English in Use | Prefixes

In English, prefixes are added to the beginning of words to modify their meaning. Here are some of the most common prefixes at the C1 language level, along with examples:

1. Un-: This prefix indicates the opposite or reverse of the base word.
   • Example: Unhappy (not happy)
2. Dis-: This prefix is used to indicate negation or reversal.
   • Example: Disagree (not agree)
3. In- / Im- / Il- / Ir-: These prefixes often mean “not” or “without.”
   • Examples: Incomplete (not complete), Impossible (not possible), Illegal (not legal), Irregular (not regular)
4. Re-: This prefix indicates repetition or restoration.
   • Example: Rewrite (write again)
5. Pre-: This prefix suggests before or in advance.
   • Example: Precaution (a measure taken before to prevent something)
6. Mis-: This prefix implies incorrectness or wrongness.
   • Example: Misunderstand (to not understand correctly)
7. Over-: This prefix means excessive or beyond.
   • Example: Overcooked (cooked for too long)
8. Under-: This prefix means insufficient or below.
   • Example: Underestimate (to estimate too low)
9. Sub-: This prefix often means under, below, or less than.
   • Example: Submarine (a watercraft that operates under the water’s surface)
10. Super- / Sur-: These prefixes imply superiority or excess.
    • Examples: Superhuman (having abilities beyond those of a regular human), Surpass (to exceed)
11. Inter-: This prefix suggests between or among.
    • Example: Interact (to act together or communicate with each other)
12. Trans-: This prefix implies across or beyond.
    • Example: Transfer (to move from one place to another)
13. Co- / Com- / Con-: These prefixes often imply together or with.
    • Examples: Coexist (to exist together), Combine (to mix together), Connect (to join together)
14. Anti-: This prefix means against or opposed to.
    • Example: Antibiotic (a substance that works against bacteria)
15. Bi-: This prefix implies two or twice.
    • Example: Bilingual (able to speak two languages)

Learning and understanding prefixes can greatly enhance your vocabulary and comprehension skills.