Latin Prefixes in English

Level 3

A prefix at the start of an English word often comes straight from Latin.

How It Works

Prefix	Meaning	Latin verb	English word
ad-	to	venire (come)	advent
con-	with, together	venire (come)	convene
ex-	out	portare (carry)	export
in-	into	portare (carry)	import
pre-	before	dicere (say)	predict
sub-	under	mittere (send)	submit
trans-	across	portare (carry)	transport

The English prefix pre- is the Latin prae-. The prefix in- has two jobs: into, as in import, and not, as in invisible.

A prefix can change its last letter to fit the next sound. Ad- becomes ac- before c, as in accedo (go to).

Latin uses the same prefixes in its own compound verbs. Exportant means they carry out, and important means they carry in.

Mercatores vinum ex Italia exportant.
The merchants export wine from Italy.
Ex- (out) joins portant (they carry): exportant.
Mercatores vinum in Italiam important.
The merchants import wine into Italy.
In- (into) joins portant: important.
Navis vinum trans mare transportat.
The ship carries wine across the sea.
Trans- (across) joins portat: transportat.
Pueri in foro conveniunt.
The boys gather in the forum.
Con- (together) joins veniunt: conveniunt.
Sacerdos evangelium populo praedicat.
The priest preaches the Gospel to the people.
Prae- (before, forth) with dicare (proclaim) gives praedicat.

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Latin Prefixes in EnglishLevel 3

English prefixes are Latin prepositions, so Latin words in English come first.

ad-con-ex-in-in-pre-prae-sub-trans-

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