English Grammar: Negative Prefixes - 'un', 'dis', 'in', 'im', 'non'

Unsure when to use "insure"? This grammar lesson on prefixes will help you understand some of the prefixes that are common in English. What is the difference between "disinterested" and "uninterested"? What about "discover" and "uncover"? All are correct but mean different things. Find out now.

TRANSCRIPT

First of all, let's review a little bit. What is a prefix? A prefix is a little part of a word that comes before the main word; can come before an adjective, before an adverb, before a noun, before a verb. Anything that comes before a word, especially before a root of a word. We're going to look at an example of that very soon.

So, I was asked specifically to talk about these prefixes. All of them basically mean "not". Okay? They negate the word they are added to. Now, generally speaking, you can find specific little subtle differences between all of them. For example, "dis" means more like be a part of or away from, separate. "Un" means not or a reversal of something, or not having something, a lack of something, a deprivation. And same with these guys, not, reverse, opposite. "Non" is the most simple one. "Non" basically means not. Okay? But, the problem is that most of these can go with many words, but there's no real rule about which word takes which prefix. Okay? So, how do you learn which one to use in which situation? Well, I'll tell you after we look at a few examples. Okay?

So, again, all of these mean not. The only thing you have to worry about the most is the actual word that is being connected to a prefix. Okay? Concentrate on the root or the word itself before you concentrate on which prefix to join to it. Now, you will see that some words will take both prefixes, and be totally okay.

The problem is that their meanings are completely different. So, "to dislike", this is a verb, "to dislike", it could also be a noun. "I have a strong dislike for certain vegetables", for example. But "to dislike" means to not like. Now, if you say: "I don't like Pizza." And you say: "I dislike Pizza." These are a little bit different. Right? "Don't like" or "not like" means you don't have a good feeling towards. But "dislike" means you actually have a bad feeling towards. Right? So, this is a little bit more active. You're away from liking it. You're actually having a bad feeling for it. "Unlike" has absolutely no connection to "dislike". "Unlike" means not similar to. This is the preposition "like", "A" is like "B". This is the verb "like", means to have a good feeling toward. So, concentrate on the word you have. You have the verb, you have the preposition, and then decide which prefix you want to join to it.

So, here, I have a few examples of words that can take two prefixes and have different meanings. So, for example: "discover" and "uncover" are two completely different verbs. "To discover" means to find by accident. You're walking along the beach, and you discover the skull, the bone... Head bone of a dinosaur. You didn't look for it. You just found it. Okay? You discovered it. So, it was hidden by nature, by time, and then you took away the cover and there it is, the skull. "Uncover", on the other hand, means you were looking for something and you found it.

So, you're a... I'm a reporter. I work for a major newspaper, and I think that this particular politician is corrupt; he's lying to the people, he's stealing their money. So, I investigate. And after my investigation, I uncover certain facts that will help the police put him in jail. Not, not, not covered, not covered, means not hidden, but this one by accident, time, nature hit it, I, by accident discovered it; "uncover" means I looked for, I found.

This one, or these two, I should say: "disinterested" and "uninterested". These are always mixed up. You cannot use these two interchangeably; you have to use one or the other. I'll start with "uninterested". Uninterested means indifferent, don't care. It's boring. I'm uninterested. I don't want to know. Leave me alone. "Disinterested" means impartial, means you're not... You don't have a reason to take one side or the other. Okay? So, again, I'm the reporter. I have nothing to gain or lose by finding out information about this politician. I am a disinterested party. I am objective. Okay? I am not involved in the situation. I'm just reporting the facts. Here, I don't care; here, I'm not part of the situation.

[carolgough]

As a native English speaker (USA) teaching struggling 10-12 year olds to read and write, I have to thank you for your excellent explanations of "our" language. A lot of these rules adults just "know" because it sounds right so it's often difficult to explain it effectively to kids. I often turn to your videos to make sure I have a solid understanding of the rule and can explain it properly to my students in a way they can understand, especially the exceptions (and there are many!!). Thank you so much!!

