WHAT IS A NEGATIVE PREFIX?

In English, we often place some syllables or elements of words before other words to form new words entirely. This ‘little’ part of a word is what is referred to as a prefix. For instance, ‘dis’, when placed before ‘agree’, will give you a new word ‘disagree.’ We can therefore say that ‘dis’ is a prefix.

Now, I want you to know that there are positive prefixes and there are negative prefixes. A positive prefix consolidates the meaning of the root word it is used with. For example, ‘em’ is a positive prefix. When you use ‘em’ with the root word ‘power’, you will have ‘empower.’ You can see that the meaning of power does not necessarily change, rather it gets more consolidated.

The focus of today’s article is on ‘Negative Prefixes.’ Just sit back and enjoy.

I have titled this discussion, “What is a Negative Prefix?” A negative prefix, unlike the positive prefix, is a syllable or other elements of words used before root words to completely change the meaning of the root words. When you take a look at the first example above, you will discover that the use of ‘dis’ before ‘agree’ produces the opposite meaning of ‘agree.’ That is what a negative prefix does. This looks simple, right? This may, however, not be simple to many people, especially those who are using English as a second language. How then can you appropriately use the negative prefixes? It is very simple. If you strictly follow the tips given below, I promise you, you will never have problems using negative prefixes appropriately. Let’s go:

Ø Use ‘dis’ before words that begin with a vowel or a consonant.

Examples

1.     Approve                   disapprove

2.     Comfort                   discomfort

3.     Allow                       disallow

Ø Use ‘im’ before words that begin with the letter ‘M’ or ‘P’

Examples

1.     Mobile             immobile

2.     Moral              immoral

3.     Personal          impersonal

4.     Possible           impossible

Note: You add ‘im’ to those words only to form negative words. This means that you cannot add ‘im’ to words like ‘motor.’ When you do that, you have ‘immotor’, which is ungrammatical in English.

Ø Use ‘il’ before some words that begin with letter ‘L’

Examples

1.     Legal                     illegal

2.     Logical                  illogical

3.     Legible                  illegible

Ø Use ‘in’ before some words that begin with vowels (except ‘I’ and ‘U’) consonants.

Examples

1.     Accurate                 inaccurate

2.     Eligible                   ineligible

3.     Sane                        insane

4.     Decent                    indecent

Note: There are, however, many other words that begin with ‘in’ and yet do not suggest negative prefixes. Examples are: incline, indulge, insist, invoke, insure, interest, etc. These words are considered independent and are use as such.

Ø Use ‘ir’ before some words that begin with the letter ‘R’

Examples

1.     Rational                          irrational

2.     Responsible                    irresponsible

3.     Resistible                        irresistible

4.     Regular                           irregular

Ø Use ‘non’ before some words that begin with a vowel or a consonant.

Examples

1.     Sense                    nonsense

2.     Fiction                  non fiction

3.     Alcohol                non alcohol

Ø Use ‘un’ before some words that begin with a vowel or a consonant.

Examples

1.     Abate                              unabated

2.     Interested                       uninterested

3.     Able                               unable

4.     Comfortable                   uncomfortable

5.     Prepared                        unprepared

Ø Below is a list of other negative prefixes that can be used before a vowel and

Consonant

·        Mal-                 malfunction, malnutrition, maladministration, maladjusted etc

·        De-                  deactivate, depopulate, demobilize, etc.

·        Anti-                antibiotic, anti corruption, antimalware, antivirus, etc.

Note: Please bear in mind that many words appear to have negative prefixes but, ideally, they are not negative. Examples: alike, universe, irrigate, involve, important, etc.

Yes, I know you have learnt something today. Go out there and practise what you have learnt and you will see that your spoken English would improve. Thank you for reading. Remember to use the comment section to drop your comments. Please read this:

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION: BUT SIN IS A REPROACH TO ANY PEOPLE (Proverbs 14:34).