Prefixes: A Simple Guide to Un-, Re-, Mis- and More

A prefix is a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. You already know words such as unhappy, rewrite and misunderstand. The letters at the start change the meaning. These are prefixes. Here are the ones you will see and use most often.

Possible → Impossible write → rewrite stop → nonstop

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Download this PDF for a quick guide, or continue reading for a more detailed explanation.

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1. Make a word negative

These prefixes can mean “not” or the opposite. Learn the whole word: you cannot swap them freely.

PREFIX	COMMON WORDS
un-	unhappy · unfair · unclear
dis-	disagree · dishonest · dislike
in-	incorrect · incomplete · inexpensive
im-	impossible · impatient · immature
il- / ir-	illegal · illogical / irregular · irresponsible

A useful spelling clue

im- often comes before m, p or b; il- before l; and ir- before r. Think: impossible, illegal, irregular.

Remember: we say unhappy and incorrect. “Inhappy” and “uncorrect” are incorrect.

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2. Do it again: re-

re- often means again or back. Useful words: rewrite · reread · rebook · restart · reconnect.

I accidentally deleted the email, so I had to rewrite it.

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3. Get it wrong: mis-

mis- often means wrongly. Useful words: mishear · misunderstand · mispronounce · misspell · misplace.

Sorry, I misunderstood your question.

Spelling note: misspell has two s’s: mis- + spell.

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4. Before, too much or too little

PREFIX	CLUE	COMMON WORDS
pre-	before	preheat · preview · prepay
over-	too much	overthink · overcook · overpay
under-	too little	underestimate · undercook · underpay

Preheat the oven. Don’t overcook the pasta. Check the chicken is not undercooked.

Common English prefixes, their meanings and everyday examples.

5. Quick practice

Choose a prefix to finish each word. Then say the complete sentence aloud.

01 The price is not correct. It is ______correct.

02 I need to write it again. I will ______write it.

03 Sorry, I heard your name wrongly. I ______heard it.

04 The food was cooked too much. It was ______cooked.

Click for answers:

incorrect · rewrite · misheard · overcooked

Prefixes are useful clues, but the whole word matters. If a new word seems unfamiliar, check its meaning.