Prefixes
In this lesson, we will learn about English prefixes and their pronunciation. We’ll dive into common patterns and also discuss the nuances and exceptions.
Prefix re
It can have different pronunciations depending on the meaning.
1) re means again – riː
retry, relive, reapply, rearrange, rebuild, recharge, recheck, reconsider, redefine, redo, refill, reform, reheat, relocate, remarry, reopen, repaint, replay, rerun, reschedule, resell, resend, retake, rewrite, rewatch, reread, resave, reupload, retype, reshare, rezoom, rejoin (a call), resend, repaste, recomment, resubscribe, redownload, reforward BUT react, reassure, redecorate
2) If the meaning is vague and it clearly doesn’t mean again we say – rɪ (like И in Ukrainian) but sometimes this difference is really slight. The “re-” prefix is unstressed and pronounced with a schwa /rə/ instead of /riː/.
remember, return, repeat, refer, relate, remark, remind, remain, reveal, review, relax, recover, recall, reform, respond, refresh, release, resist, replace, report, require, request, respect, result, resolve, retain, retire, recycle
Sentence practice
Before you react, please reconsider your decision and recheck the facts you remember.
I had to rewrite the email and then resend it, but I forgot to recheck the attachment again!
After we relocated, it took months to redecorate and finally relax.
Please reschedule the meeting and then rejoin the Zoom call when you return from lunch.
She asked me to replay the message, but I had to redownload it first because I couldn’t recall the exact words.
We plan to rebuild the website, redefine our mission, and refresh the content based on the latest reviews.
Don’t just react emotionally — try to relate to their experience and respond with empathy.
I had to reheat the coffee three times while I was trying to rewrite that paragraph!
If you resave the document and then repaste the link, I can finally reupload the files.
When I reapplied for the job, I had to rewrite my cover letter and retake the skills test.
She couldn’t relive that day even if she wanted to — but she can definitely remember it vividly.
We had to rerun the report, recheck the figures, and finally report the results to the manager.
After the divorce, he decided not to remarry but instead rebuild his life on his own terms.
Can you remind me to refill the printer and rejoin the call when it starts again?
The teacher asked us to reread the chapter, review the key points, and rewrite the summary.
I think we should repaint the walls, redecorate the space, and really refresh the whole room before the guests return.
Before you react to the message, try to listen to it again to it without bias and reconsider your response.
You can resubscribe to the channel, relike the video, and even recomment if you feel like it.
If you want to truly recover, you need to relax, release the tension, and retain your energy.
He tried to retry the level five times, then rewatch the tutorial, and finally replay it until he won.
Prefix de
1) de means undo something – diː
deactivate, debug, decode, decompress, decrypt, defrost, dehydrate, devalue, decentralize, defuse, decompose, demotivate, deconstruct, destabilize, deregulate, detox, decontaminate, demystify, depersonalize, desensitize
2) when de has a vague meaning – dɪ
decide, depend, demand, deliver, depict, delay, define, defeat, deploy, describe, develop, deposit, detect, determine, deserve, declare, destroy, devote, design, desire, depart
BUT decrease can have both pronunciations verb – /dɪˈkriːs/, noun /ˈdiː.kriːs/
Sentence practice
Before we can deploy the new app, we need to debug the code and deactivate the old version.
The engineer had to decompress the file and decrypt the message before she could deliver the results.
If you don’t dehydrate the food properly, it may start to decompose during storage.
The team worked hard to deconstruct the problem, detect the error, and define a better approach.
She tried to decide whether to detox her body or simply decrease her caffeine intake.
When governments deregulate industries, it can sometimes destabilize the economy instead of helping it develop.
You must devote time to debugging, otherwise your program may deactivate unexpectedly.
The soldiers had to defuse the situation before it could destroy the fragile peace agreement.
The workshop helped us demystify the concept of AI and depict its real-world uses.
They planned to design a system that could decentralize power and devalue the role of bureaucracy.
Before you depart, please deposit the samples in the lab and decontaminate your hands.
She felt completely demotivated after the project failed, even though she didn’t deserve the blame.
The agency tried to desensitize viewers to disturbing content, but many still reacted strongly.
I had to delay my trip to detox, defrost the fridge, and debug my old laptop.
When the company declared bankruptcy, it had to deactivate all employee accounts and deliver the news with care.
We need to decode the signal and determine if it’s coming from a real threat or just background noise.
The way they depicted the villain helped deconstruct the myth of “good vs evil.”
If the goal is to depersonalize healthcare, we risk destroying patient trust in the system.
She tried to define her goals clearly, decrease distractions, and devote herself to long-term success.
The app was designed to detect toxic substances and automatically deactivate systems to decontaminate the area.
Prefix pre
1) when pre means before – priː
prehistoric, prepay, preorder, preschool, preview, prequel, predetermine, preheat, prebook, pretest, preplan, prebuilt, preselected, preexisting, prearranged, precondition, preinstall, premature, prerequisite, premeditate, predefine, preenroll, pretrain, preapprove, preprint, prewarn, preauthorize, pretext
2) pre is vague – prɪ
prepare, pretend, prevent, prefer, presume, present (verb), preliminary, precision, predicament, preserve
3) pre is pronounced with e
president, pressure, prestige, premise, prevalent, prejudice
Sentence practice
We need to preheat the oven before we prebook the catering service for the party.
The teacher asked the students to pretest their knowledge before starting the preschool program.
