Negative prefixes before adjectives
We can form the opposite of many adjectives or give the negative meaning by adding a negative prefix. (a prefix is a syllable that goes before a word)
Have a look at these examples:
Happy ---> unhappy
Fair---> unfair
Friendly ---> unfriendly
Important ---> unimportant
Pleasant ---> unpleasant
Popular ---> unpopular
Prepared---> unprepared
These are the most common negative prefixes used with adjectives:
| dis- |
il- |
im- |
in- |
ir- |
un- |
| disrespectful |
illegitimate |
impossible |
indecent |
irrelevant |
unreasonable |
| dissatisfied |
illogical |
immature |
incapable |
irregular |
unfortunate |
Other negative prefixes are:
| a- |
anti- |
countrer- |
mal- |
non- |
| amoral |
antisocial |
counterproductive |
malcontent |
non-violent |
| asexual |
anti-aircraft |
counterfeit |
malnourished |
non-profit |
The prefixes
im- il- and
ir- are in fact a variety of
in-:
·
im- is used before words beginning with
m or
p: impersonal, immortal.
·
il- is used before words beginning with
l:
illegal.
·
ir- is used with words beginning with
r:
irregular.