1.2.2

Not & 'Inter-'

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Ways of Saying 'Not"

Prefixes are letters or words placed at the start of words which change their meaning. The prefix 'in-' means 'not'. Let's look at some rules for using the prefix 'in'...

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‘In-’

  • ‘In-’ means ‘not’.
  • For example:
    • Inactive - not active.
    • Incorrect - not correct.
    • Insane - not sane.
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'Il-'

  • But a word starting ‘l’ will become ‘-il’ (instead of –in).
  • For example:
    • Illegal - not legal.
    • Illegible - not legible or readable.
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'Im-'

  • If a word starts with ‘m’ or 'p', use '–im' (instead of –in).
  • For example:
    • Immature - not mature.
    • Imperfect - not perfect.
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'Ir-'

  • If a root word starts with ‘r’, use ‘ir’ (instead of – in).
  • For example:
    • Irregular - not regular.
    • Irresponsible - not responsible.

'Inter-' Means Between or Among

Prefixes are letters or words placed at the start of words which change their meaning. The prefix 'inter-' means 'between' or 'among'. Let's look at some words beginning with 'inter'...

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Intercity

  • Intercity means travelling between cities.
    • For example, an intercity train goes between cities.
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International

  • Something that is international involves more than one nation. So something 'between' or 'among' nations.
    • For example, an international sporting competition is between different countries.
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Interval

  • An interval is a time period between things.
    • For example, an interval between acts at the theatre.
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Interact

  • To interact means to talk among people.

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1Spelling

2Punctuation

3Grammar

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