Words: Opposites with Prefixes

Class 6 English · Chapter 4: The Unlikely Best Friends · NCERT Poorvi section pp. 46–47

Learn

Gajaraj was sad without a friend; with Buntee he was filled with joy. These are opposites. We can also make opposites by adding a few letters, a prefix, before a word: unkind, incorrect, disconnect, misuse.

Opposites from the story: unkind ↔ kind; yelped (cried in pain) ↔ laughed; awake ↔ asleep; relieved ↔ worried; missing ↔ found; started ↔ finished; appeared ↔ disappeared; sad ↔ happy; untouched ↔ touched; hate ↔ love.

Common prefixes: un- (unhappy, unable, untouched), in- (incorrect, invisible, incomplete), dis- (dislike, disagree, disappear, dishonest), mis- (misuse, misunderstand). There is no single rule for which prefix to use, so learn them word by word and check a dictionary.

Use them in a story: "My pencil was missing. I was very worried, as it was a gift. My brother, who was asleep, woke up and laughed: it was under my pillow! I was relieved when I found it."

Explore: which prefix makes the opposite?

1. Sort each word by the prefix that makes its opposite.

Remember

• Opposites can be made with prefixes: un-, in-, dis-, mis- (unkind, incorrect, disappear, misuse).
• Story opposites: sad/happy, asleep/awake, worried/relieved, missing/found.

Quick check

What is the opposite of "honest"?

1. dishonest
2. unhonest
3. inhonest
4. mishonest

Think about it

Make opposites of: obey, possible, fair, behave. Which prefix fits each?

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.