---
title: "Prefixes and suffixes"
description: "Read words containing common prefixes and suffixes from the Y3-4 programme, applying knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes (morphology and etymology) to read aloud and understand new words"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/prefixes-and-suffixes-mt_HrgDjxcWvf
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/prefixes-and-suffixes-mt_HrgDjxcWvf.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Prefixes and suffixes

Read words containing common prefixes and suffixes from the Y3-4 programme, applying knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes (morphology and etymology) to read aloud and understand new words

Subject: English · Area: Phonics & Word Reading · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/prefixes-and-suffixes-mt_HrgDjxcWvf

## Ready when they can

- Read words with common prefixes (dis-, mis-, re-, pre-) and suffixes (-ation, -ous, -ly) by identifying the root word first
- Apply morphological knowledge to attempt unfamiliar words (e.g. recognise 'happy' inside 'unhappiness')
- Explain how a prefix or suffix changes the meaning or word class of a root word (e.g. 'care' → 'careless' → 'carelessly')

## Lesson: Finding the root word inside big words

Every long word has a root word hiding inside it. The root word carries the main meaning. Sometimes letters get added to the front of it, called a prefix, like 'dis-', 'mis-', 're-', or 'pre-'. Sometimes letters get added to the end, called a suffix, like '-ation', '-ous', or '-ly'. The prefix or suffix changes what the word means, but the root word is still in there.

*(drawing: The root word 'happy' is hiding inside 'unhappiness'. 'un-' and '-ness' were added around it.)*

**Example.** Start with the root word 'care'. Add '-less' and it becomes 'careless', a word that means without care. Add '-ly' to that and it becomes 'carelessly', a word that describes how someone does something.

**Tip.** When you meet a tricky word, cover up the letters at the start and end with your finger. Read the root word first, then think about what the prefix or suffix adds to its meaning.

Each prefix in this lesson carries its own meaning. 're-' means again, like in 'redo'. 'pre-' means before, like in 'prepay'. 'dis-' means not or the opposite, like in 'dislike'. 'mis-' means wrong, like in 'misread'.

**Recap.** Find the root word first, then work out what the prefix or suffix adds to its meaning.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Reading Inflectional Endings](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/reading-inflectional-endings-mt__CMXZiPfTV)
- [Adjectives vs adverbs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/adjectives-vs-adverbs-mt_j351evNNnB)
- [Root Words & Inflections](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/root-words-and-inflections-mt_UEe3MC5RZc)
- [Basic Nouns & Verbs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/basic-nouns-and-verbs-mt_yBJyCfhtem)

## Opens up

- [Greek and Latin Roots for Word Meaning](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/greek-and-latin-roots-for-word-meaning-mt_x_Lg4RASVU)