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American Cultural Association, Beylikdüzü, İstanbul
Comp. By Max Sean, Instructor - TOEFL
Fall 2015
TOEFL Grammar Exercises
Exercise #1
Directions: The questions here test your knowledge of English grammar. Each question consists of a short written conversation, part of which has been omitted.Four words or phrases, labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, are given below the conversation.Choose the word or phrase that will correctly complete the conversation.Click on the answer you think is correct.
1. What year did you _____ university?graduategraduate fromgraduatinggraduating from
2. It seems to be getting worse. You had better _____ a specialist.consultconsult toconsult withconsult by
3. Chicago is a large city, _____?aren't itdoesn't itwon't itisn't it
4. Don't leave your books near the open fire. They might easily _____.catch to firecatch the firecatch on firecatch with fire
5. Do you enjoy _____?to swimswimmingswimto swimming
6. I have trouble _____.to remember my passwordto remembering my passwordremember my passwordremembering my password
7. Do you have _____ to do today? We could have a long lunch if not.many workmuch workmany worksmuch works
8. My brother will _____ for a few nights.provide us upprovide us input us upput us in
9. When will the meeting _____?hold onhold placetake ontake place
10. The board meeting was held _____.at Tuesdayon Tuesdaywith Tuesdayin Tuesday
11. Why don't you _____ us?go to the house party withgo together the house party withgo the house party withtogether the house party with
12. That awful accident occurred _____.before three weeksthree weeks beforethree weeks agothree weeks past
13. They didn't _____ John's plan?agree withagree toagreeagree about
14. The social worker _____ the two old sisters who were ill.
called to the house ofcalled on the house ofcalled tocalled on
15. Tomorrow is Paul's birthday. Let's _____ it.celebratepraisehonorcongratulate
16. If you don't understand the text, don't hesitate _____.ask a questionasking a questionto ask a questionto asking a question
17. It's snowing. Would you like to _____ on Saturday or Sunday?skiinggo to skigo skiinggo ski
18. Our company didn't pay _____ for that banner advertisement.much fundsmany fundsmany moneymuch money
19. Do you feel like _____ now?swimmingto swimswimto go swimming
20. Tom was thrilled to be _____ such a beautiful and interesting lady.introducedintroduced atintroduced withintroduced to
21. "What happened to them last night? They look depressed" "I don't think _____ happened."nothingeverythingsomethinganything
22. "It is not very cold. I don't think we need these big jackets." "I don't think so, _____."anywayneithereithertoo
23. "Bill is not doing well in class." "You must _____, that he is just a beginner at this level."keep mindingkeep to mindkeep in mindkeeping in mind
24. "Excuse me. Do you know where the bus terminal is?" "It is _____ the large police station."oppositeopposed toopposite withopposite to
25. "Those students will perform the annual school play." "Yes, it is _____ for next week."duescheduledtime-tabledput on
Exercise #2
Directions: The questions here test your knowledge of English grammar. Each question consists of a short written conversation, part of which has been omitted.Four words or phrases, labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4, are given below the conversation. Choose the word or phrase that will correctly complete the conversation. Click on the answer you think is correct.
1. "You are welcome to order the goods now.""But payment should be made _____."for advanceadvancingin advanceto advance
2. "Where do you live now?""I live in Utah; my _____."parents too doparents doparents do, tooparents also do
3. I cannot understand my neighbour's accent. I wish she would _____.speak clearerclearer speakmore clearly speakspeak more clearly
4. "Why are you driving so fast?""I'm _____."must be hurryin hurryin a hurryhurrying
5. I have your music CD. I think I _____ your concert video.also havehave tootoo havehave further
6. I hear you have started a new job. _____ like it?How do youHowWhat youWhat do you
7. I really have to go now. I have _____ the doctor.appointments to
an appointment toappointment withan appointment with
8. I can meet you at Central Station. Will _____?convenient for youthat convenientthat be convenientyou be convenient
9. I don't have any results for you today. I _____ tomorrow.have anymay have anyhave somemay have some
10. I would rather _____ a quiet cup of coffee in the office than sit in a noisy cafe.haveto havepreferprefer to have
11. "Where _____ last weekend?""I went to see my aunt and uncle."are you godo you gohave you wentdid you go
12. I was very surprised _____ that she didn't pass the exam."hearingto hearingat hearingto hear
13. "Why _____ she isn't speaking to us?""We must have done something that upset her. She is just too sensitive."are you thinkare you imaginedo you thinkyou think
14. I hope that this winter won't be _____ last."as cold asso cold asas cold likeso cold like
15. Sorry to be late. I was delayed by _____."
a heavy trafficheavy trafficsome heavy traffictraffic being heavy
16. The sky is getting dark. It _____ rain is on its way.lookslooks likeseems towill be
17. Would you do me a small favour? I _____ very much.appreciate itwould appreciatewould be appreciativewould appreciate it
18. I am familiar with that product. I don't know _____ times I've seen it advertised on TV.how manyhow oftenhow muchmany often
19. "When _____ leaving for Toronto, Canada?""We are planning to set out at 10 o'clock."are wewill wewill usare us
20. I asked Robert when he could fix my leaking tap. He said that he would come round and fix it _____.as much as possibleas possible as he couldas fast as he could possiblyas soon as possible
21. "Do you know _____ that building is?""I would say that it is was built at least 100 years ago."oldhow agehow oldwhich age
22. The man told us that the next train would arrive _____.at three thirtyat three thirty o'clockin three thirtyin three thirty o'clock
23. "How _____ a crowd had gathered at the scene of the accident?""I don't know exactly, but there were a lot of shocked onlookers."largeoftenmanymuch
24. That is the city _____ worst crime record.on thein thewith thefor the
25. "Where should I put this key?""You can _____ it on the shelf?"hangdepositsitput
Upper Intermediate Vocabulary - TOEFL Test Practice
Meaning of Words
Below is a list of words that often appear on theTOEFL test. The underlined sections of a word provide links to definitions of that word's respective roots, prefixes and suffixes. Sentences are provided as examples of word usage.
