Prefixes are often added to Latin roots that are not English words in themselves. These roots become words when a prefix is added. Below are some often used prefixes from Latin & Greek languages.
Prefixes from Latin
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| com-; con-; col-; cor-; co- | with, together | compare; conceal; collapse; correct; coexist |
| super- | over, above; extra; greater than others | superstructure; supersensitive; supermarket |
| trans- | over, through, across; beyond | transatlantic |
Prefixes from Greek
| anti- | against, opposed to; preventing | antifreeze |
| dia- | through, across; between | dialogue |
| para- | at the side of; alongside; in a secondary capacity | paramedic |
Prefixes Exercise
A. Use prefixes from the chart to form words with the roots below.
| -fer | ______________ | –site | ______________ |
| –ment | ______________ | –gress | ______________ |
| -pose | ______________ | –lect | ______________ |
| -dote | ______________ | -sist | ______________ |
B. Below is a list of roots and their meanings. Each of these roots can be joined with the prefix trans- or anti- to form a word. Attach the correct prefix and write the word.
| 1. -cend (from Latin scandere, “to climb”) | __________________ |
| 2. -mit (from Latin mittere, “to send”) | __________________ |
| 3. -biotic (from Greek bios, “life”) | __________________ |
| 4. -port (from Latin portare, “to carry”) | __________________ |
| 5. -pathy (from Greek pathos, “feeling”) | __________________ |
| 6. -parent (from Latin parere, “to appear”) | __________________ |
| 7. -septic (from Greek sepein, “to cause to rot”) | __________________ |
C. The prefix com- is somewhat like a chameleon. Its form changes depending on the word or root it is attached to. Com- may appear as con-, col-, cor-, or simply co-. Use the correct form of com- to form words from the following roots.
| -mand | ________ | -lect | ________ |
| -nect | ________ | -diction | ________ |
| -rupt | ________ | -sider | ________ |
| -ceal | ________ | -equal | ________ |
| -quest | ________ | -vince | ________ |
| -tain | ________ | -mence | ________ |
| -gratulate | ________ | -junction | ________ |
D. Add super- or trans- to each word below to form a new word. Write the meaning of the new word.
| action | ________ | oceanic | ________ |
| star | ________ | highway | ________ |
| plant | ________ | power | ________ |
E. Combine roots with the prefixes to form words that have the meaning given in the numbered items.
| mand: to order | feit: to make | ject: to throw |
| gust: to taste | cept: to catch | spect: to look |
| 1. to throw in | __________________________ |
| 2. to throw between | __________________________ |
| 3. to throw back | __________________________ |
| 4. to throw under | __________________________ |
| 5. to look in | __________________________ |
| 6. to order back | __________________________ |
| 7. to have an opposite (bad) taste | __________________________ |
| 8. to make against (an imitation) | __________________________ |
| 9. to give an opposite order | __________________________ |
| 10. to catch between | __________________________ |