Common Prefixes

A prefix is a part-word added to the beginning of another word to change its meaning.

anti- against, opposed to anti-government
dis- not dishonest, disobey
pro- for, supporting pro-government
re- to do again reorganize, reunite
self- acted upon/by self self-declared, self-appointed
un- not unusual, unhappy

Common Suffixes

A suffix is a part-word added to the end of a word to change its meaning.
These four may be added to a word to mean the person or thing that does the action suggested by the word.

-ist art > artist
-er paint > painter
-or act > actor
-ant serve > servant

These five can change a verb into a noun closely related to the verb.

-ment agree > agreement
-age marry > marriage
-tion protect > protection
-sion invade > invasion
-ing I like to read > I like reading

This suffix can change some nouns into adjectives,

-ful

care > careful
wonder > wonderful


and this one can change some adjectives into nouns.

-ness willing > willingness