Prefixes and Suffixes
Prefixes and suffixes are affixes, which are added to the beginning (prefix) or end (suffix) of a word to create a new word or modify the meaning of the original word. Understanding prefixes and suffixes can help students expand their vocabulary and improve their reading and writing skills.
Prefixes
- A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
- Common prefixes include "un-" (not), "re-" (again), "pre-" (before), "dis-" (not), and "mis-" (wrong).
- For example, adding "un-" to the word "happy" creates the new word "unhappy," which means not happy.
- Learning prefixes can help students understand the meaning of unfamiliar words and improve their comprehension.
Suffixes
- A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function.
- Common suffixes include "-less" (without), "-ful" (full of), "-er" (one who), "-est" (most), and "-able" (capable of).
- For example, adding "-er" to the word "teach" creates the new word "teacher," which refers to someone who teaches.
- Understanding suffixes can help students recognize word patterns and derive meaning from unfamiliar words.
Study Guide
Here are some tips for studying prefixes and suffixes:
- Make flashcards with a word on one side and its prefix or suffix on the other side. Quiz yourself regularly to reinforce your memory.
- Read books and articles to identify words with prefixes and suffixes. Try to determine the meaning of these words based on the affixes.
- Practice using words with prefixes and suffixes in sentences to solidify your understanding of how they modify the meaning of the base word.
- Look for online resources, such as games and quizzes, to make learning prefixes and suffixes fun and interactive.
By mastering prefixes and suffixes, students can enhance their language skills and become more adept at deciphering the meanings of complex words.
[Prefix/Suffix] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂English Language Arts Worksheets and Study Guides Sixth Grade. Prefix/Suffix
Study Guide
Prefix/Suffix 
Worksheet/Answer key
Prefix/Suffix Worksheet/Answer key
Prefix/Suffix Worksheet/Answer key
Prefix/Suffix Worksheet/Answer key
Prefixes & Suffixes
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
Language Standards
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Determine meaning of unfamiliar words by using knowledge of word structure (root words, prefixes, suffixes, abbreviations) and language structure through reading words in text (word order, grammar), context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.