Grammar
NEGATIVE PREFIXES1
Prefix is a group of letters (affixes)
added in front of a word or a root of the word to change its meaning. A
negative prefix is a prefix which carries a negative meaning 'not' , 'opposite
of'.
Common negative prefixes in English are un-, im-, in-, il-, and ir-, and dis-. Some of these
prefixes are only attached to a noun or an adjective while some are only
attached to a verb. It is not possible to predict whether the negative prefix un-, in-, or dis- is used with a
particular word. The correct form must be learned.
1. The negative prefix un-
This prefix is normally attached to an adjective or a noun to form an adjective or a noun.
Words
|
Meaning
|
Unauthorized
(Adj.)
|
For which official permission has not been given
|
Unbelievable
(Adj.)
|
Too difficult to believe
|
Uncountable
(Adj.)
|
Too many to be counted
|
Undamaged
(Adj.)
|
Not damaged or not spoiled
|
Undesirable
(Adj.)
|
Not wanted
|
Unemployment
(N.)
|
No work, job
|
Unforgetable
(Adj.)
|
That will stay forever in memory
|
Unkind (Adj.)
|
Not friendly
|
Unlucky
(Adj.)
|
Not lucky
|
Unpopular
(Adj.)
|
Not popular
|
Unrelated
(Adj.)
|
Not related or not connected
|
Unreliable
(Adj.)
|
Not reliable
|
Unsatisfied
(Adj.)
|
Not satisfied
|
It is important to distinguish the negative prefix un- 'not' from the prefix un- 'do the reverse of' which is normally attached to a
verb. The resulting word remains
a verb.
Words
|
Meaning
|
Undo (V.)
|
To cancel the effect of something
|
Undress (V.)
|
To remove one's clothes
|
Unroll (V.)
|
To open something that is rolled up
|
Untie (V.)
|
To remove somebody or something that is tied
|
Unwrap (V.)
|
To undo the covering that wraps something
|
2. The negative prefixes in-, im-, il-, ir-
This prefix is normally attached to an adjective. The resulting word remains an
adjective.
Prefiixes + initial consonant of the
attached root
|
Words
|
Meaning
|
il + l
|
illegal (Adj.)
|
Against the law, not legal
|
il + l
|
illiterate
(Adj.)
|
Not able to read or write
|
im + b
|
imbalanced
(N.)
|
Not balance
|
im + p
|
impossible
(Adj.)
|
Not possible
|
im + m
|
immeasurable
(Adj.)
|
No able to be measured
|
ir + r
|
irregular
(Adj.)
|
Not regular
|
ir + r
|
irresponsible
(Adj.)
|
Not responsible
|
in + other
consonants
|
incomplete
(Adj.)
|
Not complete
|
in + other consonants
|
intolerable
(Adj.)
|
Not tolerable
|
in + other
consonants
|
incorrect
(Adj.)
|
Not correct
|
It is also important to distinguish the meaning of the prefix im- or
in- 'not' from those carrying the meaning 'in, into' which forms a
verb.
Prefiixes + initial consonant of the
attached root
|
Words
|
Meaning
|
im + p
|
import (V.)
|
To bring goods from a foreign country
|
in + other
consonants
|
inflame (V.)
|
To cause strong feelings, especially among a lot of people
|
in + other
consonants
|
incorporate
(V)
|
To make something part of the whole
|
in + other
consonants
|
inject (V.)
|
To put in at speed a drug or other substance into somebody or
something
|
in + other
consonants
|
inhale (V.)
|
To breathe in
|
in + other
consonants
|
intend (V.)
|
To have a particular plan in mind
|
3. The negative prefix dis- 'not, opposite of, away'
This prefix is normally attached to a verb, an adjective or a noun.
The resulting words can be a verb, an adjective or a noun.
Words
|
Meaning
|
disappear (V.)
|
become no longer visible
|
disarm
|
take weapons away from someone
|
disbelieve
|
Refuse to believe
|
disclose
|
Reveal, make something known
|
discontinue
(V.)
|
To stop doing something
|
discover (V.)
|
To find or learn about a place or an object for the first time
|
discredit (V.)
|
Damage the good reputation
|
discredit (N.)
|
Loss of reputation or respect
|
1Information from: http://hum.ku.ac.th/learn/learnenglishthroughsong/BackAtOne/prefix.html
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