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word to change its meaning. A negative prefix is a prefix which carries a negative
meaning 'not' , 'opposite of'.
Common negative prefixes in English are un-, im-, in-, il-, and ir-, and dis-.
Some of these prefixes are only attached to a noun or an adjective while some are
only attached to a verb. It is not possible to predict whether the negative prefix
un-, in-, or dis- is used with a particular word. The correct form must be learned.
1. The negative prefix unThis prefix is normally attached to an adjective or a noun to form an adjective
or a noun.
Words
Meaning
Unauthorized (Adj.)
Unbelievable (Adj.)
Uncountable (Adj.)
Undamaged (Adj.)
Undesirable (Adj.)
Not wanted
Unemployment (N.)
No work, job
Unforgetable (Adj.)
Unkind (Adj.)
Not friendly
Unlucky (Adj.)
Not lucky
Unpopular (Adj.)
Not popular
Unrelated (Adj.)
Unreliable (Adj.)
Not reliable
Unsatisfied (Adj.)
Not satisfied
It is important to distinguish the negative prefix un- 'not' from the prefix un- 'do
the reverse of' which is normally attached to a verb. The resulting word remains a
verb.
Words
Meaning
Undo (V.)
Undress (V.)
Unroll (V.)
Untie (V.)
Unwrap (V.)
2. The negative prefixes in-, im-, il-, irThis prefix is normally attached to an adjective. The resulting word remains an
adjective.
Prefiixes + initial consonant
of the attached root
Words
Meaning
il + l
illegal (Adj.)
il + l
illiterate (Adj.)
im + b
imbalanced (N.)
Not balance
im + p
impossible (Adj.)
Not possible
im + m
immeasurable (Adj.)
No able to be measured
ir + r
irregular (Adj.)
Not regular
ir + r
irresponsible (Adj.)
Not responsible
in + other consonants
incomplete (Adj.)
Not complete
in + other consonants
intolerable (Adj.)
Not tolerable
in + other consonants
incorrect (Adj.)
Not correct
It is also important to distinguish the meaning of the prefix im- or in- 'not' from
those carrying the meaning 'in, into' which forms a verb.
Prefiixes + initial consonant
of the attached root
Words
Meaning
im + p
import (V.)
in + other consonants
inflame (V.)
in + other consonants
incorporate (V)
in + other consonants
inject (V.)
in + other consonants
inhale (V.)
To breathe in
in + other consonants
intend (V.)
Meaning
disappear V.)
disarm
discard (V.)
disbelieve
Refuse to believe
disclose
discontinue (V.)
discount (N.)
discourage (V.)
discover (V.)
discredit (V.)
discredit (N.)
dishonest (Adj.)
Not honest
disloyal (Adj.)
dissatisfied
Not satisfied