Grammar tips

Today we will continue to take a look at negative prefixes and suffixes. Sometimes you might get confused with the specifics. This is why we must always revisit these tricky topics.

There are 13 negative prefixes in English: a-, ab-, an-, anti-, dis-, ig-, il-, im-, in-, ir-, non-, un-, mis-. We will give you a list of words that commonly take these prefixes.

Prefix dis­-

The negative prefix dis- means not, so it gives the opposite meaning when added to the word.

• like – dislike; trust – distrust; honest – dishonest; comfort – discomfort; appear – disappear; agree -disagree; similar – dissimilar.

Prefix ig-

This prefix is of Latin origin and it means not. We will rarely see this prefix.

• noble – ignoble.

Prefix il-

This prefix is used with words starting in “l”:

• logical – illogical; legal – illegal; legible – illegible; literate – illiterate.

Prefix im-

This prefix normally goes with adjectives beginning in “p”:

• polite – impolite; personal – impersonal; patient – impatient; perfect – imperfect; possible – impossible; mature – immature.

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