What are Prefixes?

A prefix is a small group of letters that we add to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Today, we will learn about three prefixes: pre-, re-, and mis-.

Understanding the Prefixes

1. Pre-

Meaning: The prefix pre- means “before”.

Examples:

• Prehistoric: This means before history.
• Preview: This means to see something before it is officially shown.

Key Rule: When you see pre-, think of something happening before something else.

2. Re-

Meaning: The prefix re- means “again” or “back”.

Examples:

• Rewrite: This means to write something again.
• Return: This means to go back to a place.

Key Rule: If you see re-, it usually means to do something again.

3. Mis-

Meaning: The prefix mis- means “wrong” or “badly”.

Examples:

• Misunderstand: This means to understand incorrectly.
• Misdirect: This means to direct someone the wrong way.

Key Rule: If you see mis-, it usually means something is wrong or not done properly.

Tips and Tricks

• Look at the root word: Understanding the base word can help you guess the meaning of the word with the prefix.
• Practice: Try creating sentences with words that use these prefixes.
• Flashcards: Create flashcards with the prefix on one side and its meaning and examples on the other side.

Questions

Easy Level Questions

1. What does the prefix pre- mean?
2. Give an example of a word with the prefix re-.
3. What does the prefix mis- mean?
4. What does the word preview mean?
5. What does the word rewrite mean?
6. Can you think of a word that has pre- and means “before”?
7. What does the word misunderstand mean?
8. What does the word return mean?
9. Is the word preview a good example of pre-? Why?
10. Is misdirect a good example of mis-? Why?

Medium Level Questions

1. Write a sentence using the word prehistoric.
2. How does the prefix re- change the meaning of the word do?
3. Give two examples of words with the prefix pre-.
4. What would happen if we added mis- to the word lead?
5. Write a sentence using the word rewrite.
6. Can you think of a situation where you might return something?
7. What does it mean to preview a movie?
8. How does the prefix mis- change the word place?
9. Can you give an example of a word with both re- and mis-?
10. Write a sentence using the word misunderstand.

Hard Level Questions

1. Explain how the meaning of the word changes when you add pre- to historic.
2. Create a short story using both re- and mis- words.
3. What is the difference in meaning between direct and misdirect?
4. Can you find a word with pre- that relates to school? What is it?
5. What prefix would you use to mean to do something wrong again?
6. How does the prefix re- help us understand the word rebuild?
7. Write a sentence using the word preview and another with return.
8. How does understanding prefixes help you learn new words?
9. Can the prefix mis- change the meaning of a word completely? Give an example.
10. Write three sentences using words that all start with pre-.

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. Before.
2. Rewrite.
3. Wrong or badly.
4. To see something before it is officially shown.
5. To write something again.
6. Prehistoric.
7. To understand incorrectly.
8. To go back to a place.
9. Yes, because it means to see something before it happens.
10. Yes, because it means to direct someone the wrong way.

Medium Level Answers

1. A dinosaur is a prehistoric animal.
2. It becomes redo.
3. Prehistoric, preview.
4. It becomes mislead.
5. I need to rewrite my essay.
6. I might return a book to the library.
7. To watch a movie before it comes out.
8. It becomes misplace.
9. Yes, replay and misplay.
10. I misunderstood what she said.

Hard Level Answers

1. It means something that happened before history.
2. Once upon a time, I had to rewrite my homework because I misunderstood the instructions.
3. Direct means to guide someone correctly, while misdirect means to lead them the wrong way.
4. Prehistoric (as in prehistoric animals).
5. Mis-re-.
6. It helps us understand that we are building something again.
7. I watched a preview of the movie and then I wanted to return the DVD.
8. It helps me guess the meanings of new words.
9. Yes, for example, understand becomes misunderstand.
10. The prehistoric cave was fascinating, and I had a preview of the history book, so I wanted to return it to learn more.

Feel free to ask questions if you need more help understanding prefixes and how they work!