PREFIXES 2

(A) MAGNA- MAGNE- MAGNI-

Disjoined M, and the words with this prefix only have the above three short vowels:

magnify magnifier magnification magnificent

magnitude magnanimous magnetise magnetisation
 

demagnetise unmagnetised magnetometer magnetron but magnet in full

Note: See below for Contraction "magnetic/tism"

In full where it is not a prefix, and all these have other vowels after the -gn-:
 

magnum magnate magnolia

magnesium magnesia Magnus

(B) INTRO-

Doubled N with no vowel sign:

introduce introductory introspection introvert

introduce introductory introspection introvert

See below for contraction “introduction”

INTER

Words starting "inter-" do have a vowel, as they are using a normal doubled stroke, not requiring a special prefix.
 

intercept interfere interlude

interview international interpreter
 

Words starting intra- use normal strokes:
 

intravenous intramuscular intramural

(C) TRANS-
 

transaction transcend transfusion transferee

transverse transit transition transistor transfix
 

transform-ed* transformation*

* Optional Contractions

The trans- prefix omits N, generally before P M L, and to allow the use of hooks:
 

transpose transpire transport transparent

transplant transmit transmission transmitter
 

translate translation translator transfer
 

In full: transept transom

(D) Distinguishing Outlines
 

transcribe transcription transcriptions transcript
 

describe description descriptions* discourse

*Full outline for the plural so that it does not look like "discourse"

(E) MULTI-

Generally halved L where it joins well, otherwise full L and T strokes:

multiply multiplication multiplicity multitude

multi-coloured multilateral

(F) ANTI- ANTE-

"Anti" means against, "ante" means before, they have the same pronunciation.

Halved N, so long as the second vowel of the prefix can be shown:

antibiotic antibody antitoxin anti-tank

antidote anticlockwise anticlimax antipathy

anti-personnel Antipodes anti-aircraft antiphony

antedate antenatal ante-room

Full N and T strokes, where necessary:

To ensure second vowel of the prefix can be shown before a circle S:

anticipate anticipation anticyclone antiseptic

antacid antisocial antecedent anti-Semitic

To enable the prefix to join:

antihistamine antimacassar antirrhinum

Note: antithesis antithetical as joining a halved N would be unclear

(G) INSTR- INSCR- INH-

Where the word is not a negative, these are represented by a small curl before the circle, and the initial I sound is not shown in any way:
 

instruct instructor instrument inscriber inscroll
 

inhale inhaler inhalant inherent

inherit inheritance inheritor
 

inhabit inhabitant inhibit inhibition

Note: heritage heritor inharmonious

When these prefixes are negative, the small hook is not distinctive enough when written at speed, considering the word has the opposite meaning, so full stroke N is used to keep it clear which is meant:
 

inscrutable inhospitable inhumane* inhuman*

* Always insert the vowel after the M in these two, to differentiate

(H) OTHER NEGATIVE PREFIXES

The curl+circle device above is not used in any other combination, all other in- and un- prefixes use the N stroke:
 

insecure insincere insubordinate

unstable insufferable unspecified

Other similar prefixes repeat the stroke, or change to downward R or L, where they are a derivative. This is the most reliable way to ensure the difference is always obvious, rather than rely solely on the presence or absence of a vowel sign, especially as most of them are taking on the opposite meaning:
 

(I) IMM- INN- UNN-

Repeat the stroke:
 

moderate immoderate, material immaterial,
 

mature immature, immovable immaculate
 

immeasurable immodest immobile immortal
 

immoral* migrate emigrate immigrate

* The dash sign is the intervening vowel between the second M stroke and its R Hook
 

innumerable innoxious innocuous

unnecessary unnoticed unnatural unknown

Where they are not part of a pair, there is no need to repeat the stroke:
 

immense imminent immersion immerse

immune innovation innocent innocently innate*

* Not part of a pair, but two N strokes to make the outline easier to recognise

(J) IRR- ILL-

These are mostly negative prefixes and occur in pairs. Where possible, L is changed to downward L, and Ray changed to Ar:
 

relevant irrelevant, reconcilable irreconcilable

replaceable irreplaceable, reproachable irreproachable

resistible irresistible, retrievable irretrievable
 

limited illimited (unlimited)

Where that is not possible, another stroke is added:

legal illegal, literate illiterate

logical illogical, legitimate illegitimate
 

licit illicit, rational irrational
 

refutable irrefutable, revocable irrevocable

remediable irremediable*, radiate irradiate**

* The outline changes to the MD stroke, to avoid further downstrokes

** Part of a pair, although not a negative

Where they are not negatives and therefore not part of a pair, there is no need to repeat the stroke:
 

irritate irrigation illuminate illustration illusion illusory

(K) Short Forms
 

instruction instructive inscribe-d inscription

Derivatives/related

inscribing inscriber

Contractions
 

regular irregular irresponsible-ility sensible-ly-ility
 

efficient-ly-cy sufficient-ly-cy introduction magnetic/magnetism

Derivatives

regularly irregularly inefficient-ly-cy insufficient-ly-cy

SUMMARY

• Magn- Words with short A E I using this prefix

• Intro- Doubled N stroke

• Multi- Halved L, or full L and T, as necessary for the join

• Anti- Halved N, or full N and T, as necessary to be able to insert the second vowel

• Imm- Inn- Unn- Generally repeat the first stroke, used for pairs

• Irr- Ill- Repeat or change the first stroke, used for pairs

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