English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Determine the meaning of a word with pre-, re-, or mis-
Determine the meaning of a word with pre-, re-, or mis-
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the prefixes pre-, re-, and mis- and explain how each one modifies a root word.
Accurately identify the prefix and root word in unfamiliar vocabulary.
Synthesize the meaning of a prefix and a root word to determine a new word's denotation.
Apply knowledge of these prefixes to decode complex words within grade-level literary and informational texts.
Differentiate between the nuances of words using these prefixes (e.g., review vs. preview).
Construct sophisticated sentences that correctly use words with pre-, re-, and mis- to demonstrate comprehension.
Analyze an author's rhetorical purpose for choosing a specific word with one of these prefixes.
Ever misjudged a character in a novel only to have to re-evaluate your entire opinion later?...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PrefixA word part (an affix) added to the beginning of a root word that changes its meaning.In the word 'unhappy,' 'un-' is the prefix.
Root WordThe most basic form of a word that contains its core meaning. A prefix attaches to it.In the word 'reread,' 'read' is the root word.
pre-A prefix meaning 'before' or 'in advance of'.'Preview' means to view something before it is widely available.
re-A prefix meaning 'again' or 'back'.'Rebuild' means to build something again.
mis-A prefix meaning 'wrongly,' 'badly,' or 'incorrectly'.'Misunderstand' means to understand something incorrectly.
EtymologyThe study of the origin of words and th...
3
Key Rules & Conventions
The Meaning Formula
Prefix Meaning + Root Word Meaning = New Word's Meaning
This is the fundamental rule for decoding. Systematically combine the definition of the prefix with the definition of the root word to construct a logical definition for the new word.
The No-Change Spelling Rule
Prefix + Root Word = New Word (no spelling change)
When adding pre-, re-, or mis-, the spelling of the root word does not change. For example, mis- + spell = misspell (notice the double 's').
The Context Confirmation Principle
Always verify your derived meaning with the word's context in the sentence.
While the Meaning Formula is powerful, some words have nuanced meanings. The surrounding text is the ultimate guide to confirming if your definition fits the author&#...
4 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
An author describes a villain's crime as 'premeditated' rather than simply 'planned'. What is the author's likely rhetorical purpose for choosing the word 'premeditated'?
A.To emphasize the crime was thought out beforehand, suggesting a higher degree of malice and cold-blooded intent.
B.To suggest the plan was poorly made and incorrect, which is why the villain was caught.
C.To show that the villain had planned a similar crime before and was doing it again.
D.To confuse the reader with a more complex and formal word for 'planned'.
Challenging
A student analyzes the word 'report' as follows: 'The prefix re- means again. The root is port, which means to carry. Therefore, report means to carry something again.' Based on the tutorial's 'Common Pitfalls', what is the error in the student's reasoning?
A.The student has correctly identified the prefix but has the wrong meaning for the root 'port'.
B.The student has misidentified the prefix; it should be 'rep-'.
C.The student failed to consider the alternate meaning of 're-', which is 'back'. 'Report' means to carry information back.
D.The student's analysis is perfectly correct and contains no errors.
Challenging
The word 'prescribe' contains the Latin root 'scribere', meaning 'to write'. Using your knowledge of etymology and the prefix 'pre-', how can you deconstruct the meaning of a doctor's prescription?
A.It is a set of instructions that are written wrongly.
B.It is a set of instructions written down beforehand for the pharmacist and patient to follow.
C.It is a set of instructions that the doctor must write again for it to be valid.
D.It is a set of instructions written back to the patient in response to their symptoms.
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing Free