A
act, ag
react (verb): to act in response to somethingo re + acto How did he react when he heard the news?
agent (noun): something which acts or acts upon something else
ag + ent
o The travel agent helped her purchase the tickets.
active (adjective): involving movement, moving abouto act + iveo Joan is an active child.
agitate (verb): to excite, to disturb, to stir upo agit + ateo The washing machine agitates the load of laundry.
aud, audit, aur
audible ( adjective): can be heardo aud + ibleo Your voice is barely audible over the sound of the train whistle.
auditorium (noun): a place where one goes to hear somethingo audit+ oriumo The band played in the school auditorium
auricularo aur + ic + ul + aro The auricular ability of the cat is well-known.
am, ami
amorous (adjective): lovingo amor + ouso The actor played an amorous role.
amiable (adjective) friendly, agreeableo ami + ableo He seems to be an amiable man.
amicable (adjective): friendlyo amic + ableo The two neighbors came to an amicable decision about the fence.
anim
animal (noun): a living creatureo anim + alo A dog is an animal.
animate (verb): to give spirit or support, to supply movemento anim + ateo The artist animated the cartoon.
animosity (noun): hostility, ill willo animos + ityo There isn't any animosity between us.
ann, annu, enni
annals (noun): record of events, historical recordso ann + al + so The annals of the organization are kept in notebooks.
annual (adjective): yearlyo annu + alo She is planning on going to the company's annual meeting.
annuity (noun): money payable yearlyo annu + ityo Joan is going to invest her annuity in the stock market.
anniversary (noun): the yearly celebration of an evento anni + vers + aryo John's parents will celebrate their wedding anniversary in April.
perrenial (adjective): enduring, persisting for several yearso per + enn + ialo I would like to buy some perrenial plants.
auc, aug, aut
author (noun): one that originates or creates, a writero auth + oro Susan met the author of this book.
augment (verb): to increase, to add too aug + mento He had to augment his salary by taking another job.
auction (noun): a sale of goods to the highest biddero auct + ion
o I bought this car at the auction.
B
bene
benevolent (adjective): marked by goodwillo bene + vol + ento The "Salvation Army" is known as a benevolent society for its acts of charity.
benign (adjective): harmless, mild, gentleo ben + igno The doctor removed a benign tumor from my neck and I went home the same day.
biblio
bibliography (noun): a list of written workso biblio + graph + yo Olaf listed a brief bibliography at the end of his paper.
bio, bi
biology (noun): the study of lifeo bio + log + yo In biology class the students learned about how the human body works.
brev
brief (adjective): shorto briefo Anand gave a brief lecture on the rain forest.
abbreviate (verb): to shorteno ab + brevi + ateo How does one abbreviate the word "Minnesota"?
brevity (noun): short or concise expressiono brev + ityo The politician gave short speeches and he became known for his brevity.
C
cad, cap, cas, ceiv, cept, cid
deceive (verb): to cause or allow someone to believe something is true when it is actually false; to mislead
o de + ceiveo The criminal deceived many people into believing she was honest.
capable (adjective): having the ability to do something; having the traits necessary to perform some action
o cap + able
o Jose is a very capable lawyer.
capacious (adective): containing a great dealo capac + iouso You have a capacious library with many unusual books.
captive (noun, adjective): a person held against his or her own will; held prisonero cap+ tiveo The captives were taken to the jail.o Geoff had a captive audience.
accident (noun): an unplanned evento ac + cid + ento Don't get upset about minor accidents and errors.
capture (verb): to gain control of, to gain by efforto capt + ureo In the game of chess, the object is to capture the king.
occasion (noun): an opportunity; a happening, instance or celebrationo oc + cas + iono Did you have an occasion to speak with your professor?
receive (verb): to take in, to acquireo re + ceiveo Imelda received many letters in the mail today.
concept (noun): an ideao con + cepto The concept of using computers in the classroom is relatively new.
ceas, cede, ceed, cess
predecessor (noun): a person who has previously occupied a position that another has taken overo pre + de + cess + oro I hope I can live up to my predecessor's reputation.
succeed (verb): to follow after another, to do wello suc + ceedo To succeed as a student, one must study.
recede (verb): to move back, to withdrawo re + cedeo The water receded five days after the flood.
concede (verb): to accept as true, to yield, to allowo con + cedeo I conceded to her point of view.
exceed (verb): to go beyond a limit, to be greater thano ex + ceed
o The driver exceeded the speed limit by ten miles an hour.
recess (noun): an indentation, a temporary breako re + cesso The children were given a recess from the lessons.
deceased (adjective): deado de + ceas + edo The deceased person will be cremated rather than buried.
chron
chronic (adjective): marked by a long period of time, recurrenceo chron + ico Gabrielle has a chronic back disorder and cannot lift heavy objects.
chronicle (noun): a historical account arranged in order of timeo chron + icleo The teacher asked us to read a chronicle on the Revolutionary War.
chronological (adjective): arranged in order of timeo chrono + log + icalo The text book listed the presidents in chronological order.
clam, claim
acclaim (verb): praiseo ac + claimo The restaurant is acclaimed for its desserts.
exclaim (verb): to speak loudly, to cry out in surpriseo ex + claimo The children exclaimed "hurray" when they heard there would be no classes tomorrow.
clamor (noun, verb): n. noise, v. to make noiseo clam + oro The children clamored for more ice cream.
proclaim (verb): to declare loudlyo pro + claimo The president of the university proclaimed March 21 to be a holiday in honor of the school's
award winning faculty.
cogn, gnos
cognizant (adjective): awareo cogniz + anto The man was cognizant of the danger of walking through the park at night.
diagnose (verb): to recognize (diseases) by symptomso dia + gnoseo The patient was diagnosed with Lyme's disease.
agnostic (noun): one who believes that any ultimate reality is unknowableo ag + gnost + ico John is unsure of the reality of god and considers himself to be an agnostic.
recognize (verb): to know, to identifyo re + cogn + izeo I thought I recognized your face from somewhere.
corp
corpse (noun): a dead bodyo corpseo A corpse was found floating in the river.
corpulent (adjective): having a large bodyo corp + ul + ento The corpulent politician jabbed a fat finger in the air.
incorporate (verb): to unite into one beingo in + corp + or + ateo The artist incorporated paint, photographs, and fabric into her artwork.
corporate (adjective): formed into a body or association, united in one groupo corp + or + ateo The corporate structure allowed many people to work as a group.
cre, cresc, cret
crescent (noun, adjective): a narrow curved shape; a quarter moon or smallero cresc + ento The crescent moon could be glimpsed through the clouds.
create (verb): to originate, to produce through imaginationo cre + ateo The musician created a new musical arrangement.
accretion (verb): growth by gradual additiono ac + cret + iono The accretion of dirt on windows is sometimes hard to detect.
increase (verb): to grow in size or amounto in + crease Alfonse wishes he could find a way to increase his salary.
cred
credible (adjective): can be believed, reasonableo cred + ibleo The witness gave a credible account of the accident.
credulous (adjective): too ready to believeo cred + ul + ouso The credulous child believed the story about flying horses.
incredible (adjective): unbelievable, amazingo in + cred + ibleo Makiko said she just saw an incredible horror movie.
cour, cur, curr, curs
excursion (noun): a tripo ex + curs + iono The father planned an excursion to the zoo for his children.
discourse (noun, verb): a conversation, to talko dis + courseo The discourse between the speaker and the audience was informal.
courier (noun): a messengero couri + ero The courier gave the message to the secretary.
course (noun, verb): forward movement, movement from point to point; to run along a patho courseo Blood courses through your veins with every beat of your heart.
occur (verb): to happen, to come to mindo oc + curo It just occurred to me that tomorrow is your birthday.
current (adjective, noun): happening now, up to date; the movement of watero curr + ento Is this information current or out of date?
D
dic, dict, dit
dictionary (noun): a book of definitionso dict + ion + aryo Juliana looked up the word in the dictionary.
condition (noun): the state of something or someoneo con + dit + ion
o Is your car in good condition?
indicate (verb): to show, to point outo in + dic + ateo The gas gauge indicates that we are almost out of gas.
dictate (verb): to speak for a person to record, to issue an ordero dict + ateo The lawyer dictated the letter to her secretary.
predict (verb): to say what will happen in the futureo pre + dicto Joseph predicts that he will get married in ten years.
addict (verb): to be devoted to something in an obsessive mannero ad + dicto Leslie is addicted to betting on the horse races.
doc, doct
doctor (noun): a person who has received the highest degree a university offers, a physiciano doct + oro Andre is going to medical school so that he can be a doctor like his mother.
doctrine (noun): something that is taught, dogmao doctr + ineo We learned about the doctrine of "manifest destiny" in our American history class.
docile (adjective): obedient, easily taughto doc + ileo Mrs. Galindez wants to buy a docile dog for her son.
document (noun): an official papero docu + mento The library houses many government documents in its collection.
dog, dox
orthodox (adjective): holding conventional beliefso ortho + doxo I don't know if my interpretation of that book is orthodox or not.
dogma (noun): an established opiniono dog + mao Some people find the dogma associated with that organization disturbing.
paradox (noun): a statement that seems to contradict itself but contains some trutho para + doxo The paradox of the matter is that I want to see the opera but I also want to stay home.
dec, dign
decorate (verb): to make something look attractive or suitableo dec + or + ateo Linda decorated her apartment with paintings and plants.
decent (adjective): conforming to standards, good, kindo dec + ento This magazine contains a decent article on home improvement.
dignity (noun): quality of being worthy, noble, honoredo dign + ityo I haven't yet had the dignity and honor of being grand marshall of the parade.
duc, duct
conduct (verb, noun): v. to lead or guide, n. a person's behavioro con + ducto Jared was conducted into the doctor's office by the nurse.o Arnelle's conduct was inexcusable and she should apologize to the class.
educate (verb): to train, to provide schooling foro e + duc + ateo The school tries to educate its students to be productive members of society.
induct (verb): to install in office or to enroll in military serviceo in + ducto Mindy was inducted into the army last month.
deduct (verb): to subtracto de + ducto The salesperson deducted five dollars off the purchase price of the radio.
deduce (verb): to make a decision or draw a conclusion by reasoningo de + duceo I deduced from the trail of crumbs and the empty milk carton that the children were home.
produce (verb, noun): to bring forward, to make to bear or yield; something made or growno pro + duceo The lawyer produced new evidence at the trial.o The produce from the farm will go to the market next week.
seduce (verb): to persuade (especially into doing something wrong), to tempto se + duceo Money and power have been known to seduce many honest people.
induce (verb): to persuade, cause, or bring about by artificial means.o in + duceo If a child swallows poison, it is suggested that vomiting should be induced.
