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

Key Notes :

1. Understanding Roots

• Greek and Latin Roots: Many English words are derived from Greek and Latin roots. Understanding these roots can help decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words.
• Root Words: The base part of a word that carries its primary meaning. Adding prefixes or suffixes can modify the meaning of the root.

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2. Common Greek Roots

• Auto- (self): Examples – autograph (a signature written by oneself), automatic (operating by itself)
• Bio- (life): Examples – biology (the study of life), biography (a written account of someone’s life)
• Graph- (write): Examples – graphic (relating to writing or visual representation), telephone (a device to transmit sound from afar)

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3. Common Latin Roots

• Cred- (believe): Examples – credible (believable), incredible (not believable)
• Dict- (speak): Examples – dictionary (a book that explains words), predict (to say something will happen)
• Port- (carry): Examples – transport (to carry from one place to another), import (to carry goods into a country)

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4. Using Prefixes and Suffixes

• Prefixes: Modify the meaning of the root. Examples – un- (not), pre- (before)
  • Unbelievable (not believable)
  • Prehistoric (before recorded history)
• Suffixes: Change the form of the root. Examples – -able (capable of), -logy (study of)
  • Readable (capable of being read)
  • Biology (the study of life)

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5. Strategies for Decoding Words

• Identify the Root: Break down the word to its root and see if you recognize it.
• Analyze Prefixes and Suffixes: Look at the prefixes and suffixes to understand how they modify the root.
• Context Clues: Use the context of the sentence to help deduce the meaning of the word.

Let’s practice!