[mikegray]

Excellent teaching style, Adam! You approach these constructions in a way that very few native English-speakers ever truly consider. Perhaps 70% of anglophones rely on MEMORY of such words, rather than analysis of their derivation.
As such, many people remember wrongly (or hear them wrongly) - and attribute the wrong meaning to similar words (especially uninterested/disinterested, and also insure/ensure & immigrate/emigrate). As you insightfully point out, this is far less important in spoken English, than in the written form and the majority of people may not even notice (or understand) the use of the technically incorrect term. Even if they do, they will almost invariably understand the "sense" of what you are trying to convey.
In short - to your students - do not get too hung up on the precision of your language when translating INTO English - any confusion you feel will frequently be shared by most native speakers. Therefore you will not be mocked or criticised on the occasions when you remember a word slightly imperfectly. Only when creating written text do these distinctions become more important - and in that context there is always time to second-guess yourself, with a dictionary, if in any doubt.

[joneenurse]

I really like Adam's teaching with transcript, it is so helpful for both listening and reading. Thank you so much.

[medardnzogu]

Hi Adam your are learning me something that I didn't know and you're the best teacher in Engvid that I have never seeen

[marefatube]

I am an English teacher in Egypt and I really enjoy listening to Adam`s lessons . I think nobody can listen to him without being attracted so I am trying to imitate him especially in pronunciation

[RolandoPoison]

I was looking for an explanation of suffixes and prefixes before I saw this video, the way you explain the material is so clear, you are such a great teacher, I am going to press the subscribe button.

[hanna]

very clear lesson!! My best English teacher I've ever met!

[aminathhashim]

Hi Adam, you are the best teacher. Your explanation is very easy to understand. Keep it up!

[ВладимирПирогов-ъж]

Adam is the best on EngVid! The way he teach is just perfect. He explain clearly and in detail. (after all I like the way he talk - he seems very polite and kind:)

[deliaportilho]

What an explanation! Thanks, Adam!!!!

[igorcastro]

Hi Mr. Adam, I am Brazilian and your lessons have helped me a lot. Thanks

[judithnjende]

I have learn a lot from your teaching. Thanks for the lessons.

[Ela-qvle]

Thank you Adam. I applicated for a work in Canada and your videos are helpping me so much.

[chirantansarkar]

You make this lesson so easy. Best of luck for your work.

[salauatsharazhan]

how do you do? dear teacher, thank you for your wonderful lessons.please do not stop

[Merovingin]

Dear Adam! Thank you very much for this video. It's a sheer coincidence that I'm about to give a similar class on Friday, and I've been preparing my material for a week. The biggest problem I faced was the absence of any comprehensive paragraph in any textbook, so I had to assemble the data from various sources. But mostly, I was concerned whether such 'paragraph' (i.e. a set of strict rules) existed or not. Your words were like a balsam to my heart: there's no rule, there's a feeling. Thank you so much!
I need to confess, I pretty much like your work. I think, it meets high standards of good educational videos. Keep it up!
Best wishes,
Denis.

[imelday]

I seldom post comments on Youtube but I want you to know that I've been doing the binge watching on your videos lately and I have understood much more lessons since then. Thankyou v much, youre prolly one of the best English teacher I have ever known. Best of luck for your work x

[Gabriellafairyo]

Hi Adam. I was wondering if I can use you video to help my students with their English prefixes. I'm not a native nor live in a country which English is a spoken language. So I figure that this video will help them to understand the lesson. I'd just take some of the prefixes which match with the prefixes I have in my English book.

[rosarioterashima]

This is a spot on! I was having slight doubt about what I learned from school.Thank-you for this lesson and additional informations.

[ekaterinaantropova]

Thank you a lot.Adam are amazing teacher and very good person.I enjoyed all lessons he gave.Good luck!