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Question

Find out the word that has got a wrong prefix.

The correct answer is

Unaccessible

The question asks to identify the word that contains an incorrect prefix. Prefixes are crucial components in English words that are added to the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning. Understanding common prefixes helps in building vocabulary and identifying correctly formed words.

Prefixes: Understanding Word Foundations

A prefix is a group of letters placed before the root of a word. It changes the meaning of the word. For instance, 'un-' often means 'not' or 'opposite of', 'in-' can also mean 'not' or 'into', and 'mal-' typically means 'bad' or 'poorly'. It's important to know which prefix correctly pairs with which root word, as sometimes different prefixes carry similar meanings but are used with specific types of root words (e.g., Latin-derived vs. Germanic roots).

Word Analysis: Examining Each Option

Let's examine each given word to determine if its prefix is used correctly.

  • Invincible: This word combines the prefix 'in-' with the root 'vincible'. The prefix 'in-' here means 'not' or 'un-'. 'Vincible' means 'capable of being conquered or overcome'. Therefore, 'invincible' correctly means 'not capable of being conquered or overcome'. This word is correctly formed.
  • Indelible: This word uses the prefix 'in-' with the root 'delible'. The prefix 'in-' again means 'not'. 'Delible' means 'capable of being erased or removed'. Thus, 'indelible' correctly means 'not capable of being erased or removed'. This word is also correctly formed.
  • Malnourished: This word uses the prefix 'mal-' with the root 'nourished'. The prefix 'mal-' means 'bad' or 'poorly'. 'Nourished' means 'supplied with food or nutrients'. Therefore, 'malnourished' correctly means 'poorly nourished' or 'suffering from a lack of proper nutrition'. This word is correctly formed.
  • Unaccessible: This word combines the prefix 'un-' with the word 'accessible'. While 'un-' is a common negative prefix, the word 'accessible' typically takes the negative prefix 'in-'. The correct and commonly accepted word is 'inaccessible', meaning 'not able to be reached or entered'. The prefix 'un-' is generally used with native English words or words that have been fully absorbed into English where 'un-' fits naturally (e.g., 'unhappy', 'untrue'). However, for words derived from Latin, especially those ending in '-ible' or '-able', 'in-' or 'im-' (before 'b', 'm', 'p') is usually the correct negative prefix. Since 'accessible' is derived from Latin, 'inaccessible' is the correct form. Therefore, 'unaccessible' has a wrong prefix.

Here's a quick summary:

Word Prefix Meaning of Prefix Root/Base Word Combined Meaning Correctly Formed?
Invincible in- not vincible Not capable of being conquered Yes
Indelible in- not delible Not capable of being erased Yes
Malnourished mal- bad/poorly nourished Poorly nourished Yes
Unaccessible un- not accessible Not able to be accessed No (Should be Inaccessible)

Conclusion: Identifying Incorrect Prefix Usage

Based on the analysis, 'Unaccessible' is the word that uses a wrong prefix. The standard and grammatically correct form is 'Inaccessible'. This highlights the importance of understanding specific prefix rules in English, especially for words with Latin origins.

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Important Questions from Prefix/Suffix

  1. Which one of the following prefixes meaning 'all' correctly befits the word 'vorous'?

    (a) Mono - 

    (b) Pro - 

    (c) Supra - 

    (d) Omni - 

  2. Identify the words which takes the prefix "en-" ?

    (a) war

    (b) call

    (c) slave

    (d) danger

  3. Choose the suffix that will match all the words given below :

    Use, truth, care

  4. Match the correct suffix with the root words

    (a)popular1.let
    (b)sensible2.ling
    (c)book3.ity
    (d)duck4.ize
  5. Match the correct Suffix:

    (a)announce1.ance
    (b)exception2.ment
    (c)wash3.nal
    (d)clear4.able
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