There are different types of prefixes:
i. Reversative Prefixes
To make reversal of action. For example
un: untie
de: delist, deforest
dis: dismember, disinfect
ii. Negative Prefixes
i. un- : unable, unhappy, undecided
ii. in- : inability, incapable, incompetent
Please note that examples such as instruction, instead, inform/information do not fall in this category.
iii. ill- : illegal, illogical, illicit
The argument is baseless and illogical.
iv. ir- : irresponsible, irrelevant, irredeemable
Please note that examples such as irritated do not fall in this category.
v. im- : impossible, immortal, implausible
Please note the examples such as impression, immaculate, important, improve, do not fall in this category.
vi. non- : noncombatant, nonconcomitant
Please note the examples such as noncharlant do not fall in this category.
iii. (Prefixes) of Degree/Size
super: supermarket, superman
arch: archbishop, archangel
over: overuse, overreact
ultra: ultramodern, ultrasound
mini: minibook, miniskirt
iv. Pejorative Prefixes
Markers of wrong acts
mis: misconduct, misbehave
mal: maladministration, malfunction
pseudo: pseudo-intellectual
v. Prefixes of Attitude
anti: anti-government, anti-democracy
pro: pro-democracy, pro-abortion
vi. Prefixes of Time and Order
pre: pre-independence, pre-colonial
post: post-independence, post-colonial
ex: exboyfriend, ex-president
fore: forefathers, foreknowledge
vii. Number Prefixes
uni: unimodal
mono: monocotyledon,
bi: biannual, bisexual
tri- triangle, tricycle
poly: polysyllabic
multi: multidimensional, multitask
It's also important to note that one or two prefixes could mean something different in different contexts. For instance, un- can be a negative prefix (unfair) but it is a reversative prefix in (untie).
In the same vein, not all instances of ex- imply former. Please take note. For example, ex- in ex-president means former president but the same cannot be said of example or examine, where ex- cannot be said to be a prefix joined to ample or amine.
The same principle above applies for dis- too. Of course dis- is not a prefix in dissident but it is a prefix in discourage.
Thank you for reading. For consultation, questions, comments, observations, tutorials, etc., the blogger, Olabanji O. Odurombi, can be contacted on 08037699294.
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