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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Think You Know Prefixes? Take the Grammar Trivia Quiz!

Ready to explore the primi prefix and other prefix meanings? Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art trivia quiz featuring prefixes sym and primi on golden yellow background

Use this quiz to learn the meaning of the prefix sym and how it shapes words like symmetry, sympathy, and symbiosis. You'll also meet primi and some common medical prefixes. Fix gaps before a test, then try a suffix quiz.

What is the meaning of the prefix "sym-"?
After
With
Under
Between
The prefix sym- comes from the Greek syn meaning "together" or "with." It indicates union, combination, or joint action in English words. It is often assimilated to match the following consonant for ease of pronunciation.
What does the Latin prefix "primi-" mean?
First
Last
Double
Large
Primi- derives from Latin primus, meaning "first." It appears in English words related to beginnings or earliest instances. The prefix often conveys primacy or precedence.
In "symbiosis," what is the role of "sym-"?
With/together
Before
Against
Under
In symbiosis, sym- means "together" and biosis refers to living. Together the word describes two organisms living in close association. This reflects the Greek roots of the term.
In the word "primitive," what does "primi-" signify?
Earliest
Smallest
Latest
Strongest
Primitive stems from primus ("first") plus the suffix -ive, meaning "pertaining to." It describes something of the earliest or most basic form. The prefix conveys origination or first order.
The word "sympathy" uses "sym-" to mean:
Together
Sound
Act
Feeling
Sympathy combines sym- ("together") with pathos ("feeling"). It describes sharing another's feelings or suffering. The prefix highlights the joining of sentiments.
A "primate" is so named because it is considered:
Secondary
Last
Small
First
Primate comes from Latin primus ("first") and designates the highest?ranking bishop or the order of mammals considered most advanced. It conveys primacy in rank or importance.
The prefix "sym-" in "symphony" indicates:
Color
Sound together
Business
Movement
Symphony uses sym- ("together") and phone ("sound"), literally meaning sounds together. It describes an orchestral composition with multiple instruments.
The word "primordial" derives from "primi-." What does it mean?
Small creature
Of earliest times
Highly advanced
Complete
Primordial comes from primus ("first") and ordiri ("to begin"), meaning existing at the very beginning. It describes ancient or original conditions.
In "symmetry," "sym-" means:
Below
Single
Equal
Different
Symmetry combines sym- ("together") with metron ("measure"), meaning measured together or balanced. It describes identical proportions on either side of an axis.
The prefix "primi-" appears in "primogeniture." What concept does it convey?
Random choice
Equal inheritance
Firstborn right
Last child right
Primogeniture combines primus ("first") and genitura ("birth"), meaning the right of the firstborn to inherit an estate. It reflects legal inheritance practices.
Which word does NOT use the prefix "sym-" meaning "together"?
Symmetry
Symbiosis
Symphony
Symbol
Symbol comes from Greek syn-ballein ("to throw together"), but its modern meaning is "sign" or "representation," not "together." The other words retain the sense of joint action or unity.
In "symbiotic," what part does "sym-" play?
Without
Together
One
Against
Symbiotic uses sym- ("together") and bios ("life") to describe organisms living in close association. The prefix highlights the cooperative relationship.
The word "primipara" describes:
A woman who's given birth for the first time
A medical instrument
A plant with many flowers
A type of sheep
Primipara combines primi- ("first") and para ("to bring forth"), referring to a woman delivering her first child. The prefix marks the initial event.
The word "symposium" originally referred to:
A formal gathering to drink together
A legal trial
A religious festival
A battle strategy
In classical Greece, a symposium was a drinking party or convivial discussion among elite men. Sym- means "together," and posis means "drinking." It evolved into a scholarly meeting.
In linguistic terms, "sym-" changes to "syn-" before certain consonants. Which word reflects this change?
Symbiosis
Synchronization
Symphonic
Symmetry
The prefix syn- is the same as sym- but assimilates to the following consonant. Before "ch" in chronos it becomes syn- in synchronize. This reflects phonological assimilation.
Which word includes the prefix "primi-" and means "first pregnancy"?
Primogeniture
Primigravida
Primitivism
Primitive
Primigravida combines primi- ("first") with gravida ("pregnant woman"), referring to a first pregnancy. It's a standard medical term.
Etymologically, the prefix "sym-" in "syncopation" suggests:
Movement
Cutting together
Color
Sound alone
Syncopation is from syn- ("together") and koptein ("to cut"), meaning to cut together - i.e., omit part of a note or syllable. It preserves the sense of joined action.
The term "primal" is derived from Latin "primi-". What does "primal" mean?
Superficial
Fundamental
Recent
Final
Primal comes from primus ("first") and denotes something original, fundamental, or primary. It's used in contexts like primal instincts.
Which of these English words uses Greek "sym-" but has shifted to "syn-" before a vowel?
Symbiosis
Sympathy
Synonym
Symptom
Synonym uses syn- ("together") and onyma ("name"), meaning words with shared meanings. The prefix assimilates before vowels sometimes as syn- instead of sym-.
"Primitivize" means to:
Destroy
Make first
Make original
Make modern
