Tool or game
Lesson
Vocabulary: Word formation with prefixes and suffixes
Unprecedented, irreversible, counterproductive, affordability: build precise academic words from roots you already know, and avoid word-form errors that cost marks.
Negative prefixes
| Prefix | Usually before… | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| un- | many adjectives | unprecedented, unsustainable, unaffordable |
| in- | many Latin-based words | inadequate, inevitable, insufficient |
| im- | words starting with m or p | impractical, immature, impartial |
| il- | words starting with l | illegal, illogical, illiterate |
| ir- | words starting with r | irreversible, irrelevant, irresponsible |
Meaning prefixes
mis- (wrongly): misinterpret · over- / under- (too much / too little): overestimate, underfunded · counter- (against): counterproductive
Suffixes that change the word class
| Suffix | Makes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ity | noun from adjective | affordable → affordability |
| -ness | noun from adjective | aware → awareness |
| -ise / -ize | verb | modern → modernise |
| -ive | adjective | effect → effective |
| -ment | noun from verb | invest → investment |
Practise freely
Questions 1–8
Write the correct form of the word in brackets.
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Some damage to coral reefs may be . (reverse)
-
The pandemic caused disruption to education. (precedent)
-
Banning phones completely could be . (productive)
-
Many rural schools are badly . (fund)
-
The of housing has become a national concern. (afford)
-
It is to expect students to work and study full-time. (realistic)
-
Campaigns have raised public of mental health. (aware)
-
Journalists sometimes scientific findings. (interpret)
Questions 9–12
Is each word correctly formed?
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unlegal
-
irrelevant
-
inpractical
-
inevitable
More vocabulary practice
PDF worksheet
Writing Task 1 language bank
PDF worksheet