Prefixes and suffixes exercise worksheet for language learning.

Let's solve each sentence by adding the correct prefix or suffix to the word in brackets, using the given options:

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Prefixes:

- DIS-, UN-, IM-, RE-

Suffixes:

- -ING, -ED, -ANCE, -FUL, -ABLE, -LY, -OUS, -ER

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Now, let’s go through each sentence one by one.

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1. I can't answer this question. It's………………… (POSSIBLE).
→ "Can't answer" means it's not possible.
→ Use IM- prefix: IMPOSSIBLE
✔ Answer: impossible

2. Don't stand near the water. It's too………………… (DANGER).
→ We need an adjective meaning "dangerous".
→ Add suffix -OUS: DANGEROUS
✔ Answer: dangerous

3. I don't like this fish. It's not very well………………… (COOK).
→ Past participle form of "cook" for passive/finished action.
→ Add -ED: COOKED
✔ Answer: cooked

4. Kate started crying because she was so………………… (HAPPY)
→ She was sad, not happy. So use UN- prefix: UNHAPPY
✔ Answer: unhappy

5. If you have a haircut it will change your………………… (APPEAR)
→ Need a noun. "Appear" → appearance
→ Add -ANCE: APPEARANCE
✔ Answer: appearance

6. Paul never waits in queues. He is too………………… (PATIENT)
→ He lacks patience → IMPATIENT
→ Use IM- prefix: IM + PATIENT = IMPATIENT
✔ Answer: impatient

7. Thank you for your advice. You have been very ………………… (HELP).
→ Need an adjective meaning "helpful"
→ Add -FUL: HELPFUL
✔ Answer: helpful

8. Stealing other people's money is………………… (HONEST)
→ Stealing is dishonest → DISHONEST
→ Use DIS- prefix: DIS + HONEST = DISHONEST
✔ Answer: dishonest

9. Our science…………………is very young. (TEACH)
→ Need a noun referring to a person who teaches → TEACHER
→ Add -ER: TEACHER
✔ Answer: teacher

10. Harry didn't think the book was very………………… (INTEREST).
→ Need an adjective meaning "not interesting"
→ Use UN- prefix: UNINTERESTING
→ But wait: we can also use -ING to make interesting, but he didn’t think it was interesting → so uninteresting
✔ Answer: uninteresting

11. A million pounds was given to the hospital by an………………… person (KNOWN)
→ The person is not known → UNKNOWN
→ Use UN- prefix: UNKNOWN
✔ Answer: unknown

12. When you………………… this paragraph, make it a bit shorter (WRITE)
→ "Make it shorter" → rewrite it
→ Use RE- prefix: REWRITE
✔ Answer: rewrite

13. Mary was wearing a/an………………… hat (USUAL)
→ A hat that is unusual → UNUSUAL
→ Use UN- prefix: UNUSUAL
✔ Answer: unusual

14. That was a great film. It was really………………… (ENJOY)
→ Need an adjective: "enjoyable"
→ Add -ABLE: ENJOYABLE
✔ Answer: enjoyable

15. I like this town. The people are very………………… (FRIEND)
→ Need an adjective: "friendly"
→ Add -LY: FRIENDLY
✔ Answer: friendly

16. I don't think you're right. I………………… with you completely (AGREE)
→ Disagree → use DIS- prefix: DISAGREE
→ But the sentence says "I... with you", so verb form needed: disagree
✔ Answer: disagree

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✔ Final Answers:

1. impossible
2. dangerous
3. cooked
4. unhappy
5. appearance
6. impatient
7. helpful
8. dishonest
9. teacher
10. uninteresting
11. unknown
12. rewrite
13. unusual
14. enjoyable
15. friendly
16. disagree

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🔍 Explanation Summary:

- Prefixes change the meaning (e.g., un- = not, dis- = opposite, im- = not, re- = again).
- Suffixes often change the part of speech:
- -ful → adjective (full of)
- -able → adjective (capable of)
- -ly → adverb (but here used for adjectives like *friendly*)
- -er → person who does something
- -ed → past tense or past participle
- -ing → present participle or gerund
- -ance → noun form (like *appearance*)

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or flashcards!