E
ev, et
eternal (adjective): not effected by time, without beginning or end, ceaselesso etern + alo The lecture seemed eternal and many in the audience had fallen asleep.
medieval (adjective): relating to the Middle Ages (500 - 1500 AD)o med + ievalo There are many styles to medieval architecture and a building built in 500 AD looks different
from one built in 1000 AD.
F
fict, feign, fain
faint (adjective, verb): indistinct, not clearly perceived, weak; to lose consciousness from lack of blood to the brain
o fainto There is a faint odor of apples in this room.o Some people faint at the sight of blood.
feign (verb): to pretendo feigno The child feigned illness in an attempt to avoid the test.
fiction (noun): something produce from imagination, an invented storyo fict + iono The excuse Marvin just gave for not doing his homework is pure fiction.
fig
effigy (noun): a figure representing a disliked person.o e f + fig + yo The children made an effigy of their nasty neighbor.
figure (noun): shape, pattern, drawingo fig + ureo The figure Louise drew on the paper looks nothing like an apple.
figment (noun): a thing that does not exist, something made upo fig + mento Ghosts and monsters are figments of an active imagination.
fac, fact, fec, fic, fas, fea
fashion (noun, verb): the form of something, style; to give shape or form too fash + iono The current fashion is hair worn short.
feasible (adjective): capable of being doneo feas + ibleo The engineer thought that building the bridge across the river was a feasible project.
feature (noun, verb): the appearance or form of a person or object; to picture or portrayo feat + ureo Lisette's best feature is her eyes.
factory (noun): a place where things are made or builto fact + oryo There is a boat factory near the river.
difficult (adjective): hard to do, troublesome, hard to understando di + fic + ulto The test was difficult and I answered only eight of the ten questions.
fact (noun): something known to be trueo facto It's a fact that the world is round.
effect (noun): a change caused by something, a result, influenceo e + fecto The sun's effect on human skin is known to be harmful.
fer
fertile (adjective): productive, bearing or capable of bearing fruit in large quantitieso fert + ileo The land by the river is quite fertile and many crops are grown there.
refer (verb): to classify within a general category, to send or direct to another sourceo re + fero The patient was referred to a physical therapist for additional treatment.
infer (verb): to come to a conclusion from facts or ideas, to guesso in + fero Sometimes a reader has to infer from the facts presented in an article what the main idea is
about.
fid
diffident (adjective): hesitant in acting, shyo dif + fid + ent
o The diffident student would not speak in front of the class.
fidelity (noun): the quality of being faithful, accuracyo fid + el + ityo The fidelity of this video reproduction is quite good.
confide (verb): to trust, to trust another person with a secreto con + fideo Joan confided in her friend and told her a secret.
flu, fluct, flux
fluent (adjective): capable of moving with ease, able to speak another languageo flu + ento The dancer had a fluent body.o Juanita is fluent in several languages.
superfluous (adjective): extra, more than is neededo super + flu + ouso Three cherries on my piece of cake is superfluous; I only needed one.
influence (verb, noun): to have an effect on something; the ability to affect something indirectlyo in + flu + enceo It was John's success as a musician that influenced my decision to take guitar lessons.
fluid (adjective): capable of flowing, a smooth style, liquido flu + ido The ink my new pen is quite fluid and flows evenly across the page.
fluctuate (verb): to shift back and forth, to move erraticallyo fluctu + ateo My body temperature has been fluctuating all day -- sometimes I'm hot and sometimes I'm
cold.
form
format (noun): the shape and size of something, the arrangement of somethingo form + ato The format of this class will be half lecture and half class participation.
formulate (verb): to prepare from a set of steps (formula), to deviseo form + ul + ateo The chemist formulated a new way of making dish detergent.
fract, frag, frai
fracture (verb, noun): to break, to crack; a broken boneo fract + ure Miguel fractured arm his while skiing.
fragment (noun): a piece broken off, a part of somethingo frag + mento It bothers me that I can remember only a fragment of the poem rather than the whole piece.
frail (adjective): easily broken, not strongo frailo Be careful! That chair is frail
G
gen, gin
generally (adverb): in a general manner, usually, with regard to the whole not specificso gen + er + al + lyo Generally, Lance leaves work at 5:00 p.m.
gingerly (adverb, adjective): carefulo gin + ger + lyo Paulette picked up the antique vase gingerly and placed it on the shelf.
indigenous (adjective): native, having been born in a specific area or environmento in + di + gen + ouso The tomato plant is indigenous to South America.
ge
geography (noun): a science that describes the earth's surfaceo geo + graph + yo The geography of New York varies from the sandy shores to rocky mountains.
gor
categorize (verb): to place things in classes or sets, to classifyo cate + gor + izeo The professor asked her students to categorize the plants they found.
grad, gress, gree
grade (noun): a stage in a process, a mark indicating qualityo gradeo Ali hopes to receive a passing grade on his midterm exam.
progress (verb, noun): to move forward; forward movemento pro + gresso Mina progressed to the next level in her French language program.
o There hasn't been much progress made in getting the house built -- only the frame is up.
degree (noun): a step or stage in a process, a rank, a level of intensityo de + greeo There is a high degree of stress associated with being a police officer.
graph, graf
graphic (adjective): written, drawn, vividly showno graph + ico Dominic is planning to study graphic art.
graffitti (noun): drawings or writing on a wallo graph + ittio Many people find the graffitti on the subway trains disturbing.
