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U.1 Identify the meanings of Greek and Latin roots

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What are Greek and Latin roots?

Greek and Latin roots are word parts that carry meaning and serve as building blocks for many English words. Knowing the meaning of these roots can help you unlock the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary.

Examples:
  • tele (Greek: “far”) → telephone (“sound from far away”)
  • port (Latin: “carry”) → transport (“to carry across”)
  • scrib/script (Latin: “write”) → manuscript (“a handwritten document”)
Note

Roots rarely stand alone as complete words. They usually combine with prefixes and suffixes to form full words.

Why are roots important in vocabulary?

Understanding Greek and Latin roots allows readers to decode the meaning of complex words without always relying on a dictionary. This strategy strengthens reading comprehension and writing precision.

Examples:
  • bio (Greek: “life”) → biology (“the study of life”)
  • aqua (Latin: “water”) → aquarium (“a place for water animals”)
  • chrono (Greek: “time”) → chronological (“arranged in order of time”)
Note

When you identify the root within a word, you can make an educated guess about its meaning even if the word is unfamiliar.

Common Greek roots

Many English words come from Greek, especially in science, technology, and mathematics. Recognizing these roots expands vocabulary knowledge.

Greek Roots:
  • geo (“earth”) → geography, geology
  • phon (“sound”) → symphony, microphone
  • photo (“light”) → photograph, photosynthesis
Note

Greek roots often appear in academic and scientific terms. Paying attention to them can make advanced subjects easier to understand.

Common Latin roots

Latin roots are the foundation for many everyday English words. Recognizing these roots can help students spell, define, and apply vocabulary correctly.

Latin Roots:
  • dict (“say, speak”) → predict, dictionary
  • struct (“build”) → construct, structure
  • vid/vis (“see”) → video, vision
Note

Latin roots are especially common in law, government, and everyday vocabulary. Recognizing them improves both reading and writing skills.

Using roots in sentences

Practice applying Greek and Latin roots by using them in complete sentences. This helps students understand not only the root meaning but also the context in which words are used.

Examples:
  • “The geologist studied the layers of rock.” (geo = earth)
  • “The teacher asked us to construct a strong paragraph.” (struct = build)
  • “The orchestra performed a beautiful symphony.” (phon = sound)
Note

Whenever you encounter a new word, look for familiar roots. This practice builds vocabulary skills over time.