English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Words with un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non-
Words with un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non-
What you'll learn
- Identify correctly and classify, with 80% accuracy, comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs (well, better, best, badly, worse, worst) within complex sentences extracted from literary texts.
- Apply the correct comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs (well, better, best, badly, worse, worst) in original sentences, demonstrating accurate grammatical usage in at least three out of four attempts.
- Analyze the effect of using comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs (well, better, best, badly, worse, worst) on the tone and meaning of a given paragraph, providing a written explanation that demonstrates a clear understanding of nuance and connotation.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of using comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs (well, better, best, badly, worse, worst) in a peer's writing sample, offering constructive criticism that identifies at least two specific areas for improvement based on grammatical accuracy and stylistic impact.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the prefixes un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non- in given words.
Determine the meaning of words containing un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non- by understanding their negative function.
Correctly use words with these prefixes in their own writing to convey specific meanings.
Explain how an author's choice of a word with a negative prefix can impact the tone or purpose of a text.
Differentiate between words that genuinely use these prefixes and words that merely start with the same letters.
Use context clues to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words containing these prefixes.
Have you ever felt 😠 unhappy or 👎 disagreed with someone? Many words we use every day have tiny parts that completely flip their meaning!
In this lesson, you'll discover how p...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PrefixA letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.In the word 'unhappy,' 'un-' is the prefix.
Root WordThe basic word to which a prefix (or suffix) is added. It carries the main meaning of the word.In the word 'unhappy,' 'happy' is the root word.
AntonymA word that means the opposite of another word.The word 'unhappy' is an antonym of 'happy'.
Negative ConnotationThe feeling or idea that a word suggests, which is often unpleasant or unfavorable.The word 'disrespectful' has a negative connotation, suggesting rudeness.
Positive ConnotationThe feeling or idea that a word suggests, which is often pleasant or favorable.The word 'agreeable' has a positive...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Not' or 'Opposite' Rule
The prefixes un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non- generally mean 'not' or 'the opposite of' the root word.
When you see one of these prefixes, think about how it reverses or negates the meaning of the word it's attached to. This is the most common function of these prefixes.
Prefix-Root Word Combination
To understand a word with one of these prefixes, first identify the root word and its meaning, then apply the 'not' or 'opposite' meaning of the prefix.
Break down the word! For example, 'disagree' = 'dis-' (not) + 'agree' (to have the same opinion) = 'not agree' or 'to have a different opinion'.
The 'in-' and 'im-' R...
5 more steps in this tutorial
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Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
In an argumentative piece, an author claims, 'The new law is fundamentally unjust because it penalizes one group while rewarding another.' How does the specific word 'unjust' serve the author's purpose better than saying the law is 'not fair'?
A.'Unjust' is a shorter word and easier for the reader to understand.
B.'Unjust' sounds more formal and carries a stronger negative connotation of moral wrongness.
C.'Unjust' implies that the law might be fair to some people.
D.'Unjust' is a newer word and makes the writing sound more modern.
Challenging
While 'uninterested' means bored, 'disinterested' means impartial or neutral. Which sentence correctly uses one of these words to show a deep understanding of their different nuances?
A.judge must be a disinterested party in a court case to ensure a fair trial.
B.I was disinterested in the movie because it was long and boring.
C.The cat was disinterested in the toy mouse, preferring to sleep instead.
D.To be a good scientist, you must be uninterested in the facts.
Challenging
Which of the following statements about the prefixes from the tutorial is FALSE?
A.The prefix 'im-' is generally used before root words that begin with 'm' or 'p'.
B.Removing a negative prefix from a word, like 'unhappy', often reveals a meaningful root word.
C.The prefix 'non-' can be used to show that something is outside of a specific category, like 'non-fiction'.
D.The prefixes 'un-', 'dis-', and 'in-' can be used interchangeably on any word to mean 'not'.
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Words with un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non- is a Grade 6 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Words with un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non-?
You'll be able to: Identify correctly and classify, with 80% accuracy, comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs (well, better, best, badly, worse, worst) within complex sentences extracted from literary texts; Apply the correct….
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This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.