H
her, hes
adhere (verb): to sticko ad + hereo Paper often adheres to wet surfaces.
hesitate (verb): to hold back a decision, to wavero hesit + ateo Don't hesitate to call me if you need help.
J
jac, ject, jet
adjacent (adjective): to lie next too ad + jac + ento You won't have a long walk between classes because the engineering building is adjacent to
the chemistry laboratories.
jettison (verb): to throw away, to cast offo jett + isono The captain of the sinking ship jettisoned the cargo.
reject (verb): to throw out, unwilling to accepto re + jecto David was rejected by two schools before he found a school that accepted him.
jug, junct, just
adjust (verb): to change or adapt to fit or match somethingo ad + justo Jared has to adjust to his new work schedule.
conjugal (adjective): of marriage, marital relationshipo con + jug + alo One should think seriously before entering a conjugal relationship.
junction (noun): the place at which two things joino junct + iono Deborah's house is at the junction of Hill and Maple streets.
L
lex, leg
college (noun): a school for higher learning, a group of people having a common purposeo col + legeo Yolanda is going to college to become a lawyer.
legal (adjective, noun): based on law; conforms to lawo leg + alo Jared is working as a legal secretary for two lawyers in New Yorko Is it legal to own fireworks in Massachusetts or is there a law against them?
league (noun): a group of people, an associationo leag + ueo There are fifty people participating in the bowling league.
lect
collect (verb): to gather, to bring togethero col + lecto The little girl collected wildflowers for her mother.
legible (noun): readible, clear enough to reado leg + ibleo His handwriting is quite legible.
eligible (adjective): qualified, worthy to be choseno e + lig + ibleo Now that Geoffrey is eighteen he is eligible to vote.
loc
locally (adverb): nearby, relative to a certain areao loc + al + lyo The vegetables are grown locally.
log
logic (noun): the study of reasono log + ico Simone is taking a class in logic and she is learning about how to reason.
luc
translucent (adjective): allowing some light to shine througho trans + luc + ento The sheet of paper is translucent when held close to a lightbulb.
illuminate (verb): to provide with light, to make lighter, to make clearo il + lum + in + ateo The lamp illuminates the room.
illustrate (verb): to explain by using pictorial examples, to show by using visual exampleso il + lustr + ateo Christopher illustrated his idea on piece of paper for everyone to see.
M
man
management (noun): the act of handling or running something, usually a business.o man + age + mento This store is under new management.
mem
commemorate (verb): to remember an important event through ceremony or observationo com + mem + or + ateo The American Revolution is commemorated every Fourth of July.
memory (noun): the ability to recall past eventso mem + or + yo Geanine has an excellent memory and she can recall things that happened years ago.
ment
mental (adjective): related to the mindo ment + alo Lauren's mental abilities must be quite good if she achieved a perfect score without even
studying.
mention (verb): to cite, to speak about, to refer too ment + iono The instructor forgot to mention that the class was cancelled.
min
minor (adjective): lesser, less importanto min + oro The knife slipped and Marcelle received a minor cut.
minute (adjective, noun): tiny, very small; sixty secondso min + uteo Even though the speck of dirt on the camera lens was minute, it ruined the photograph.o Terry will be finished in one minute.
minuscule (adjective): very smallo minusc + uleo The minuscule gem was very hard to see without magnifying glasses.
mit, miss
admit (verb): to accept, to confess, to allow entryo ad + mito I must admit that even though you didn't like the movie I did.
missive (noun): a letter to be sento miss + iveo Missives were more common one hundred years ago. Today, people use the telephone.
mob, mov, mot
remove (verb): to take off or to take awayo re + moveo The waiter removed the dirty dishes from the table.
mobile (adjective): able to moveo mob + ileo Many people drive their mobile homes from North to South, following the warm weather.
motion (noun): act of moving, actiono mot + ion
o Many people find the motion of a rocking chair soothing.
N
nasc, nat, gnant, nai
native (adjective): belonging to a place by birth, indigenouso nat +iveo Turkeys are native to North America.
nascent (adjective): just borno nasc + ento The nascent kittens curled up with their mother.
pregnant (adjective): having a child developing in the womb, "with child"o pre + gn +ento Linda's dog is pregnant and it will have its puppies in November.
naive (adjective): lack of experience, not knowledgeable of the worldo nai + veo When Olivia went to New York ten year's ago she was naive, but now she is a well-seasoned
traveler.
nom
nominate (verb): to name for officeo nomin + ateo Vittorio nominated Mary for class president.
synonym (noun): a word with a similar meaning to another word in the same languageo syn + onymo The word "fair" is a synonym for the word "just."
nov
novelty (noun): something newo novel + tyo After six months the novelty of Pierre's new car is starting to wear off.
novice (noun): a newcomer, a beginner, someone new to somethingo nov + iceo Bjorn is a novice when it comes to playing poker or other card games.
O
oper
operate (verb): to work, to performo oper + ateo People are advised not to operate heavy machinery after drinking alcohol.
opus (noun): a musical compositiono opuso Vivaldi's opus number three is not as well known as is other compositions.
P
pat
patient (adjective, noun): calm, bearing pain without complaint; a person under medical careo pati + ento Josiah was patient as he waited in line for concert tickets.o Amelia has been a patient of Dr. Gustaf's for ten years.
passion (noun): a strong feeling or emotiono pass + iono Barbara has a passion for motorcycle racing.
sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings, the ability to feel for another person's sufferingo sym + path + yo Ching-wei expressed his deepest sympathy when hearing of Mrs. Martin's death.
pathology (noun): the study of diseaseso patho + log + yo Blaise is studying pathology because he wants to learn about diseases.
ped
impede (verb): to hinder, to slow downo im + pedeo The shackles and chains impeded the prisoner's escape.
pedestal (noun): a support for a column or other structure, a base for somethingo pedest + alo Johannes put the vase on a pedestal.
pedestrian (noun): a person walkingo pedestr + iano As soon as the cars stopped, the pedestrians crossed the street.
pod
podium (noun): a platform, an area raised above the surrounding ground, a place at which to speak in front of an audience
o pod + iumo The professor walked up to the podium and spoke into the microphone.
pel
repel (verb): to drive away or push backo re + pelo Does Margo's new jacket repel water?
pulse (noun): the regular action of blood through arterieso pulseo The nurse felt for the patient's pulse in his neck.
pend, pond
suspend (noun): to hang from, to interrupt, to stopo sus + pendo The light was turned on by a string suspended from the light fixture.
ponder (verb): to think about, to weigh in one's mindo pond + ero Levi pondered the possibility of going to medical school.
phan, fan
phantom (noun): something seen but having no physical existence, a ghost.o phan + tomo The children told horror stories about phantoms and ghosts.
fantasy (noun): a creation of the imagination that cannot be real, a daydreamo fantas + yo When Miguel was a child he had a fantasy about being a doctor on the planet Jupiter.
phil
philosopher (noun): a person who seeks (loves) wisdomo philo+ soph + ero Plato wrote about the Greek philosopher Socrates.
phon
phonetic (adjective) relating to speech soundso phonet + ico The phonetic alphabet is useful when studying languages or linguistics.
pict
depict (verb): to portray, to represento de + picto In the movie the character was depicted as evil.
port
import (verb): to bring in from a foreign countryo im + porto Fyodor imports caviar and other products from Russia.
portage (noun) the labor of carrying boats across lando port + ageo Bill said that he had a five mile portage on his last canoe trip.
pli, ply
reply (verb, noun): to respond, to answer; a responseo re + plyo Did Marco reply to Emily's invitation?o Lynn received a negative reply from her parents and she will not be going to the party.
implicate (verb): to involve, to incriminateo im + plic + ateo The thief was implicated in three burglaries.
ply (noun): a layero plyo Two ply tissue paper is stronger than one ply.
pon, pos
position (noun): a place occupied by somethingo posit + iono What position does Ian hold at his mother's company?
postpone (verb): to put off to a later timeo post + poneo The baseball game was postponed because of the storm.
posture (noun) the position of a body
o post + ureo Denise has terrific posture -- her back is straight and strong.
psych
psychology (noun): study of how the mind workso psycho + log + yo Lynette studies psychology because she is interested in how people think and feel.
Q
quir
inquire (verb): to ask abouto in + quireo Debbie inquired about employment opportunities at the factory.
exquisite (adjective): carefully selected, marked by beautyo ex + quis + iteo Everyone noticed the exquisite diamond Toni was wearing.
quest (noun): a search, the act of seekingo questo At four in the morning Quincy went out on a quest for ice cream.
query (verb, noun): to ask questions, a questiono queryo The lawyer queried the witness.o I have a query about the origins of the English language.
R
rupt
corrupt (verb, adjective): to change from good to bado cor + rupto The politician was corrupted by power and money.o The corrupt judge was arrested for accepting a bribe.
rupture (verb): to break or bursto rupt + ureo The water bed ruptured and the water flowed onto the floor.
interrupt (verb): to stop, to break in (usually with questions)o inter + rupt
o It's impolite to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
S
sci
conscious (adjective): aware, having knowledge of oneselfo con + sci + ouso Gerturde was conscious of everything even though she appeared asleep.
science (noun): a system of knowledgeo sci + enceo Claire enjoys science, especially biology.
scrib, scrip
scribble (verb): to write quickly or carelesslyo scribb + leo He scribbled a note in his notebook.
script (noun): handwriting, something writteno scripto Sometimes her script is hard to read.
describe (verb): to say what something is likeo de + scribeo The scientist described his experiment to the class.
sent, sens
sensation (noun): ability to feel due to stimulationo sens + at + iono Jamal felt a tingling sensation in his arm after he hit his elbow on the table.
sentimental (adjective): marked by feeling or emotiono senti + ment +alo Lauren has a sentimental attachment to that quilt because her great grandmother made it.
sequ
sequence (noun): a continuous serieso sequ + enceo The sequence of events were as follows: first we had dinner, then we went to the movies, and
then we went fo ice cream.
consecutive (adjective): following in an unbroken ordero con + secut + iveo Terri was elected team captain three consecutive years in a row.
ensue (verb): to happen afterwardo en + sueo After a disagreement in the restaurant, a fight ensued in the parking lot.
