KS2 SATs 2016 — English GPS Paper 2: Spelling

The idea

A prefix is a group of letters added to the start of a word. It changes the meaning, but the main word (the root) usually keeps its spelling. The prefix un- means not or the opposite: happy becomes unhappy, and lock becomes unlock. Dis- also gives an opposite meaning: agree becomes disagree, and appear becomes disappear. Mis- means wrongly or badly, as in misread and misbehave. Re- means again or back, as in rewrite and return.

To spell a prefixed word, first say and spell the root word on its own. Then add the prefix, letter by letter, without dropping anything. Watch the join carefully. In misspell, mis ends with s and spell begins with s, so the finished word has a double s. In disappear, there is only one s because the prefix dis is followed by appear, which begins with a.

Choose the prefix by meaning first, then write the whole word and check the join. Prefixes are not added by sound alone: the word you want might look longer than you expect.

Worked example

Add un-, dis-, mis- or re- to 'understand' to make a word meaning 'understand wrongly'.

1. The root word is understand.
2. Wrongly matches the prefix mis-, meaning wrongly or badly.
3. Join the prefix and root without changing either part: mis + understand = misunderstand.

Answer: misunderstand

Watch out

• Writing dishappy instead of unhappy: choose the prefix by meaning, not by guessing.
• Forgetting the double s in misspell, where mis and spell meet.
• Changing or shortening the root word when a prefix is added.