These PDF worksheets, covering the prefixes ‘in-’, ‘il-’, ‘im-’ and ‘ir-’, are an excellent way for children in Y3 and Y4 to revise and practise these spelling patterns.
The worksheets include five different activities in which children look at spelling patterns, identify misspelt words and apply their spellings in context. They can be used within lessons, as an assessment or as a homework task.
This primary resource is divided into five sections:
- Tips
Add the correct prefix to each word
- Check
Circle the word with the correct prefix, and place the words given into the correct sentence
- Use
Use the images and write a sentence for each of the words ‘irresponsible’ and ‘inactive’
- Change
Read each sentence and change the underlined word or phrase for a synonym which begins with the prefix ‘in-’, ‘il-’, ‘im-’ or ‘ir-’
- Apply
Write a sentence for each words given, using a dictionary to look up the meaning if needed
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a combination of letters, words or numbers that can be placed before other words to change their meaning.
Prefix examples
- un- (unpleasant, unhappy)
- im- (impossible, improper)
- mis- (mislead, misplace)
- re- (reappear, reattach)
- pre- (prefix, prehistoric)
- dis- (disagree, disobey)
National Curriculum English programme of study links
Pupils should be taught to add prefixes and suffixes.