Keystone of Learning Vocabulary: Roots

A root is the basic unit of a word and cannot be further divided. Word roots carry most of the meaning, and by learning them we can better wise up to the whole language. Therefore, For people who want to improve their skills in a language, learning the word roots can facilitate the process and help with many aspects.

If you want to improve your English vocabulary, then, you should know that many word roots in English come from Latin and Greek. So, by learning just 20 word roots, you can expand your English vocabulary to include hundreds of new words. In brief, the more word roots you learn and their meanings, the more you will see that these word roots are used in English in different forms.

It is known that 60 percent of the words in English come from these Latin and Greek roots. In addition to that, in the field of science and technology, this number rises to 90 percent.

Moreover, knowing roots, you can learn not only English but also other languages such as Italian, French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese which are also come from Latin and Greek more easily.

Here are some common roots expanding your vocabulary level;

Cogn: know

Root: Latin

Examples: recognize (identify), cognition (the mental action of acquiring knowledge), cognoscenti (well-informed people)

Cert: sure

Root: Latin

Examples: certain (exact), certify (confirm), ascertain (make sure of)

Spir: breathe

Root: Latin

Examples: inspire (fill with the urge), spirit (ghost), conspire (plot, to ‘breathe’ together), expire (end of the period of validity, last ‘breathe’)

Alg/o: Pain

Root: Greek

Examples: analgesic (capable of relieving pain), nostalgia (longing for something past), Neuralgia (pain caused by a nerve)

Voc: voice, call

Root: Latin

Examples: vociferous (noisy), vocation (calling), revoke (to call back), advocate (to call towards as a show of support)

Put: think

Root: Latin

Examples: compute (calculate), impute (charge offense), reputation (opinions holding about someone)

Avi: bird

Root: Latin

Examples: aviatrix (female pilot), aviary (bird enclosure), aviation (operating of aircraft)

Doc: teach

Root: Latin

Examples: docile (ready to accept control), doctrine (a belief), document (record in detail), docent

Vol: wish, will

Root: Latin

Examples: volition (will), volunteer (willing), benevolent (benefactor), malevolent (malicious)

Sol: alone, lonely

Root: Latin

Examples: desolate (deserted), solitaire (a single gem), solipsism (being self-centred)

Sign: mark

Root: Latin

Examples: insignia (markers), signify (remark), designate (specify)

Pun: punish, pain

Root: Latin

Examples: punch (hit out), punitive (punisher), impunity (go unpunished)

Cycl: circle, wheel

Root: Greek

Examples: cyclone (massive rotating winds), cyclical (circular), bicycle (vehicle with two wheels)

The/o: God

Root: Greek

Examples: Polytheism (Worshiping more than one god), enthusiasm (inspired – possessed by a god)

Phil/o: Love

Root: Greek

Examples: Philosophy (the love of wisdom), hydrophile (having an affinity for water), philtre (a love potion)

10 Tips for English Learners

References;

https://www.oakton.edu/user/3/gherrera/Greek%20and%20Latin%20Roots%20in%20English/greek_and_latin_roots.pdf

https://membean.com/treelist