Inter vs Intra
Prefixes inter and intra play an important role in English making it necessary to understand the difference between inter and intra. Since inter and intra are both prefixes, there is not much to tell about them as individual words. Intra has its origin in Latin. It means inside. Meanwhile, the word inter has its origins in the Old French word entre. The meaning of the French word entre is between. The main function of these two words inter and intra are same as any other prefix. They join to the front of other words and make new meaningful words.
What does Inter mean?
Inter is a prefix that is indicative of the sense of between. According to the Oxford English dictionary, the prefix inter means either “between; among” or “mutually; reciprocally.” The prefix inter is used to suggest events such as a competition, an examination or a match between two associations, institutions, schools, colleges or any other establishments as in the sentences given below.
An inter-collegiate basketball competition was held last month.
An inter-school music event took place last evening.
In the first sentence, the use of the prefix inter suggests that a basketball competition was held between two or more colleges. In the second sentence, the use of the prefix inter suggests that a music event took place between two or more schools. This is the main difference between the usages of the two prefixes, namely, inter and intra. It is interesting to note that the prefix inter is used in the formation of several other hyphenated words such as ‘inter-disciplinary’, ‘intermediate’, ‘inter-continental’ and the like. On the other hand, the prefix inter is used in the formation of many other generally used words such as interpersonal, inter-plead, interlude, internet, interpolate, interpretation, intersection and the like mainly in the sense of between.
What does Intra mean?
On the other hand, intra is a prefix that is indicative of the sense of within. According to the Oxford English dictionary, the prefix intra means “on the inside; within.” In addition, the word intra also is used in the formation of several other words such as ‘intranet’, ‘intravenous’, ‘intramuscular’ and the like.
What is the difference between Inter and Intra?
• Inter is a prefix that is indicative of the sense of between. On the other hand, intra is a prefix that is indicative of the sense of within. This is the main difference between the two prefixes inter and intra.
• The prefix inter is used to suggest events such as a competition, an examination or a match between two associations, institutions, schools, colleges or any other establishments.
• It is interesting to note that the prefix inter is used in the formation of several other hyphenated words.
• On the other hand, the word intra also is used in the formation of several other words.
• On the other hand, the prefix inter is used in the formation of many other generally used words mainly in the sense of between.
The usage of the two prefixes inter and intra is to be understood carefully. Hence, there is always the need to know the difference between inter and intra.