Determine the meanings of Greek and Latin roots

Key Notes :

What are Roots?

A root is the basic part of a word that carries its primary meaning. It’s like the core of a tree from which branches (prefixes and suffixes) grow. By understanding the meaning of a root, you can often decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words. Greek and Latin roots are particularly important because they form the basis of many words in English, especially in academic and scientific fields.

Why Learn Roots?

Expand vocabulary Improve reading comprehension Enhance spelling Ace standardized tests Make learning new languages easier

Learning Greek and Latin roots offers numerous benefits: By recognizing roots, you can often guess the meaning of unfamiliar words without needing a dictionary. Understanding roots helps you to break down complex sentences to understand the meaning Knowing the roots of words can often give you clues about their spelling, reducing errors. Many standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, test vocabulary. Root knowledge can be a huge advantage. Many European languages share Greek and Latin roots with English. Knowing these roots can make learning other languages easier.

Common Greek Roots

Let’s explore some common Greek roots and see how they work in English words:

Auto – self

• Example: automobile (self-moving vehicle), autograph (self-written signature)

Bio – life

• Example: biology (study of life), biography (story of someone’s life)

Geo – earth

• Example: geography (description of the earth), geology (study of the earth’s structure)

Micro – small

• Example: microscope (instrument for viewing small objects), microorganism (small living thing)

Tele – far, distant

• Example: telephone (instrument for transmitting sound over distance), television (seeing distant images)

Common Latin Roots

Now, let’s look at some common Latin roots:

Spect – look, see

• Example: spectacle (something to be seen), inspect (to look carefully)

Port – carry

• Example: portable (able to be carried), transport (to carry across)

Form – shape

• Example: form (shape, appearance), reform (to shape again)

Dict – say, speak

• Example: dictate (to speak aloud for someone to write down), dictionary (a book of words)

Vis/Vid – see

• Example: visible (able to be seen), video (moving visual images)

Identifying and Understanding Roots

Here’s how to identify and understand the meanings of roots:

• Break down the word: Look for familiar parts within the word.
• Identify the root: Determine the core part that carries the main meaning.
• Consider prefixes and suffixes: These can modify the root’s meaning.
• Use context clues: The surrounding sentences can provide hints about the word’s meaning.
• Consult a dictionary: If you’re still unsure, look up the word in a dictionary and pay attention to its etymology (origin).

Examples in Action

• Biology: Bio (life) + logy (study of) = Study of life
• Autograph: Auto (self) + graph (write) = Self-written
• Spectator: Spect (see) + ator (one who) = One who sees

Practice Makes Perfect

Now it’s your turn to practice! Try to identify the roots in the following words and determine their meanings:

• Geology
• Microscope
• Transport
• Dictator
• Visible

Next Steps

Continue to expand your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots by exploring online resources, vocabulary lists, and reading widely. The more you encounter these roots, the easier it will become to recognize and understand them. Keep practicing, and you’ll see a significant improvement in your vocabulary and reading comprehension!

Let’s practice!