Year 5 - English
Spelling words with the prefixes meaning not
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 un-, non-, dis-, mis-, in-, il-, im- and ir-.
Key Notes
- A prefix is a letter or group of letters at the start of a word which changes its meaning.
- Adding a prefix does not alter the spelling of the root word.
- There are many prefixes that can mean 'not', including un-, dis-, in-, il-, im- and ir-.
- The prefix in- can also mean 'in' or 'into' and the prefix mis- usually means 'wrongly'.
- How to spell the curriculum words: immediate, immediately and disappear.
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
- antonym: a word that has the opposite meaning to another word
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may think all words with the letters strings have prefixes.
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. Adding a prefix does not alter the spelling of the root word.
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: Children may think all words with the letters strings have prefixes. Correction: Discuss words using the letter sequence but not as a prefix, e.g. disturb, imp and uncle. Reinforce the definition of 'root word' and 'prefix'.
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 de-, re-, sub-, super-, inter-, anti- and auto- Study Guide
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