CONTENTS FEATURE: Negative prefixes can be positively confounding SPOTLIGHT: EditPros in the news NET NOTES: Captivating web sites FEATURE: Negative prefixes can be positively confounding      Ept, plussed managers operate sipid programs because they ter their ruly employees, who exhibit an admirable regard for feasance.      That sentence is nonsensical because it is peppered with "lost positives"—archaic or illegitimate base word fragments remaining after their normally negative prefixes are deleted.      A "negative prefix" is a prefix that opposes or negates a word. The word unhitch, for example, consists of the base word hitch preceded by the negative prefix un-. That's one of 12 common English negative prefixes, which include anti-, de-, dis-, dys-, il-, im-, in-, ir-, mal-, mis-, non- and un-. They are derived from Latin, French and other foreign languages.      But like a caboose that has come unhitched from a rolling train, some words seemingly formed with negative prefixes are independent, lacking a positive counterpart. While inept means foolish or lacking in judgment, the word "ept" is nonexistent. Other "orphaned" negative forms include: nonplused (meaning perplexed or bewildered); insipid (dull, or lacking excitement or interest); unruly (difficult or impossible to govern); nonchalant (carefree or unconcerned); dissuade (deter or discourage); deter (to discourage); malfeasance (misconduct or wrongdoing).      Although some of those 12 different negative prefixes have distinct connotations, others share identical meanings. But knowing which prefix to choose for any given word is tricky because the rules governing their use are inconsistent. anti- (or ant-) can have four meanings:   1. opposite (as in antithesis or antonym);   2. opposing (antiaircraft or antagonist);   3. counteracting (antigravity or antidote);   4. curing or alleviating (antipoverty or antianxiety). de- has three meanings:   1. opposing or opposite of (as in debate);   2. to remove from (decarbonate or dehydrate);   3. to diminish or ruin (depreciate or demolish). dis-, which can be used with verbs or nouns, means:   1. opposite of (as in disappear);   2. deprive of a quality or object (disgrace or disarm);   3. exclude or expel from (disbar);   4. not or absence of (discontent or disrespect). dys-, which can be used with nouns or adjectives, means:   1. abnormal or impaired (as in dyslexia);   2. difficult (dysphagia);   3. bad (dyslogic). il-, which means not, is a variant of in-. This prefix usually is used before words beginning in l (as in illogical and illegible). im-, which can be used with modifiers and nouns, means not (as in imbalance, immature and impatient). This prefix is another variant of in- that usually is used before words beginning with b, m and p. However, exceptions exist. Proper becomes improper, yet principled becomes unprincipled. in-, which means not, is used typically with adjectives of French or Latin origin. In contrast with il-, im- and ir-, this prefix is used before sounds other than b, l, m, p or r (as with inaccurate, inconclusive and insecure). ir-, which means not, is used before words beginning with r (as in irregular and irrational). mal- is not truly a prefix but is a "combining form" that means either:   1. bad or badly (as in malpractice or malodorous);   2. abnormal" (malfunction);   3. inadequate" (malabsorption). mis- means:   1. bad (as in mismanage);   2. wrong or wrongly (misconduct or misjudge);   3. opposite or lack of (mistrust). non-, which is used with nouns, means:   1. not (as in noncommittal);   2. opposite or reverse of (as in nonfiction);   3. absence of (nonstop or nonviolence). un- is used with adjectives (as in unusual), with verbs (as in unfold), with participles—verbs functioning as adjectives (as in undressed); and with nouns (as in unrest). It can mean:   1. not (as in unbeaten or unfinished)   2. opposite or contrary to (unfavorable or untrue)   3. to reverse (unwind);   4. to deprive of, or to remove (unnerve);   5. to free from (unburden or untangle).      Some words that take the un- prefix in their adjectival form may have a noun form that uses the negative prefix in-. Such combinations include unable / inability, unstable / instability, and unjust / injustice.      Words may often be paired with two or more negative prefixes. While some combinations are interchangeable, others give words distinct meanings. For example, disfrock is a synonym for unfrock. But while disinterested means impartial, uninterested means apathetic. Nonmilitary personnel are not members of the military, while an enlisted soldier can appear unmilitary by failing to meet expectations for attire or conduct. The noun disbelief is a refusal or reluctance to believe, while misbelief is a faulty or unorthodox belief.      Some seemingly negative prefixes are not negative at all; their attachment does not alter the meaning of a word. The adjectives flammable and inflammable constitute such an aberration. Both mean "capable of being ignited." However, inflammable should be avoided in warning notices because some people may incorrectly think that it means "not combustible." The correct term for that is nonflammable.      The letter combinations im-, dis-, mis-, un- and others used in negative prefixes do not always function as negative prefixes. They just happen to be the first letters of certain words, including impel, implore, discipline, distill, miscellaneous and undulate. Those words do not have negative connotations.      