Words with un-, dis-, in-, im- and non-

Key Notes :-

What’s a Prefix?

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Think of it like adding a special ingredient to a recipe – it changes the whole dish! Today, we’re going to explore some super useful prefixes: un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non-.

un- : Not or Opposite Of

The prefix un- usually means not or the opposite of something.

Examples:

• Unhappy (not happy)
• Untie (to undo a tie)
• Unkind (not kind)
• Unlock (to open something locked)
• Unsafe (not safe)

dis- : Not or Opposite Of

The prefix dis- also means not or the opposite of something, or to remove something.

Examples:

• Disagree (not agree)
• Disappear (to vanish)
• Disconnect (to unhook)
• Disobey (not obey)
• Dislike (not like)

in- & im- : Not

The prefixes in- and im- both mean not.

Important Note: We use im- before words that start with m or p. Otherwise, we usually use in-.

Examples:

• Invisible (not visible)
• Incomplete (not complete)
• Incorrect (not correct)
• Impossible (not possible)
• Impatient (not patient)

non- : Not

The prefix non- means not.

Examples:

• Nonsense (not making sense)
• Nonfiction (not fiction; based on facts)
• Nonstop (not stopping)
• Nonviolent (not violent)
• Nonstick (not sticky)

Time to Practice!

Fill in the blank with a word using one of the prefixes we learned today (un-, dis-, in-, im-, non-). Be creative!

1. It’s ______ to believe that unicorns exist.
2. Please ______ your shoes before entering the house.
3. The movie was so ______ that I fell asleep.
4. It is ______ to cheat on a test.
5. My jacket is ______, so rain rolls right off of it!

Answer Key: 1. impossible, 2. untie/disrobe, 3. uninteresting, 4. incorrect, 5. non-stick

Sentence Challenge!

Write your own sentences using the following words:

• Disagree
• Invisible
• Unsafe
• Nonessential
• Impolite

Wrapping Up

Today, we discovered how prefixes like un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non- can completely change the meaning of a word! By understanding these prefixes, you can unlock the meanings of many new words and become a word power master!

Let’s practice!🖊️