ASVAB · Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

The prefix 'pre-' in the word PRECEDE means:

Correct answer

Before

  1. A After
  2. B Before
  3. C Against
  4. D With

Why this is the answer

The prefix 'pre-' means before. PRECEDE = go before. Examples of 'pre-' words: PREVIEW (view before), PRECAUTION (caution before), PREDICT (say before — i.e., forecast), PREVENT (come before — i.e., stop before it happens), PREVIOUS (before now), PRELIMINARY (before the main event). Knowing common prefixes is one of the highest-leverage ASVAB strategies because so many English words use them. Major prefixes: PRE- (before); POST- (after); ANTE- (before, like antecedent); ANTI- (against, like antibiotic); SUB- (under); SUPER- (above); INTER- (between); INTRA- (within); EX- (out of); IN- (in OR not, depending on context); UN- (not); RE- (again or back); DIS- (not or apart); MIS- (badly or wrongly); MAL- (bad); BENE- (good); MICRO- (small); MACRO- (large); MULTI- (many); UNI- (one); BI- (two); TRI- (three). Mastering prefixes lets you decode unfamiliar words on the test.
Source: ASVAB WK — Prefixes

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