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๐ Content updated on 29 April 2026
๐งฑ Word Formation – How prefixes, suffixes and roots build new words
Many English words are built from a root (the core meaning) with a prefix added at the front or a suffix tacked on at the end. For instance, the root "act" can become "action" (suffix -ion), "react" (prefix re-), or "actor" (suffix -or). Understanding this word‑building system helps you guess meanings, expand vocabulary, and spell accurately.
๐ง๐ซ How to use this worksheet: Look at the given root, prefix, or suffix, and work out which word is formed, or guess the meaning of a new word from its parts. Click “Show Answer” to see the correct word, a clear explanation, and a fresh example.
Many English words are built from a root (the core meaning) with a prefix added at the front or a suffix tacked on at the end. For instance, the root "act" can become "action" (suffix -ion), "react" (prefix re-), or "actor" (suffix -or). Understanding this word‑building system helps you guess meanings, expand vocabulary, and spell accurately.
๐ง๐ซ How to use this worksheet: Look at the given root, prefix, or suffix, and work out which word is formed, or guess the meaning of a new word from its parts. Click “Show Answer” to see the correct word, a clear explanation, and a fresh example.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Prefixes, suffixes, and roots are the building blocks of thousands of English words. The
Word Formation worksheet
offers even more practice. Hindi speakers can see similar concepts at the
Upsarg Hub
and the
Pratyay Hub.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's see how prefixes and suffixes change the meaning of a root word.
Solved Q.1
Add a prefix to "happy" to make its opposite.
Show Answer
Answer: unhappy
Explanation: The prefix "un-" means "not" and is used before many adjectives to form their opposites. "Unhappy" means not happy.
Example: She was unhappy with the result.
Explanation: The prefix "un-" means "not" and is used before many adjectives to form their opposites. "Unhappy" means not happy.
Example: She was unhappy with the result.
Solved Q.2
Add a suffix to "care" to make a word meaning "full of care" or "attentive".
Show Answer
Answer: careful
Explanation: The suffix "-ful" means "full of". Adding it to "care" creates "careful", meaning full of care or cautious.
Example: Be careful while crossing the road.
Explanation: The suffix "-ful" means "full of". Adding it to "care" creates "careful", meaning full of care or cautious.
Example: Be careful while crossing the road.
Solved Q.3
The root "bio" means life. What does "biology" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: The study of living things.
Explanation: "Bio" = life, "logy" = study. Biology is the branch of science that deals with living organisms.
Example: She wants to pursue a career in biology.
Explanation: "Bio" = life, "logy" = study. Biology is the branch of science that deals with living organisms.
Example: She wants to pursue a career in biology.
Solved Q.4
The prefix "pre-" means before. What does "preview" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To see or examine before something else.
Explanation: "Pre-" (before) + "view" (to see) = to view beforehand. A film preview, for example, is shown before the main feature.
Example: We saw a preview of the new movie.
Explanation: "Pre-" (before) + "view" (to see) = to view beforehand. A film preview, for example, is shown before the main feature.
Example: We saw a preview of the new movie.
Solved Q.5
Add the suffix "-less" to "hope". What does the new word mean?
Show Answer
Answer: hopeless
Explanation: The suffix "-less" means "without". "Hopeless" means without hope.
Example: The situation seemed hopeless.
Explanation: The suffix "-less" means "without". "Hopeless" means without hope.
Example: The situation seemed hopeless.
Solved Q.6
The root "graph" means write or draw. What does "autograph" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A signature, especially of a famous person.
Example: The fan asked for an autograph.
Example: The fan asked for an autograph.
Solved Q.7
Add a prefix to "possible" to make its opposite.
Show Answer
Answer: impossible
Example: It is impossible to lift that rock alone.
Example: It is impossible to lift that rock alone.
Solved Q.8
Add a suffix to "act" to make a word meaning "performer".
Show Answer
Answer: actor
Example: He is a talented actor.
Example: He is a talented actor.
Solved Q.9
The prefix "re-" means again. What does "rewrite" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To write again.
Example: She had to rewrite her essay.
Example: She had to rewrite her essay.
Solved Q.10
The root "dict" means speak or say. What does "predict" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To say what will happen in the future.
Example: They predicted heavy rain.
Example: They predicted heavy rain.
Solved Q.11
Add the suffix "-en" to "strength" to make a verb.
Show Answer
Answer: strengthen
Example: Exercise can strengthen your muscles.
Example: Exercise can strengthen your muscles.
Solved Q.12
The prefix "sub-" means under. What does "submarine" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A vessel that travels under water.
