Negative prefixes

1. Negative prefixes.

Prefixes such as in-, un- and dis- can be added to some adjectives, adverbs, verbs and nouns to give them a negative meaning.

• Improving your performance with drugs is unfair.
• We're used to seeing athletes, cyclists and swimmers disqualified.

To some adjectives, adverbs and nouns, we can add in-: indirect, insincere.

The prefixes il-, im- and ir- can be used in this way:

• il- before adjectives and adverbs that start with l: illegal
• im- before adjectives and adverbs that start with b, m or p: impossible
• ir- before adjectives and adverbs that start with r: irresponsible

 

Rewrite the words in the sentences with the prefixes un-, dis-, in-, im-, il- or ir-.