, the resulting word is affix (rather than adfix); the d drops out and the letter f is repeated. Verbs that contain this prefix are often followed by the preposition to (even though the word to is part of the definition of ad - ).

The university admitted Bill. (Meaning: The university granted Bill entrance to the university).

The glue has dried and will not adhere to the surface. (Meaning: The glue has dried and will not stick to the surface).

She has found it easy to adapt to her new situation. (Meaning: She has found it easy to fit well to her new situation).

She used to affix the picture to the wall. (Meaning: She used tape to attach or fix the picture to the wall).

ante-

The prefix ante – means ‘before.’

This room is called the anteroom. (Meaning: This room comes before another room).

It is from the antediluvian period. (Meaning: It is from the period before the flood)

This is from the antebellum period. (Meaning: This is from the period before the war)

anti- or ant-

the prefix anti – or ant – means ‘opposite’ or ‘counteracting.’

Michelle drank the antacid. (Meaning: Michelle drank the substance to counteract acid)

They haven’t found a suitable antibody. (Meaning: They haven’t found a suitable substance to counteract the harmful one)

The plane was shot down by an anti craft weapon. (Meaning: The plane was shot down by a weapon that counters aircraft)

This is the antithesis of that. (Meaning: this is the exact opposite of that)

They say that Mary is antisocial. (Meaning: they say that Mary is the opposite of social; she’s not sociable)

bi-

The prefix bi- means ‘two.’

James fell off his bicycle. (Meaning: James fell off his two-wheeledd cycle)

He is serving on the bipartisan committee. (Meaning: He is serving on the committee consisting of two political parties)

The legislature is bicameral. (Meaning: The legislature has two chambers)

He used the binoculars to see the distant figures. (Meaning: He used the optical device for two eyes to see the distant figures)

We need to somplete the biweekly bulletin. (Meaning: We need to complete the bulletin that comes out every two weeks)