In one line
A prefix is added to the front of a word to change its meaning, while a suffix is added to the end and usually changes its word class (noun, verb, adjective, adverb).
Explained simply
Take 'happy'. Add a prefix: 'unhappy' (meaning flips). Add a suffix: 'happiness' (now it's a noun) or 'happily' (now an adverb). Prefixes change what a word means; suffixes change what job it does in a sentence.
Technically, prefixes and suffixes are affixes (bound morphemes) attached to a base or root. They are a key part of verbal aptitude in the MU syllabus.
How it works
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| un-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, dis- | not, opposite | unable, inaccurate, impossible, illegal, irregular, disagree |
| mis- | wrongly | misunderstand, misprint |
| pre- / post- | before / after | preview, postgraduate |
| re- | again, back | rewrite, recall |
| inter- / intra- | between / within | international, intranet |
| sub-, anti-, over- | under, against, too much | subway, antivirus, overload |
| Suffix | Makes a | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -tion, -ment, -ness, -ity, -er/-or | noun | creation, development, kindness, ability, inventor |
| -ize/-ise, -ify, -en | verb | modernise, simplify, strengthen |
| -able, -ful, -less, -ive, -al, -ous | adjective | reliable, useful, careless, effective, digital, dangerous |
| -ly | adverb | quickly, efficiently |
Quick example
Base: 'rely'. rely (verb) → reliable (adjective, -able) → unreliable (prefix un-, 'not') → reliability (noun, -ity) → reliably (adverb, -ly). In one family, prefixes changed meaning and suffixes changed word class. Note spelling changes: y becomes i before -able.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the wrong negative prefix ('unpossible', 'inlegal'); in- becomes im- before b, m, p and il- before l, ir- before r.
- Ignoring spelling changes when adding suffixes (happy → happiness, argue → argument).
- Treating 'mis-' and 'dis-' as interchangeable.
How MU asks it
Typical forms: MCQs choosing the correct opposite ('The antonym of "legal" is ...'), 'Add a suitable prefix/suffix to form the opposite/noun form' (1 mark each, sets of 3 to 5). Know the prefix families above, the suffixes that create each word class, and common spelling rules.