Writing Book 5 · Lesson 28

Abbreviations and affixes — use the words

You have met these and used them; now you choose between them.

The words

re-
again
un-
not
pre-
before
mis-
wrongly
dis-
the opposite
sub-
under
over-
too much

Watch how it is built

1re- means about the same as again.
We had to rewrite the plan.
2un- means about the same as not.
The result was unclear.
3pre- means about the same as before.
We made a prediction first.

Two ways to say it

✗ We had to rewrite the plan. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.

✓ We had to rewrite the plan. — this is how a writer says it.

Ask yourself: “Which of these is closer to what I mean?”

Remember

Build the word you need from parts you know.

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