ab, a (from, down, away, Latin) = abstract, aversion, abject, abnormal.
ante (before, Latin) = antecedent, antebellum,antemeridian(A.M).
bi (two, Latin) = bicycle, bifurcate, bicarbonate.
circum, circa ( around, about, Latin) = circa 1900, circumambulate, circumference.
contra, counter (against, Latin) = contraindication, contradict, counterbalance
di, dis, dif (away, from, apart, Latin) = disinfectant, disperse, different.
extra ( beyond, Latin) = extraordinary, extraneous.
inter (among, between, Latin) = international, intercept, intervention.
intra, intro (within, inside of, Latin) = introspection, intravenous.
multi, multus (many, much, Latin) = multifaceted, multitudinous, multistory.
omni (all, everywhere, Latin) = omnipotent, omnivorous, omniscient.
post (after, behind, Latin) = postdated, posthumous, postmeridian ( P.M).
pre (before, Latin) = precedent, precept, preposition.
re (back, again, Latin) = rejuvenate, recreate, regeneration, renaissance
retro (back, backward, Latin) = retrospect, retro running, retrograde.
se (apart, aside, Latin ) = seclusion, selection, separation.
sub (under, less than, inferior, Latin) = subordinate, subterranean, submarine.
super, supra (above, superior, Latin) = superfluous, superintendent, soprano.
trans (across, through, Latin ) = translation, transcontinental, transient, transit.
ultra (beyond, on other side of ) = ultramodern, ultra orthodox, ultrasound.

The above list contains only 20 prefixes out of hundreds in use in contemporary English. You must have observed that in no time you can decipher the meanings of hundreds of words which you hitherto have believed to be a very tedious activity. This is the magic of knowing Latin. Even a cursory knowledge of this language can do wonders for you and you can be much more confident next time you have an interview, a meeting or just a chit chat with your friends.

Read a periodical, book or any e-article and you notice words of all lengths with common prefixes (beginning syllables), suffixes (end syllables) and root words (the body of the word). Some of these words may be difficult to understand without looking them up in the dictionary. But there may be a way to figure out what some of those words mean without picking up the dictionary. First, pick out the root word. If it’s a word you know than you are on your way to understanding the variation of the root word. Finding out what the prefix or suffix means adds to your vocabulary power.

What Are Root Words?

Root words are the building blocks from which other words can be created. They are the main element of the word, the part that gives the word variations their meanings. Usually the root word can stand alone. Example: the word “audio” meaning sound or hearing. However, some root words cannot stand alone, but need a  modifier (suffix, prefix) to produce a complete word. Examples: “anthrop”, meaning human, needs suffixes to create full words like anthropology (study of humans) or anthropologist (one who studies humans). And “ceed” or “cede” which means go adds prefixes to create words like recede (to go back) or exceed (go beyond the limits).

Use with Prefixes and Suffixes

Add prefixes like “re” (return) and “ex” (without) to the front any root word or suffixes like “ology” (to study) or “ologist ” (one who studies) to the back end of any root word to create new words.  Prefixes and suffixes change the root word’s definition somewhat. Notice how Anthrop changed from human to the study of humans (anthropology) and one who studies humans (anthropologist).

Vocabulary Building with Root Words

Some root words may have both a prefix and a suffix. Example: Take the root word “dict” (speak) and add the prefix “pre” (before) and the suffix “able” (can be done) to form the word predictable, meaning something that can be declared or told before it occurs. By looking through reading material of all sorts, a list can be compiled containing root words with prefixes, suffixes or both. Determine what the root word is and what it means. Next determine what the prefixes and suffixes mean. Once a good working knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes has been obtained, anyone can derive the meaning of new words without having to look them up in a dictionary.

For assistance in this area try these websites.

Word Root Quick Reference

http://www.learnthat.org/pages/view/roots.html

Most Common Prefixes and Suffixes – a PDF file

http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/bestpractices/vocabulary/pdf/prefixes_suffixes.pdf

Prefix and Suffix List – a PDF file

http://enloehs.wcpss.net/science/warner/resources/prefixsuffixlist.pdf

Conclusion

A superior vocabulary increases the ability to express yourself and will help you perform better at school and at work. Part of this great vocabulary is a strong foundation in the meanings of common root words, prefixes, and suffixes will help improve anyone’s vocabulary.

