在单词的开头添加前缀以改变其含义：dis-trust, im-mature, counter-productive。在词尾添加后缀以改变其形式：wonder-ful、improv-ment、adapt-able。了解如何使用英语前缀后缀将帮助您扩大词汇量！

上文介绍了57条常用英语谚语，在本学习指南中，您将了解英语中常见的前缀和后缀。您将发现这些如何改变单词的含义和形式。给出的示例向您展示了如何使用这些前缀和后缀。

前缀和后缀统称为“词缀”。有些单词既有前缀又有后缀，例如：前缀 + 词根 +后缀 un-comfort-able

了解单词是如何使用前缀和后缀构成的，可以帮助您理解单词的含义并理解困难的拼写。

最常用的前缀是将具有肯定含义的形容词变为具有否定或相反含义的形容词，例如：uncomfortable。将单词更改为否定含义的前缀包括：in-、ir-、im-和dis-。使用这种前缀形成的例子有：in active、irregular、impossible和dishonest。

某些前缀组具有非常特定的含义和用途。下表总结了公制度量的最常见前缀，描述单位倍数的前缀和表示单位分数的前缀。

后缀使词根可以以不同的方式变化，以形成不同的词性。例如，词根“create”可以修改为creation （名词）、creative（形容词）和creatively（副词）。不同类别的词（名词、动词、形容词）有自己共同的后缀。

副词后缀

以下规则适用于英式英语拼写。另请参阅下面有关美国拼写规则的部分。

对于大多数以单个辅音结尾的短词，在添加后缀时将辅音双写，例如big/bigger。对于以 ‘-l’ 结尾的较长单词，您还应该将辅音双写，例如travel变为trave ll er。许多动词也遵循这个规则，例如mode lling。

对于以“-e”结尾的单词，当添加以元音开头的后缀时，通常会删除最后的“e”。示例包括：evolv e /evolving和irritat e /irritable。有时保留“e”以帮助发音，例如，在单词knowledge eable中。

同样的拼写模式出现在manageable和change eable中。有些单词有两种替代拼写。例如 loveable 和lovable都是正确的拼写。以ee、oe和ye结尾的词在添加后缀时不会去掉“e”。例子包括seeing 和canoeing 划独木舟。

英式英语和美式英语在拼写上存在一些差异。以下是一些常见的差异：

“Word families”是一组词，其中不同的后缀已添加到相同的词根。学习英语中的了解所有词族是非常困难的，但是知道一些常见的词族可以帮助您学习拼写模式和常见的前缀和后缀含义。

英语考试通常要求学生通过添加适当的前缀和后缀来“转换”单词。因此，熟悉前缀和后缀可以帮助您提高考试技巧和词汇量。

以下词族演示了如何转换词根以创建具有相似含义的不同形式。

在将前缀添加到单词的大多数情况下，不使用连字符 (-)。但是，在某些情况下可以使用连字符来使单词的含义更清晰并避免混淆。

一个例子是前缀以单词开头的相同字母结尾。例如c o –和owner。 添加不带连字符的co-可能会改变单词的发音并使意思难以理解。因此co-owner比coowner更清楚。

当单词有两种含义时，也会发生混淆。例如，remark是口头评论，但re-mark意味着再次标记/评估考试。在这种情况下使用连字符可以避免混淆。

连字符通常与专有名词前的前缀一起使用。例子包括：un-American 和anti-British。最后，前缀ex-、self-和co-通常与连字符一起使用。

下面的列表总结了常用的英语前缀和后缀。还提供了例句以帮助您在上下文中理解它们。

Anti-反对

antiseptic, anti-climax, antifreeze, antibiotic, antibody, anticlockwise许多感染可以用抗生素治疗。The atheletes ran around the track in an anticlockwise direction.Many infections can be treated with antibiotics.

Counter-

counterpart, counterproductive, counterclaimPutting too much pressure on young people can be counterproductive.

