Which prefix means 'not' as in 'nonsense'?

Prepare for the PA General Academic Vocabulary Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which prefix means 'not' as in 'nonsense'?

Explanation:
Negation is shown in prefixes that flip the meaning of a root word. When you want to express “not having sense” or being illogical, the natural prefix is non- attached to the root sense to form nonsense. This combination directly conveys lack or absence: something that does not have sense. The other prefixes serve different purposes: re- means to do again or back, pre- means before, and un- also signals negation but isn’t typically used with this noun to form the familiar word. So the form that cleanly conveys the idea of “not” in this context is non--.

Negation is shown in prefixes that flip the meaning of a root word. When you want to express “not having sense” or being illogical, the natural prefix is non- attached to the root sense to form nonsense. This combination directly conveys lack or absence: something that does not have sense. The other prefixes serve different purposes: re- means to do again or back, pre- means before, and un- also signals negation but isn’t typically used with this noun to form the familiar word. So the form that cleanly conveys the idea of “not” in this context is non--.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy