Prefixes and suffixes worksheet for English language learners.

Let's solve each sentence by adding the correct prefix or suffix to the word in brackets to make a new word that fits the context. We'll use the given prefixes: DIS-, UN-, IM-, RE-, and suffixes: -ING, -ED, -ANCE, -FUL, -ABLE, -LY, -OUS, -ER.

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1. I can't answer this question. It's ............... (POSSIBLE).

→ "I can't answer" means it's not possible.
Use prefix IM- → IMPOSSIBLE
✔ Impossible

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2. Don't stand near the water. It's too ............... (DANGER).

We need an adjective meaning "dangerous".
Add suffix -OUS → DANGEROUS
✔ Dangerous

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3. I don't like this fish. It's not very well ............... (COOK).

We need a past participle form of "cook" to describe the state of the fish.
Add suffix -ED → COOKED
✔ Cooked

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4. Kate started crying because she was so ............... (HAPPY)

She is sad, so we need the opposite of happy.
Use prefix UN- → UNHAPPY
✔ Unhappy

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5. If you have a haircut it will change your ............... (APPEAR)

We need a noun meaning "look" or "appearance".
Add suffix -ANCE → APPEARANCE
✔ Appearance

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6. Paul never waits in queues. He is too ............... (PATIENT)

He doesn't wait → he lacks patience → use IM- for negative
→ IMPATIENT
✔ Impatient

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7. Thank you for your advice. You have been very ............... (HELP)

We need an adjective meaning "useful", derived from "help".
Add suffix -FUL → HELPFUL
✔ Helpful

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8. Stealing other people's money is ............... (HONEST)

Stealing is dishonest → opposite of honest
Use prefix UN- → UNHONEST
✔ Unhonest

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9. Our science ............... is very young. (TEACH)

We need a noun referring to someone who teaches science.
Add suffix -ER → TEACHER
✔ Teacher

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10. Harry didn't think the book was very ............... (INTEREST)

We need an adjective describing the book as uninteresting.
Use UN- + -ING → UNINTERESTING
✔ Uninteresting

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11. A million pounds was given to the hospital by an ............... person (KNOWN)

An unknown person — someone whose identity is not known.
Use prefix UN- → UNKNOWN
✔ Unknown

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12. When you ............... this paragraph, make it a bit shorter (WRITE)

We need a verb meaning "to write again" or "revise".
Use prefix RE- → REWRITE
✔ Rewrite

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13. Mary was wearing a/an ............... hat (USUAL)

A hat that is unusual → not common.
Use prefix UN- → UNUSUAL
✔ Unusual

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14. That was a great film. It was really ............... (ENJOY)

We need an adjective meaning "pleasant to watch".
Add suffix -ABLE → ENJOYABLE
✔ Enjoyable

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15. I like this town. The people are very ............... (FRIEND)

We need an adjective describing people who are kind.
Add suffix -LY → FRIENDLY
✔ Friendly

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16. I don't think you're right. I ............... with you completely (AGREE)

We need the opposite of agree.
Use prefix DIS- → DISAGREE
✔ Disagree

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Impossible
2. Dangerous
3. Cooked
4. Unhappy
5. Appearance
6. Impatient
7. Helpful
8. Unhonest
9. Teacher
10. Uninteresting
11. Unknown
12. Rewrite
13. Unusual
14. Enjoyable
15. Friendly
16. Disagree

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🔍 Explanation Summary:

- Prefixes change meaning (e.g., *un-* = not, *dis-* = opposite, *im-* = not, *re-* = again).
- Suffixes change word class (e.g., *-ing* = present participle, *-ed* = past, *-ful* = full of, *-able* = capable of, *-ly* = adverb, *-er* = person, *-ance* = noun).
- Always check grammar and context to choose the right one.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation in simpler terms!