Primitivize uses primi- ("first") to mean rendering something into its original or primitive form. It highlights restoration to basics.
In phonetics, "sym-" in "symmetrical articulation" implies:
Balanced or equal
Nasal
Asymmetry
Unvoiced
Symmetrical combines sym- ("together") with metron ("measure"), indicating equal or balanced articulation points in phonetics. The prefix conveys uniformity.
The word "synchronous" features the prefix syn- (variant of sym-). What does it mean?
In silence
Slowly
At different times
At the same time
Synchronous comes from syn- ("together") and chronos ("time"), meaning occurring at the same time. It's common in technical and everyday usage.
Which term refers to a disorder where cells fuse abnormally, using syn-?
Synostosis
Symbosis
Synthesis
Systemic
Synostosis combines syn- ("together") and ostosis ("bone condition"), referring to the fusion of bones. It's used in medical contexts.
The prefix in "primogenesis" refers to:
Many origins
Small size
First origin
Late development
Primogenesis uses primi- ("first") and genesis ("birth/origin"), meaning the first origin of something. It's a scholarly term in biology and philosophy.
In "syllogism," the prefix syn- becomes "syl-". What process is this?
Metathesis
Epenthesis
Assimilation
Elision
Assimilation is when a consonant changes to match an adjacent sound for easier pronunciation. In syllogism, syn- becomes syl- before "l." This is a common phonological process.
"Primum mobile" in medieval cosmology is:
Earth
Fixed stars
Last planet
First moved sphere
Primum mobile means "first movable" in Latin. It was the outermost sphere in medieval astronomy that set all inner spheres in motion. It conveys primacy as well as movement.
Which medical term refers to the fusion of bones and uses a variant of "sym-"?
Symphysis
Symbiosis
Symposium
Synostosis
Synostosis combines syn- ("together") and ostosis ("bone condition"), meaning the abnormal fusion of bones. Symphysis refers to a joint, not pathologic fusion.
The change from "sym-" to "syl-" in "syllable" illustrates:
Assimilation
Elision
Epenthesis
Metathesis
In syllable, syn- becomes syl- before "l" through assimilation. The prefix adapts to the following consonant to ease pronunciation.
Identify the correct meaning of "primiparity":
Late childbirth
No births
First childbirth
Many births
Primiparity combines primi- ("first") and parity ("bearing"), referring to the state of a woman giving birth for the first time.
The prefix "sym-" in "symbolic" originally implied what action?
Blend
Sound together
Cut apart
Throw together
Symbolic comes from syn- ("together") and bol? ("to throw"), literally "to throw together," meaning to represent one thing by another.
The term "syncretism" combines syn- with krei- meaning:
To sound
To move
To gather
To separate
Syncretism joins syn- ("together") with krei- ("to mix or gather"), referring to the amalgamation of beliefs.
"Primigrade" refers to:
No walker
Walking on toes
Small walker
First step
Primigrade uses primi- ("first") and grade ("step"), meaning taking a first step. It's rare but attested in specialized contexts.
The variant "sym-" appears before labial consonants. Which word demonstrates this?
Synchrony
Synchronization
Symmetry
Symbiosis
Symbiosis uses sym- before "b" (a labial consonant). The prefix assimilates from syn- to sym- for ease of pronunciation.
The word "primogenitor" refers to:
First ancestor
Origin of insects
Final descendant
Many ancestors
Primogenitor combines primi- ("first") and genitor ("begetter"), meaning the first ancestor or founder of a family.
Which literary term uses "sym-" to mean combination of repetition at start and end?
Symmetry
Symbiosis
Symposium
Symploce
Symploce uses sym- ("together") and pleko ("to weave"), referring to weaving repetition at both beginning and end.
Identify the correct meaning of "primitivism" in art:
Artistic style inspired by early or primitive cultures
Focus on final period
Use of abstract expression
Emphasis on modern industrial themes
Primitivism in art draws inspiration from the aesthetics and techniques of early cultures or folk art. The prefix primi- places value on original or early sources.
In chemistry, "symmetrical" molecules have what property?
Identical halves
No structure
Charged
Unequal distribution of atoms
Symmetrical derives from sym- ("together") and metron ("measure"), indicating that two halves mirror each other in structure. It's fundamental in molecular geometry.
The prefix in "symphysiotomy" indicates:
To paint symmetrically
To cut the pubic symphysis
To fuse bones
To separate muscles
Symphysiotomy combines symphysis ("growing together of bones") and -otomy ("cutting"), meaning the surgical cutting of the pubic symphysis.
The prefix "primi-" in "primordial soup" refers to:
Earliest conditions
Fresh soup
Heated mixture
Final stage
Primordial combines primi- ("first") and ordinis ("order"), describing the hypothesized earliest conditions on Earth.
Discuss the phonological assimilation of syn- to sym- before labial consonants. Which rule does this illustrate?
Perseveration
Dissimilation
Assimilation
Elision
Assimilation is the phonological process whereby a consonant changes to become more like a neighboring sound. Syn- becomes sym- before labial consonants such as p, b, and m. This facilitates easier pronunciation.
"Sympetalous" refers to flowers with fused petals. What is the literal etymology?
Separate petals
Many petals
Small petals
Together petals
Sympetalous combines sym- ("together") and petalous (from petalon "leaf"), literally meaning petals joined together. It's a botanical term for fused corollas.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify the prefix sym -

