In English, the prefix, or letters before a word, can give a clue to its meaning.
For example, RE before a word means ‘again’. Review is to view again. React is to act again. Redo is to do again.
CO before a word means ‘with’. Cooperate is to operate with others.
EX before a word means ‘former’. An ex-husband is a former husband.
MINI before a word means ‘small’. The minivan is a small van.
And the prefixes, IL, IM, IN, IR, UN before a word mean ‘not’ or ‘without’.
Illegal is not legal.
Immoral is not moral.
Inconsiderate is not considerate.
Irresponsible is not responsible.
Unequal is not equal.
PRE before a word means ‘before’.
Prefixes are the letters before a word.