GRADE 8 English CHOOSING A CAREER – WRITING:PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES Notes
ENGLISH: Writing — Prefixes and Suffixes
Subtopic: WRITING: PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES
Topic: CHOOSING A CAREER — Age: 13 (Kenya)
1. What are prefixes and suffixes?
- A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Example: un- + happy → unhappy.
- A suffix is added to the end of a word to change its type or meaning. Example: teach + -er → teacher.
Quick tip: Using the right prefix or suffix helps you create new words that make your writing about careers more interesting and clear.
2. Useful prefixes (change meaning)
- un- = not (unemployed = not employed)
- re- = again (retrain = train again)
- mis- = wrongly (misjudge)
- in- / im- = not (inexperienced, impossible)
- pre- = before (preference, pre-service)
3. Useful suffixes (change word class)
- Suffixes can make nouns, adjectives, verbs or adverbs. Here are common ones you will use when writing about careers:
- -er / -or = person who does something (teacher, doctor, actor)
- -ist / -ian = specialist (artist, electrician)
- -ment = result or action (employment, achievement)
- -ion / -ation = action or process (decision, application)
- -able / -ible = able to (employable)
- -ful = full of (careful)
- -less = without (jobless)
- -ness = state or quality (happiness)
- -ly = makes an adverb (carefully)
- -ing / -ed = forms verbs or adjectives (training, trained)
4. Rules and changes to watch for
- If a word ends with a single consonant after a short vowel, the final consonant may double before -ing: train → training (no double), but run → running.
- If a word ends in -y with a consonant before it, change y → i before many suffixes: happy → happiness. (But not before -ing: hurry → hurrying.)
- Some verbs take -er for people who do the action: teach → teacher; others take -or: act → actor.
5. Examples connected to choosing a career (Kenyan context)
Root: teach → teacher (person who teaches)
Root: train → training (process)
Sentence: I want teacher training after college.
Root: train → training (process)
Sentence: I want teacher training after college.
Root: farm → farmer (person)
Root: farm → farming (activity)
Sentence: Many young people try modern farming for better income.
Root: farm → farming (activity)
Sentence: Many young people try modern farming for better income.
Root: employ → employment (job)
Prefix: un- + employed → unemployed
Sentence: Government programs help unemployed youth.
Prefix: un- + employed → unemployed
Sentence: Government programs help unemployed youth.
6. How prefixes/suffixes help in career writing
- Make your writing precise: "She is an experienced nurse" is clearer than "She knows nursing."
- Vary your words: use both verbs and nouns (train → trainer; teach → teacher) to avoid repeating the same word.
- Create formal words for essays: apply → application; decide → decision.
7. Short practice (try these)
- Write the correct word using a prefix or suffix:
- a) teach + ? = __________ (person)
- b) farm + ? = __________ (activity)
- c) employ + ? = __________ (state / result)
- d) happy + ? = __________ (state)
- e) un- + skilled = __________ (not skilled)
- Change the sentence using a suffix for formality:
- "He will decide soon." → "He will make a __________."
- Write two sentences about the career you like using at least two words made with prefixes or suffixes (e.g., training, unemployed, teacher, application).
8. Answers (check yourself)
- 7.1 a) teacher
- b) farming
- c) employment
- d) happiness
- e) unskilled
- 7.2 "He will make a decision."
Final suggestion: When you write about careers (in essays, letters or applications), use prefixes and suffixes correctly to make your message clear and to show your good command of English. Practice with local career words like teacher, farmer, nurse, engineer and accountant.
Created for learners in Kenya — age 13. Practice more by forming words from verbs and nouns you see at school and at home.