You might have seen the prefixes' pre' and 'post' but needed clarification on their meaning. This article will explain what they mean, where they come from, and how to use them.
In short, 'pre' means before and 'post' means after.
These two prefixes are found at the beginning of a word. They show that something has occurred before or after it.
The word 'pre' comes from the Latin prae, which means 'before in time or place.'
The word 'post comes from the Latin word post meaning 'behind,' or 'after.'
Peri- is another prefix meaning during. It isn't used very often, probably because when something is currently going on, you usually just refer to it using the word itself, with no need for a prefix.
'Pre' and 'post' are prefixes. That means they are placed at the beginning of a word to adjust its meaning.
Notice how the word 'prefix' itself has 'pre' at the beginning. It tells us that it should go at the beginning of a word.
Here are some examples of words with prefixes. Some have hyphens, and others don't:
Let's look at real-life examples of the prefix 'pre' in sentences. You'll notice that in some cases, it is followed by a hyphen, and in others, it is embedded into the word.
We're having a pre-used clothes sale.
I don't know how people managed pre-buses.
Do you have any pre-existing health conditions?
Did you hear they found prehistoric hippos?
Adjectives usually precede nouns.
We're taking precautionary measures.
My kid just started pre-school.
Things were simpler pre-divorce.
In all the above sentences, 'pre' means the same thing as 'before'.
Now that we've seen some examples of one prefix let's look at some examples with the other.
The world looks very different post-Covid.
I think he has post-traumatic stress disorder.
Has a post-mortem been conducted?
I'm tired. Let's have a post-gym nap!
I've enrolled in a postgraduate course.
His art has a very postmodernist feel.
It was mostly popoluarized post-19th century.
I've definitely suffering from post-Summer blues!
In all the above sentences, you could replace 'post' with 'after.'
So there you have it. 'Pre' means before, and 'post' means after. This can be either in time or position. Both prefixes can be used with or without a hyphen. It all depends on the context and the word you use them with.
Let's finish with a joke.
"Pre- means before. Post- means after. To use both prefixes together would be preposterous."
Get it? Pre/Posterous.
Check out our other confusing words articles here.
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