1. A guide

2.  A prefix is a word part placed in front of a base word. A prefix usually changes the meaning of the base word. Here's an example:  The prefix un added to the word happy makes a new word with a new meaning. The prefix un means not, so it changes the meaning of the word happy to not happy. UN + HAPPY = UNHAPPY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRdMYuNeAn g

3.  The two most common prefixes are:  Un  Re  These two prefixes are the most useful for beginning spellers to learn because they appear frequently and their meanings are easy to understand. Un means not ( unhappy = not happy ) or the reverse of or opposite of (as in untie ). Re means again ( redo = do again ) or back (as in repay ).

4.  The spelling of the base word never changes. Simply add the prefix to the beginning of the base word, as in the word unhappy.  The spelling of the prefix never changes. A prefix will be spelled the same no matter what base word it is attached to. For example, if you learn to spell the prefix poly, as in polygon, you can depend on poly to be spelled the same in the words polygraph, polyester, and polygram.

5.  Be aware that double letters can occur. If you add the prefix un to natural, both the prefix and the base word retain their original spelling. The result is unnatural. Take a look at these other words where double letters occur:  il + logical = illogical im + mature = immature il + legal = illegal un + necessary = unnecessary Other examples: unnoticeable, illiteracy, immaterial, immeasurable, immigrant, immobile, immoral, dissatisfy, disservice, dissimilar, dissolve, irreconcilable, irredeemable, irreducible, irregular, irrelevant, irreparable, irrestistible, irresponsible, misspoke, misspell, misstep  Watch out for prefix look-alikes. Some words contain the same string of letters as a prefix, but upon closer examination you’ll find that they are not prefixes. The re in real is not a prefix. Other examples include uncle, pretty, press, interest, reach, irony, dish, and antique.

6.  Comfortable  Act  Appear  Honest  Spell  Load  Afraid  Lead  Write  Agree

7.  Think of ten more words that have a prefix and state what they mean