Question

4. In the first paragraph, notice that the two words punish and impunity share the

same root word. How do the prefix "im-" and the suffix "-ity" provide clues about the
meaning of "impunity? Use that information to explain what the narrator means by the
sentence, "I must not only punish, but punish with impunity |

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The prefix "im-" in the word "impunity" is a negative prefix that means "not" or "without." The suffix "-ity" in "impunity" is a noun-forming suffix that means "the quality or state of."

So, when we break down the word "impunity," we can understand that "im-" makes it mean "without" and "-ity" makes it a noun that refers to "the quality or state of being without." In other words, "impunity" means "freedom from punishment or consequences."

In the sentence, "I must not only punish, but punish with impunity," the narrator is emphasizing that they not only have to carry out punishment, but they also need to do it without facing any consequences themselves. The narrator wants to enforce punishment without being held accountable for their actions.