De-

deteriorate, derail, deactivateThe discussion deteriorated into an argument.

Dis-

dissatisfied, disappointed, disloyal, disobedient, disruptive, distrustJane never did what she was told. She was a disobedient child.Rob was disappointed when he didn’t get the job.

Ex-

ex-wife, ex-teacher, ex-husband, ex-policemanI still meet my ex-husband sometimes.No, he wasn’t a teacher before. He’s an ex-policeman.

Extra-

extracurricular, extracellular, extraordinaryHer journey across the world was extraordinary.

Fore-

forewarn, foreground, forefathers, forecast, forego, forefrontThis robotics company is at the forefront of modern technology.The weather forecast for tomorrow is good.

Homo-

homogeneous, homophone, homosexualAir is a homogeneous mixture.

Hyper-

hypersensitive, hyperlink, hyper-intelligentA hyperlink connects one page to another.

Il-

illogical, illegal, illiterate, illuminateDriving under the age of 17 is illegal in the UK.

Im-

immature, immaterial, immediately, immense, impersonal, impatientYou need to speak to the headteacher immediately.Jamie looks sensible but he is actually quite immature.

In-

inevitable, incorrect, indifferent, indoors, ineffective, insincereThe examiner told me that some of my answers were incorrect.Unfortunately, the cancer medicine was ineffective.

Inter-

international, intermediate, interpreter, interval, interfere, interestMy husband is working for an international company.Maggie decided not to be a teacher; she is training to be an interpreter.

Ir-

irresponsible, irrational, irregular, irrelevantIrregular verbs are difficult to learn!

Mal-

malpractice, malfunction, malnourished, malnutritionI couldn’t complete the work because laser cutting machine malfunctioned. 

Mid-

mid-July, midweek, mid-September, mid-sentenceI’m going to go out for a walk midweek. 

Mis-

misunderstanding, mistrust, misuse, misspell, misrepresent, mispronounceWe didn’t fall out – it was just a misunderstanding.The newspaper report misrepresented what I said! 

Mono-

monorail, monotone, monochrome, monotonous, monosyllable, monopolyThat song has a boring tune; it’s monotonous.A monorail has just one rail. 

Neo-

neonatal, neoclassical, NeolithicYes, that museum is a neoclassical building.

Non- (note the prefix ‘non’ is usually used with a hyphen)

non-event, non-stop, non-smoking, non-alcoholic, non-member, non-residentSorry, this is a non-smoking building.Non-residents are welcome in the restaurant.

Omni-

omnivore, omnipresentAn omnivore eats plants and animals. 

Out-

outbreak, outgrow, outrun, outweigh, outbuilding, outspokenHe has outgrown all his baby clothes now.Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Pre-

pre-war, pre-recorded, pre-pay, pre-set, pre-taxShe has a pre-recorded message on her phone.You can pre-pay for your dental treatment.

Re-

replay, rerun, re-record, re-writeShe had to re-write her essay to get a higher grade.The football match last weekend was a replay.

Semi-

semicircle, semi-darkness, semi-detached, semi-literate, semi-professionalThey left the restaurant in semi-darkness.Mary is a great tennis player. She is semi-professional.

Sub-

subtropical, subsection, sub-zero, subnormal, subsoilThey had to cope with sub-zero temperatures.Much of North Africa has a sub-tropical climate.

Super-

supermarket, supernatural, super-tanker, super-rich, supervisorSupermarkets have a greater range of products than local shops.John has been my supervisor for the past year.

Un-

unbelievable, unkind, unusual, unable, uncomfortable, uncannyMy new shoes are uncomfortable.That film was unbelievable!

Under-

underplay, underwear, under-valued, under-rated, under-paidHe was an under-rated actor.I’m not selling that vase. I think it has been under-valued.

-able

unbelievable, comfortable, washable, likeable, knowledgeable, fashionable (adjectives)Do you prefer fashionable or comfortable clothes?Professor Smith is very knowledgeable about insects.

