Prefixes: Un-, Non-, In-

Prefixes: Un-, Non-, In- exercise

• Help Kala and Dee find the prefixes.

  Hints

  Prefixes are affixes attached to the beginning of a word to change or add to the meaning of the root word.

  We learned about three prefixes that mean not or without. Can you find all three?

  The word able means having the skill to do something. When we add un- to this word it becomes unable. Being unable means lacking the skills to do something. How does the prefix un- change the meaning of the root word able?

  Solution

  The prefixes un-, non-, and in- mean not or without. When we add these prefixes to a root word, they change the meaning of the word to the opposite.
  Here are some examples:

  • un + realistic = unrealistic
  • in + valid = invalid
  • non + living = nonliving

  The other prefixes mean something different:

  • The prefix "re-" means back or again.
  • The prefix "pre-" means before.

• Which of the following statements about prefixes are true?

  Hints

  Think about some of the example words we learned about. Are prefixes un-, non- and in- attached to the beginning or the end of the root word?

  The word unusual means not usual. Where is the prefix in the word? How does it change the word?

  There are three correct answer choices.

  Solution

  The following statements are true:

  1. Prefixes change or add to the meaning of the root word.
  2. The prefixes un-, non- and in- mean not or without.
  3. Adding the prefix un-, non- or in- changes the meaning of the root word to the opposite.

  The following statement is false:

  1. Prefixes are added to the end of the root word. This is false because prefixes are added to the beginning of the root word.

• Sorting Prefixes Non-, Un- or In-

  Hints

  Where can you find the prefix of each word? Is it added to the beginning or the end of the base word?

  Prefixes are attached to the beginning of a word to change or add to the meaning of the root word.

  When we add the prefix "un-" to the word believable, we get the word unbelievable.
  un + believable = unbelievable

  Solution

  Prefix un-: unbelievable, unexpected, undefined
  Prefix non-: nonfiction, nonliving, nonexistent
  Prefix in-: invisible, incomplete, indescribable

• Complete each word using the prefix un-, non- or in-.

  Hints

  The prefixes non-, un- and in- mean not or without.

  Always read the sentence and think, 'does this make sense?', when choosing the correct prefix.

  What does it mean if something makes sense? If something makes sense, then it is easy to understand and clear. What does it mean if something is nonsense?

  Solution

  1. Dee fell down during the race because his shoelace was untied.
  2. It is important to move and exercise every day! It is bad for your health to be inactive.
  3. As Jane was reading her books, she found one book that she wasn't able to read. The words were scrambled on the page. She said, "This book is nonsense!"

• Which word completes each sentence?

  Hints

  • Un-, non- and in- are all prefixes we put in front of a word that means not or without.
  • Adding one of these prefixes changes the meaning of the root word to the opposite.

  The prefix "non-" means not or without. The word nondairy means not or without dairy.

  The word correct means without errors. How does adding the prefix "in-" change the meaning of this word? Incorrect means with errors or wrong.

  Solution

  1. Kala did not believe that rainbows are created when sunlight shines through the water. She is a nonbeliever. When we add "non-" to the beginning of the word believer, we change the meaning of the word to someone that does not believe in something.
  2. Dee was unafraid of the haunted house. She laughed and smiled during her tour. When we add "un-" to the beginning of the word afraid, we change the meaning of the word to someone that is not scared.
  3. The book is incomplete. It needs a title and author. When we add "in-" to the beginning of the word complete, we change the meaning of the word to something that is not done or finished.
  4. Ernie is allergic to dairy. He can only drink nondairy milk, like almond milk. When we add "non-" to the beginning of the word dairy, we change the meaning of the word to something that does not contain or is without dairy.
  5. Koko needs to study more before her tests. She received a low mark after she got many problems incorrect on her maths test. When we add "in-" to the beginning of the word correct, the word means contains errors or is wrong.

• Read the passage and identify the meaning of the bold words.

  Hints

  How can you use the words surrounding the bold word to help you identify the meaning of each of the bold words in this passage?

  Look at the root word without the prefix, for example in 'unaware', if we remove the un we have aware. Now when we add un we have the meaning that is opposite to aware.

  Let's look at the word incapable and see how adding the prefix in changes the meaning of capable.

  Solution

  Let's look at how each prefix 'un-', 'non-' and 'in-' changes the root words below.
  

  • Unaware = having no knowledge of a situation or fact. Aware = having knowledge of a situation or fact.
  • Incomprehensible = impossible to understand or comprehend. Comprehensible = possible to understand or comprehend.
  • Incapable = unable to do or achieve something. Capable = having the ability to achieve or do something.
  • Unprepared = not ready or prepared to do something. Prepared = ready and prepared to do something.
  • Nondairy = something that does not contain dairy products. Dairy = something that contains dairy products.
  • Nonessential = not necessary or essential things. Essential = necessary and important things.