20 examples of affixes

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Affixes are letters or groups of letters added to a word to modify its meaning or create a new word altogether. They can be divided into prefixes (added at the beginning of a word) and suffixes (added at the end of a word).

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Examples of Affixes

Here are 20 examples of affixes, showcasing their usage and impact on words:

Prefixes:

  1. Re-: The prefix “re-” means to do something again. For example, “rewrite” means to write something again.
  2. Un-: Adding “un-” to a word negates its meaning. “Happy” becomes “unhappy,” indicating not being happy.
  3. Dis-: The prefix “dis-” is used to express negation or reversal. “Agree” becomes “disagree” when you disagree with someone.
  4. Pre-: “Pre-” means before. “View” becomes “preview,” a view before the main event.
  5. Mis-: Adding “mis-” denotes a wrong action or misunderstanding. “Understand” becomes “misunderstand.”

Suffixes:

  1. -er: This suffix denotes a person or thing that acts. “Teach” becomes “teacher,” one who teaches.
  2. -ly: Adding “-ly” turns adjectives into adverbs. “Quick” becomes “quickly.”
  3. -ful: The suffix “-ful” means full of or having. “Joy” becomes “joyful,” full of joy.
  4. -less: Adding “-less” indicates the absence of something. “Fear” becomes “fearless,” without fear.
  5. -ment: The suffix “-ment” is used to create nouns from verbs. “Govern” becomes “government.”

Combination of Prefixes and Suffixes:

  1. Unhappily: By combining the prefix “un-” and the suffix “-ly,” we get “unhappily,” meaning not happy in an adverb form.
  2. Redo: Joining the prefix “re-” and the verb “do,” we get “redo,” meaning to do something again.
  3. Friendship: Combining the base word “friend” and the suffix “-ship” results in “friendship,” the state of being friends.
  4. Dislikeable: By adding the prefix “dis-” and the suffix “-able” to “like,” we get “dislikeable,” not easy to like.
  5. Overcooked: Joining the prefix “over-” and the verb “cook” creates “overcooked,” meaning to cook something for too long.

Less Common Affixes:

  1. -ology: The suffix “-ology” is used to indicate the study of something. “Biology” is the study of life.
  2. -ist: Adding “-ist” to a noun denotes a person who practices or believes in something. A “Pianist” is someone skilled in playing the piano.
  3. -ize: The suffix “-ize” is used to form verbs from nouns or adjectives. “Modern” becomes “modernized.”
  4. -ist: Adding “-ist” to a country or region’s name refers to a person from that place. “American” becomes “Americanist.”
  5. -ful: The suffix “-ful” can also denote an amount or capacity. “Spoon” becomes “spoonful,” the amount a spoon can hold.

Remember that affixes greatly contribute to the richness of the English language by allowing us to create a wide range of words with diverse meanings. Understanding them helps improve our vocabulary and language skills.


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