English Grammar Package - Lesson 3-9

The definations and examples of each

con-, com-

together

de-

do the opposite of, remove

dis-

opposite of, lack of

in-, il-, im-, ir-, un-

not

mis-

bad, badly, wrong, wrongly

post-

after

pre-

before

re-

again, back

sub-

below

Colloquialism

A word or expression that is used in speech or informal writing, but is not appropriate in more formal written work.

Example of a Colloquialism

Wilfrid Laurier was crazy about his dogs

Slang

A language that is relatively new and often used by a specific group of people to set themselves apart from others.

Example of a Slang

computer users sometimes refer to postal services by the slang term snail mail

Surfixes

added to the end of a word to change the meaning of the word.

e.g -less meaning “without” + the base word thougth = thoughtless meaning “without thought”

Examples of Surfixes

sometimes you need to change the spelling of a base word when a surfix is added

• able - spreadable - variable - cur(e)ble

• al - renewal - transmittal - remov(e)al

Idioms

An expression that has a meaning different from the usual meaning of thr individual words within it.

Examples of Idioms

• lets hit the road meaning lets get going

Denotation

An exact meaning of a word stated in the dictionary

Example of a Denotation

skinny, slender - thin

Connotation

A word suggested in addition to its actual meaning.

Examples of Connotation

skinny (negative connotation)

slender (positive connotation)

thin (neutral)

Euphemism

A mild or indirect way to express something harsh or unpleasant

Example of an euphemism

pass away euphemism for die