Prefix : Prefix Used to Write Opposite Words for Class 3 English
In this chapter, the students will learn about prefixes that are used to write opposite words. They will learn about the uses of prefix, common errors made while using them and exceptions to the prefix rules.
In this learning concept, the students will learn to:
- Form a useful opposite word with a prefix.
- List of negative prefix that include opposite words starting with ‘im’, ‘dis’, ‘un’, ‘mis’, ‘in’, ‘il’, and ‘ir’.
- Give meaning and list of common prefixes.
Each concept is explained to class 3 English students using illustrations, examples, and mind maps. You can assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page. Download the worksheets and check the solutions for the concept, make antonyms using prefixes provided in PDF format.
Definition :
- Prefix means a group of letters that is added at the beginning of a word to form a new word.
- Prefixes are also used to create opposite words or antonyms. Few prefixes are as follows: mis-, in-, dis-, ir- , im- , il-, un-
- Mis + understand= Misunderstand
- In + correct= incorrect
- Dis +appear= disappear
Meaning of Prefixes :
Prefixes are used to make negative words like untidy, discomfort Let’s take a look at the meaning of a few prefixes.
1. The prefix un - means ‘not’.
Example: lock – unlock2. The prefix dis- means ‘not or ‘the opposite of’.
Example: obey – disobey3. The prefix mis- means ‘a mistake’.
Example: Use – MisuseUses of Prefixes:
1. Prefixes are often used to give adjectives a negative meaning. Look at the examples given below with the meaning written in the brackets.
Examples:a. kind (good-natured)) – unkind (rude to others)
b. decent (respectable) – indecent (not appropriate)
2. Prefixes are used to create opposites of verbs prefixes like in- and dis- can be seen
Examples:- appear – dis appear
- agree – dis agree
- approve -dis approve
- believe - dis believe
- connect-dis connect
- like - dis like
Examples of common opposite words with prefix
Use – Misuse Advantage – Disadvantage
1. Opposites with the dis prefix words:
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Agree | Disagree |
| Comfort | Discomfort |
| Honest | Dishonest |
| Appear | Disappear |
| Honour | Dishonour |
| Like | Dislike |
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Ability | Disability |
| Appoint | Disappoint |
| Belief | Disbelief |
| Honest | Dishonest |
| Connect | Disconnect |
| Order | Disorder |
| Satisfied | Dissatisfied |
2. Opposites with the im prefix words :
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Patient | Impatient |
| Movable | Immovable |
| Moral | Immoral |
| Balance | Imbalance |
| Partial | Impartial |
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Mortal | Immortal |
| Possible | Impossible |
| Pure | Impure |
| Polite | Impolite |
| Probable | Improbable |
| Mature | Immature |
3. Opposite words with the prefix ‘in’
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Active | Inactive |
| Ability | Inability |
| Effective | Ineffective |
| Formal | Informal |
| Efficient | Inefficient |
| Attentive | Inattentive |
| Justice | Injustice |
| Complete | Incomplete |
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Accurate | Inaccurate |
| Correct | Incorrect |
| Decent | Indecent |
| Direct | Indirect |
| Equality | Inequality |
| Attentive | Inattentive |
| Sufficient | Insufficient |
| Valid | Invalid |
| Sane | Insane |
4. Opposite words with the prefix ‘Mis’
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Conduct | Misconduct |
| Interpret | Misinterpret |
| Lead | Mislead |
| Manage | Mismanage |
| Behave | Misbehave |
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Understand | Misunderstand |
| Fortune | Misfortune |
| Chief | Mischief |
| Use | Misuse |
5. Opposite words with the prefix ‘Un’
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Do | Undo |
| Known | Unknown |
| Usual | Unusual |
| Wise | Unwise |
| Pleasant | Unpleasant |
| Fortunate | Unfortunate |
| Common | Uncommon |
| Able | Unable |
| Avoidable | Unavoidable |
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Authorized | Unauthorized |
| Kind | Unkind |
| Fit | Unfit |
| Conscious | Unconscious |
| Clear | Unclear |
| Necessary | Unnecessary |
| Foreseen | Unforeseen |
| Sure | Unsure |
| Educated | Uneducated |
6. Opposite words with the prefix ‘il’:
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Logical | Illogical |
| Legal | Illegal |
| Legible | Illegible |
| Literate | Illiterate |
7. Opposite words with the prefix ‘ir’:
| Main Word | Word with Prefix |
|---|---|
| Rational | Irrational |
| Regular | Irregular |
| Relevant | Irrelevant |
| Reparable | Irreparable |
| Replaceable | Irreplaceable |
Common Mistakes
1. The prefix in- does not have a negative meaning always. It often means ‘inside’ or ‘into’, for instance, internal, income, and insert.
2. The antonym of a word must be exactly the same part of the speech as that particular word.
Examples:
- Adjective – Antonym – (good-bad)
- Verb – Antonym – (hate - love)
- Noun – Antonym – (strength-weakness)
3. Do not forget to use im- before a word that starts with ‘m’ or ‘p'.
Example : immature, impatient, improbable.
4. Similarly, ir- before a word that begins with ‘r’ and il- before a word that starts with ‘l’, for example, irreplaceable, illegal, illegible, illiterate, irreversible.
Exceptions:
- Not all words starting with ‘dis’ are an antonym.
distinguish means ‘to differentiate’.
I am unable to distinguish between the two.
2. Not all words starting with ‘im’ are an antonym.
Example:impart means to convey or pass on.
It is a teacher’s job to impart knowledge to students.
Admissions Open for 2025-26
Swipe Up