When a word begins with dis, you can usually remove dis and a root word will still exist (e.g. disappear = dis + appear).
When a word begins with des, it doesn't usually make sense if you remove the des (e.g. despise, describe).- The prefix in means not when used before words beginning with most letters, except:
before a root word starting with l (in becomes il);
before a root word starting with m or p (in becomes im);
before a root word starting with r (in becomes ir).
- Prefixes can be used for a range of meanings: re = again or back; sub = under; inter = between; super = above; anti = against; auto = self.