Learning To Spell:

1. Look at the printed word and say it aloud.  Then say it again, pronouncing each syllable correctly.
2. Picture the word in your mind, try to visualize the shape of the word.  Avoid looking at the printed word on the page.  Try to visualize the word letter by letter.
3. Look at the printed word again, and write it two or three times.  Then write the word without looking at the printed spelling.
4. Check your spelling.  Did you spell the word correctly?  If not, repeat each step until you can spell the word easily. 

Dictionary:

 Think of how the word might be spelled and look this combination of letters in a dictionary.

Computer:

A word processing program will have a spell checker which will recognize the attempt to spell the word.  Although spell checkers are handy, they can’t do the whole job.  A computer can only search its own memory for similarly spelled words and offer these qas a choice, the choice is up to you, so you still need to know how to spell the word you need.  The human brain is much more complex and efficient.  The following are some general rules of spelling in English.

Spelling ie and ei:

An easy way to learn when to use ie and when to use ei is to memorize  the following rhyming rule.  Then learn the common exceptions to the rule. 

Write I before E, Except after C, or when sounded like an A, as in Neighbor and Weigh

Some exceptions are either, caffeine, foreign, forfeit, height, heir, leisure, neither, protein, seize, species, their, weird; words ending in cient (ancient) and cience (conscience; plurals of nouns ending in cy (democracies); the third person singular form of verbs ending in cy (fancies); words in which I and e follow c but represent separate sounds (science, society).

Words ending in cede ceed, and sede:

The only English word ending in sede is supercede.  Three words end in ceed: proceed, exceed, and succeed.  You can remember these three words by thinking of the following sentence:

If you proceed to exceed the speed limit, you will succeed in getting a ticket.

All other words ending with the “seed” sound are spelled with cede: concede, intercede, precede, recede, secede.

Spelling unstressed vowels:

Listen to the vowel sound in the second syllable of the word or-i-gin.  This is an unstressed vowel sound.  Unstressed vowel sounds can be spelled in many ways.  Dictionary respellings   use the schwa (ə) to indicate an unstressed vowel sound.  To spell a word that has an unstressed vowel sound, think of a related word in which the syllable containing the vowel sound is stressed.  The word original, for example, will help you spell the word origin

Adding prefixes:

To add prefixes, keep the spelling of the root word and add the prefix.  If the last letter of the prefix is the same as the first letter of the word, keep both letters. 

.Un + happy = Unhappy, re + enlist = reenlist.

Adding suffixes:

When you add a suffix beginning with a vowel, double the consonant if the word ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel and;

The word has one syllable, mud + y = muddy,  sad + er = sadder

The word is stressed on the last syllable and the stress remains on the same syllable after the suffix is added, occur + ence = occurrence, regret + able = regrettable.  Don’t double the last consonant if the word is not stressed on the last syllable or if the stress shifts when the suffiux is added.  Murmur + ed = murmured, refer + ence = reference.  Don’t double the final letter if the word ends in s, w, x, or y, gases, rowing, waxy, employer.  D9on’t double the final consonant before the suffix –ist if the word has more than one syllable: druggist but violinist, guitarist.  When a word ends in a vowel and y keep the y, play + s + plays.  Somer exceptions, Gay + ly = gaily, day + ly = daily.

When a word ends in a consonant and y, change the y to I before any suffix that doesn’t begin with i.  Keep the y before suffizes that begin with i.  deny + al = denial, baby + ish = babyish.  Some exceptions, shy + ly = shyly, dry + ly = dryly. 

Usually a final silent e is dropped before a suffix, care + ed = cared.

Some exceptions: 

Drop the e and change the I to y before suffix ing. die + ing = dying

Keep the e before suffixes that begin with a and o if the word ends in ce or ge. courage + ous = courageous.

Keep the e before suffixes that begin with a vowel if the word ends in ee or oe.

Some exceptions:

There can never be three of the same letter in a row.  Free + er = freer.

Keeop the e before suffixes that begin with a consonant. Grace + ful = graceful

Drop e before the suffix ly when the word ends with a consonant and le. Possible + ly = possibly.

