Prefix -under - -over online exercise for - Free Printable

Here’s the completed worksheet with the correct prefixes over- or under- added to each base word, along with explanations for each answer:

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1. Carol tried not to _overeat_, but everything tasted so good.
✔ overeat = to eat too much (prefix “over-” = “too much”)
*Explanation:* Carol ate more than she intended — “over-” fits because it means “too much.”

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2. Cindy carefully _underlined_ each of her spelling words.
✔ underlined = drew a line beneath (prefix “under-” = “beneath”)
*Explanation:* To underline means to draw a line *under* the text.

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3. The chicken was dry and tough because Alice had _overcooked_ it.
✔ overcooked = cooked too long / too much (prefix “over-” = “too much”)
*Explanation:* Overcooking makes food dry and tough — “over-” indicates excess.

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4. Mike put on his _overcoat_ before he left for work.
✔ overcoat = a coat worn over other clothes (prefix “over-” = “above”)
*Explanation:* An overcoat goes *over* your regular clothes.

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5. Peter could not find the baseball in the _underbrush_.
✔ underbrush = low-growing plants beneath taller vegetation (prefix “under-” = “beneath”)
*Explanation:* Brush that grows *under* trees or shrubs.

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6. Greg _overslept_ and missed his math test.
✔ overslept = slept longer than intended (prefix “over-” = “too much”)
*Explanation:* He slept *too long*, causing him to miss the test.

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7. Jan felt _overshadowed_ by her beautiful sister.
✔ overshadowed = made to seem less important; dominated (prefix “over-” = “above”)
*Explanation:* Her sister’s beauty made Jan feel “in the shadow” — figuratively, overshadowed.

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8. Bobby could hold his breath and stay _underwater_ for 45 seconds.
✔ underwater = beneath the surface of water (prefix “under-” = “beneath”)
*Explanation:* Literally being *under* the water.

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9. Marcia’s library book about cheerleading is _overdue_.
✔ overdue = past the due date (prefix “over-” = “beyond”)
*Explanation:* The book is past its return deadline — “over-” meaning beyond the expected time.

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10. Sam never _undercharged_ his friends when they came to his shop.
✔ undercharged = charged less than the correct amount (prefix “under-” = “not enough”)
*Explanation:* He didn’t charge them *less than* he should have — meaning he charged fairly or even more.

> 💡 *Note: While “undercharged” can mean charging too little, in context, this sentence implies Sam was fair — so “undercharged” is used correctly as the opposite of “overcharged.”*

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✔ Final Answers:

1. overeat
2. underlined
3. overcooked
4. overcoat
5. underbrush
6. overslept
7. overshadowed
8. underwater
9. overdue
10. undercharged

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🧠 Key Concept Recap:

- over- = above, too much, beyond
- under- = beneath, not enough, below

This worksheet helps students understand how prefixes change the meaning of base words — a foundational skill in vocabulary and reading comprehension!

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or practice quiz! 😊