Decoding Words With Prefixes and Suffixes Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.2.3.D

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Many words of the English language are formed from the compilation of a mix of prefixes and suffixes. When we work on teaching students the proper pronunciation of words it is important to pay particular attention to these sections of the words. It is often best to start by pulling these pieces from words. These parts of words can often lead to enhanced learning experiences for youngsters. The worksheets in this section will help students begin to break apart words into digestible and understandable pieces.

Decoding Words Worksheets To Print:

A Magic Show – Find and underline the word with a prefix and/or a suffix in each sentence. If it has a prefix, write it on the first line.

Wag the Tail! – Read each word. Write the base word on the first line. Write the suffix on the second line.

Lazy Cows – Write each word's root word on the line below each word.

Unsticking Words – Divide each word into two parts. Write the prefix in the first box and the root word in the second box.

Where Is The Suffix? – Read each sentence. Underline the word with a suffix. Break it down and write the root word in the first box and the suffix in the second.

The Tortoise and the Hare – Color the turtles containing words that have prefixes one color. Color the turtles containing words that have suffixes another color. Write each root word on the line below the turtle.

Box Around It – Draw a box around the prefix or suffix in each word. Follow the example.

Personality Test – Divide each word into a root and a suffix. Put the root word in the first box. Put the suffix in the second box.

Go West, Young Man! – Write the root words of all the words in the wagons.

Chopping Words – Help Chuck with his chores by filling in the chart below. Write the prefix and the root word for each word.

Visiting Jane – Find and underline the word with a prefix and/or a suffix in each sentence. Break the word into its prefix/suffix and its root.

Word Carousel – Fill in the blank columns for each word below.

Before and After – Draw a circle around the prefix or suffix of each word.

Making New Words – Read each prefix and root word. Join them together to make a word.

Making Comparisons – Read each root word. Add the suffixes -er and -est to each root.

How to Decode Words with Prefixes and Suffixes?


Prefixes and suffixes are the two types of affixes that are attached either in the beginning or end of a root word. These affixes have predefined meanings that are used to build new words out of the root words. Prefixes and suffixes are easy to memorize. With their help, you can guess the meaning of any unknown words. Most of the words contain prefixes and suffixes. It is not important for all of them to contain both a prefix and suffix. Sometimes, a word only has either a prefix or suffix. Decoding words with suffixes and prefixes can be difficult because such words can have a number of letters in it. They can seem confusing at first, but you can decode the word easily if you know the technique. Here are some steps that are involved in decoding words with prefixes and suffixes.


Identify the Affixes and Root Word


The very first step towards decoding words with suffixes and prefixes is to identify the affixes in it. It is extremely easy to recognize a prefix or suffix. A prefix is used before the root word. Whereas on the other hand, a suffix is used after the root word. You can look at the word carefully and then notice if the word has a semi-word in beginning. For example, the word prepaid has pre as a prefix. The word unhappy has un- as a prefix.


After examining the prefix, it is time to look for any suffix. For example, in the word movement, the word ‘ment' is a suffix. In the word shyness, the word ness is a suffix. Usually, both prefixes and suffixes have only one syllable in them. When you have both of them recognized, you will be left with a root word. Now, your word is divided into three parts that can be decoded easily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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