Negative Prefixes
A prefix is a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to make a new word. Negative prefixes create a new word with an opposite or negative meaning. Sometimes adding a prefix to a word to make it negative isn’t as simple as it seems. There are no definite rules about which prefix can be used to form a negative adjective.
Level B1/B2
Negative Prefixes
Un- is the most common negative prefix meaning “not”. It’s used to give opposite and negative meanings to adjectives, adverbs and nouns. The un- prefix tends to be used with verbs, words formed from verbs, and adjectives describing feelings or judgments. Words with un- may begin with a vowel or a consonant.
happy – unhappy
acceptable – unacceptable
certain – uncertain
fair – unfair
likely – unlikely
lucky – unlucky
realistic – unrealistic
surprising – unsurprsing
tidy – untidy
wanted – unwanted
able – unable
fit – unfit
believable – unbelievable
caring – uncaring
pleasant – unpleasant
fortunate – unfortunate
safe – unsafe
comfortable – uncomfortable
interested – uninterested
limited – unlimited
selfish – unselfish
The prefix in– is the second most common negative prefix. In- changes its form to il- before an l; to im- before b, m or p; and to ir- before r.
in-
dependent – independent
visible – invisible
appropriate – inappropriate
expensive – inexpensive
accurate – inaccurate
complete – incomplete
correct – incorrect
effective – ineffective
formal – informal
valid – invalid
competent – incompetent
decisive – indecisive
direct – indirect
cosiderate – inconsiderate
il- is used with adjectives beginning with l
legal – illegal
legible – illegible
literate – illiterate
logical – illogical
im- is used with adjectives beginning with b, m, p
patient – impatient
polite – impolite
perfect – imperfect
moral – immoral
mature – immature
possible – impossible
movable – immovable
practical – impractical
mortal – immortal
probable – improbable
ir- is used with adjectives beginning with r
responsible – irresponsible
regular – irregular
relevant – irrelevant
rational – irrational
resistable – irresistable
removable – irremovable
respective – irrespective
replaceable – irreplaceable
Prefix dis- changes the meaning of the word to “not something” or “the opposite of something”
honest – dishonest
organized – disorganized
courteous – discourteous
interested – disinterested
comfort – discomfort
appear – disappear
advantage – disadvantage
agree – disagree
satisfied – dissatisfied
like – dislike
loyal – disloyal
Have practice using negative prefixes.
Task 1. Write the negative form of these words by adding a negative prefix: “un-“, “dis-“, “ir-“, “il-“, “in-“, or “im-“.
____comfortable
____patient
____honest
____ lucky
____formal
____possible
____popular
____lock
____appear
____agree
____legal
____polite
____like
____logical
____convenient
____frequent
____believable
____relevant
____mature
____approve
____dependent
____legible
____curable
____responsible
____moral
____familiar
____accurate
____regular
____grateful
____resistible
Task 2.Use the negative prefixes and the adjectives given to complete the sentences.
possible honest sociable patient legal responsible pleasant polite
My aunt’s children are so __________. They never say please and thank you.
Tim’s really __________. He never tells the truth.
I wish I wasn’t so __________, but I really don’t like going out or talking to new people.
Don’t be so __________. I’ll be ready in 5 minutes.
Liz can be really __________ sometimes. She seems like upsetting people.
This maths problem is __________. I can’t to it.
I wouldn’t ask Jack to look after my little brother. He’s too __________.
In Britain, it’s __________ to drive under the age of 17.
Task 3. Complete the sentences by adding the correct prefix for each word.
It’s rather ___polite if you don’t say ‘please’ a lot in English.
My parents are extremely generous with their time and money. They are very ___selfish.
If the traffic is bad, it’ll be ___possible to get to the match on time.
It’s ___legal to drive along that street; it’s for pedestrians only.
My mum thought a burglar had been in my bedroom, but it’s always really ___tidy.
It was completely ___responsible of you to go away for the weekend without telling us.
Mike’s pretty ___happy about going on holiday with his girlfriend’s parents.
I never know when to expect the post. It’s so ___regular.
Taking a large suitcase on a walking holiday is a bit ___practical.
Task 4. Fill in negative prefixes to form the OPPOSITE of each of the adjectives below. In some cases, more than one prefix is possible.
___acceptable ___accurate ___adequate ___agreeable ___approachable ___appropriate ___bearable ___compatible ___complete ___conscious ___contented ___convenient ___credible ___decisive ___desirable ___discreet ___excusable ___experienced ___faithful ___flexible ___frequent ___grateful ___healthy ___helpful ___hospitable ___legal ___legible ___legitimate ___literate ___logical ___mature ___moral ___mortal ___obedient ___organised ___passive ___patient ___perfect ___personal ___polite ___probable ___readable ___regular ___resolute ___responsible ___respectful ___sane ___satisfactory ___satisfied ___sociable ___sufficient ___variable ___visible ___willing
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