Prefixes online worksheet for grade 3 - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to match each prefix with the correct root word and form a new word.

We need to think about what each prefix means and which root word it makes sense with.

1. Un + ? → “Un” usually means “not.” So we look for a word that becomes its opposite when we add “un.”
- “connect” → “disconnect”? Wait, no — “unconnect” isn’t common. But “disconnect” uses “dis,” not “un.”
Actually, let’s check: “un” + “likely” = “unlikely” — that works! But wait, “likely” is paired with “im” in the list? Let’s hold on and do them one by one carefully.

Actually, let’s pair them logically:

Prefixes often change meaning based on the first letter of the root word (like “il-” before “l”, “ir-” before “r”, etc.).

Let’s try matching:

1. Un → best with likely? No — “unlikely” is real, but let’s see if there’s a better fit.
Wait — actually, looking at standard pairs:

Common combinations:
- un + connect → disconnect? No, that’s “dis”.
Actually, “un” + “stick” → “unstuck”? That’s possible, but “in” + “stick” = “instick”? Not a word.
Hmm — maybe we should use known vocabulary.

Let me recall common prefixed words:

✔ Un + likely = unlikely
✔ In + stick → doesn’t work. “In” + “sufficient” = insufficient? Yes!
Wait — let’s reassign properly.

Better approach: Match prefixes to roots they commonly combine with.

Standard rules:
- “il-” before words starting with “l” → illegal, immoral? Wait, “immoral” uses “im”.
Actually:
- il + legal = illegal
- im + moral = immoral
- ir + regular = irregular
- in + sufficient = insufficient
- dis + connect = disconnect
- un + stick = unstuck? Or un + view = unview? Not common.
Wait — perhaps:

Let’s list all possible correct matches from standard English:

1. Un + stick → unstuck (meaning not stuck) — valid
2. In + sufficient → insufficient (not enough) — valid
3. Dis + connect → disconnect (break connection) — valid
4. Im + moral → immoral (not moral) — valid
5. Il + legal → illegal (not legal) — valid
6. Ir + regular → irregular (not regular) — valid
7. Non + view → nonview? Not common. Maybe “non” + “circle”? No.
Wait — “non” + “dated”? “nondated”? Possible, but rare.
Actually, “non” + “sufficient”? Already used.
Wait — perhaps “non” + “view” = “nonview” isn’t right.
Maybe I made a mistake.

Alternative common pairs:

Let’s think of actual words students learn:

- Unhappy, undo, unlock → so “un” + “lock” — but here we have “stick” → “unstuck” is okay.
- Insert, inside → “in” + “side” — but here “in” + “stick”? Not good.
Wait — “in” + “sufficient” = insufficient — yes!

But “sufficient” is #10. Let’s assign numerically as per original numbering? No — the task says “match”, so order may not be fixed.

Looking back at the worksheet layout:

It lists Prefix 1 to 10 and Root Word next to each, but with asterisks — probably meant to be matched across, not necessarily row-by-row.

The instruction: “Match the Prefix to the Root Word” — so we can rearrange.

So let’s find the 10 correct pairs:

Known correct prefixed words:

1. disconnect → dis + connect
2. instick? No — instead: insert? Not here.
Wait — “in” + “sufficient” = insufficient
3. circle → encircle? But “en” not listed. “dis” + “circle” = discircle? Not common.
Actually, “semi” + “circle” = semicircle — yes!
4. unlikely → un + likely
5. immoral → im + moral
6. illegal → il + legal
7. irregular → ir + regular
8. nonview? Not good. “non” + “dated” = nondated? Rare.
“post” + “dated” = postdated — yes!
9. pre + view = preview — yes!
10. semi + circle = semicircle — already used? Wait.

Let’s list all 10 correctly:

From standard usage:

- dis + connect = disconnect
- in + sufficient = insufficient
- semi + circle = semicircle
- un + likely = unlikely
- im + moral = immoral
- il + legal = illegal
- ir + regular = irregular
- pre + view = preview
- post + dated = postdated
- non + ? → left with “stick” → nonstick! Yes! “Nonstick” pan — common word.

Perfect!

So final matching:

1. Un → likely → unlikely
2. In → sufficient → insufficient
3. Dis → connect → disconnect
4. Im → moral → immoral
5. Il → legal → illegal
6. Ir → regular → irregular
7. Non → stick → nonstick
8. Semi → circle → semicircle
9. Pre → view → preview
10. Post → dated → postdated

Now write them in order as per the prefix numbers given:

Prefix 1: Un → match with likely → New Word: unlikely
Prefix 2: In → match with sufficient → insufficient
Prefix 3: Dis → match with connect → disconnect
Prefix 4: Im → match with moral → immoral
Prefix 5: Il → match with legal → illegal
Prefix 6: Ir → match with regular → irregular
Prefix 7: Non → match with stick → nonstick
Prefix 8: Semi → match with circle → semicircle
Prefix 9: Pre → match with view → preview
Prefix 10: Post → match with dated → postdated

All make sense and are real English words.

Final Answer:
1. unlikely
2. insufficient
3. disconnect
4. immoral
5. illegal
6. irregular
7. nonstick
8. semicircle
9. preview
10. postdated