UNIT 3 : Dictionary skills and Information

Gathering and Processing Skills

UNIT 3: Affixes and Spell Check
General Objectives:
To use the dictionary as a reference in order to ascertain or confirm words
pronunciation, meaning, spelling and grammar effectively and
independently.

Specific Objectives:
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1. understand the formation of different classes of words through the use
of affixes
2. understand the meanings of meanings
3. use affixes correctly
4. transform words using appropriate affixes
5. check on the spelling of words and consistently use correct spelling in
written work
6. use the dictionary and spell check tools on the words processor (done
by those who have access to computers)
3.1 Affixes
Specific Objectives:
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1. understand the formation of different classes of words through the
use of affixes
2. understand the meanings of affixes
3. use affixes correctly
4. transform words using appropriate affixes

Input

Affix is a group of letters added to the beginning or the end of a word. It changes
the meaning or the function of words. Letters added to the beginning of the word is
called a prefix and those added to the end of the word is called a suffix. A prefix changes
the meaning of the word, for example, ‘untie’. Some other examples of prefixes are dis-,
trans-, pre-, sub-, anti-, etc. Whereas suffix changes the grammatical function of a
word, for example, by adding ‘er’ to ‘write’ we get ‘writer’ and change a verb into a
noun. Other examples of suffixes are –able, -tion, -less, -ly, -ment etc.
Some common prefixes and suffixes.

Prefixes Meaning Example

a-, ab From , away Apart, abstract

an Without Anarchy, anomaly
ante- before Anti-aircraft
anti against antecedent
arch-, archi- first, chief archbishop, archipelago
auto- self autobiography
bi- two bicycle
co-,com-,con- together cooperate, combine,
confer
contra-, counter- against contradict, counter-
attack
de- away from depart
dis- opposite of discontent
e-, ex- out of, from eject, export
extra- beyond extraordinary
fore- front forehead
in- in,on install, inscribe
in-,im- not indirect, imperfect
inter among, between interchange
intro- inside introduce
mis- wrong mislead
non- not nonconformist
ob- against object
over- excessive, above overweight, overhead
per- through perceive
peri- around perimeter
post- after postscript
pre before preview
quasi- seemingly quasi-official
re- again, back recur, repay
retro- backward retrograde
semi- half semicircle
sub- under submarine
super-,sup- above, over superhuman, surcharge
sym-, syn- together symposium, syndicate
tele- at a distance telegram, television
trans- across, over transatlantic
ultra- beyond ultraviolet
un- not, the opposite unable, unfasten
with- against, back withstand, withhold
Suffixes Meaning Example

-able, -ible that can be obtainable, digestible

-al of, like, having the ornamental, arrival
nature; act of
-an having to do with; a Shakespearian,
native of Singaporean
-ance act of performance
-ant one who attendant
-age act, condition, or breakage, bondage,
collection of baggage
-cy state of being bankruptcy
-ed having, characterized by bearded, honeyed
-en cause to be or to have weaken, strengthen
-ence state of being absence
-ent one who president
-er more longer, smarter
-er, -or a person or thing that reporter, actor
does something
-ese of or pertaining to Chinese
-ess female heiress
-est most warmest., nearest
-ful full of cheerful
-fy make, cause to be simplify, horrify
-hood state of being boyhood
-ic having the nature of artistic
-ier, -yer a person concerned with financier, lawyer
-ion act, condition, or result admission, fascination,
of collection
-ish like, tending to childish, bookish
-ist a person who tourist
-ism action, doctrine, quality socialism, heroism
-ize cause to become crystallize
-less without, that does not homeless, ceaseless
-let small booklet
-ly in a matter cheerfully
-ment act or state of enjoyment
-most most foremost
-ness state or quality of being darkness, goodness
-ship state or quality of being, friendship, professorship
position or rank
-tion act or state of, condition action, exhaustion
of being
-tude quality, state of gratitude, solitude
-ure act or fact failure
-ward in the direction of toward
Task 1
The meaning of the following prefix and suffix.
1. Timer mode is disengaged.
_________________________________
2. Breaks are noticeable in Hi-Fi soundtrack.
__________________________________
3. Insert a cassette, or using adhesive tape, reseal the slot where the tab was removed.
_________________________________________________________________
4. The recorder’s preset positions have been set incorrectly.
_____________________________________________

Task 2
Add the correct prefix to the following words.
Possible
Load
Set
Interrupted
Connected

Task 3
Add the correct suffix to the following words.
Parent
Child
National
Home
Friend

Task 4
Transform these words by adding suffixes or prefixes.
Kind (adj)
 Inform (v)
Slow (adj)
Install (v)
Picture (n)
Fruit (n)
Head (n)
Circle (v)
Cycle (v)
Green (adj)

3.2 Spell Check

Input

Different Spelling
If you look up the word judgment in the dictionary, you will see that there are
two different spellings for this word. Both of them are correct, but judgment is the more
common spelling, so it is written first.
judgment, judgement 1. the ability to decide correctly:
I can’t make that decision for you; you’ll have to use your
judgment. 2 an opinion: to form a judgment 3 an
official decision given by a judge of a court of law: he
passed judgment on the accused man.

Task 5
Find these words in the dictionary. Put a tick ( / ) against the most common
spelling.

Judgment generalize enroll fulfill organise

Judgement generalise enrol fulfil organize

British and American spellings.

colour BrE// color AmeE, the quality which allows one to see
the difference between (for example) a red flower and a blue
flower when both are the same size and shape.

Task 6
Look up these words in the dictionary. Which spelling would a British person use?
Which spelling would an American use?

Theatre / theater
Rumour / rumor
Center / centre
Humour / humor
Color / colour
Program / programme