Don’t drop any letters when you add ly to a word that ends in a single l.  When a word ends in ll, drop one l when you add the suffix ly.  Real + ly = really, full + ly = fully.

Don’t drop any letters when you add the suffix –ness to a word that ends in n.  mean + ness = meanness.

Compound words:

Keep the original spelling of both parts of a compound word.  Remember that some compounds are one word, some are two words, and some are hyphenated.  Check a dictionary when in doubt.

 Spelling plurals:

            A singular noun names one person, place, thing, or idea.  A plural noun names more than one.  To form the plural of most nouns, you simply add –s.  Remember, however, that simple plural nouns never use apostrophes.

  In the English language which is made up of many borrowed words and grammars there are many more spelling rules to be mastered.  However, these are the most common and once you have these under your belt you’ll be well on the way to speaking and writing properly.  Be sure to check my other articles on the English language and linguistics on Triond.

http://www.socyberty.com/Languages/The-Great-Vowel-Shift.302335

http://www.socyberty.com/Education/Language-Learning-in-Adults.254141

http://www.trifter.com/Asia-&-Pacific/Australia/Australian-Slang-strine.274529

http://www.socyberty.com/Education/Subject-Area-Reading.305409

http://www.writinghood.com/Style/How-To/An-Essay-Introduction.298297

http://www.socyberty.com/Education/Teaching-Reading.299433

http://www.writinghood.com/Style/How-To/Writing-a-Full-Block-Letter.298225

http://www.writinghood.com/Writing/Modern-Satire-in-the-Media.285505

http://www.writinghood.com/Style/How-To/Teaching-Iambic-Pentameter.274653

Modern English as a global language has over the centuries assimilated words from many different languages. Specifically, other languages have enriched and contributed the words to English. Latin, French and German are three of the most important words that were adopted into English.

Anglo-Saxon or more commonly known as Old English, was a language brought to Britain by Germanic Tribes of the Saxons, Jutes and the Angles in the 5th century AD. These invaders were said to name the England as “the land of the Angles” and simultaneously furnished the English with many common basic terms or terminology. Anglo-Saxon appeared as the first form of English which was spoken between the mid 5th century and mid 12th century. Some of the Old English are still spoken until today. The most used words came from Old English include to, should, not, from, but, father, and, fight, will, sky, ill, same, skirt, kid, law, knife, lift, raft, ransack, sale, rug, root, bag, birth, anger, both, cake, drag, wing, club, gear, want, tight, trust, ugly, wicker, get, hit, husband, call, dirt, take, leg, sly, snare, wise, wrong, they, though, till, weak, and love.

Oxford English Dictionary published in 2006 is packed with approximately 600,000 words from the Old English. Many words of the Old English are particularly notable in the works of Shakespeare. The early copy of Bede’s book which is now preserved in a library in Leningrad has the poem written in a version of Anglo-Saxon. Other good source of the Old English appeared in parts of the tale of Beowulf as: Hwat! wç Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagum, [What! We [of] Gar-Danes(lit. spear-danes) in yore-days,].

Old Norse (the ancient language of North Germanic) came into English during the 9th and 10th century, when the invaders came from Scandinavia occupied the eastern part of England. Old Norse which has a close relationship to Anglo-Saxon appears in many daily words and conversations in Modern English. Many place-names end in-by particularly found in England are originated from these invaders’ word for village. I also recommend the book written by Mary S.Serjeantson (1961, Barnes & Noble, NY) entitled “A history of foreign words in English” as it gives a lot of insight of Old Norse origin words that are no longer existed in Modern English.

The vocabulary of Modern English also shows the derivation of the earliest English like the words of bread, good, and shower. English pronouns of “them” and “they”, which are of Scandinavian origin, are another evidence of Scandinavian influence on English. Words that were adopted from Scandinavian settlers into Modern English include take, egg, root, window, birth, sky, trust, skirt, disk, and many more.

