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A root word is a word on its own.

A prefix is a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a root word. 

 

Here are some common prefixes:

un (untidy)

dis (disorganised)

 

cookies falling on floor

 

Knowing what a prefix means can help us to understand new words.

 

For example, the prefix un- means 'not'.

un (prefix) + happy (root word) = unhappy 

un (prefix) + well (root word) = unwell

un (prefix) + kind (root word) = unkind

 

Did you notice how there are no finger spaces between the prefix and the root word? They are all the same word. 

 

Let's have a go at adding the prefix un- to some words.

 

group of children thinking

10 questions