What are Prefixes and Suffixes?

A prefix is a group of letters placed before the root of a word. A suffix is a group of letters placed after the root of a word. Prefixes and suffixes are called affixes.

The most common type of affix in English is the suffix. The three most common types of suffix are:
-ed, -ing, -ly.

The most common type of prefix is the preposition. The three most common types of prefix are:
re-, un-, in-.

Here are some examples:

Root Word: work       Prefix: re-      Suffix: -ed  Combined Word: rework
Root Word: happy      Prefix: un-      Suffix: -ly  Combined Word: unhappy
Root Word: possible   Prefix: im-      Suffix:-ible Combined Word impossible 

Prefixes usually change the meaning of a word; they can make a word negative, show repetition, or indicate opinion. For example, the prefix “un-” can be added to “happy” to create the negative “unhappy.” Adding “-er” to “work,” creates the comparative form “worker,” and adding “-est” creates the superlative form “working.” In each case, the spelling of the root word changes when a suffix is added. It is important to spell words correctly with affixes; otherwise, they may not be recognized as words at all!

Suffixes also change the meaning of a word, but they can also change the part of speech. For example, the suffix “-ly” can be added to an adjective to create an adverb, as in “happily.” The suffix “-ness” can be added to a verb to create a noun, as in “darkness.” In each case, the spelling of the root word changes when a suffix is added. As with prefixes, it is important to spell words correctly with affixes; otherwise, they may not be recognized as words at all!