Which prefix changes the meaning of a word as in unhappy?

Which prefix changes the meaning of a word as in unhappy?

• A. un-
• B. happy
• C. unhap
• D. -y

Answer: (A)

Prefixes change a word’s meaning by adding something to the front. In unhappy, the prefix un- attaches to happy and means not or opposite of. So unhappy describes not being happy. The other parts don’t fit: happy is the base word, unhap isn’t a standalone piece that alters meaning, and -y is a suffix that often turns a base into an adjective but doesn’t negate the meaning. Remember that un- is a common negation prefix, as in unsafe, unfinished, or unfair.

Prefixes change a word’s meaning by adding something to the front. In unhappy, the prefix un- attaches to happy and means not or opposite of. So unhappy describes not being happy. The other parts don’t fit: happy is the base word, unhap isn’t a standalone piece that alters meaning, and -y is a suffix that often turns a base into an adjective but doesn’t negate the meaning. Remember that un- is a common negation prefix, as in unsafe, unfinished, or unfair.