الدرس السابق ⇚ Words easily confused
PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES
A. Look at the words in bold in the sentences below.
What do you think they mean? Choose a or b.
1. The list is endless.
a. coming to an end b. having no end
2. That sounds incredible.
a. impossible to believe b. easy to believe
3. Can you think of any unusual laws?
a. common b. strange
4. It is illegal to transport a bowl of fish on a public bus.
a. according to the law b. against the law
5. Some stupid laws could be harmful to people.
a. causing harm b. without harm
Note:
• The prefixes un- and in- are used before adjectives and adverbs to give them the opposite
meaning (usual – unusual, correct – incorrect).
• Instead of in- we use the prefixes im- (when the word starts with m or p), il- (when the word starts
with l) and ir- (when the word starts with r).
• The suffix -ful is used after a noun to form an adjective which means ‘having enough of’
(care – careful).
• The suffix -less is used after a noun to form an adjective which means ‘not having’
(end – endless).
B. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words in capitals.
1. Despite their efforts, scientists were unable to explain the phenomenon.
2. She found it impossible to keep to her diet, so she gave up after a couple of days.
3. My brother is a successful author, he has had several books published.
4. It was irresponsible of Larry to drive so fast when it was raining because he could have caused an accident.
5. It was illogical to spend so much on a pair of shoes that were so uncomfortable.
6. The forest fire was started by a careless group of teenagers who lit a camp fire in the night.
7. This heating system is very inefficient because it uses lots of energy without heating up the room quickly.
8. Alice felt helpless because she couldn't rescue the injured bird.
