PREFIXES
5 Prefixes: VER-, BE-, GE-, HER-, ONT-.
Prefixes are pronounced like separate words. Do not second guess about how to combine it with the rest of the word - you don't. Say the prefix, then the root. VER, GE, and BE have the same E sound HER is different.
Think of each word as clay, the prefix is hard baked, and the rest of the word is soft. Just use the prefix as is, every time, then say the rest of the word -- even if it sounds like you are saying two words (the prefix and the root).
1. VER- | • verbuy • versell • verbake • verpaint • versole • versit • vershelf • verbite • vercatch |
(Eng: first, fur, 'R' rolled like in Spanish)
2. BE- | • bebuy • besell • bebake • bepaint • besole • besit • beshelf • bebite • becatch |
(Eng: birth, biscuit)
3. GE- | • gebuy • gesell • gebake • gepaint • gesole • gesit • geshelf • gebite • gecatch |
(Eng: girl, Gertrude; don't block the flow of air when pronouncing the G)
4. HER- | • herbuy • hersell • herbake • herpaint • hersole • hersit • hershelf • herbite • hercatch |
(Eng: Harry, hassle + R)
5. ONT- | • ontbuy • ontsell • ontbake • ontpaint • ontsole • ontsit • ontshelf • ontbite • ontcatch |
(Eng: ON + T, awning)
All Prefixes with English Roots Attached
gesee veralter bebook herpart onttake gelook herbox geline bewhip vertook betickle ontrope hersaddle | gecall bebullet vercall befly ontcrawl hersite gecarry berust verscratch bebreech herpickle gesalt verpester | begrab versin ontseek gesolve hershook gebomb herball gesling betrip versoul befist ontask gealter | verold beend herpeel onthackle georder hershoot geenter beeat vertalk ontstrap gejump herstumble geangle | bearid vertreat bepost geream verreek bestake herbranch ontward herdust gecraft becool verheat herorder |