08-05-2011, 05:12 AM
[COLOR="#000080"]What Are Root Words?
A root word is an element in a word that defines its meaning and is the primary building block to create other words from that word. Root words can stand on their own -- for example, the word "audio," which means "sound" or "hearing." However, root words often need other word elements such as prefixes, suffixes and other root words to create words that have real meaning. For example, the root "capit" means "head" and cannot stand on its own. Combining this root with other word elements creates words such as capital and decapitate.
Determines Meaning
Root words have particular meanings, which can help you determine the meaning of the words in which they are contained. For example, the word "geo" means earth. Whenever you see a word such as geology, geography, or geocentric, you know that the definition of that word most likely has something to do with the earth.
Assists With Foreign Languages
The English language does not consist only of original words. Many English words are derived from other languages such as Latin, German and Greek. As a result, memorizing a lot of English root words can often help you master a foreign language.
Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes
A root word can fall at the beginning, middle or end of a word, and it can often stand on its own. Prefixes and suffixes can't stand on their own, however. A prefix is found only at the beginning of a word and a suffix is found only at the end of a word.
Examples of Root Words
One common root in the English language is "chron," which means "time." Therefore, the word "chronology" refers to a timeline and the word "chronic" means something that continues over a long period. Another common root is "graph," which means "to write." Calligraphy means "to write beautifully" and your "autograph" means you "write your name."
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A root word is an element in a word that defines its meaning and is the primary building block to create other words from that word. Root words can stand on their own -- for example, the word "audio," which means "sound" or "hearing." However, root words often need other word elements such as prefixes, suffixes and other root words to create words that have real meaning. For example, the root "capit" means "head" and cannot stand on its own. Combining this root with other word elements creates words such as capital and decapitate.
Determines Meaning
Root words have particular meanings, which can help you determine the meaning of the words in which they are contained. For example, the word "geo" means earth. Whenever you see a word such as geology, geography, or geocentric, you know that the definition of that word most likely has something to do with the earth.
Assists With Foreign Languages
The English language does not consist only of original words. Many English words are derived from other languages such as Latin, German and Greek. As a result, memorizing a lot of English root words can often help you master a foreign language.
Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes
A root word can fall at the beginning, middle or end of a word, and it can often stand on its own. Prefixes and suffixes can't stand on their own, however. A prefix is found only at the beginning of a word and a suffix is found only at the end of a word.
Examples of Root Words
One common root in the English language is "chron," which means "time." Therefore, the word "chronology" refers to a timeline and the word "chronic" means something that continues over a long period. Another common root is "graph," which means "to write." Calligraphy means "to write beautifully" and your "autograph" means you "write your name."
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