Which prefix means 'before'?

Which prefix means 'before'?

• A. post-
• B. uni-
• C. pseu-
• D. pro-

Answer: (D)

Think about prefixes that indicate time or order. The prefix that means before is pro-, which conveys the idea of forward or in front of something, i.e., happening earlier or ahead of time in a sense. In medical and general usage, pro- appears in terms like prognosis, which is a forecast about the outcome before it happens, and prologue, which is an opening section that comes before the main text. That sense of "before" aligns with the question. The other prefixes point to different ideas: post- means after; uni- means one; pseu- means false. So pro- is the best fit for indicating something occurring before.

Think about prefixes that indicate time or order. The prefix that means before is pro-, which conveys the idea of forward or in front of something, i.e., happening earlier or ahead of time in a sense.

In medical and general usage, pro- appears in terms like prognosis, which is a forecast about the outcome before it happens, and prologue, which is an opening section that comes before the main text. That sense of "before" aligns with the question.

The other prefixes point to different ideas: post- means after; uni- means one; pseu- means false. So pro- is the best fit for indicating something occurring before.