Name _______________________________________

Lesson 13   The assimilated prefix ad


dis + count = discount re + cent = recent
ad + count = account ad + cent = accent
       
in + fection = infection in + fluence = influence
ad + fection = affection ad + fluence = affluence
       
re + peal = repeal dis + proved = disproved
ad + peal = appeal ad + proved = approved
       
re + semble = resemble re + sistance = resistance
ad + semble = assemble ad + sistance = assistance
       
re + tract = retract in + tention = intention
ad + tract = attract ad + tention = attention

1. Do the words in each pair have the same root? _____
Do they have the same prefix? _____
   
2. Look at the first word in each pair. Does the spelling of the prefix change when it is added to form the word? _____
   
3. What prefix is added to form the second word in each pair? _____
How is the prefix spelled when it is joined to a root that begins with
a c? _____ an f? _____ a p? _____ an s? _____ a t? _____
   
4. Is it easier to pronounce adtract or attract? __________
adfection or affection? __________


Lesson Generalization

When the last letter of a prefix changes to match the first letter of a root, the prefix is said to be assimilated.

ad + similat + ed = assimilated
(to) (same or similar) (made similar to)

The prefix ad is assimilated more often than any other prefix. It also causes more double-consonant spelling problems than any other prefix.

Mnemonic device: Remember that one of the double consonants is really the
Mad Ad in disguise.


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