A prefix is a group of letters (affixes) added in front of a word or a root of the word to change its meaning. A negative prefix is a prefix which carries a negative meaning 'not' , 'opposite of'.
Negative statements are the opposite of affirmative statements. In English, one way to make negative statements is by adding negative prefixes to nouns, adjectives, and verbs. Here are some English negative prefixes: a-, dis-, il-, im-, in-, ir-, non-, un-.
For example, the prefix un- can be attached to the adjective happy to create the negative adjective unhappy. Or you can use the negative adverb not. Note that there is no difference in meaning between these two forms.
in- prefix
Words that take
in- as a negative prefix can begin with a vowel (except
i or
u) or a consonant.
| affirmative |
negative |
| accurate |
inaccurate |
| eligible |
ineligible |
| organic |
inorganic |
| decent |
indecent |
| sane |
insane |
Note: There are many words that begin with
in- that are not words with a negative prefix. For example:
| word |
does not mean |
| incline |
not cline |
| indulge |
not dulge |
| insist |
not sist |
| invoke |
not voke |
Remember, not all words that appear to have a negative prefix are negative.
| word |
does not mean |
| alike |
not like |
| discuss |
not cuss |
| universe |
not iverse |
| illuminate |
not luminate |
| important |
not portant |
| involve |
not volve |
| irrigate |
not rigate |
Most compounds with non- are written with a hyphen in British English, but not in American English: non-alcoholic , nonalcoholic .