Example: The submarine dived deep.
Example: The submarine dived deep.
Solved Q.13
The suffix "-ment" changes a verb to a noun. Add it to "develop".
Show Answer
Answer: development
Example: The city is undergoing rapid development.
Example: The city is undergoing rapid development.
Solved Q.14
The prefix "anti-" means against. What does "antibiotic" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A medicine that works against bacteria.
Example: The doctor prescribed an antibiotic.
Example: The doctor prescribed an antibiotic.
Solved Q.15
Add a prefix to "understand" to make its opposite.
Show Answer
Answer: misunderstand
Example: He tends to misunderstand instructions.
Example: He tends to misunderstand instructions.
Solved Q.16
The root "port" means carry. What does "export" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To send goods out of a country.
Example: India exports tea and spices.
Example: India exports tea and spices.
Solved Q.17
Add the suffix "-al" to "arrive" to make a noun.
Show Answer
Answer: arrival
Example: We awaited their arrival.
Example: We awaited their arrival.
Solved Q.18
The prefix "over-" means too much. What does "overeat" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To eat too much.
Example: It is easy to overeat during festivals.
Example: It is easy to overeat during festivals.
Solved Q.19
The suffix "-ly" turns an adjective into an adverb. Add it to "careful".
Show Answer
Answer: carefully
Example: Drive carefully in the fog.
Example: Drive carefully in the fog.
Solved Q.20
The root "scope" means see. What does "microscope" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: An instrument for viewing very small objects.
Example: We examined the cell under a microscope.
Example: We examined the cell under a microscope.
Once you know how words are built, your vocabulary grows quickly. For more on precise single words, try the
One Word Substitution worksheet.
And to see how words behave in context, the
Collocations worksheet
is an excellent companion.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now it's your turn. Choose the correct word, prefix, or suffix to complete or form the word.
Practice Q.1
Add a prefix to "lock" to mean "open a lock".
Show Answer
Answer: unlock
Example: She used the code to unlock the door.
Example: She used the code to unlock the door.
Practice Q.2
Add the suffix "-able" to "comfort". What does the new word mean?
Show Answer
Answer: comfortable — giving comfort; cosy.
Example: The sofa is very comfortable.
Example: The sofa is very comfortable.
Practice Q.3
The root "phone" means sound. What does "telephone" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A device for transmitting sound over long distances.
Example: She picked up the telephone and dialled.
Example: She picked up the telephone and dialled.
Practice Q.4
Add a prefix to "approve" to make its opposite.
Show Answer
Answer: disapprove
Example: The board may disapprove the plan.
Example: The board may disapprove the plan.
Practice Q.5
The suffix "-ness" turns an adjective into a noun. Add it to "dark".
Show Answer
Answer: darkness
Example: The room was filled with darkness.
Example: The room was filled with darkness.
Practice Q.6
The root "spect" means look. What does "inspect" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To look at something carefully.
Example: The officer came to inspect the site.
Example: The officer came to inspect the site.
Practice Q.7
Add the prefix "inter-" to "national". What does the new word mean?
Show Answer
Answer: international — involving more than one nation.
Example: She attends an international conference.
Example: She attends an international conference.
Practice Q.8
Add the suffix "-ist" to "piano" to mean a person who plays it.
Show Answer
Answer: pianist
Example: The pianist performed beautifully.
Example: The pianist performed beautifully.
Practice Q.9
The prefix "dis-" means not or opposite. Add it to "like".
Show Answer
Answer: dislike
Example: I dislike cold weather.
Example: I dislike cold weather.
Practice Q.10
The root "rupt" means break. What does "interrupt" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To break into a conversation or activity.
Example: Please don't interrupt while I am speaking.
Example: Please don't interrupt while I am speaking.
Practice Q.11
Add the suffix "-y" to "rain" to make an adjective.
Show Answer
Answer: rainy
Example: It's a rainy day.
Example: It's a rainy day.
Practice Q.12
The prefix "mis-" means wrong or badly. Add it to "place".
Show Answer
Answer: misplace
Example: I often misplace my phone.
Example: I often misplace my phone.
Practice Q.13
The root "vid" or "vis" means see. What does "visible" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: Able to be seen.
Example: The stars are clearly visible tonight.
Example: The stars are clearly visible tonight.
Practice Q.14
Add the suffix "-er" to "teach" to show the person who does the action.
Show Answer
Answer: teacher
Example: She is a wonderful teacher.
Example: She is a wonderful teacher.
Practice Q.15
The prefix "il-" is used before words starting with l to mean not. Add it to "legal".
