Here is a list of some prefixes and suffixes that are among the most common in the English language.
Prefixes:
ab- (away from)
be- (on all sides, overly)
de- (reversal, undoing, downward)
dis-, dif- (not, reversal)
ex- (out of, former)
pre- (before)
re- (again, restore)
un- (do the opposite of)
ad- (to, toward)
com-, con-, co- (with, together)
en-, em- (in, into, to cover or contain)
in- (into, not)
pro- (in favor of, before)
sub- (under, beneath)
super- (more than, above, greater, extra)
Suffixes:
-ed (past-tense verbs, ex. hopped)
-en (made of, ex. wooden)
-er* (comparative, ex. higher)
-er* (one who, ex. worker)
-est (comparative, ex. biggest)
-ful (full of, ex. careful)
-ion, -tion (act, process, ex. occasion, attraction)*
-ation, ition (act, process, ex. occasion, attraction)*
-ish, -like, ly (of, like, being, relating to, ex. childish, childl)
-ity, -ty (state of, ex. infinity)
-ive (able to do, capable, tending toward an indicated action, ex. corrective)
-less (without, ex. fearless)
-ly (characteristic of, ex. quickly)
-ment (action or process, ex. enjoyment)
-ness (state of, condition of, ex. kindness)
-ous, -eous, -ious (qualities of, possessing, ex. joyous)
-s, -es (more than one, ex. books, boxes)
-y (characterized by, ex. grouchy)
Posted on October 27th, 2009 by Caroline LaMagna
Filed under: English
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