Prefixes and suffixes give a new meaning to already existing words. Below, there are three prefixes which are commonly used: 

MONO-  meaning one

examples:
monochrome - a painting, drawing, photograph in a single color  (monochromatic)
monologue - a long speech delivered by one person
monopoly - complete ontrol over the goods or services of an entire market
monoxide - an oxide containing only one oxygen atom in the molecule

SEMI-  meaning half

examples:
semi-annually - occuring twice a year
semi-detached - about a house joined to another one on one side, having one shared wall
semicircle - half a circle

BI-  meaing two/twice

bicycle - a vehicle with two wheels
biennial - happening every two years
bilingual - able to speak two different language
biped - a two-footed creature (e.g. humans)

Test yourself, choose the correct prefix mono/semi/bi:

1. Canada and the USA signed  ......lateral agreement.
2. She gave a ......logue, nobody wanted to talk to her.
3. This industry suffers from a shortage of ....-skilled workers.
4. Christianity, Islam and Judaism are the main ......theistic religions.
5. Having a Greek father and Italian mother, he grew up ......lingual.

The answers are below.




1. bilateral 2. monologue 3. semi-skilled 4. monotheistic 5. bilingual




 

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