Use the Prefixes “Dis” and “Un” Accurately

We use phrases that start with the prefixes dis and un each day: Maybe you’ve advised somebody you’re disappointed or unsatisfied or that your new sneakers are unsnug. How do these letters change the which means of a phrase?

To start with, there are slight variations between the prefixes dis and un: Dis means “not” or “the other of” and is typically hooked up to the start of verbs to point the undoing of an motion. Un can even imply “not,” relying on the bottom phrase, however can even imply “disadvantaged of” or “to launch.”

Right here, we’ll dive into the variations between these two frequent prefixes and supply examples of the way to use them in your writing.

When must you use the prefix dis?

Dis is a prefix added to the start of base phrases which means “not” or “reverse of”; it will also be hooked up to verbs to point out the undoing of an motion. The phrase disappear consists of the prefix dis and the verb seem, so its literal definition is “to not seem” or “doing the other of showing.”

Phrases with dis are often called negatives, that are phrases that present that one thing is unfaithful, nullified, or not taking place.

There are occasions when dis could appear to be the perfect prefix to make use of, however that may not at all times be the case. Take disorganized and unorganized: Each phrases point out that somebody or one thing is just not organized, however their implications are fairly totally different.

Somebody who’s described as disorganized is just not solely not organized—they might even be thought of messy. The phrase unorganized merely means “the dearth of group.”

Take comparable care when selecting between dis and de. The destructive prefix de, like dis, is hooked up to the start of verbs to point out the undoing of an motion, nevertheless it has a special which means than dis relying on which base phrase is used.

We’ll use the phrase compose for example. Once we say one thing decomposed, we imply it disintegrated, rotted, or separated into particular person elements. In distinction, discomposed means “to disturb” or “to destroy.”

When must you use the prefix un?

Connect the destructive prefix un to the start of a base phrase to vary its which means to “not,” “disadvantaged of,” or “launched from.”

Like phrases with dis, phrases with un are also called negatives—phrases added to point out that one thing is unfaithful, nullified, or not taking place.

Since un and dis each imply “not,” you may assume that they’re interchangeable in instances like uninterested and disinterested, however there are guidelines on when to make use of them. When somebody says they’re bored with one thing, they often imply they’ve no real interest in studying extra about one thing; somebody who’s disinterested in one thing is neutral or unbiased.

Somebody who’s bored with sports activities very hardly ever watches sports activities, whereas somebody who’s disinterested in sports activities could watch sports activities however not root for a selected crew.

That stated, some individuals nonetheless use them interchangeably, and so they’re not technically fallacious for doing so.

Un can also be used with phrases which have suffixes—letters or teams of letters added to the top of a base phrase to create a brand new phrase. When that is completed, the ensuing phrase is an adjective.

Right here’s an instance: The phrase unstabilized consists of the prefix un, which means “not”; the verb stabilize, which means “to make regular”; and the suffix –ed. The ensuing phrase is an adjective which means “not regular” or “not secure.”

30 generally used phrases with the prefix dis

• Disable
• Disagree
• Disappoint
• Disappear
• Disarm
• Disassemble
• Disavow
• Discard
• Discomfort
• Discourage
• Uncover
• Discredit
• Shame
• Disguise
• Dishonest
• Disinfect
• Disinterest
• Dislike
• Disobey
• Dysfunction
• Disown
• Disparity
• Displace
• Displease
• Disprove
• Disregard
• Disrespect
• Dissolve
• Distasteful
• Mistrust

30 generally used phrases with the prefix un

• Unable
• Unafraid
• Unappealing
• Unaware
• Uncomfortable
• Unusual
• Unconvinced
• Undo
• Unemployed
• Unfair
• Unfollow
• Sadly
• Unharmed
• Unimpressed
• Uninterested
• Unknown
• Illegal
• Unlikely
• Limitless
• Unpack
• Unpaid
• Unsaid
• Unselfish
• Unstated
• Unstoppable
• Untested
• Untie
• Premature
• Unfaithful
• Undesirable

8 examples of utilizing dis and un in a sentence

Listed here are 4 examples of the way to use the prefix dis in a sentence:

• My brother’s room was so disorganized it was onerous to search out the ground.
• My analysis companion took a disinterested method to the experiment.
• The surgical procedure left him in some discomfort, which lasted for 2 days.
• Antonio leaves destructive restaurant opinions when he’s dissatisfied with the service.

Listed here are 4 examples of the way to use the prefix un in a sentence:

• Kate didn’t understand how sad she was till she left her companion.
• The crack left the merry-go-round very unstable.
• It took the barber ten minutes to untangle her consumer’s hair.
• These sneakers are so tight that I can’t wait to untie the laces.

use dis and un FAQs

When must you use dis?

Use dis as a destructive prefix to vary the which means of the phrase to “not one thing” or “the other of one thing.” It will also be hooked up to the start of verbs to characterize the undoing of an motion.

When must you use un?

Use un as a destructive prefix to imply “not one thing,” “launched from one thing,” or “disadvantaged of one thing.” When paired with a suffix corresponding to -ed or -able, the ensuing phrase is an adjective—unstabilized, for instance.

What are examples of frequent phrases utilizing un and dis?

Some frequent phrases utilizing un and dis are unorganized and disorganized, unhappy and dissatisfied, and uninterested and disinterested.