Detailed Explanation of Words with un-, dis-, in-, im- and non- ✏️📚
When we add prefixes like un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non- to a word, they change the meaning of the root word. These prefixes usually make the word mean the opposite or show negation (meaning “not” or “the opposite of”). This section explains what these prefixes mean, how they change words, and when to use each one, with examples perfect for Year 6 students studying English in Key Stage 2.
What is a Prefix? 🧐
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, if we take the word happy and add the prefix un-, it becomes unhappy, which means “not happy.”
1. Prefix un- 🚫
- Meaning: “not” or “the opposite of”
- Use: It is the most common prefix to mean the opposite. It can be used with adjectives, verbs, and sometimes nouns.
- Examples:
- unhappy (not happy)
- unclear (not clear)
- undo (reverse an action)
- Rule: It is usually added directly to the root word without changing any letters.
2. Prefix dis- ❌
- Meaning: “not,” “opposite of,” or “to do the opposite”
- Use: This prefix is often used with verbs and sometimes adjectives or nouns. It usually shows a negative or opposite action.
- Examples:
- disagree (not agree)
- disappear (to not appear)
- dishonest (not honest)
- Rule: It is added to the front of the word without changing the root word’s spelling.
3. Prefix in- 🚪
- Meaning: “not” or “inside”
- Use: Usually added to adjectives and sometimes nouns to mean “not.” It can also mean “inside” in some words, but in Key Stage 2, we focus on the “not” meaning.
- Examples:
- incorrect (not correct)
- invisible (not visible)
- Rule: Add in- before most root words starting with letters other than “m” or “p.”
4. Prefix im- 🚫
- Meaning: “not”
- Use: Similar to in-, but used before root words starting with the letters m or p.
- Examples:
- impossible (not possible)
- immature (not mature)
- Rule: Use im- instead of in- if the root word starts with “m” or “p” to make it easier to say.
5. Prefix non- 🚫✖️
- Meaning: “not” or “without”
- Use: This prefix is often added to nouns, adjectives, or adverbs to mean “not” or “without.”
- Examples:
- nonsense (not making sense)
- nonstop (without stopping)
- nonfiction (not fiction)
- Rule: Usually used with nouns or adjectives to show absence or negation.
Summary of When to Use Each Prefix 📝
| Prefix | Meaning | Use With | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| un- | not / opposite | adjectives, verbs, nouns | unhappy, undo |
| dis- | not / opposite | verbs, adjectives, nouns | disagree, dishonest |
| in- | not | adjectives (not m or p) | incorrect, invisible |
| im- | not | adjectives starting with m or p | impossible, immature |
| non- | not / without | nouns, adjectives | nonsense, nonstop |
Exceptions to Remember ⚠️
- Some words don’t follow the usual prefix rules, so it’s important to learn them as you read and write more. For example:
- independent starts with in-, even though it begins with “i” because it means “not dependent.”
- Some words have no negative form with these prefixes and need other words instead.
By understanding these prefixes and their rules, you can change many words to mean the opposite or show negation, helping you grow your vocabulary and improve your writing and reading skills! 📖✨
20 Examination-Style Questions on Words with un-, dis-, in-, im- and non- with Answers 📝✅
- Multiple Choice: Choose the correct word with the prefix un- that means ‘not happy’.
a) unhappy
b) dishappy
c) inhappy
Answer: a) unhappy - Fill in the Blank: Fill in the blank with a word starting with dis- to show the opposite of ‘agree’.
They decided to ________ about the plan.
Answer: disagree - Match the Prefix: Match the prefix to its correct meaning.
– un-
– dis-
– in-
– im-
– non-a) not or opposite of
b) not or opposite of
c) not or without
d) not or without (used before b, m, p)
e) not or withoutAnswer:
un- — a) not or opposite of
dis- — b) not or opposite of
in- — c) not or without
im- — d) not or without (used before b, m, p)
non- — e) not or without - Word Formation: Add the correct prefix (un-, dis-, in-, im-, non-) to the word to make it mean ‘not correct’.
______ correct
Answer: incorrect - Multiple Choice: Which prefix would you add to the word “possible” to make a word that means ‘not possible’?
a) un-
b) dis-
c) in-
d) non-
Answer: c) in- - Fill in the Blank: Complete the sentence with a word beginning with im-.
It was ________ polite to shout at your teacher.
Answer: impolite - Multiple Choice: Which word means ‘not able to be seen’?
a) invisible
b) disvisible
c) unvisible
Answer: a) invisible - Match the Words: Match these prefix words to their meanings.
– unhappy
– disagree
– impossible
– nonsense
– indirecta) not happy
b) not agreeing
c) not possible
d) without sense
e) not directAnswer:
unhappy — a) not happy
disagree — b) not agreeing
impossible — c) not possible
nonsense — d) without sense
indirect — e) not direct - Word Formation: Add the correct prefix to the word to mean ‘not active’.
______ active
Answer: inactive - Fill in the Blank: Use a word with dis- meaning ‘opposite of connect’.
Please ________ the charger before cleaning.
Answer: disconnect - Multiple Choice: Choose the correct word that means ‘not normal’.
a) nonnormal
b) unnatural
c) disnormal
Answer: b) unnatural - Fill in the Blank: Complete the word with the correct prefix to mean ‘not responsible’.
______ responsible
Answer: irresponsible - Match the meaning: Match the prefixes to these sentences.
– The word means ‘not able to enter’: ______
– The word means ‘not fair’: ______Options: un-, dis-, in-, im-, non-
Answer:
Not able to enter — in- (as in “inaccessible”)
Not fair — un- (as in “unfair”) - Word Formation: Choose the correct prefix to make a word that means ‘not happy with something’.
______ satisfied
Answer: unsatisfied - Multiple Choice: Which prefix means ‘not or without’?
a) un-
b) non-
c) dis-
d) all of the above
Answer: d) all of the above - Fill in the Blank: The opposite of ‘legal’ is ______.
Answer: illegal - Rewrite: Change the sentence to use a word with the prefix dis-.
The two friends agree about everything.
Answer: The two friends disagree about everything. - Multiple Choice: Which prefix would you use to say ‘not real’?
a) un-
b) dis-
c) non-
d) im-
Answer: c) non- (as in ‘nonexistent’) - Fill in the Blank: Add a prefix to ‘direct’ to mean ‘not direct’.
______ direct
Answer: indirect - Word Formation: Add the correct prefix (un-, dis-, in-, im-, non-) to complete the word meaning ‘not patient’.
______ patient
Answer: impatient