soci
society (noun): community, the relationship among individuals living or working in a common area, companionship
o societ + yo Sometimes what is best for a society is not always good for an individual living in that
society.
sol
solitary (adjective): being aloneo solit + aryo There was a solitary bather on the beach.
isolate (verb): to separate from others, to place something by itselfo i + sol + ateo The sick cat was isolated from the other animals.
solv, solu
solve (verb): to find an answero solveo The professor asked the student to solve the problem and show her answer on the board.
absolute (adjective): complete, unrestricted, perfecto ab + sol + uteo The babysitter has absolute authority over the children while their parents are away.
soluble (adjective): able to disperse in liquido sol + ubleo Sugar is soluble in water.
spec, spi
spectator (noun): a person who watches or observeso spect + at + oro There were over a thousand spectators at the local baseball game.
despise (verb): to hate, tolook down on
o de + spiseo Marguerite despises people who are cruel to animals.
auspicicious (adjective): favorableo au + spicic + iouso The thousand dollar donation made for an auspicious beginning.
espionage (noun): using spies or observerso e + spion + ageo Espionage is often depicted in mystery movies and novels.
spir
respiration (noun): breathingo re + spir + at + iono Respiration becomes increasingly difficult the higher one climbs.
inspire (verb): to stimulate, to fill with a feeling or desireo in + spireo Students are often inspired by their teachers.
stab, stat
stature (noun): height of a body, importance of positiono stat + ureo I'm reluctant to say she was short, but she was of rather small stature.
establish (verb): to found, to start, to make firmo e + stabl + isho Southampton College was established in 1963.
stance (noun): a way of standing, a position, an attitudeo sta + nceo A person's stance is very important in the games of golf and baseball.
strain, strict
restrain (verb): to hold back, to prevent from doingo re + straino The dog was restrained by the trainer's grip on its leash.
constrict (verb): to squeeze, to make narrowo con + stricto Marvin felt constricted by the suit and tie he wore to the meeting.
stringent (adjective): strict, tight, severeo string + ento There are stringent rules and regulations one must follow when operating a child care center.
prestige (noun): respect for a person or a thingo pre + stigeo There is a lot of prestige associated with occupying a political position.
stru, stroy
destroy (verb): to ruin, to pull downo de + stroyo The house was destroyed by the fire.
misconstrue (verb): to interpret, analyse, or understand something incorrectly; misunderstando mis + con + strueo Do not misconstrue his actions to mean he likes you -- being pleasant to customers is part of
his job.
obstruct (verb): to block, prevent, hindero ob + structo The fallen tree obstructed the roadway and blocked traffic for hours.
T
tact, tang
tactilely (adverb): related to the sense of toucho tact + ile + + lyo Some people are tactilely oriented while others are visually oriented.
tangible (adjective): able to be perceived by touch, physically realo tang + ibleo Many people want tangible proof of something before they believe it to be true.
contiguous (adjective): touching, next in a sequenceo con + tig + uouso The United States has forty-eight contiguous states.
contingent (adjective): possible, dependent on something elseo con + ting + ento Armand's move to a new apartment is contingent on his getting a raise.
tend, tens
extensive (adjective): large in area, wideo ex + tens + iveo There are extensive farm fields located in the plain states.
contend (verb): to strive or reach for, to argueo con + tend
o The two fighters contended for the heavy-weight championship title.
tain, ten
retain (verb): to keep, to hold in placeo re + taino Blanche retained her Alaskan residence since she will return there when she is finished with
school.
continue (verb): to keep going, to remaino con + tin + ueo The movie is scheduled to continue until midnight.
content (noun, adjective): something contained, held; satisfiedo con + tento I can't tell what the content of this can is until I open it.
tenacious (adjective): holding or sticking to somethingo ten + ac + iouso Kareem is tenacious and he will stick with a subject until he understands it.
term
exterminate (verb): to kill off, to get rid ofo ex + term + in + ateo The Schaeffer's hired a company to exterminate the cockroaches living in their house.
terminal (adjective): relating to an endo term + in + alo Margot has been diagnosed with a terminal disease and has been given only six months to
live.
terr
territory (noun): area of lando territ + oryo This area is considered to be Canadian territory.
terrain (noun): the physical features of an areao terr + aino There is some very rough terrain in the White Mountain area of New Hampshire.
test
attest (verb): to provide proof, to say something is trueo at + test
o Malcolm can attest to Shiela's honesty since he has known her for ten years.
testify (verb): to make a statement based on personal knowledgeo test ifyo The witness testified at the trial.
therm
thermometer (noun) a device for measuring heato thermo + metero I took my temperature with a thermometer.
thermal (adjective): relating to the presence of heato therm + alo Lisa bought some thermal underwear to take with her when she goes skiing.
tor
torment (noun, verb): agony, pain; to cause recurring paino tor + mento The torment Jean's nightmares caused made him seek professional help.o The guards tormented the prisoners.
torsion (noun): twisting of a body or an organ by an external force along an axiso tors + iono The torsion of the bolt will help release the wheel.
contort (verb): to twist into an abnormal shapeo con + torto The actor contorted her face into an evil grin and scared the audience.
tract, trai
attract (verb): to draw toward, to arouse interesto at + tracto The spilled sugar attracted flies and ants.
train (verb): to teach or to cause to do somethingo traino Yvette trained her dog to perform tricks.
treaty (noun): a formal agreemento treat + yo The rebels and the new government signed a treaty calling for peace.