In 1066, Normans conquered Britain and made French as the official language. Shortly before the Norman Conquest, the French word such as castle was taken into English. Indeed, French language has an obvious influenced in morphological property of English. English was said to flood with many French loan-words (borrowed words) during the later middle Ages. Oxford English Dictionary accommodates with many French origin load-words and here are some of the examples:

cartouche, brigade, platoon, mêlée, envoy, and aide-de-camp, casserole, croquette, ragout, hors d’ oeuvre, liqueur, mon cher, voyag’d, Bete, honete, home, bien tourney, obligeant, charmant, ravissant, vaudeveille, dénouement, précis, brochure, critique, belles letters, connoisseur

In Modern English, approximately 10,000 French origin words, in which three-fourths of them are still in use today, particularly for the words which describe legal system, literature, government affairs, law, art as well as terms associated with cooking. “Parliament”, and “bureaucracy” are two common French words that are used in the government while the words that describe foods such as “mutton” or “bacon” are used extensively in most of the menu of the restaurants.

After the Norman Conquest for nearly hundreds of years, Modern English has a plethora of French words and phrases which clearly indicate that English was literally dominated by French. Here are some examples I found that are still used until today.

• Nom de plume: a pseudonym used by a writer: pen name
• De rigueur: required by the current fashion or custom; socially obligatory
• Je ne sais quoi: a quality or attribute that is difficult to describe or express
• Tour de force: a particularly adroit maneuver or technique in handling a difficult situation
• Bon voyage: used to express farewell and good wishes to a departing traveler
• Demitasse: a small cup of strong black coffee or espresso
• Enfant terrible: an outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things
• Hors de combat: out of the fight; disabled; no longer able to fight
• Faux pas: a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion
• Par excellence: being an example of excellence; superior; preeminent
• Savoir faire: knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact
• Carte blanche: the complete freedom to act as one thinks best
• Adieu: a farewell; good wishes at parting
• Chef d’oeuvre: masterpiece
• Comme il faut: the proper way
• Crêpe de Chine: type of silk
• Cul-de-sac: dead-end street
• En banc: the entire membership of a court is in session (legal)
• En route: on the way
• Fiancé: man
• Fiancée: woman
• Hors de combat: out of action
• Mal de mer: seasickness
• Pied-à-terre: a temporary or secondary place of residence
• Protégé: someone whose training is sponsored by an influential person
• Soigné: sophisticated, elegant, fashionable
• Soupçon: hint
• Tour de force: something which takes a great deal of strength or skill to accomplish
• Voir dire: jury selection
• Peau de soie: soft, silky fabric with a dull finish
• Pas de deux: dance with two people

English adopted words from Latin at the end of the 6th century, at a time when a group of monks came from Rome in the name of missionaries to reinforce the Christianity in Britain. Latin words that were taken into English at this moment were associated with learning and religion. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that English acquired some enrichment of the words of Latin Christianity like bishop and priest.

Latin language, a so-called dead language has left a great impact in Modern English particularly dealing with the legitimate affair. Some of the prefixes and suffixes of Latin origin words are kept alive by the legal profession. When researching through piles of lawful and legal documents, I came to realize to its existence in Modern English. Here are some examples with their respective meanings.

• Ad hoc: made or arrange for a particular purpose only
• Ad infinitum: without limit; forever
• A priori: relied on theory instead of the observation
• Caveat emptor: the principle that the buyer is responsible for checking the quality of goods that he or she buys
• De facto: Something generally accepted or agreed to without any formal decision in its favor; in fact; in reality
• Ecce homo: a depiction of Jesus wearing the crown of thorns; behold the man
• Et cetera: unspecified things of the same class; and so forth.
• Ergo: therefore; usually used to show a logical conclusion
• In absentia: while or although not present; in absence
• In memoriam: In memory of; as a memorial to
  Ad interim: in the meantime
• Carpe diem: seize the day; enjoy the present, as opposed to placing all hope in the future
• Ex cathedra: with the authority derived from one’s office or position
• Inter alia: among other things
• Modus operandi: mode of operating or working
• Ne plus ultra: the highest point; the most intense degree of a quality or state
• Per se: by, of, for, or in itself; intrinsically
• Per capita: by or for each individual person
• Persona non grata: a person who is not welcome; a diplomatic representative unacceptable to an accrediting government
• Post mortem: a medical examination of a dead body in order to find out the cause of death
• Pro rata: in proportion; according to a certain rate
• Quod vide (q.v.): what will be seen
• Sic: so; thus: usually written parenthetically to denote that a word, phrase, passage, etc.
• Sui generis: being the only example of its kind; unique
• In loco parentis: in the place or role of a parent