Final answer:
Prefixes are groups of letters at the start of words that alter meaning; sub- means below, mono- means one, and post- means after. These prefixes help us understand new words and can sometimes lead to double letters due to assimilation when combined with base words.
Step-by-step explanation:
Words such as sub, mono, and post are all examples of prefixes. A prefix is a group of letters placed before the root of a word to modify its meaning. Sub- means below, mono- signifies one, and post- indicates after. Understanding these can help us determine the meaning of new words we encounter.
- Sub- as in submarine (below the sea).
- Mono- as in monologue (a speech by one person).
- Post- as in postgraduate (after graduation).
Furthermore, studying how prefixes combine with base words can reveal patterns such as assimilation where prefixes alter their form to blend smoothly with the base word, which we see with double letters in some English words.