How to Build Vocabulary From Word Roots

Greek and Latin roots are found everywhere in modern English vocabulary. From photography ("light writing") to television ("far seeing"), these roots have become a part of everyday life. Becoming familiar with Greek and Latin roots is a step toward having a fuller vocabulary. Knowing these roots will also assist you in determining meanings of unfamiliar words without the aid of a dictionary. This ability is useful not only in day-to-day reading comprehension but is also a valuable tool for verbal portions of standardized tests such as the Graduate Records Examination.

Things You'll Need

  • 500 3-by-5-inch index cards
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look at a list of Greek and Latin roots that has example English words in a book or online (see Resources).

    • 2

      Write a root or roots (i.e., "acu" or "loc, loco") on one side of an index card, starting at the top of the root list. Write the meaning of the root or roots on the back (i.e., "sharp" or "place"). Continue until you have made cards for all of the roots.

    • 3

      Review the entire set of root flash cards. Set aside cards that you defined incorrectly or partially. Review incorrectly and partially defined root flash cards. Repeat until you are correct 80 percent of the time.

    • 4

      Write an example English word listed in the last column of the Greek and Latin roots page on one side of a blank index card (i.e., autobiography) for each root/roots. Write out the roots and meanings contained in the word on the back of the card (i.e., "auto: self; bio: life; graph: write/written").

    • 5

      Review the entire set of word flash cards. Set aside cards that you defined incorrectly or partially. Review incorrectly and partially defined word flash cards. Repeat until you are correct approximately 80 percent of the time.

    • 6

      Review both sets of flash cards daily, each time trying to increase the percentage of correct cards for each set.

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