EDUCATIONAL EXPLORATION
Authored & Curated by | Yuze
Visual Design | ElenaR
Root and Affixes Series 3
In the previous installments, we introduced various vocabulary elements
Have our readers attempted to incorporate these terms into their reading and writing practices
Today, we continue our journey by guiding you through
Mastering the strategic use of roots and affixes to expand your lexicon
Root: struct, stru
Meaning: to build, construction
One of our most frequently utilized terms, structure, is formed by appending the noun suffix -ture to this root
This combination yields the concept of a noun structure
By prefixing different affixes to the root struct, we can create verbs with distinct meanings
The prefix con- signifies together, construct denotes the construction of large buildings or engineering projects
The prefix de- indicates down, destruct conveys destruction or demolition
The prefix ob- represents against, obstruct refers to blocking or impeding
When the prefix changes to in-, instruct represents guidance or direction often provided by educators
If we append the suffix -ion to each of these four words, we obtain
construction, destruction, obstruction, instruction
Which respectively form the noun forms of
Architecture, devastation, impediment, and directive
Root: gest
Meaning: to carry, convey
Among the words derived from the root gest, the most prevalent is arguably suggest, which is formed by adding the prefix sug- meaning under
This prefix typically suggests a more understated manner of communicating ideas
Essentially, it implies suggesting someone to undertake a particular action
suggest somebody to do something
By adding the noun suffix -ion, we obtain the noun form of suggestion, suggestion
When the root gest is combined with the prefix con- (together + carry), it signifies congestion or blockage
Appending the noun suffix -ion results in congestion, the noun form of congestion
By replacing the prefix with di- (away), which signifies away, digest becomes the verb form of digestion
When the root gest is directly combined with the suffix -ure, we obtain gesture, the noun form of a gesture or posture
Root: aud
Meaning: to hear, listen to
The most fundamental noun, audio, refers to sound typically contrasted with video, which denotes visual content
By adding different suffixes to the root aud, we can create words with varying parts of speech
Appending the noun suffix -ition yields audition, the noun form of a trial listening or casting process
Adding the adjective suffix -ible produces audible, an adjective meaning perceptible to the ear
Appending the prefix in- to express a negative connotation results in inaudible, meaning imperceptible to the ear
When the suffix changes to -ence, which relates to human beings, audience becomes the noun form of spectators or listeners
Replacing the suffix with -itorium, which relates to location, yields auditorium, a venue for lectures or performances
Roots: cour, cor, cord
Meaning: heart, heart muscle
A very common noun, courage, embodies the concept of bravery born from the heart
Adding the adjective suffix -ous results in courageous, meaning brave
Another common word is core, which denotes the essence or central part
As heard in the term core curriculum, it refers to foundational courses commonly found in American universities
The root cord, when combined with different prefixes, can also form various nouns
By adding the prefix con- (together), we obtain concord, meaning harmony
While appending the prefix dis- (apart), which signifies separation, yields discord, meaning lack of harmony
After several weeks of study, has our vocabulary expanded significantly
We believe that as long as students grasp the fundamental functions of roots and affixes
And utilize them frequently in their daily learning while accumulating new terms
They will undoubtedly be able to effortlessly increase their vocabulary