- Level
- Intermediate
- Used in
- Academic Passage, Complete the Words, Academic Talk
Prefixes that change meaning
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| un-, in-, im-, dis- | not, opposite | unlikely, inaccurate, impossible, disagree |
| re- | again, back | rebuild, reconsider, return |
| pre- | before | predict, prehistoric, prepare |
| post- | after | postwar, postpone, postgraduate |
| inter- | between | interact, international, interval |
| trans- | across, change | transport, transform, transmit |
| sub- | under, below | subway, submarine, subsequent |
| over- / under- | too much / too little | overestimate, underfunded |
| co-, com-, con- | together | cooperate, combine, connect |
| mis- | wrongly | misunderstand, mislead, misconception |
Roots that appear in academic words
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| bio | life | biology, biodiversity, antibiotic |
| geo | earth | geology, geography, geothermal |
| chron | time | chronological, chronic, synchronize |
| dict | say | predict, contradict, dictate |
| duct, duc | lead | conduct, reduce, introduce |
| port | carry | export, portable, transport |
| scrib, script | write | describe, manuscript, prescription |
| spect | look | inspect, perspective, spectator |
| struct | build | structure, construct, infrastructure |
| vert, vers | turn | convert, reverse, diverse |
Suffixes that show the word type
- Nouns: -tion, -ment, -ness, -ity, -ance (adaptation, development, scarcity).
- Adjectives: -ous, -ful, -ive, -able, -al (numerous, useful, effective, durable, global).
- Verbs: -ize, -ify, -en, -ate (organize, clarify, strengthen, generate).
- Adverbs: -ly (gradually, rapidly, roughly).
Work out a word in context
The river is unnavigable for most of the year. What does "unnavigable" most likely mean?
Answer
Boats cannot travel on it.
un- (not) + navigate (steer a boat) + -able (can be): "cannot be travelled on by boat". You can answer without ever having seen the word.
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