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PREFIXES
Updated Sept. 1, 2009
Prefixes change the meaning of a word.
For instance, the prefixes "dis-" or "un-", give words their opposite meaning :
dis + appear (V) è
disappear
un + do (V)
è undo
|
PREFIXES |
their meaning / use |
examples |
|
anti + adjective / noun |
opposite |
anti-clockwise/ anti-climax |
|
anti + noun / adjective |
against |
anti-theft device / anti-European |
|
co + noun / verb |
together |
cohabit |
|
dis + verb |
negative/opposite |
dislike / disembark |
|
il + adjective |
opposite |
illegal |
|
im + adjective |
opposite |
impossible |
|
in + adjective |
opposite |
indirect |
|
inter + adjective |
between |
intercontinental |
|
ir + adjective |
opposite |
irregular |
|
mis + verb |
wrongly/ badly |
mistook / mishandle |
|
over + verb |
too much |
overwork |
|
out + verb |
more |
outnumber |
|
post + noun / verb |
after |
postgraduate |
|
pre + noun / verb |
before |
pre-arrangement |
|
pro + noun / adjective |
in favour of |
pro-Unions / pro-European |
|
sub + adjective |
below |
substandard |
|
super + noun/ adjective |
greater than |
superhuman |
|
trans + noun / verb |
across |
transplant / transcontinental |
|
un + verb / adjective |
negative / opposite |
unlock / unhappy |
|
under + verb |
not enough / too little |
undercook / undercharge |
A few rules :
• Words beginning with l : we use il-
il + legal = illegal
• Words beginning with m or p : we use im- instead of in-
im + polite - impolite
• Words beginning with r : we often use ir- instead of in-
ir + responsible = irresponsible.
Common mistakes :
• You must unconnect the cables first.
è You must disconnect the cables first.
• They expelled him for
disbehaving. è They expelled him for misbehaving.
è Many words with a prefix have a base part which never
exists without its prefix.
Examples : immediate, incontrovertible, uncalled-for , …
This table and the notes are on a PDF document : click
on its logo to get it
______________________________________________
TIME
SEQUENCE
Basic transitional words/phrases :
First / firstly / at first… In the beginning / to begin with / to start
with
secondly then
Après (dans le sens de "ensuite …", "puis …") se dit "then"
"After" appelle un complément :
* "After the woman told her to go away, she stood there"
* "After the headmistress' refusal, she took her letters back"
… …
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