Use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words

Key Notes :–

What are Roots?

A root is the basic part of a word that carries the main meaning. Roots are often combined with prefixes and suffixes to create new words. Recognizing common roots is a powerful vocabulary-building tool.

Common Greek Roots

Root: graph Meaning: write Examples: autograph: self-written (signature) biography: life-writing (account of someone’s life) graphology: study of handwriting

Root: phon Meaning: sound Examples: telephone: distant sound symphony: sounds together phonics: study of the sounds of letters

Root: log Meaning: word, study Examples: logic: study of reasoning dialogue: conversation between two people biology: study of life

Root: therm Meaning: heat Examples: thermometer: measure heat thermal: related to heat thermos: container that keeps things hot

Common Latin Roots

Root: spect Meaning: see Examples: inspect: look into spectator: one who watches spectacles: things to see with (glasses)

Root: port Meaning: carry Examples: portable: able to be carried transport: carry across export: carry out

Root: dict Meaning: say Examples: dictate: say aloud diction: style of speaking contradict: speak against

Root: scrib/script Meaning: write Examples: describe: write down script: written text prescription: written order for medicine

How Roots Help You

When you encounter a new word, try to identify any roots you recognize. Break the word down into its parts (root, prefix, suffix). Knowing the meaning of the root can give you a clue about the overall meaning of the word. For example, if you see the word “geography,” you might recognize graph (write) and geo (earth). This suggests that geography is related to ‘writing about the earth’.

Practice

Let’s practice! Can you guess the meanings of the following words based on their roots?

• Audible (Root: aud – hear)
• Vision (Root: vis – see)
• Manual (Root: man – hand)
• Telescope (Roots: tele – distant, scope – see)

Understanding Greek and Latin roots significantly improves your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Keep exploring and discovering new roots!

Summary

In this lesson, we explored how Greek and Latin roots form the basis of many English words. By learning common roots like graph, phon, spect, and port, you can unlock the meanings of unfamiliar words and expand your vocabulary. Remember to break down words into their component parts to identify familiar roots and gain insight into their meanings. Happy learning!

Let’s practice!