First Grade English: Introductory Affixes (un-, re-, -ful, -less)
Words can wear stylish hats and sturdy shoes! In the science of language, prefixes and suffixes are special meaningful word parts called affixes that attach to base words. A prefix attaches to the front of a base word like a hat, while a suffix attaches to the tail of a base word like a shoe. When you attach an affix, you transform the meaning of the base word in predictable, exciting ways. In this chapter, you will master two essential prefixes (un- and re-) and two essential suffixes (-ful and -less).
The Architecture of Affixes
Understanding how prefixes and suffixes attach to base words gives you the power to decipher long, complex words and invent descriptive expressions in your own writing.
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| THE AFFIX ARCHITECTURE |
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| |
| [ PREFIX ] + [ BASE WORD ] + [ SUFFIX ] |
| "un-" + "pack" + |
| |
| ===> "UNPACK" |
| |
| + "help" + "-ful" |
| |
| ===> "HELPFUL" |
| |
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The Root Holds the Core
Always remember that the base word is the captain of the ship. The base word holds the primary meaning, and the affixes simply change the direction or flavor of that meaning.
Two Powerful Prefixes: UN- and RE-
Prefixes attach to the beginning of a word. Two of the most common prefixes in all of children's literature are un- and re-.
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| THE PREFIXES UN- AND RE- |
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| Prefix | Meaning | Base Word | New Word |
| -------+--------------------+-----------+------------------|
| un- | NOT or OPPOSITE OF | happy | unhappy (sad) |
| | | lock | unlock (open) |
| | | kind | unkind (mean) |
| | | zip | unzip (open zip) |
| -------+--------------------+-----------+------------------|
| re- | AGAIN or BACK | do | redo (do again) |
| | | play | replay |
| | | write | rewrite |
| | | read | reread |
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The Prefix UN-: The Flip Switch
Think of un- as an electric switch that flips a word into its exact opposite! If you are "happy," adding un- makes you "unhappy" (not happy). If a door is "locked," adding un- lets you "unlock" it (the opposite of locking).
The Prefix RE-: The Repeat Button
Think of re- as the repeat button on a music player. If you "read" a page once, but did not understand it, you "reread" it (read it again). If you build a block tower that topples over, you "rebuild" it (build it again).
Two Super Suffixes: -FUL and -LESS
Suffixes attach to the end of a base word. Two brilliant opposite suffixes that describe feelings and qualities are -ful and -less.
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| THE SUFFIXES -FUL AND -LESS |
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| Suffix | Meaning | Base Word | New Word |
| -------+--------------------+-----------+------------------|
| -ful | FULL OF | care | careful |
| | | joy | joyful |
| | | help | helpful |
| | | hope | hopeful |
| -------+--------------------+-----------+------------------|
| -less | WITHOUT | care | careless |
| | | fear | fearless |
| | | help | helpless |
| | | hope | hopeless |
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The Contrast: -FUL vs. -LESS
Notice how -ful and -less are opposite twins! A person full of care when carrying a glass bowl is "careful." A person without care who bumps into a table is "careless." A brave knight without fear is "fearless." A sunny morning full of joy is "joyful."
Decoding Strategy: Peel the Affixes
When you encounter a long word like "unhelpful" or "replaying," do not feel intimidated. Use the "Peel Strategy."
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| THE PEEL STRATEGY |
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| |
| Target Word: "UNHELPFUL" |
| |
| Step 1: Peel off the prefix: [un-] |
| Step 2: Peel off the suffix: [-ful] |
| Step 3: Reveal the base word: help |
| Step 4: Combine the meanings: |
| "not" + "help" + "full of" |
| ===> "Not full of help!" |
| |
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Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Read each word and identify whether it contains a prefix or a suffix. Name the base word and explain what the whole word means: reread, joyful, unlock, fearless, refill, painful.
Exercise 2: Add the prefix un- or re- to the word "tie" to show two different actions. Explain what each new word means.
Exercise Solutions
Solution to Exercise 1: In "reread", the prefix is re-, the base is read, meaning to read again. In "joyful", the suffix is -ful, the base is joy, meaning full of joy. In "unlock", the prefix is un-, the base is lock, meaning the opposite of lock (to open). In "fearless", the suffix is -less, the base is fear, meaning without fear. In "refill", the prefix is re-, the base is fill, meaning to fill again. In "painful", the suffix is -ful, the base is pain, meaning full of pain.
Solution to Exercise 2: Adding un- to "tie" gives "untie", which means to loosen or undo a knot. Adding re- to "tie" gives "retie", which means to tie a knot again.