Some words inherently indicate negation, however, and negative prefixes should not be applied to them. You can peel an orange, but you can't "unpeel" it. That's because the verb peel embodies the concept of undoing something—removing the peel. Ice can thaw, but it can't "unthaw". And "irregardless" is not a legitimate word; it's likely a consolidation of two proper adjectives: irrespective and regardless (which means "without regard" or "in spite of").      But even if you commit these guidelines to memory, fully relying upon them would be unwise—to use a negative prefix—because this is one area in which the English language is wildly inconsistent. Keep a dictionary within reach and consult it when you're unsure. Yes! EditPros is unwaveringly accurate in correcting inconsistencies in written materials for clients. SPOTLIGHT: EditPros in the news Double 'high-five': EditPros commemorates 10-year anniversary      Whap! Whap! EditPros partners Marti Smiley Childs and Jeff March are exchanging double "high five" hand-slap salutes to celebrate their 10th anniversary in business.      Established as a home-based business in July 1993, EditPros has operated in its present downtown Davis office since early 1998. Through the decade, we have abided by our mission: provision of expert writing and editing services on demand and on schedule.      We have assisted clients in creating and publishing content encompassing a remarkably broad range of subject matter and activities, including food science, mental health, biotechnology, epidemiology, entomology, ecosystems, human and animal health care, economic development, finance, and disability management. We have produced materials for state and municipal government agencies, educational institutions, computer software developers, insurance companies, trade and professional associations, social services agencies and manufacturers of automobiles and medical equipment.      We have edited thousands of pages of drafts of business plans, book manuscripts, annual reports and scientific research papers. We've indexed catalogs and books. We have written well in excess of a million words for newsletters, brochures, Web sites, advertisements and articles for trade periodicals. We've helped prepare materials to be read by veterinarians, dairy producers, legislators, research scholars, and federal presidential cabinet members. And we've coordinated printing of hundreds of publications.      We express gratitude to the many clients who appreciate clear, articulate communication and enlisted us to help them complete their critical writing, editing and publication projects. We value not only their trust in us, but also their friendship.      We look forward to our next decade of working with them and with other clients of their high caliber. Net Notes: Captivating Internet resources Guidebeam Web search http://www.guidebeam.com      Despite the availability of advanced, fast search engines, finding information you're seeking on the Internet can be difficult if you haven't used just the right terms in the right order in your search query. Guidebeam presents search information in a structured summary that helps users refine their searches through a process the site calls "query by navigation." The site uses technology developed by the DSTC (Distributed Systems Technology Centre) Resource Discovery Unit at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. FindSounds http://www.findsounds.com      Suppose you're designing a Web site and you need a certain sound effect to accompany an introductory "splash" screen. Or you need a particular sound for an audiovisual presentation. Need the sound of squeaky car brakes? Or applause? Or a whistling teapot? This specialized search engine can point you in the right direction. It's a searchable index that lets you search the entire Web for sounds you define by category (such as animals, birds, holidays, sports, tools. The search function is safe for kids because audio files containing obscenities are excluded through filtration. The site is maintained by Comparisonics Corp., Grass Valley, Calif. DisabilityInfo.gov http://www.disabilityinfo.gov      DisabilityInfo.gov was created by an executive order issued last summer by President George W. Bush directing federal agencies to collaboratively build a one-stop interagency Web portal for people with disabilities, their families, employers and service providers. The portal presents links to information related to disability management as well as to civil rights, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology, transportation, and community life. A high-contrast version of the site content is available for people with visual disabilities. YOUR TURN: Ask the "grammar coach" or subscribe      We invite you to submit your questions to the "grammar coach," and we welcome you to subscribe to this monthly newsletter—which we'll send to your e-mail address at no charge. We respond to all "grammar coach" questions personally, but delays may occur because we must place top priority on assignments from our clients. We appreciate your patience and your interest.      You also can change your e-mail subscription address. For an address change, please indicate your existing AND your new e-mail address. Thank you. 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