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Suffix vs. Prefix: Know the Difference

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By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A suffix is an addition to the end of a word (e.g., "-ness" in "happiness"), while a prefix is added to the beginning (e.g., "un-" in "unlikely").
Suffix vs. Prefix

Key Differences

A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to modify its meaning or create a new word, often changing the word class. In contrast, a prefix is attached to the beginning of a word, altering its meaning without usually changing its word class.
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Suffixes often change the grammatical function of a word, such as turning a verb into a noun (e.g., "run" to "runner") or an adjective into a noun (e.g., "happy" to "happiness"). Prefixes, however, typically modify the meaning of a word by adding a negation, intensity, or other nuances (e.g., "happy" to "unhappy").
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Common suffixes include "-ful" (as in "hopeful"), "-ness" (as in "sadness"), and "-ly" (as in "quickly"). Common prefixes include "un-" (as in "undo"), "re-" (as in "redo"), and "dis-" (as in "disagree").
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Many suffixes can change the word class; for example, "-tion" changes verbs to nouns (e.g., "inform" to "information"). Prefixes usually retain the original word class; for instance, "un-" added to an adjective still forms an adjective ("happy" to "unhappy").
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Suffixes and prefixes in English often originate from Latin or Greek, influencing their meaning and usage. The variety of suffixes and prefixes in English reflects the language's rich history and diverse influences.
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Comparison Chart

Position in Word

End
Beginning
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Function

Often changes word class
Modifies meaning without changing word class
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Common Examples

"-ness", "-ly", "-ful"
"un-", "re-", "dis-"
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Impact on Meaning

Can create a new word
Usually modifies or negates the original word
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Etymological Origin

Often from Latin or Greek
Frequently from Latin or Greek
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Suffix and Prefix Definitions

Suffix

Alters or enhances the meaning of the word.
Quickly (adding -ly to quick).
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Prefix

Reflects the word's etymological background.
Submarine (adding sub- to marine).
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Suffix

Used to form new words in English.
Friendship (adding -ship to friend).
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Prefix

An affix attached to the beginning of a word.
Undo (adding un- to do).
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Suffix

Reflects the linguistic origin or history of a word.
Actress (adding -ess to actor).
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Prefix

Modifies or changes the meaning of the word.
Replay (adding re- to play).
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Suffix

An affix added to the end of a word.
Kindness (adding -ness to kind).
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Prefix

To put or attach before or in front of.
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Suffix

An affix added to the end of a word or stem, serving to form a new word or functioning as an inflectional ending, such as -ness in gentleness, -ing in walking, or -s in sits.
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Prefix

(prē-fĭks) To settle or arrange in advance.
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Suffix

To add as a suffix.
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Prefix

To add as a prefix.
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Suffix

A morpheme added at the end of a word to modify the word's meaning.
The suffix "-able" changes "sing" into "singable".
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Prefix

To add a prefix to.
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Suffix

(mathematics) A subscript.
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Prefix

(Grammar) An affix, such as dis- in disbelieve, attached to the front of a word to produce a derivative word or an inflected form.
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Suffix

(computing) A final segment of a string of characters.
The string "abra" is both a prefix and a suffix of the string "abracadabra".
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Prefix

A letter, word, abbreviation, or number placed before a name, address, or other identifying label to indicate class or category
You have to indicate on the form whether you prefer the prefix Mr., Ms., or Dr.
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Suffix

(transitive) To append (something) to the end of something else.
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Prefix

Something placed before another
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Suffix

A letter, letters, syllable, or syllables added or appended to the end of a word or a root to modify the meaning; a postfix.
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Prefix

A morpheme added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning, for example as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure, re- in reheat, etc.
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Suffix

To add or annex to the end, as a letter or syllable to a word; to append.
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Prefix

(telecommunications) A set of digits placed before a telephone number, to indicate where the number is based, what type of phone number it is (landline, mobile, toll-free, premium rate etc.)
In the UK, a number with an 0800 prefix is a toll-free number.
Add the prefix +34 to dial a Spanish number from abroad
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Suffix

An affix that is added at the end of the word
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Prefix

A title added to a person's name, such as Mr. or Dr.
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Suffix

Attach a suffix to;
Suffix words
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Prefix

(computing) An initial segment of a string of characters.
The string "abra" is both a prefix and a suffix of the string "abracadabra".
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Suffix

Can change the grammatical category of a word.
Runner (adding -er to run).
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Prefix

(transitive) To determine beforehand; to set in advance.
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Prefix

(transitive) To put or fix before, or at the beginning of something; to place at the start.
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Prefix

To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition to an agreement.
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Prefix

To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish antecedently.
And now he hath to her prefixt a day.
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Prefix

That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to modify its signification; as, pre- in prefix, con- in conjure.
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Prefix

An affix that added in front of the word
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Prefix

Attach a prefix to;
Prefixed words
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Prefix

Often used to negate or reverse a word's meaning.
Invisible (adding in- to visible).
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Prefix

Can indicate repetition, negation, or opposition.
Disagree (adding dis- to agree).
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

What is a suffix?

An affix added to the end of a word.
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Do prefixes change the word class?

Usually, they don't change the word class.
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What is a prefix?

An affix attached to the beginning of a word.
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Do suffixes change the word class?

Often, yes, they change the word class.
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Can a suffix create a new word?

Yes, suffixes often create new words.
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Are suffixes important in English grammar?

Yes, they play a crucial role in word formation.
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Are prefixes derived from Latin or Greek?

Many English prefixes have Latin or Greek origins.
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Do all words have suffixes?

No, not all words have suffixes.
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What does a prefix typically do?

It modifies or changes the word's meaning.
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Can prefixes negate a word's meaning?

Yes, like "un-" in "unhappy".
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Can a word have multiple prefixes?

Yes, though it's less common.
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Do suffixes affect a word’s spelling?

Yes, they often change the spelling.
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Do suffixes have a common origin?

Many come from Latin or Greek roots.
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Can a prefix be removed without altering meaning?

Removing a prefix usually changes the word's meaning.
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Are prefixes used in all languages?

Many languages use prefixes, but not all.
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Are there rules for adding suffixes to words?

Yes, there are specific linguistic rules.
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Can prefixes and suffixes coexist in a word?

Yes, a word can have both a prefix and a suffix.
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Is a suffix always necessary in a word?

No, it's not always necessary.
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How do prefixes affect word pronunciation?

They can change stress and sound of the word.
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Can suffixes alter verb tenses?

Yes, like "-ed" for past tense.
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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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