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Skill Explainer

3.6 Explicitly Teach the Prefix 'dis-'

Prefixes Skill Explainer

The prefix 'dis-' is a morpheme that means "not" or "opposite of." When you add 'dis-' to a base word, it changes the meaning of the base to its opposite:

  • dis + connect = disconnect (not connected)

  • dis + appear = disappear (the opposite of appear)

Unlike some prefixes, the prefix 'dis-' is generally stable and is usually pronounced /dĭs/, as in disobey. 

When we teach the prefix 'dis-' or talk about it with our students, we spell it out: "the prefix 'd', 'i', 's'." It sounds like this:

Now it's time to teach!

This is the prefix 'dis-'. 

The prefix 'd-i-s' means "not" or "opposite of."

Repeat.

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