Show Answer
Answer: illegal
Example: Driving without a licence is illegal.
Example: Driving without a licence is illegal.
Practice Q.16
The root "cred" means believe. What does "credible" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: Believable; trustworthy.
Example: The witness gave a credible account.
Example: The witness gave a credible account.
Practice Q.17
Add the suffix "-less" to "fear". What does it mean?
Show Answer
Answer: fearless — without fear; brave.
Example: The fearless firefighter rescued the child.
Example: The fearless firefighter rescued the child.
Practice Q.18
The prefix "super-" means above or beyond. What does "supermarket" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A large self‑service shop selling food and household items.
Example: We buy groceries at the supermarket.
Example: We buy groceries at the supermarket.
Practice Q.19
Add the suffix "-ous" to "danger" to make an adjective.
Show Answer
Answer: dangerous
Example: The road is very dangerous at night.
Example: The road is very dangerous at night.
Practice Q.20
The root "ject" means throw. What does "reject" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To refuse to accept or throw back.
Example: The committee may reject the proposal.
Example: The committee may reject the proposal.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These need a bit more thought — building words from multiple parts or guessing subtle meanings.
Challenge Q.1
The root "chron" means time. What does "chronic" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: Lasting for a long time; recurring.
Example: He suffers from chronic back pain.
Example: He suffers from chronic back pain.
Challenge Q.2
Add both a prefix and a suffix to "happy" to form a word meaning "the state of not being happy".
Show Answer
Answer: unhappiness
Example: His unhappiness was visible.
Example: His unhappiness was visible.
Challenge Q.3
The root "aqua" means water. What does "aquarium" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A glass tank where water animals and plants are kept.
Example: They bought a new fish for the aquarium.
Example: They bought a new fish for the aquarium.
Challenge Q.4
The suffix "-cide" means killing. What does "pesticide" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A substance used to kill pests (insects, weeds).
Example: Farmers spray pesticide on crops.
Example: Farmers spray pesticide on crops.
Challenge Q.5
Add a prefix and a suffix to "large" to create a verb meaning "to make larger".
Show Answer
Answer: enlarge
Example: Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Example: Click on the photo to enlarge it.
Challenge Q.6
The prefix "trans-" means across. What does "transcribe" mean? (Root "scribe" = write)
Show Answer
Answer: To write something down from another source; to copy out.
Example: She had to transcribe the interview.
Example: She had to transcribe the interview.
Challenge Q.7
The root "manu" means hand. What does "manuscript" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A document written by hand, or a writer's original copy.
Example: The manuscript was sent to the publisher.
Example: The manuscript was sent to the publisher.
Challenge Q.8
Add the suffix "-ship" to "friend". What does it express?
Show Answer
Answer: friendship — the state or relationship of being friends.
Example: Our friendship has lasted years.
Example: Our friendship has lasted years.
Challenge Q.9
The prefix "mono-" means one. What does "monotask" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: To focus on only one task at a time. (Opposite of multitask).
Example: She prefers to monotask for better results.
Example: She prefers to monotask for better results.
Challenge Q.10
The root "geo" means earth, "metry" means measure. What does "geometry" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: The branch of mathematics concerned with the measurement of the earth's surface and shapes.
Example: She is studying geometry at school.
Example: She is studying geometry at school.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
What is a root word?
Show Answer
Answer: A root word is the basic part of a word that carries the core meaning. Prefixes and suffixes can be added to it. For example, the root "act" can form "action", "react", "actor".
FAQ 2
What are prefixes?
Show Answer
Answer: Prefixes are letter groups added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Examples: "un-" (unhappy), "re-" (rewrite), "pre-" (preview), "mis-" (misunderstand).
FAQ 3
What are suffixes?
Show Answer
Answer: Suffixes are letter groups added to the end of a word to change its form or function. Examples: "-ful" (careful), "-less" (hopeless), "-er" (teacher), "-ness" (darkness), "-ly" (quickly).
FAQ 4
How can knowing roots help in vocabulary building?
Show Answer
Answer: If you know the meaning of a root, you can often guess the meaning of unfamiliar words that contain it. For example, knowing "bio" means life helps you understand "biology", "biography", "antibiotic".
FAQ 5
Give three examples each of common prefixes and suffixes with meanings.
Show Answer
Answer: Prefixes: 1. un- (not: unhappy). 2. re- (again: rewrite). 3. pre- (before: preview). Suffixes: 1. -ful (full of: careful). 2. -less (without: fearless). 3. -er (person who: teacher).
