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Negative prefixes

In English we can use 3 different prefixes before Nouns or Adjectives to form OPPOSITES. These prefixes are DIS-, UN- and IN-. Unfortunately for students, there is NO RULE which we can learn to know what prefix should each word take. It is true that most words coming from Latin or French usually take IN-like "incredible", "improbable", whereas Germanic words usually take UN-"unbelievable", "unlikely"; but this will not apply in certain cases.

However, there are always some spelling variations when the prefix IN- is used:

-those adjectives beginning with M/P- will take IM-: immature, immmigrant, impatient, impossible

-those adjectives beginning with L- will take IL-: illegal, illicit, illiterate

-those adjectives beginning with R- will take IR-: irresponsible, irrelevant

More than 200 words with prefixes

IN-	Inaccessible, Inaccurate, inadequate, inadmissible, inadvisable, inappropriate, inattentive, inaudible, incalculable, incapable, incompatible, incompetent, incomprehensible, inconceivable, inconclusive, inconsiderate, inconsistent, inconvenient, incredible, indecisive, indefinable, indefinite, indelicate, independent, indescribable, indestructible, indirect, indiscreet, indisposed, inefficient, ineffective, inexpensive, inexperienced, inexplicable, infallible, infinite, infrequent, inhuman, inoffensive, insane, insatiable, insecure, insensible, insensitive, inseparable, insoluble, insubordinate, insufficient, insufferable, insuperable, intolerant, intransitive, invalid, invaluable, invariable, invertebrate, invincible, invisible, involuntary
IM-	Immature, immobile, immortal, immutable, impatient, impartial, impassive, impenetrable, imperfect, impersonal, impolite, impossible, impotent, impracticable, improbable, improper, imprudent, impure
IL	Illegal, illegible, illegitimate, illicit, illiterate, illogical
IR-	Irrational, irreconcilable, irreducible, irrefutable, irregular, irrelevant, irreparable, irreplaceable, irreproachable, irresistible, irresponsible, irreverent, irreversible, irrevocable
UN-	Unable, unacceptable, unaccompanied, unaccustomed, unafraid, unaided, unavailable, unaware, unbearable, unbeaten, unbelievable, unborn, unbreakable, unchangeable, unchanged, unchained, uncertain, unconceivable, unconditional, unconscious, uncomfortable, uncommon, uncountable, uncovered, undefeated, undiscovered, undistinguished, undone, undressed, undrinkable, uneasy, unemployed, unequal, unexpected, unfair, unfaithful, unfamiliar, unfashionable, unfavourable, unfriendly, unfolded, unforgettable, unforgivable, unfortunate, unfounded, ungrateful, unhappy, unhealthy, unheard, unhelpful, unidentified, uninhabited, uninhibited, unintelligible, unintentional, uninterrupted, unimaginable, unimportant, unjustifiable, unkind, unknown, unlawful, unlikely, unlimited, unlocked, unlucky, unnatural, unnecessary, unofficial, unplanned, unpleasant, unpopular, unprecedented, unpredictable, unprepared, unpublished, unreal, unreasonable, unsafe, unsubscribed, unsubstantial, unsure, unsustainable, unthinkable, untidy, untrue, unused, unusual, unwilling,unzipped
DIS-	Disabled, disadvantageous, disagreeable, disapproved, disarmed, discoloured, disconnected, discouraged, disgraceful, dishonest, dishonourable, disinfected, disinterested, disloyal, disobedient, disorganized, dispassionate, displeased, dispossessed, disqualified, disrespectful, dissatisfied

Other prefixes

PREFIX	MEANING	EXAMPLES
A	Without	Amoral/asexuality
Ant(i)	Against	Antidote/anticlockwise/ antibiotic
Aut(o)	Self	Autobiography/autonomy
Co(m)	With	Cooperation/collaborate/ coeducate
Contr(a)	Against	Contradiction/controversy
Counter	Against	Counterpoint/counterattack
Eu	Good	Euthanasia/euphemism
Extra	Very, more than usual, beyond	Extraordinary/extraterrestrial
Fore	Before, in advance	Forecast/foresee
Hemi	Half	Hemisphere/hemicycle
Hemo	Blood	Hemoglobin/hemolytic
Hyper	Super, greatest in order	Hyperactivity
Infra	Below	Infrared
Inter	Between	International/interchange
Intra	Within the interior	Intravenous/ intranet
Mega	Million, very large	Megabyte/megaphone
Micro	A millionth, very small	Microorganism/microbiotic/ microwave
Mis	Bad, wrong	Misfortune/mistake/ misunderstand
Over	Too much, in excess	Overpopulation/overdose/ overbooking
Out	Better than	Outperform/Outplay
Post	After	Postpone/postmodernist
Pre	Before	Precedent/prediction
Pro	In favour of	Prolife/promotion
Re	Again	Return/revolution
Semi	Half	Semi-skimmed/semi-detached
Trans	Across, beyond	Transatlantic/transport/ transplant
Ultra	Extremely, beyond a limit	Ultraviolet/ultrasonic/ ultramarine
Under	Below, not enough	Underdevelopment/ underprivileged

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