WORD FORMATION: ADDING PREFIXES TO GIVE NEGATIVE MEANING

In English, we may give a negative meaning to a word by adding negative prefixes. The prefixes listed below form negative adjectives. Note that when we add a prefix to a word, the spelling of the original word does not change. 

• a= lack e.g asymmetry 
• de= reduce, reverse- e.g depopulation
• dis=the opposite of e.g disloyal, discourage, dislike
• il-the opposite of - e.g illegal, illogical 
• in- the opposite of- e.g insensitive, incorrect, inactive
• ir- the opposite of -e.g. irregular
• im-  the opposite of- e.g. immature, immoral, impossible
• mal- = wrongly , badly- e.g malfunction, malnutrition
• mis= wrongly, badly - e.g misinform, misuse, misunderstand
• non= not-e.g nonsense, non-smoker
• un= the opposite of -e.g unfair, unable, unavailable
• pseudo= false, imitation e.g pseudo-scientific

The prefix un- is one of the most common negative prefixes, for example:

• attractive – unattractive
• able – unable
• available - unavailable
• comfortable – uncomfortable
• believe- unbelievable 
• fortunate – unfortunate
• forgettable – unforgettable
• happy – unhappy
• helpful – unhelpful
• kind- unkind

 

Now let’s take a look at when to use the prefix il-. This prefix -il can only be used with words that start with the letter l. For example:

• legitimate – illegitimate
• legible – illegible
• legal – illegal
• literate – illiterate
• logical – illogical

However, it doesn’t mean that all words which start with ‘l’ necessarily take ‘il’ to add    negative meaning. e.g loyal - disloyal 

The prefix ‘in’ is also very common. 

• appropriate- inappropriate 
• capable – incapable
• convenient- inconvenient
• correct- incorrect
• decent – indecent
• definite- indefinite
• sane – insane
• sensitive- insensitive 

Note that words which start with m or p take the prefix im-. For example:

• patient- impatient
• polite- impolite
• perfect – imperfect
• personal- impersonal
• possible – impossible
• mature – immature
• moral – immoral

Finally, we use the prefix ir- with words many words beginning with 'r'. For example:

• relevant – irrelevant
• regular – irregular
• rational – irrational
• religious – irreligious
• responsible – irresponsible