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PrefixesYear 7 Spelling Starters
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Contents
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Common prefixes
Antonym prefixes
a- prefixes
Latin and Greek prefixes
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Prefixes – Common prefixes
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Common prefixes
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Knowing about prefixes can help us to understand and spell words.
Words are full of patterns and rules.
Prefixes help to create patterns in words.
Prefixes
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A prefix is a letter or group of letters that is fixed in front of the root of a word. The prefix changes the meaning of the word.
struct (build)
construct
destruct
obstruct
Knowing what the prefixes mean can help our understanding of unfamiliar words. In this example, the prefixes are:con = with/together; de = undo; ob = in the way.
con
de
ob
What is a prefix?
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Common prefixes
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Prefixes – Antonym prefixes
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Antonym prefixes
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Look at these words. The prefixes are in orange.
inaccurate
impolite
illegal
unhelpful
irregular
What is the effect of the prefix in each case?
The prefixes in, im, il, un, and ir all mean not. So by using these prefixes, the meanings of the words change – to the opposite meanings.
These are antonym prefixes. Antonym means ‘opposite’ and they make the original word into its opposite.
Can you think of other prefixes which do the same?
Antonym prefixes
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Antonym prefixes
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Antonym prefixes
What is the effect of the prefix in each case?
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Prefixes – a- prefixes
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a- prefixes
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What do you think the prefix al means?
almighty
alright
altogether
already
always
The prefix al means all.
a- prefixes
How many other words can you think of that begin al?
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a- prefixes
What do you think the prefix a- means?
aboard
afloat
aglitter
awake
aground
The a- prefix means on or in a state of.
= on board
= in a state of floating
= in a state of glittering
= in a state of waking
= on ground
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a- prefixes
The prefix ab means away from.
What links the words below?
abandon
abseil
abscond
abdicate
– They abandoned the ship.
– They abseiled down the cliff.
– He absconded from jail.
– She abdicated her throne.
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Prefix story
Write a short story using as many a prefixes as you can.
Choose one of these titles, or think of your own.
The Robbery The Affair
The King’s Voyage
The Away Game
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Prefixes – Latin and Greek prefixes
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Latin and Greek prefixes
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Press play to start the timer.
How many words can you think of that begin with the prefix auto, e.g. autobiography?
Latin and Greek prefixes
autograph
automobile
automatic
automaton
Here are a few suggestions:
What do you think auto means?
Auto means self.
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Latin and Greek prefixes
biceps
bilingual
biplane
biped
bifocals
Can you think of any words that begin with the prefix bi,e.g. bicycle?
Did you think of any of these words?
What do you think the prefix bi means?
Bi means two or twice.
Press play to start the timer.
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Latin and Greek prefixes
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Prefix quiz
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Mix and match prefixes
Prefixes Root words
re
un
mis
sub
act
marine
dead
place
grow
live
Match the prefixes to the root words.
How many new words can you make?
Did you find any of these words?
react
regrowsubmarine
undead relive
misplace