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Prefixes, Roots & Suffixes

Prefixes, Roots & Suffixes Lecture
Good writing is made up of words that are expressive and concise. One way to improve your word choice is to be familiar with prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Let's begin by looking at a word that contains a prefix, root, and suffix.

"Un  Reasonable"

In the example given above, reason is the root word. The root word carries the primary meaning. Reason means "basis for action" or "with good sense." The prefix un is added before the root word to change or modify the meaning. Un means "not." The suffix able is added after the root word to change the meaning. Able means "sufficient ability" or "worthy of."

So, unreasonable can be broken down to mean "not worthy of good sense or cause for action." Of course, this is a rather awkward way of putting it! It's much better to say
"unreasonable." (Notice that the word reason is a noun; adding the prefix and suffix make it an adjective.)

Here is a list of common prefixes and suffixes along with their meanings. Before continuing to the exercise, take a minute to study the list.

Prefixes
anti-opposite, against
com, con-with, together
de-reverse, remove, undo
dis-lack of, not
extra-beyond, outside of
in—in, inside, within
inter-between, among
mis—bad, wrongly
post-after
pre-before,
prior to
re-again
sub-under, subordinate
trans-across, change
un—not, reversal

Suffixes
able, ible-sufficient ability, worthy of
ance, ence-state of ant—performing, causing an action
er-one who, one that
ful-full of, abundant 
ic-relating to, like
ing-performing an action
ion—a process, state of being
ite-resident of
ism-practice or process, state of being
ity—state of
less—lack, without
ness-condition

Writing Prompt Exercise below
1. Now it's your turn to create words using prefixes and suffixes. Drawing from the list above, make your own list of words. Be sure to use every prefix and suffix. Try to use both in one word. Indestructible, for example, has a prefix and a suffix. Save the list when you're done.
Note: Be careful not to invent words. Not all words can accommodate prefixes or suffixes.

Hintful example of what not to do unless you have a character who can't read in your stories, Skylights, —
Distruthfulness, for instance, is not a word.

Taking A Journey Putting Prefixes & Suffixes into Action
Another Writing Prompt Exercise below
Now it's time to put into practice what you've learned about prefixes and suffixes. Take out your list of words. Using each of them at least once, write a story describing a real or imaginary journey. The journey can take place anytime or anywhere. Be sure to use lots of details in your account.
When you're done, underline each of the words from your list. Was your word choice enriched by your use of prefixes and suffixes?