Language: phonics and word knowledge
Prefixes
Use a prefix to change what a word means.
A prefix is a small piece of word that goes on the front of another word and changes its meaning. The word underneath does not change at all — you can always still see it in there.
un- and dis- mean not
Unlucky is not lucky. Unsafe is not safe. Dislike is not like. Disobey is not obey.
re- means again
Replay is play again. Repaint is paint again. Restart is start again.
pre- means before
Precook is cook beforehand. Prejudge is judge beforehand. Prearrange is arrange in advance.
mis- means wrongly
Mishear is hear wrongly. Misjudge is judge wrongly. Mislead is guide someone the wrong way.
Nothing else changes
Put the prefix straight on the front and leave the word alone. Unnatural keeps both n letters — one belongs to un, one belongs to natural.
Worked example
What does "unlock" mean?
Take the prefix off and look at what is left: lock.
The word underneath is where the meaning starts.
Try it together
Let us build three words from three prefixes.
Each answer is one word: a prefix joined to the word given, with nothing else changed.
1.The word is "tie". Write the word that means to undo a tie.
Have a go
Which word means 'to load again'?
Ready to practise?
Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.