Prefixes worksheet for students to practice forming new words by adding prefixes to given base words.

Let's solve this worksheet step by step.

Instructions:

Add a prefix (from the list: dis-, re-, un-) to each word to make a new word. Write the new word on the line.

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We are given 20 words, and we need to add one of the prefixes: dis-, re-, or un- to form a valid English word.

Let’s go through each one:

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1. adjust → re-adjust
→ *re-* means "again" → readjust (to adjust again)

2. honor → dishonor
→ *dis-* means "not" or "opposite" → dishonor (lack of honor)

3. approve → disapprove
→ *dis-* means "not" → disapprove (not approve)

4. honest → dishonest
→ *dis-* means "not" → dishonest (not honest)

5. aware → unaware
→ *un-* means "not" → unaware (not aware)

6. known → unknown
→ *un-* means "not" → unknown (not known)

7. beaten → rebeaten? → No, that's not common.
→ Wait — beat → re-beat? Not standard.
But beaten is past tense. We might consider rebeaten, but it's rare.
Actually, better: re- + beaten → rebeaten is not typical.
Let’s think: beaten → maybe unbeaten? Yes!
→ unbeaten (never beaten) → un- is correct.

8. like → dislike
→ *dis-* means "not" → dislike (not like)

9. believable → disbelievable
→ *dis-* means "not" → disbelievable (not believable)

10. obey → disobey
→ *dis-* means "not" → disobey (not obey)

11. believe → disbelieve
→ *dis-* means "not" → disbelieve (not believe)

12. pleasure → displeasure
→ *dis-* means "not" → displeasure (lack of pleasure)

13. concerned → unconcerned
→ *un-* means "not" → unconcerned (not concerned)

14. read → reread
→ *re-* means "again" → reread (read again)

15. decided → undecided
→ *un-* means "not" → undecided (not decided)

16. touch → untouchable? But we can’t add two prefixes.
→ re-touch? That’s possible in art (e.g., retouch a photo).
But let’s see: untouchable is a word, but uses *un-* and *-able*.
Wait — the base word is touch.
→ re-touch = retouch (to touch again) → yes, retouch

So: retouch

17. do → redo
→ *re-* means "again" → redo (do again)

18. trust → distrust
→ *dis-* means "not" → distrust (not trust)

19. easy → uneasy
→ *un-* means "not" → uneasy (not easy)

20. write → rewrite
→ *re-* means "again" → rewrite (write again)

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✔ Final Answers:

1. readjust
2. dishonor
3. disapprove
4. dishonest
5. unaware
6. unknown
7. unbeaten
8. dislike
9. disbelievable
10. disobey
11. disbelieve
12. displeasure
13. unconcerned
14. reread
15. undecided
16. retouch
17. redo
18. distrust
19. uneasy
20. rewrite

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✔ Summary of Prefix Usage:

- dis-: used for negation (not), opposite (e.g., *dislike*, *disobey*)
- re-: means "again", "back" (e.g., *reread*, *redo*)
- un-: means "not" (e.g., *unaware*, *undecided*)

This exercise helps build vocabulary and understanding of how prefixes change word meanings.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanations for any specific word!