Word part · Latin prefix
The Latin prefix in-
Means: not.
At a glance
- Part
- in-
- Meaning
- not
- Layer
- Latin: Prefixes, suffixes and roots behind many school and book words.
- Also spelled
- im, il, ir
The n changes to match the next sound: im before m and p, il before l, ir before r. That is why illegal and irregular have double letters.
Example words
Read each word, then its sum: the parts that build it, and what they mean together.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
- in (prefix)+act (root or base)+ive (suffix)→inactive
not active
- in (prefix)+correct (root or base)→incorrect
not correct
- in (prefix)+complete (root or base)→incomplete
not complete
- in (prefix)+expense (root or base)+ive (suffix)→inexpensive
not expensive
in + expense + ive: drop the e → inexpensive
- in (prefix)+accurate (root or base)→inaccurate
not accurate
- im (prefix)+possible (root or base)→impossible
not possible
im + possible: the prefix changes to match → impossible
- im (prefix)+polite (root or base)→impolite
not polite
im + polite: the prefix changes to match → impolite
- im (prefix)+patient (root or base)→impatient
not patient
im + patient: the prefix changes to match → impatient
- il (prefix)+legal (root or base)→illegal
not legal; against the law
il + legal: the prefix changes to match → illegal
- il (prefix)+logic (root or base)+al (suffix)→illogical
not logical; not making sense
il + logic + al: the prefix changes to match → illogical
- ir (prefix)+regular (root or base)→irregular
not regular
ir + regular: the prefix changes to match → irregular
- ir (prefix)+responsible (root or base)→irresponsible
not responsible
ir + responsible: the prefix changes to match → irresponsible
Original word lists and meanings written by Literacy Trail.
Taught alongside
Parts that share a lesson with in-.
- -alhaving to do with
- -tionthe act of, or the result of
- sub-under, or below
- de-down, away, or remove
- -ablecan be, or able to be
- -ancethe act of, or the state of
- -anta person who does something, or doing
- -ivetending to, or having the quality of
- scribwrite
- formshape
- pre-before
- trans-across, or from one place to another
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