What term refers to elements that are placed in front of words?

The term that refers to elements placed in front of words is "prefixes." Prefixes are specific linguistic components that add meaning or change the meaning of the base word to which they are attached. For example, in the word "unhappy," the prefix "un-" modifies the meaning of "happy" by indicating a negation.

In English, prefixes can indicate various meanings, such as negation (e.g., "un-"), repetition (e.g., "re-"), or time (e.g., "pre-"). They are essential in expanding vocabulary and altering the significance of root words in a language.

Understanding prefixes is crucial for language comprehension and vocabulary building, as it allows a deeper grasp of how different words relate to one another and how their meanings can evolve depending on the prefixes added to them.