Negative prefixes
A negative prefix is added to the beginning of a word to create the opposite meaning (usually "not" or "the opposite of") of the word.
There are no fixed rules for choosing the correct prefix, so it is best to learn the negative form as a new one:
happy → unhappy, possible → impossible.
The most common negative prefixes are:
-
un- = the most common negative prefix, especially with adjectives
unhappy = not happy
unfair = not fair
unfriendly = not friendly
unemployed = without a job -
in- = often used with words of Latin origin
incorrect = not correct
informal = not formal
invisible = not visible
inexperienced = without experience -
im- = a form of in- used before m and p
impossible = not possible
impatient = not patient
impolite = not polite
immature = not mature -
il- = a form of in- used before l
illegal = not legal
illogical = not logical
illegible = impossible to read -
ir- = a form of in- used before r
irregular = not regular
irresponsible = not responsible
irrational = not rational -
dis- = used with some adjectives and verbs to show the opposite or a lack of something
dishonest = not honest
disloyal = not loyal
dissatisfied = not satisfied
disagree = have a different opinion
Spelling change: in- → im- / il- / ir-
The prefixes im-, il- and ir- are not separate prefixes. They are forms of in- that change to make pronunciation easier:
- in- + m/p → im- → impossible, impatient
- in- + l → il- → illegal, illogical
- in- + r → ir- → irregular, irresponsible
