Grammar points

1 Prefixes:

Prefix is a group of letters that is added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning and make a new word. A prefix (e.g. im-) added to an adjective generally has a negative effect:

I think it’s possible to solve the problem. – I think it’s impossible to solve the problem.

un -: uncooked, unimaginable im-: immoral, impractical

in -: incapable, inhuman dis-: dishonest, disagreeable

il-: illegal, illegible ir- : irresistible, irregular

Exercise 1.1. Supply the right adjectival forms:

1. I suspect he isn’t honest .In fact, I think he’s quite ____________________.

2. This arrangement isn’t strictly legal. Some people would regard it as______.

3. Sometimes she doesn’t behave in a responsible manner. She’s quite ________.

4. Such a situation is barely imaginable. It’s quite ______________________.

5. Bob is not very capable. He’s ________________ of making sound decisions.

6. This fish hasn’t been cooked enough. It’s _________________.

7. The scheme isn’t very practical. In fact, it’s quite ____________.

8. This dates from before the war. It’s ____________.

Exercise 1.2. After studying these five prefixes and their meanings, go on to the 15 sentences. In each sentence, underline a word beginning with one of these prefixes and fill in the blank with best meaning for that prefix.

Prefix	From	Meaning	Example
a-	Latin	from, off, away	absent
con-	Latin	with, together	congregate
in-	Latin	in, into, within	inhabit
pre-	Latin	before	prefix
super-	Latin	over, above, extra	superabundant

1. Pre-election news is broadcast ________________ the election.

2. An absconder runs________ and hides ____________ the officials.

3. Inhabitants are people who live ________ a place.

4. Congress is a lawmaking body made up of elected members from each state who meet___________ in Washington.

5. Supersonic aircraft fly at speeds _________ the speed of sound.

6. A student who is absent is ____________.

7. A precaution is taken ______________ hand to avoid trouble or discomfort.

8. A supermarket can carry and sell a number of items over and _________ the number a small store can.

9. An abstract of a book is a statement of the main ideas _________ it.

10. A collaborator is someone ___________ whom you work. (The n in con- has been changed to l.)

11. Superior work in school is _____________ average.

12. Conspirators plot __________ others to overthrow a government.

13. A supervisor ___________ sees the work being done.

14. A syllable added _________ a word is called a prefix.

15. To avert danger is to turn _______ it. (The b in ab- has been dropped.)

Exercise 1.3. Match the adjectives in column A their opposites in column B.

A	B
1. efficient	a. disagree
2. able	b. unimportant
3. important	c. inefficient
4. comfortable	d. unable
5. agree	e. uncomfortable
6. connect	f. irregular
7. regular	g. disconnect