Written by Gabriela Estrada

In order to deduce a topic in English, it is useful to know the prefixes and suffixes in a word. These are elements that are added at the beginning and at the end and serve to modify its meaning or grammatical function. Applying them correctly helps to understand many English words without needing to know them completely and thus to know what a conversation or a specific message is about.

Today I will share a guide with examples and strategies to learn how to deduce the meaning of unknown English words from some common prefixes and suffixes. Let's get started! 

Common prefixes and suffixes and their meaning

In English, it is very common to read and hear terms such as passport, export, writer, etc., and each of them has a prefix or a suffix that gives it a particular meaning. Let's take a look at some examples and take note!

Prefixes and examples:

• The prefixes "im- /in- /ir-" indicate negation or the opposite of something. For example:
• Possible → impossible (possible → impossible)
• Regular → irregular (regular → irregular)
• The prefix "re-" means again, again. For example:
• Use → reuse (use → reuse)
• Start → restart (restart)
• The prefix "port" is related to "carry" or "movement".
• Import (to bring something from another place)
• Export (send something to another place)
• Passport (travel document)

Suffixes and examples:

• The suffix "-er" indicates a person who performs an action. For example:
• Teach → teacher (teach → teacher)
• Write → writer (write → writer)
• The suffix "-ness" turns an adjective into an abstract noun. For example:
• Happy → happiness (happy → happiness)
• Kind → kindness (kind → kindness)
• The suffix "-ly" turns an adjective into an adverb. For example:
• Quick → quickly (fast → quickly)
• Soft → softly (softly → gently)

Strategies for deducing the meaning of a word from prefixes and suffixes

With these activities, it is possible to begin to understand linguistic contexts by identifying the prefix or suffix that accompanies the word:

• Divide the word into parts, separating the prefix from the base or root. 

For example, in "unhappy"the prefix "un-" indicates negation and "happy"happy. Then it is possible to know that we are talking about an unpleasant event or that there is discontent.

• Look for the root of the word, that is, where it originates or what is the base. For example, "port"This term has several meanings depending on the context:
  • Place of embarkation or port.
  • Connection point or interface for data transfer between devices or networks. 
  • From Latin portaremeans to carry or transport. For example, exportwhen you transfer data or settings from one system to another device or software.

• Associate suffixes with known words. For example, if you know "teacher (person who teaches a class/professor), you can deduce that "writer (person who writes/writer) is also someone who performs an action.

For example, in "hopeful"the suffix "-ful" indicates full of somethingso it can be inferred that it means full of hope.

Recognize patterns within words allows for faster connections and regular practice, which improves English comprehension at different levels.

This relates the use of prefixes and suffixes at different stages of learning:

• Basic level: essential vocabulary is acquired and common prefixes are identified such as. un- (negation) and re- (repetition).
• Intermediate level: delves into the recognition of more complex structures, such as suffixes that indicate types of words. For example, learning that -ment forms nouns such as improvement (improvement) helps to deduce other similar terms.
• Advanced level: nuances in words are identified and the meaning in different contexts is understood. You analyze how prefixes can change the tone of a word, such as mis- at misunderstand (misunderstand), and apply more advanced strategies to expand vocabulary.

Learn languages with Planeta Immiland

Do you know your English level? At Planeta Immiland, we guide you in your language learning from zero to the most advanced levels. Our mission is to help students overcome language barriers and fulfill their biggest dreams. 

We are the first language school for immigration purposes in Canada. With our practical methodology adapted to different levels, the student will be able to advance step by step until he/she is able to deduce the message in a conversation or text in order to understand it and speak it fluently and naturally. 

Discover your language level with our free test and select the recommended course according to your score! See the English programs at Planeta Immiland Education.

Knowing the prefixes and suffixes in English helps the language to be learned intuitively. What you need to do is study with good guidance and practice! 

I hope this topic will be useful. Thank you very much for reading, see you soon!

With love, 

Planeta Immiland Education