The prefixes “pre-” and “post-” are commonly confused by English learners. Although they look similar, they have opposite meanings: one refers to something happening before and the other to something happening after.

This post is part of our Comparative Words series, where we explain the differences between similar terms with clear examples, tips, and quizzes.

What Does “Pre-” Mean?

“Pre-” is a prefix that means “before”. It is added to words to show that something happens earlier in time or order.

Examples:

• “Prewar buildings were constructed before the war.”
• “You need to make a prepayment to secure your booking.”
• “The team had a pre-match meeting.”

What Does “Post-” Mean?

“Post-” is a prefix that means “after”. It is used to describe something occurring later in time or following an event.

Examples:

• “Postwar policies focused on rebuilding the economy.”
• “He is studying for a postgraduate degree.”
• “The document was written in the post-independence period.”

Key Differences: Pre vs Post

Prefix	Meaning	Time Reference	Example
Pre-	Before	Earlier / Prior	“Pre-event briefing”
Post-	After	Later / Following	“Post-event analysis”

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Using “pre-” and “post-” interchangeably (they mean opposite things).
• ❌ Forgetting the hyphen when needed (e.g., “post-event,” not “post event”).
• ✅ Learn their meaning: pre = before, post = after.

Easy Tricks to Remember

• 🧠 Think of a timeline: “pre-” is on the left (before), “post-” is on the right (after).
• ⏳ “Pre-” sounds like “previous,” meaning something that happened earlier.
• 📝 “Post-” reminds you of a “postscript” (P.S.) added after a letter — meaning after.

Quick Practice Exercise

Select the correct prefix for each sentence:

1. The --Choose-- Pre Post war period was marked by rapid development.
2. He attended a --Choose-- Pre Post conference training session.
3. They published a report in the --Choose-- Pre Post -independence era.
4. We held a --Choose-- Pre Post launch meeting before the product release.

Check Answers

Bonus Resources

• More vocabulary and word guides → AulaPlanet
• Cambridge Dictionary: Prefix “Pre-”
• Cambridge Dictionary: Prefix “Post-”

Conclusion

Although “pre-” and “post-” look similar, they have opposite meanings. Understanding these prefixes helps you interpret and use hundreds of English words more accurately.

📲 Explore more guides on AulaPlanet to master English vocabulary and prefixes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)