un as unable, uncertain
in as insufficient, incomplete
im as impossible, improper
dis as dishonest,
mis as misunderstand
why language needed so many suffixes when only 'un' or any one of them was sufficient ?
2007-09-14 03:23:04 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
We don't "need" all of them....
Modern English is a combination of several older languages,so that many things were carried over from previous usage.
2007-09-14 03:42:23 · answer #1 · answered by Sophie B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this is a fair question. I've wondered why inanimate objects in Latinate languages are gendered. Every language has its mysteries which have crept in over the centuries, and for the most part they are here to stay.
If I wanted to add to the confusion, I would have pointed out the prefixes "A" as in atypical, and "An" as in anhydrous. But I don't, so I won't.
2007-09-14 12:55:24 · answer #2 · answered by picador 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a suffix would change words like certain to certainly, possible to possibly. A prefix goes before a word, as in your examples.
2007-09-14 11:17:43 · answer #3 · answered by smithzer luvs bowie :) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those are "prefixes." Suffixes go at the ends of words.
2007-09-14 10:33:12 · answer #4 · answered by sundsqk321@sbcglobal.net 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you mean prefix
2007-09-14 10:31:37 · answer #5 · answered by oj 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