Knowing root words can help you understand and communicate better. This article will discuss the importance of root words and lists of some basic root words.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Root Words in Language

Root words are the basic parts of language that give meaning to complex words. They are the simplest form of a word without added parts, like “act” in “action.” Knowing root words improves communication skills and helps us understand vocabulary better. This knowledge helps us appreciate how language has evolved and how it relates to itself.

The Importance of Root Words

Root words are key to language and help us understand new words and their meanings. When we recognize roots like “spect,” we appreciate language more. This knowledge encourages us to be creative with words and create different forms that express subtle meanings. As digital communication increases, using root words can bring back clarity, improving our understanding of the world.

How Root Words Form New Words

By adding prefixes and suffixes, we can change root words into different parts of speech, like nouns and verbs. For example, “act” can turn into “action,” “active,” or “react.” This helps us expand our vocabulary and express complex ideas.

When we understand how words are formed, we can figure out unfamiliar terms by recognizing their roots. For instance, “tele” means “far,” which helps us understand words like “telephone.” This knowledge makes us appreciate how language works, combining creativity with rules.

Common Root Words in English

1. act(to do, to act)

Prefix: action, actor,, active

Suffix: react

2. aud(to hear)

Prefix: audio, audience, audition, audible

3. bene(good, well)

Prefix: benefit, benevolent, beneficial

4. bio(life)

Prefix: biology, biography, biosphere

5. dict(to say, to speak)

Prefix: dictate, dictionary,

Suffix: predict, contradict

6. duc / duct(to lead)

Suffix: conduct, introduce, educate, reduce

7. form(shape)

Suffix: uniform, transform, reform, deform

8. graph(to write)

Suffix: autograph, photograph, graphic, biography

9. ject(to throw)

Suffix: reject, inject, project, eject

10. log / logy(word, study of)

Prefix: logic

Suffix: biology, geology, catalog

11. man / manu(hand)

Prefix: manual, manufacture, manuscript, manipulate

12. mit / miss(to send)

Suffix: transmit, dismiss, mission, submit

13. path(feeling, disease)

Prefix: sympathy, empathy, apathy

Suffix: pathology

14. phil(love)

Prefix: philosophy, philanthropy,

Suffix: bibliophile

15. phon(sound)

Suffix: telephone, microphone, symphony

Prefix: phonics

16. port( to carry)

Suffix: transport, export, import,

Prefix: portable

17. rupt(to break)

Suffix: interrupt, erupt, corrupt

Prefix: rupture

18. scrib / script(to write)

Suffix: describe, manuscript, prescription,

Prefix: scripture

19. spec / spect(to see)

Suffix: inspect, respect

Prefix: spectacle, spectator

20. struct(to build)

Suffix: construct, destruction, instruct

Prefix: structure

Root Words in Daily Speech

1. tele(far, distant)

Example: Telephone, television

2. auto(self)

Example: Autograph, automatic

3. port(carry)

Example: Airport, portable

4. form(shape)

Example: Uniform, information

5. dict(speak, say)

Example: Dictate, dictionary

6. vid / vis(see)

Example: Video, visit

7. scrib / script(write)

Example: Subscribe, script

8. phon(sound)

Example: Phone, microphone

9. graph(write, draw)

Example: Photograph, graphics

10. cred(believe)

Example: Credit, incredible

11. rupt(break)

Example: Interrupt, erupt

12. mit / miss(send)

Example: Submit, dismiss

13. man / manu(hand)

Example: Manual, manufacture

14. act(do)

Example: Actor, react

15. spec / spect(see)

Example: Respect, inspect

16. struct(build)

Example: Construct, structure

17. log / logy(word, study)

Example: Logic, biology

18. therm(heat)

Example: Thermometer, thermal

19. bene(good)

Example: Benefit, benevolent

20. fin(end, limit)

Example: Finish, final

Teaching Root Words to Children

Here are 20 child-friendly root words with meanings to help teach children how root words appear in everyday language.

1. act(do)

Examples: act, action, active

2. play(fun, amusement)

Examples: play, player, playful

3. read(to read)

Examples: read, reader, reread

4. write(to write)

Examples: write, writer, rewrite

5. look(to see)

Examples: look, looking, outlook

6. help(to assist)

Examples: help, helper, helpful

7. move(to go or change place)

Examples: move, movement, mover

8. draw(to make pictures)

Examples: draw, drawing, drawer

9. run(to move fast)

Examples: run, runner, running

10. sing(to make music with your voice)

Examples: sing, singer, singing

11. jump(to push off the ground)

Examples: jump, jumper, jumping

12. paint(to color)

Examples: paint, painter, painting

13. cook(to prepare food)

Examples: cook, cooker, cooking

14. clean(to make tidy)

Examples: clean, cleaner, cleaning

15. light(brightness)

Examples: light, lighter, lighten

16. talk(to speak)

Examples: talk, talker, talking

17. walk(to move on foot)

Examples: walk, walker, walking

18. think(to use your brain)

Examples: think, thinker, thinking

19. laugh(to show joy)

Examples: laugh, laughing, laughter

20. love(to care deeply)

Examples: love, loving, lovely