Select the option which is NOT an antonym of another word by way of adding the prefix ‘in-‘.
insidious
Understanding the Prefix 'in-'
In English, prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. The prefix 'in-' is often used to create an antonym, meaning the opposite of the base word. For example, 'visible' becomes 'invisible', meaning 'not visible'. However, it's important to note that not every word starting with 'in-' uses this prefix to form an antonym. Some words simply begin with 'in-' as part of their original root, not as a negating prefix.
Analyzing the Options for 'in-'
Let's examine each given option to determine if the prefix 'in-' creates an antonym of a recognizable base word.
| Word | Breakdown | Antonym Formation |
|---|---|---|
| innumerable | in- + numerable |
|
| inoffensive | in- + offensive |
|
| insidious | in- + sidious (not a common English word) |
|
| inscrutable | in- + scrutable |
|
Why 'Insidious' is Different
As observed from the analysis, the words 'innumerable', 'inoffensive', and 'inscrutable' all clearly demonstrate the use of the prefix 'in-' to create an antonym of a distinct base word. For instance, 'innumerable' is the opposite of 'numerable', 'inoffensive' is the opposite of 'offensive', and 'inscrutable' is the opposite of 'scrutable'.
However, the word 'insidious' does not fit this pattern. There is no commonly recognized English word 'sidious' that would be negated by 'in-' to produce the meaning of 'insidious'. The origin of 'insidious' comes from Latin "insidiosus", meaning "lying in wait, cunning, deceitful," which itself is derived from "insidiae" meaning "an ambush". The 'in-' part in 'insidious' is part of the original Latin root and does not function as a negating prefix in the way it does for the other words.
Therefore, 'insidious' is the option that is NOT an antonym of another word by way of adding the prefix 'in-'.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
