Let’s go step by step to create two words for each prefix.
We’ll think of common, real English words that start with each prefix. The first one is already done: “anti-” → “antigravity” and “antibodies”.
Now let’s do the rest:
2.
extra-
- Extraordinary (meaning very special or unusual)
- Extraterrestrial (meaning from outside Earth — like aliens!)
3.
over-
- Overcome (to beat a problem)
- Overflow (when something spills over because it’s too full)
4.
under-
- Underwater (below the surface of water)
- Understand (to know what something means)
5.
trans-
- Transport (to move things from one place to another)
- Translate (to change words from one language to another)
6.
uni-
- Unicorn (a mythical horse with one horn)
- Uniform (clothes that are the same for everyone in a group)
7.
ex-
- Exit (a way out)
- Ex-president (someone who used to be president)
8.
counter-
- Counteract (to stop or reduce the effect of something)
- Counterclockwise (the opposite direction of how clock hands move)
9.
inter-
- International (between countries)
- Interact (to talk or work together with others)
10.
bi-
- Bicycle (a vehicle with two wheels)
- Bilingual (able to speak two languages)
11.
tri-
- Triangle (a shape with three sides)
- Tricycle (a bike with three wheels)
12.
octo-
- Octopus (an animal with eight arms)
- October (the eighth month in the old Roman calendar — now it’s the 10th, but the name stuck!)
All these words are real and commonly used. We made sure each word starts with the correct prefix and makes sense.
Final Answer:
2. extra- → extraordinary, extraterrestrial
3. over- → overcome, overflow
4. under- → underwater, understand
5. trans- → transport, translate
6. uni- → unicorn, uniform
7. ex- → exit, ex-president
8. counter- → counteract, counterclockwise
9. inter- → international, interact
10. bi- → bicycle, bilingual
11. tri- → triangle, tricycle
12. octo- → octopus, October
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 3rd grade common prefixes worksheet.
