Learn to Use 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
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.