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An Intro to Word Roots
Getting to the ROOT of vocabulary
comprehension
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The English Language Is…
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So, What is your first step?
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The same strategy works with words…
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Instead of Colors You Use…
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Word Roots:
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Greek and Latin Roots
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Prefixes
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Suffixes
+ Your results
You can figure out hundreds of words at a time by
learning one root.
■ 90% of English words containing two or more syllables
come from Greek or Latin roots.
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More Reasons...
● Most of the academic words in English (e.g., math and science words) are
derived from Latin and Greek.
● Most of the more challenging multisyllabic words in English are derived
from Latin and Greek.
● A single Latin or Greek root or affix (word pattern) can be found in and aid
in the understanding (as well as decoding and encoding) of 20 or more
English words.
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Combine with Reading for Maximum Effect!
Word stem studies work when you combine them with ample time to
read. According to Richard Allington, the time spent reading in class is
critical to vocabulary acquisition. Consider these numbers, tied to
achievement:
Achievement Percentile
Min. Read/Day
Words/Year
Exposure
90th
40.4
2,357,000
50th
12.9
601,000
10th
1.6
51,000
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A Word You Know:
INCREDIBLE:
■ Prefix:
■ Root:
(etymology)
■ Suffix:
Definition:
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A more challenging word:
INCREDULOUS:
■ Prefix:
■ Root:
■ Suffix:
Definition:
+ Taking Notes: How to Organize
Side 1: Vocab
Terms/Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes
Prefix
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Placed at the beginning of a root to
change meaning.
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Placed at the ending of a root to
change meaning.
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A simple word part that holds
meaning.
Root
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CRED
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Suffix
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Side 2: Definitions and Examples
Credulous
Incredulous
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In-ous
Believe
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Believe too easily/gullible
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Does not believe easily/skeptical
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NOT
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FULL OF
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MOB/MOT
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WORD TOWER:
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MOB/MOT= TO MOVE
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Words Containing MOB/MOT
Words We Will Cover:
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Mobilize
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Demobilization
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Promote
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Demote
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Motivation
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Mobilize
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Definition: Make moveable
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Ize- VERB
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Demobilize
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Definition:
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De-
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Promote
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Definition:
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To move forward
To advance/further the
progress of something or
someone
Pro-
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Demote
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Definition:
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De-
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Motivation
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Definition:
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Tion- NOUN
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VER■
WORD TOWER
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VER = TRUTH
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Word Bank
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Very
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Verify
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Verisimilitude
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Veracious
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Very
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Definition:
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Verify
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Definition:
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-ify:
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Verisimilitude
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Definition: appearance of being the truth
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“similar to the truth”
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Sim-
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Veracious
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Definition:
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ous/cious
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Fid■
WORD TOWER
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FID = TRUST/FAITH
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Word Bank:
Confidence
Diffidence
Fidelity
Infidel
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Confidence
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Definition: full trust in a person or thing
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Con: with
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Diffidence
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Definition:
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Dif: (same as dis) not/away
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Fidelity
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Definition:
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Loyalty
-ity:
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Infidel
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Definition:
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In- NOT
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AM■
Word Tower
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AM=LOVE
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Words We’ll Cover:
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Amorous
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Amateur
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Amicable
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Amity
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Amorous
Definition:
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Amateur
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Definition:
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Amicable
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Definition:
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Amity
Definition:
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PET
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WORD TOWER
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PET= seek, strive, or move toward
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Words We’ll Cover
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Compete
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Competent/Incompetent
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Perpetual
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Impetus
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Compete
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Definition: To strive against another or others to attain a goal,
such as an advantage or a victory.
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Com-
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Competent
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Definition: Having correct or adequate skills or qualities.
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Incompetent:
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In:
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Perpetual
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Definition: never ending or changing
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Per- Very/ thoroughly/through
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Impetus
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Definition:
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The force that gets someone/something moving or keeps
them/it moving.
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Im-in/into