To prepay for the tickets, you must first preview the event and preorder the meal options.
The preexisting conditions were a prerequisite for joining the study, so participants had to preenroll carefully.
Before launching the app, the developers had to preinstall updates and preapprove all features.
It’s important to prewarn users about premature notifications that might predetermine their expectations.
He likes to prepare for meetings well in advance and never pretend to know what he doesn’t.
To prevent confusion, we preserve old records and present clear instructions to the team.
In this preliminary phase, precision matters more than speed to avoid a predicament later on.
The company presumed success after the preplan was accepted but felt the pressure to deliver fast.
The president made a speech about prejudice and prevalent social issues that pressure communities.
Our research aims to predefine goals and premeditate every step for the prestige of the institution.
They had to pretrain new employees to preserve company standards and avoid any predicament.
The movie’s prequel was a pretext to explain the premise of the entire saga.
To preprint articles, the team needed precision and preapproval from the editors.
The contract included a precondition to prearrange all shipments before the launch.
She will prefer to prepare her presentation carefully, not just pretend to be confident.
Many prevalent myths create prejudice that even the president struggles to change.
The doctor advised to prebook the appointment and prepay for tests to avoid pressure at the clinic.
We must preserve the prestige of our brand by not allowing prejudice to affect hiring decisions.
Prefix un
It is pronounced like a stressed schwa sound – ʌn
unable, unhappy, unusual, unemployed, unfair, unfit, untrue
Prefix ultra & hyper
ultra-violet, ultrasound, ultrasoft, ultramodern, ultrathin, ultrahot, ultrared
hyperactive, hyperventilate, hypermarket, hypercritical, hypersensitive
Prefix psy & pneumo
psychology, psychic, psychotherapy, psychiatry, psycopath, psychological
pneumonia, pneumatic
Prefix non
UK /nɒn-/ US /nɑːn-/
nonstop, nonsense, nonprofit, non-smoking, nonfat, nonfiction, nonexistent
Prefix auto
UK /ˈɔː.təʊ/ US /ˈɑː.t̬oʊ/
automatic, autobiography, autopilot, autograph, autofocus, automation, autosuggest
Prefixes en, em, in, im
They have a vowel that sounds like Ukrainian И.
enable, enlighten, entire, enlist, envision, encourage
emotional, empower, embed, embody, embrace, embarrassed
inability, inaccurate
immature, impossible, impolite, independent, incorrect
Prefix dis
/dis/ NOT Z
disagree, disobey, disability, disorder, dislike, disappear, disown, disinfect, dishonest, disconnect BUT disease /dɪˈziːz/
Prefix co
koʊ
cofounder, cohabit, coexist, coincidence
Prefix anti
/æn.t̬i/ /æn.taɪ-/ *both can be with T or with flap T
antivirus, antibiotic, antidote BUT antique, antics (we cannot make flat T or use /æn.taɪ- because ant is not a prefix here)
Prefix over
/ˈoʊ.vɚ/
overprotective, overproduction, overhead, overconfident, overjoyed
Prefix post
/poʊst/
post-production, postgame, postnatal, postgraduate, postscript
Prefix pro
/proʊ/
pro-gun, pro-governmet BUT produce, proficient, pronounce – with a shwa sound – it’s not a prefix
Prefix trans
1) Z – before vowels
transatlantic, transaction, transit, translate*
2) S – before consonants
transform, transparent, transfer, translate*
Sentences for extra practice
1. The novel’s plot twist was so unexpected that it became a memorable and remarkable moment for all readers.
2. After a long absence, his return home was met with tears of joy and warm embraces from his family.
3. It’s crucial to repeat important information to ensure it’s fully understood and retained.
4. Taking short breaks throughout the day can help refresh your mind and increase productivity.
5. After much consideration, she finally made the decision to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an artist.
6. He went to the bank to deposit his paycheck before heading home.
7. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the construction project experienced a significant delay, pushing back the completion date by several weeks.
8. The sudden surge in demand for hand sanitizer led to shortages at stores across the city.
9. She spent hours in the kitchen to prepare a delicious homemade meal for her guests.
10. The team conducted preliminary research to gather initial data before starting the full-scale study.
11. During the play, the actors pretended to be characters from a different time, immersing the audience in a fantastical world.
12. Due to a recent injury, he was unable to participate in the marathon as planned.
13. Despite her success, she remained unhappy with her work-life balance.
14. The sudden snowstorm in April was unusual for this region.
15. After losing his job, he found himself unemployed and struggling to make ends meet.
16. The decision to terminate her contract seemed unfair given her dedication to the company.
17. Years of a sedentary lifestyle left him feeling unfit and lacking energy.
18. The rumors circulating about her were untrue, causing unnecessary distress.
19. The plane flew nonstop from New York to Tokyo, completing the journey in just under fourteen hours.
20. His speech was filled with nonsense, making it difficult for anyone to take him seriously.
21. The organization operates as a nonprofit, dedicated to providing free medical services to underserved communities.
22. She’s known to be overprotective of her children, always worrying about their safety and well-being, even in seemingly harmless situations.
23. After completing her undergraduate degree, she decided to pursue further studies as a postgraduate student, specializing in neuroscience.
24. He spent countless hours honing his skills and studying diligently, eventually becoming proficient in several programming languages.
25. I used Google Translate to help me understand the meaning of the foreign text.