-ance

performance, allowance, disturbance, appearance, brilliance (nouns)Tom is given a weekly allowance by his parents.The police were called to a disturbance in the street.

-ant

pleasant, brilliant, disinfectant, servant, assistant, (nouns and adjectives)We had a brilliant holiday in Spain.He decided to employ an assistant.

-ate

activate, affectionate, regulate, electorate, mediate, fortunate (nouns and adjectives)You can activate your PayPal account now.His dog is well-behaved and affectionate.

-dom

freedom, kingdom, boredom (nouns)Freedom of choice means you have more opportunity to make decisions.

-ence

presence, existence, occurrence, permanence (nouns)I could feel a ghostly presence when I went into the room!Most people dispute the existence of ghosts.

-ent

different, resident, president (nouns and adjectives)She has been a resident in this area for many years.

-er

carpenter, painter, hotter, bigger, diner, photographer (nouns and adjectives)He is training to be a painter.She would love to be a photographer.

-ery

bravery, machinery, bakery, flattery (nouns)You can buy bread at the bakery.The fireman was praised for his bravery.

-ful

beautiful, wonderful, colourful, eventful, restful, careful (adjectives)It was an eventful day.I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

-hood

neighbourhood, childhood, priesthood (nouns)This is a very quiet neighbourhood.

-ible

terrible, horrible, visible, edible (adjectives)Is that plant edible?Our house is visible from the road.

-ic

photographic, alcoholic, supersonic (adjectives)SpaceX is planning to launch a supersonic plane.The local pub serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

-ical

historical, identical, satirical (adjectives)John and Steve are identical twins.

-ion

decision, promotion, completion, election, exhaustion, deception (nouns)The results of the election will be announced tomorrow.She made an important decision today.

-ism

Cubism, socialism, criticism, heroism (nouns)Cubism was one of the most influential art movements of the twentieth century.

-ish

childish, selfish, reddish, snobbish, Spanish, English (adjectives)She looks grown-up but she is a little childish.He has reddish hair.

-ist

socialist, novelist, guitarist, pianist, sexist, racistShe is a brilliant guitarist.Sexism and racism are not to be tolerated in schools.

-ity

creativity, popularity, regularity, sexuality, eventuality, familiarity (nouns)Her strength is her creativity.Jenny carefully planned her trip to allow for any eventuality.

-ive

creative, positive, negative, transitive, explosive, detective (nouns and adjectives)My brother-in-law is working as a private detective.My mother is a creative person.

-less

careless, ruthless, pointless, meaningless, tasteless, powerless (adjectives)It was a careless mistake.Sorry, but this soup is tasteless.

-ment

permanent, government, employment, arrangement, management (nouns and adjectives)She is really pleased that she now has a permanent job.Have you got any management experience?

–ness

shyness, loudness, sadness, loneliness (nouns)He had to try hard to overcome his shyness.Loneliness can be a big problem for older people.

-ous

adventurous, pretentious, cautious, dangerous, spacious (adjectives)Her new flat is very spacious.She is really adventurous. She often travels to faraway places.

-ship

friendship, hardship, fellowship, premiership, citizenship (nouns)He has kept his friendship with Tony going for 20 years.They suffered a lot of hardship when they first arrived in the country.

-some

troublesome, bothersome, loathsome (adjectives)Wasps can be troublesome in late summer.

-ure

closure, fracture, measure, exposure, failure (nouns)He said the marriage broke down due to a failure to communicate openly.She was disappointed about the closure of the business.

-y

funny, scary, wintry, feathery, scaly, messyMy room is always messy!It was a beautiful wintry scene on Christmas Day.

英语前缀后缀是一种重要的构词法，一个英语单词可以分为三个部分：前缀（prefix），词根（stem）及后缀（suffix）。前缀，可以改变单词的意思，通过后缀常常可以判断出一个词的词性。掌握词性是掌握英语基本规律，扩大单词量的重要手段。