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Prefixes Worksheets & Exercises: Free Printable PDFs

On this page, you’ll find fun and effective prefixes worksheets to boost word-building skills, expand vocabulary, and strengthen reading comprehension—perfect for classroom or independent practice!

Download Prefixes Worksheets

Prefixes are powerful word parts placed at the beginning of root words to change their meaning. Learning common prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, and mis- helps students unlock the meaning of new vocabulary.

Quick Prefix Guide

PrefixMeaningExample
un-not / oppositeunhappy, unable
re-againrewrite, reheat
pre-beforepreview, precaution
dis-not / oppositedisagree, disconnect
mis-wrongly / badlymisplace, misunderstand
im- / il-not (used with specific letters)impolite, illogical
non-notnonfiction, nonstop

See more: More than 35 Common Prefixes in English

  1. Choose the correct prefix and rewrite the complete word. 

Choosing the correct prefix to complete each word and rewriting the full word (prefixes worksheet)Pin

  1. Look at the first example and write other words with the given prefixes. 

Prefix graphic organizer worksheet: using examples to write more words with the given prefixesPin

  1. Look at each prefix provided. For each one, write three different words that include the prefix. 

Writing three words for each given prefix (prefixes practice worksheet)Pin

  1. Write the correct prefix in the blank to complete the sentence. 

Filling in the blanks with the correct prefix to complete each sentence (prefixes worksheet)Pin

  1. From the prefixes given, write your complete words.

Building complete words from a list of prefixes (prefix word formation worksheet)Pin

Download Prefixes Worksheets PDF

Prefixes Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Prefix

Direction: Choose the best prefix to complete each word or sentence. Circle A, B, or C for the correct answer.

Questions:

  1. He had to ___write his essay because he lost the original copy.
    A) un    B) re    C) mis
  2. She was ___happy when her toy broke.
    A) un    B) re    C) pre
  3. Please ___heat the soup before serving it.
    A) mis    B) re    C) dis
  4. We watched a ___view of the movie before it was released.
    A) pre    B) un    C) re
  5. He was ___able to finish his homework on time.
    A) dis    B) un    C) pre
  6. I don’t want to ___place my phone again!
    A) mis    B) re    C) un
  7. This book is ___fiction, so it’s based on real events.
    A) dis    B) non    C) pre
  8. I ___agree with your idea. I think it won’t work.
    A) re    B) mis    C) dis

Answer Key:

No.Correct AnswerCompleted Word
1B) rerewrite
2A) ununhappy
3B) rereheat
4A) prepreview
5B) ununable
6A) mismisplace
7B) nonnonfiction
8C) disdisagree

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank with Prefix Words

Direction: Read each sentence carefully and fill in the blank using a correct word formed by adding a prefix to the base word in parentheses.

Sentences:

  1. The rabbit seemed to ___ in the tall grass. (appear)
  2. Please ___ the headphones when you’re finished using them. (connect)
  3. Their workspace was ___, with papers scattered everywhere. (organize)
  4. It was ___ to interrupt the speaker during the presentation. (polite)
  5. We should ___ old bottles and cans to protect the environment. (cycle)
  6. The crew will ___ the damaged bridge next month. (build)
  7. That explanation is completely ___—it doesn’t follow any logic. (logical)
  8. The doctor gave us some ___ to follow before the surgery. (caution)

Answer Key:

No.Completed Sentence
1The rabbit seemed to disappear in the tall grass.
2Please disconnect the headphones when you’re finished using them.
3Their workspace was disorganized, with papers scattered everywhere.
4It was impolite to interrupt the speaker during the presentation.
5We should recycle old bottles and cans to protect the environment.
6The crew will rebuild the damaged bridge next month.
7That explanation is completely illogical—it doesn’t follow any logic.
8The doctor gave us some precautions to follow before the surgery.

Exercise 3: Correct the Mistake

Direction: Each sentence contains a prefix-related mistake. Read carefully and rewrite the sentence correctly by fixing the incorrect prefix or word.

Sentences with Mistakes:

  1. She was very unpolite to the guest.
  2. He had to diswash the dishes because they were still dirty.
  3. That idea is illlogical and confusing.
  4. Please disconnects your laptop when you’re done.
  5. His behavior was misrespectful to the teacher.
  6. We saw the magician disappearred behind the curtain.
  7. I had to preheatting the oven before baking.
  8. The boy was nonstoping in his talking.

Answer Key:

No.Corrected Sentence
1She was very impolite to the guest.
2He had to rewash the dishes because they were still dirty.
3That idea is illogical and confusing.
4Please disconnect your laptop when you’re done.
5His behavior was disrespectful to the teacher.
6We saw the magician disappear behind the curtain.
7I had to preheat the oven before baking.
8The boy talked nonstop.
A2 Knowledge Check · 5 questions

Prefixes Worksheets & Exercises: Free Printable PDFs — Practice Quiz

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: What does a prefix do?

Question 1 options
A prefix is a word part placed at the beginning of a root word to change its meaning. For example, adding 'un-' to 'happy' creates 'unhappy,' which means the opposite.
Q2

Question 2: The prefix 'mis-' means 'before.'

Question 2 options
This is false. The prefix 'mis-' means 'wrongly' or 'badly,' as in 'misplace' and 'misunderstand.' The prefix that means 'before' is 'pre-,' as in 'preview' and 'precaution.'
Q3

Question 3: Which sentence uses the word 'misplace' correctly?

Question 3 options
'Misplace' means to put something in the wrong place so you cannot find it. The sentence 'I always misplace my keys and have to search for them' uses this meaning correctly. The other options misuse the word by applying it to contexts where a different word is needed.
Q4

Question 4: Match each prefix to its meaning.

Question 4 options
un-
re-
pre-
mis-
again
wrongly / badly
before
not / opposite

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

'un-' means 'not / opposite' (e.g., unhappy). 're-' means 'again' (e.g., rewrite). 'pre-' means 'before' (e.g., preview). 'mis-' means 'wrongly / badly' (e.g., misunderstand).
Q5

Question 5: According to the article, the correct prefix for 'polite' to mean 'not polite' is ___.

Question 5 options
The article shows that 'impolite' is the correct form, using the prefix 'im-' which means 'not' and is used with specific letters. The article also notes that 'unpolite' is a common mistake.

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