English grammar
Word formation: un-, re-, dis-, over- + -able, -ify / -ification
Work out and build new words from prefixes and suffixes.
From the scene Touristification
In short
Build long words: un- (not), re- (again), dis- (opposite), over- (too much), -able (can be done), -ify / -ification.
Your turn
Which one goes with that cannot be sustained?
Options: tourist → touristification · re + let → re-let · un + sustain + able → unsustainable
Show answer
that cannot be sustained → un + sustain + able → unsustainable
How it works
English builds long words from short ones.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And "(blank)"? You said it three times.
Options: dissustainable · unsustainable · insustainable
Show answer
And "unsustainable"? You said it three times.
¿Y "insostenible"? Lo ha dicho usted tres veces.
Good to know
Prefixes: un- = not (unsustainable), re- = again (re-let), dis- = the opposite or taking away (place → displace), over- = too much (overload).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Like the rents. They are (blank).
Options: dissustainable · unsustainable · insustainable
Show answer
Like the rents. They are unsustainable.
Como los alquileres. Son insostenibles.
Good to know
Suffixes: -able = can be done (sustainable); -ify makes a verb and -ification its noun (tourist → touristify → touristification).
Good to know
Un- also reverses a verb: do → undo.
turning an area into a tourist zone tourist → touristification
that cannot be sustained un + sustain + able → unsustainable
Your turn
What goes with un + sustain + able → unsustainable?
Options: to let (rent out) again · that cannot be sustained · turning an area into a tourist zone
Show answer
un + sustain + able → unsustainable → that cannot be sustained
to let (rent out) again re + let → re-let
Nuria
And "re-let"? "Re" means "again": letting out the same flat again.
¿Y «re-let»? «Re» es «otra vez»: volver a alquilar el mismo piso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And "re-let"? "(blank)" means "again": letting out the same flat again.
Options: Re · Tourist → touristification · Sustain
Show answer
Nuria
And "re-let"? "Re" means "again": letting out the same flat again.
¿Y «re-let»? «Re» es «otra vez»: volver a alquilar el mismo piso.
to force out of its place · to reverse displace · undo
Your turn
What goes with displace · undo?
Options: turning an area into a tourist zone · that cannot be sustained · to force out of its place · to reverse
Show answer
displace · undo → to force out of its place · to reverse
to load too much over + load → overload
Common mistake
Not disdo or indo here. The opposite of do.
I get it. Do, undo. Load, overload.
Ya entiendo. Hacer, deshacer. Cargar, sobrecargar.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| turning an area into a tourist zone | tourist → touristification |
|---|---|
| that cannot be sustained | un + sustain + able → unsustainable |
| to let (rent out) again | re + let → re-let |
| to force out of its place · to reverse | displace · undo |
| to load too much | over + load → overload |
More lines from the story
- RamónAnd "unsustainable"? You said it three times.¿Y "insostenible"? Lo ha dicho usted tres veces.
- ElenaLike the rents. They are unsustainable.Como los alquileres. Son insostenibles.
- RamónI get it. Do, undo. Load, overload.Ya entiendo. Hacer, deshacer. Cargar, sobrecargar.
- ElenaIt's when an area fills up with tourists and empties of residents.Es cuando un barrio se llena de turistas y se vacía de vecinos.
- RamónHey, I've only put the rent up a tiny bit.Eh, yo solo he subido el alquiler un poquito.