    Recognize its definition and usage across medical and general vocabulary.

  2. Define the primi prefix -

    Explain the meaning of primi and its role in word formation.

  3. Differentiate medical and general prefixes -

    Distinguish between medical prefixes and general prefixes like sym and primi.

  4. Apply prefixes in context -

    Use sym and primi correctly in various example words and sentences.

  5. Analyze word structures -

    Break down complex terms to identify underlying prefixes and roots.

  6. Expand your vocabulary -

    Reinforce and integrate newly learned prefixes to enhance your lexical repertoire.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Greek Root of Sym-/Syn- (Meaning of the Prefix Sym) -

    To master the meaning of the prefix sym, recall its Greek origin signifying "together" or "with," common in words like symbiosis and synthesis. Academic references such as the Oxford English Dictionary and Stedman's Medical Dictionary confirm this core definition. Practicing etymology drills by linking sym- to "symphony" (a harmonious coming together of sounds) strengthens retention.

  2. Assimilation Rule for Sym-/Syn- -

    The sym- form adapts to syn- before certain consonants (like b, p, and m) due to phonetic assimilation, as seen in symbiotic versus synapse. A handy mnemonic is "Mates Marry with M," reminding you that sym- becomes syn- before m or p. Linguistics textbooks from universities like Stanford highlight this pattern to clarify pronunciation and spelling.

  3. Latin Primi Prefix and Its Applications -

    The primi prefix, derived from Latin meaning "first," appears in medical terms like primigravida (first pregnancy) and primipara (woman giving birth for the first time). You can remember primi by linking it to "prime," as both refer to the first or foremost. Sources such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provide official usage examples.

  4. Decoding Terms in a Medical Prefixes Quiz -

    Breaking down a word into its prefix, root, and suffix boosts accuracy in a medical prefixes quiz by revealing underlying meaning, as in symphysis (sym + physis, "growth together"). The Mayo Clinic's medical terminology resources emphasize this method for both students and professionals. Regularly sampling questions from reputable platforms like MedlinePlus can sharpen your prefix recognition skills.

  5. Effective Strategies for a Grammar Prefix Quiz -

    To excel in a grammar prefix quiz covering general prefixes meaning, mix flashcards, spaced repetition, and mnemonic phrases (e.g., "syn/sym = together"). University language labs often recommend grouping prefixes by origin - Greek or Latin - to streamline study sessions. Incorporating online practice quizzes and peer discussions reinforces retention and confidence.

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