Word roots

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Word roots

Working with words: Word roots

Having a good knowledge of these word elements is very helpful when you want to work out the meanings of unfamiliar words. This page focuses on word roots. Many roots in English words come from Latin or Greek words. Knowing word roots will help you to learn or guess the meanings of new words.

Latin			Greek
Root	Meaning	Examples	Root	Meaning	Examples
aud	hear	audience, audition	auto	self	autonomy, automatic
cede	move, go	concede, recede, precede	bio	life	biology, biodegradable
duc/duct	lead	education, conduct, reduce	chron	time	chronological, chronic
port	carry	transport, report, portable	path	feeling	apathetic, sympathy
spect	look	spectator, spectacle	phobia	fear	claustrophobia
vert	turn	convert, revert	phon	sound	symphony, telephone
vis	see	vision, visible, visual	soph	wisdom	philosophy, sophisticated

Replace the underlined words in each sentence with a similar word containing the root.

The company sells its products to a number of countries in Southeast Asia. (port)
Tim always goes over his notes several times before important tests. (vis)
The government sent an expert to look closely at the cracks in the building. (spect)
Janice was very pleased because Andy Lau signed the photograph for her. (auto)
Professor King is planning to write a life story of Bill Clinton. (bio)
This year’s fireworks display in Victoria Harbour was truly amazing. (spect)
The actor’s voice was so soft that it was impossible to hear. (aud)
Dr Yuen’s students all look up to him because he is so knowledgeable. (spect)

Last updated on: Monday, March 26, 2012