Prefix& suffix worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve each of the sentences by filling in the blank with the correct prefix based on the given root word and context. We’ll use the list of prefixes provided at the top of the worksheet.

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Step-by-step solutions:

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1. He was unable to do his homework because he is inattentive in class. (attentive)

- Root word: attentive
- Meaning needed: not attentive
- Prefix meaning "not": in- (used before words starting with a consonant; “inattentive” is already a real word)
- ✔ Answer: inattentive
*(Already given as example, so this confirms the pattern.)*

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2. The teacher underlined the word in red as it was _________. (correct)

- Root word: correct
- Meaning needed: not correct
- Prefix meaning "not": in-, il-, or ir- — but for correct, we use in-
- Example from list: *incorrect*
- ✔ Answer: incorrect

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3. The suspect was sentenced in court for his _________. (honesty)

- Root word: honesty
- Meaning needed: not honest
- Prefix meaning "not": in- → dishonesty? Wait — let’s check.
- But note: dishonesty uses dis-, not in-
- From the table: Dis- means "not, opposite, reverse"
- Example: *disagree*, *disappear* → dishonesty fits here
- So, dis- + honesty = dishonesty
- ✔ Answer: dishonesty

> Note: Though in- is used for "not", dis- is commonly used with honesty. This is an exception rule — some words take specific prefixes based on convention.

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4. The hospital staff must ____________ the surfaces to prevent the spread of diseases. (infect)

- Root word: infect
- Meaning needed: to remove infection or make free from infection
- Prefix meaning "not" or "reverse": dis- or de-?
- But de- isn't listed. Let's look at dis-: means "not, opposite, reverse"
- Disinfect = to remove infection → matches perfectly
- ✔ Answer: disinfect

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5. Tony was angry to find that he had been _________ in the robbery case. (led)

- Root word: led
- Meaning needed: misled — meaning "led wrongly"
- Prefix: mis- = bad, wrong
- Example from table: *mistake*, *misplace*
- So, mis- + led = misled
- ✔ Answer: misled

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6. The mountains were _________ (visible) in the thick mist.

- Root word: visible
- Meaning needed: not visible
- Prefix meaning "not": in-
- Example from table: *invisible* → in- + visible = invisible
- ✔ Answer: invisible

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7. The traffic warden gave me a ticket for _________ (proper) parking.

- Root word: proper
- Meaning needed: not proper
- Prefix: im- → used before words starting with 'p' (like impossible, improper)
- From table: Im- = not, without → improper
- ✔ Answer: improper

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✔ Final Answers:

1. inattentive
2. incorrect
3. dishonesty
4. disinfect
5. misled
6. invisible
7. improper

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🔍 Explanation Summary:

| Sentence | Root Word | Needed Meaning | Chosen Prefix | Why? |
|--------|-----------|----------------|---------------|------|
| 1 | attentive | not attentive | in- | Standard prefix for "not" |
| 2 | correct | not correct | in- | Common prefix for "not" |
| 3 | honesty | not honest | dis- | Convention: dishonesty uses "dis-" |
| 4 | infect | remove infection | dis- | "dis-" means reverse/opposite |
| 5 | led | led wrongly | mis- | "mis-" means wrong |
| 6 | visible | not visible | in- | "in-" means not |
| 7 | proper | not proper | im- | "im-" used before 'p' |

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✔ All answers are consistent with the prefix rules shown in the table.