Final answer:
The statement that a prefix is a separate syllable is true. This is due to the natural separation of the prefix from the base word when pronounced, which is significant in understanding word construction in English.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question whether a prefix constitutes a separate syllable can be answered as true. Syllables are units of sound in a word that consist of a vowel sound and, optionally, surrounding consonants. A prefix is typically added to the beginning of a base word and naturally forms its own syllable due to its separation by sound and pronunciation from the base word. For example, in the word 'adventure', the prefix 'ad-' is a separate syllable from the base word 'venture'. Similarly, in the word 'spiritual', the 'spirit-' segment can be seen as the base with 'u-' acting as a bridge to the suffix '-al', showing that prefixes and suffixes often influence the syllabication of a word. The study of syllables, including prefixes, is important in understanding how words are constructed in English.