Another way to quickly increase your vocabulary knowledge is to learn the most common prefixes and suffixes, and their meanings. Once you’ve learned the meaning of the prefixes and suffixes you can apply them to help you understand words you will encounter.  Remember prefixes are added to the front of a base word. (like with a prefix could turn into dislike) Suffixes are attached to the back of the base word. (active with a suffix may be activate)  These most common prefixes and suffixes can be found at this website:  http://www.uefap.co.uk/vocab/build/building.htm

After you’ve taken time to become familiar with some of the prefixes and suffixes go back to the website and test your knowledge.  After studying each grouping of prefixes and suffixes click on the blue word Exercise to practice using them.  Not only will studying prefixes and suffixes help you as a reader they will also greatly increase your abilities as a writer.

Prefixes and Suffixes Pages can be found at this website:

 www.uefap.co.uk/vocab/build/building.htm

The next time you are given a list of vocabulary terms to learn by one of your professors check the prefixes and suffixes website to see if important parts of your words can help you come up with the meanings of the terms.  
 

- contributed by Kelley Kaunisto