Hau to -lt va bt

We use prefixes to change meaning. They never change the part of speech. • Many prefixes give a word a meaning which is the opposite or negative of the original.
For example: we can use the prefixes dis or im: dis + agree > disagree;
im+ polite > impolite
 
Prefix
Meaning / use
Example

anti + adjective/noun
opposite
anti- clockwise/ anti-climax

anti + noun / adjective
against
anti-theft device / anti-European

co + noun / verb
together
cohabit / cooperate / cowriter

dis + verb
negative/opposite
dislike / disembark / dismiss / disconnect

il + adjective
opposite
illegal / illiterate / illegible /

im + adjective
opposite
impossible / impolite / impatient / imperfect

in+adjective
opposite
indirect / inadequate/ informal / indecisive

inter + adjective
between
intercontinental / international

ir + adjective
opposite
irregular / irrelevant / irresponsible

mis + verb
wrongly/ badly
mistook / mishandle/misunderstand

over + verb
too much/excess
overwork / overcook/overcome/oversleep

out + verb
more
outnumber

post + noun / verb
after
postgraduate/ postwar

pre + noun / verb
before
pre- arrangement/ prejudge

pro + noun / adjective
in favour of
pro-Unions / pro-European

sub + adjective
below
substandard / subway / submarine / subdivision

super + noun/ adjective
greater than
superhuman / superpower

trans + noun / verb /
across
transplant /transcontinental

un + verb / adjective
negative / opposite
unlock / unhappy/ unreasonable / unhappy

under + verb
not enough/too little
undercook / undercharge/underestimate


 There are a few rules:
• We use il instead of in with words that begin with l: il + legal = illegal
• We use im instead of in with words that begin with m or p: im + polite - impolite
• We often use ir instead of in with words that begin with r: ir + responsible = irresponsible.


EXERCISES Ex. 1. Complete the sentences below with the opposites of the following adjectives
possible employed patient reliable advantage responsible
happy legal formal reasonable convenient honest
Don’t depend on him. He’s a very …………………….…… person.
Don’t be so ………………..…, we’re only been waiting a few minutes.
7.30 a.m on a Saturday is a rather ………………………… time for an appointment.
Please don’t be so ………………….……., I can’t do all the work by myself.
It’s too late now. It’s ……………………… for me to be there before 8.00 p.m.
She is ……………..…………. .because she failed in the final exam.
It’s ……………..………. to drive under the age of seventeen in Britain.
He doesn’t have any jobs. He is …….....................
It was … …………… of her to cheat in the examination.
It was very …………………….. of you to go away for the weekend without telling your parents where you were.
It is a great ………….……. nowadays not to be able to drive – especially when applying for a job.
You don’t need to wear a suit or a jacket; it’s going to be a very …………………. party.
Ex. 2. Complete the following sentences with nouns made from the words given in parentheses.
1. All the bad news in the daily paper give me great……………………... .(happy)
2. Arnold hides his…………............……....……under kind words. (honest)
3. Bob often cries and then laughs. He shows emotional………………. (stable)
4. Graham is a difficult child: he’s very …………………….............….. (obey)
5. To drive without a licence is an ......................................... (legal)
6. Tom’s room is a mess. His ……….………..........….…….is famous. (tidy)
7. Unfortunately Jonas always expresses complete...........................with my ideas. (agree)
8. The rate of ...............................especially among young people is dramatically increasing. (employ)
9. James is very original and he always dresses in a ............................... way. (conform)
10. Sally is sometimes very silly and shows all her ................................... (mature)
11. In the States they celebrate their ...............................in July. (depend)
12. Racism and .....................................are very serious problems. (tolerate)
13. She expressed her .............................with the service by leaving no tip. (satisfy)
14. After her sudden.................................we called the police. (appear)
15. This year uor country will have been …………………… for 40 years. (dependence)
EX. 3 Complete the sentences with the word given with an appropriate prefix.
1. This meat is...............................and it’s still raw. I don’t like it. (cook)