What is the meaning of in using prefixes?

Answer 1

The prefix in- can mean "not" as in inedible, lit. not able to be eaten. Variants of -in are ig-, im-, il-, and ir-; i.e. ignominous, impossible, illegitimate, irresponsible.

English being full of surprises in- can also mean "in, up, towards, and on". (into, innate, indicate, indict)

If you want to remember this and all the prefixes that mean "not" I have a

couple of mnemonics that may be of help.

1) You're having a hell of a time trying to get your schools letters ironed on your t-shirt and don't want to be interrupted. You tell your friend Iggie, "Iggie, I'm not in until I iron on an A". (ig-, im-, (not), in-, un-, il-, ir-, non-, an-, a-)

2) in-, im- (You're a doctor.) One of your patients in the Psych Ward is going in his room and says, "I'm in." (im-, in-, nr.) Then he comes out and says, "I'm not in". Then "I'm in," again. Then "I'm not in," again. You go up towards him to see what medication this NUT is on. (not, up, towards, on)

Answer 2

Prefixes are letters or groups of letters that are added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. They can alter the definition of the base word or create a new word altogether. Using prefixes can help to enhance vocabulary and understanding of words.

Answer 3

the prefix 'in' means not, as in the words insufficient- not sufficient, inconcieveable- not concieveable