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October 13, 2023

Understanding the prefixes “inter-“ vs. “intra-”: Definitions and examples

Even though “inter-” and “intra-” sound similar, they can’t be used interchangeably. Perfect your writing by learning the difference between these two prefixes and their definitions.

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What is a prefix?

In English, a prefix is a word or letter attached to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Some common prefixes include:

  • Non-
  • Ex-
  • Pre-
  • In-
  • A-
  • With-
  • Dis-
  • Auto-
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What does the prefix “intra-” mean?

The prefix “intra-” means “within” or “inside.” Some words with the prefix “intra-” include:

  • Intravenous: Relating to or occurring inside the veins. Example: “The nurse administered intravenous fluids to the dehydrated patient.”
  • Intramural: Physical activities occurring within a single institution, especially within a school or college. Example: “Sarah and her college friends may not be varsity athletes, but they still have fun playing intramural soccer.”
  • Intranet: A computer network that can only be accessed within an organization or institution. Example: “Please share confidential files through the company intranet.”
  • Intrapersonal: An adjective referring to something happening within an individual’s mind. Example: “She has strong self-awareness due to her intrapersonal skills.”

What does the prefix “inter-” mean?

The definition of “inter-” is “between” or “among.” It’s the complete opposite of the prefix “intra-.” Some words that use the prefix “inter-” include:

  • Interstate: A highway that connects one state to at least one other state. Example: “It only takes me two hours to get to my grandma’s house when I take the interstate.”
  • Internet: A network that connects devices across the globe. Example: “A quick internet search led me to this article.”
  • Interpersonal: A relationship between two or more people. Example: “His strong interpersonal skills make him a great candidate for the human resources position.”
  • Intervention: To interfere or take action to improve a situation. Example: “When the parents found out their son wasn’t doing his homework, an intervention ensued.”

Do “inter-” and “intra-” need a hyphen?

Typically, words with a prefix aren’t hyphenated, meaning you don’t need to use a hyphen to connect the prefix to the root word. “Inter-” and “intra-” don’t need a hyphen when they are added to a word. For example, you should write “interdisciplinary,” not “inter-disciplinary.”

How to remember the difference between “inter” and “intra-“

Since “inter-” and “intra-” sound so similar, it can be difficult to remember the difference between them. One way to remember the difference is by associating the “e” in “inter-” with “everyone,” since words that use “inter-” have to do with multiple people.

Another way to remember the difference between “inter-” and “intra-” is to remember the definitions of the words associated with them. For example, the word “interaction” has to do with how one acts with other people, and the word “internet” connects you online to other people. On the other hand, the word “intradermal” means “within the skin,” and “intranasal” means “inside the nose.”

If you still have trouble remembering the difference between “inter-” and “intra-,” create flashcards or practice using these words in a sentence to help solidify them in your mind.

If you’re interested in learning more about prefixes, find out what the prefix “meta-” means.

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