Vocabulary: Word-building with prefixes and suffixes

(B1), B2, C1

A good way to develop your vocabulary is to learn different forms of the same word. In this activity, you will think of ways to change a root word by adding prefixes before or suffixes after the word. You will then practise using some of these words in sentences. Activity time: 20 to 45 minutes.

Task:   

1  Complete this table with other forms of the root word. Note that sometimes the meaning of the word changes completely e.g. close = shut  but disclose = reveal.

You can choose from these prefixes and suffixes:

Prefixes:    dis-     mis-    re-         non-     un-       irr-

Suffixes:   -able    -or      -ment    -less     -y         -ible     -ity       -ful      -ness      -iour    -ive

ROOT WORD	PREFIX	SUFFIX
close	disclose	closure
taste
like
sense
visit
understand
play
appoint
behave
agree
rational
friendly
comfort
treat
do

2  Now complete these sentences with prefixed and suffixed words from 1.

1   I don't want you to ______________ me. Let me clarify what I mean. (prefix)
2   Sorry, you can't see the doctor if you don't have an ______________. (suffix)

3   Our neighbour is very ______________. He never says hello when he sees you. (prefix)

4   I don't agree with you at all. What you're saying is total ______________! (prefix)
5   This sofa is very ______________ - I could easily fall asleep on it! (suffix)
6   She's a very ______________ person - she never takes decisions without thinking.(suffix)

7   You'll need to write that report. Do you think that's ______________ before Friday?  (suffix)

8   Mmm, this pasta is very ______________. What did you put in the sauce? (suffix)

9   The children always ______________ at my parents' house because they're too strict with them. (prefix)
10  We need the boss' ______________ before we can proceed with this project  (suffix)
11  I want to ______________ some of the towns I stayed in when I was a student. (prefix)

12  My cat loves to run after a piece of string. She's very ______________.  (suffix)

The answers are at the end of this activity.

Answers

Exercise 1 (possible answers)

distaste/tasty (for food) or tasteful (for style)       
dislike/likeable

nonsense/sensible or senseless or sensitive
revisit/visitor or visitable

misunderstand/understandable
replay or display/playful or player
disappoint/appointment
misbehave/behaviour
disagree/agreement or agreeable
irrational/rationality
unfriendly/friendliness
discomfort/comfortable
mistreat or retreat/treatment or treatable
undo or redo/doable

Exercise 2
1  misunderstand  2  appointment   3  unfriendly   4 nonsense   5   comfortable   6  sensible  7  doable  8  tasty   9  misbehave   10  agreement   11 revisit   12  playful