Year 5 - English
Spelling words with the prefixes de-, re-, sub-, super-, inter-, anti- and auto-
Etymology and prefixes
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn to investigate and spell words in English with Greek and Latin origins. Pupils also learn to spell polysyllabic words and words with a greater range of prefixes, like de-, re-, sub-, super-, inter- anti-, auto-, bi-, trans-, tele- and circum-.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to spell a range of words with the prefixes de-, re-, sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-.
Key Notes
- A prefix is a letter or group of letters at the start of a word which changes its meaning.
- The prefix de- can mean 'undo' and re- can mean 'again'.
- The prefix sub- can mean 'under' or 'nearly' and super- can mean 'above' or 'larger'.
- The prefix inter- can mean 'between', anti- mean 'against' and auto- mean 'self' or 'own'.
- How to spell the curriculum words: opposite, average, interrupt and lightning.
Vocabulary To Learn
- prefix: a letter or group of letters added to the start of a root word to change its meaning
- root word: the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think every word with a prefix will have a recognisable root word.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A prefix is a letter or group of letters at the start of a word which changes its meaning. The prefix de- can mean 'undo' and re- can mean 'again'.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'prefix'
a letter or group of letters added to the start of a root word to change its meaning.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think every word with a prefix will have a recognisable root word. Correction: Show that some roots we don't recognise may have Latin roots that we don't know. We can call this a 'stem' or a 'root'. Recognising the prefix can still help with spelling and understanding.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Spelling more polysyllabic words with unstressed vowels Study Guide
- Spelling polysyllabic words with unstressed vowels Study Guide
- Spelling words of Greek origin that use 'ch' to make a /k/ sound Study Guide
- Spelling words of Greek origin that use 'ph' to make a /f/ sound Study Guide
- Spelling words of Latin origin that use 'sc' to make a /s/ sound Study Guide
- Spelling words using hard c Study Guide
- Spelling words using soft c Study Guide
- Spelling words with the prefixes ad- and al- and hyphens Study Guide
- Spelling words with the prefixes bi-, trans-, tele- and circum- Study Guide
- Spelling words with the prefixes co-, pre-, pro- and sus- Study Guide
- Spelling words with the prefixes meaning not Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.