U
uni
unite (verb) to make one, to join togethero uniteo The two small companies united and became one large business.
unison (noun): at the same time, at the same pitcho uni + sono The two singers sang in unison.
V
vac
vacant (adjective): empty, not occupied, freeo vac + anto The hotel has only one vacant room left.
vacuum (noun): empty space, isolation from outside influenceo vacu + umo Some people seem to live in a vacuum and they have no knowledge of current events.
ven, vent
convene (verb): to assemble, to come togethero con + veneo The meeting convened at 2:00 p.m. and lasted until 5:00 p.m.
invent (verb): to create through thought or imaginationo in + vento Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and other devices.
prevent (verb): to act ahead of, to keep from happeningo pre + vento Lamont prevented a disastrous fire by calling the fire department the moment he smelled
smoke.
ver
verify (verb): to confirm that something is trueo ver + ifyo The police officer verified Arthur's identity by asking for his driver's license.
veracity (noun): truthfulness, accuracyo ver + ac + ity
o Daphne is known for her veracity and honesty.
verb, verv
verbalize (verb): to express in words, to put into wordso verb + al + izeo Sometimes it is difficult to verbalize one's feelings.
verve (noun): enthusiasmo verveo The cheerleaders showed verve and school spirit at the football game.
vers, vert:
versatile (adjective): capable of changing or adapting, usefulo vers + at + ileo When used correctly, a computer can be a versatile tool.
revert (verb): to go back, to return (to an original state)o re + verto The land slowly reverted to a wild state after it was abandoned.
vid, vis
video (noun): television or recorded movieso vid + eoo Patricia rented a video and watched it on her television.
review (verb): to look at again, to re-examineo re + viewo Marsha reviewed for the test by re-reading her class notes.
visible (adjective): able to be seeno vis + ibleo Sometimes the moon is visible during the day.
indivisible (adjective, noun): cannot be separatedo in + di + vis + ibleo The Pledge of Allegiance mentions that the United States is an indivisible nation.
vit, viv
vital (adjective): necessary for lifeo vit + alo The cancer had not yet spread to her vital organs and she was given an excellent chance for a
full recovery.
revive (verb): to return to lifeo re + viveo After spending a day in the sun, I was revived by a glass of water.
voc, voke
vocal (adjective): uttered by the voice, producing soundo voc + alo Parrots are known to be very vocal birds.
revoke (verb): to call back, to withdrawo re + vokeo Karl's license was revoked because he was caught driving 20 miles over the speed limit.
volv, vol
revolve (verb): to turn aroundo re + volveo The earth revolves around the sun.
revolt (verb): to rebel, to turn against, to feel disgusto re + volto It was the peasants who revolted during the French Revolution.o Cooked carrots revolt some people.
evolution (noun): the process by which something developso e + vol + ut + ion
o Darwin and other natural scientists have developed theories of evolution.
Advanced English Vocabulary - Roots
The following is a list of roots for English vocabulary. The list is displayed so that the root with its definition is shown first, then the source of the root (Latin, Greek, etc.) with the source word's definition, and then last is an example of the root as used in a word and the word's definition. The sample words are linked to additional words with the same root.
A
act, ag: do, act, driveo Latin, agere: to drive, lead, act, doo active (adjective): moving about
am, ami: love, likeo Latin, amare: to loveo amorous (adjective): loving
anim: mind, life, spirit, angero Latin, animus: spirito animal (noun): a living creature
annu, enni: yearlyo Latin, annuus: yearlyo annual (adjective): yearly
auc, aug, aut: to originate, to increaseo Latin, augere: to originate, increaseo augment (verb): to increase, to add to
aud, audit, aur: hearo Latin, audire: to hearo audible (adjective): can be heard
B
bene, ben: good, well, gentleo Latin, bene: goodo benign (adjective): harmless, mild, gentle
bio, bi: lifeo Greek, bios: lifeo biography (noun): a book written about a person's life
bibli, biblio: booko Greek, biblion: booko bibliophile (noun): a person who likes or collects books
brev: shorto Latin, brevis: shorto abbreviate (verb): to shorten
C
cad, cap, cas, ceiv, cept, cid: to take, to seize, to holdo Latin, capere: to seizeo receive (verb): to take in, to acquire
ceas, cede, ceed, cess: go, yieldo Latin, cedere: to goo exceed (verb): to go beyond a limit, to be greater than
chron: timeo Greek, khronos: timeo chronological (adjective): arranged in order of time or sequence
clam, claim: shouto Latin, clamare: to call out, shouto clamor (verb): to make noise
cogn, gnos: know to knowo Latin, cognoscere: to knowo recognize (verb): to know, to identify
corp: bodyo Latin, corpus: bodyo corporate (adjective): formed into a body or association, united in one group
cre, cresc, cret: growo Latin, crescere: to growo create (verb): to originate, to produce through imagination
cred: trust, believeo Latin, credere: to believeo incredible (adjective): unbelievable
cour, cur, curr, curs: run, courseo Latin, currere: runo occur (verb): to happen, to come to mind
D
dic, dict, dit: say, speako Latin, dicere: to sayo indicate (verb): to show, to point out
doc, doct: teach, proveo Latin, docere: to teacho docile (adjective): obedient, easily taught
dog, dox: thought, ideao Greek, dokein: seem, thinko dogma (noun): an established opinion
dec, dign: suitable
o Latin, decere: to be suitableo decent (adjective): conforming to standards, suitable, good
duc, duct**: leado Latin, ducere: to draw or leado conduct (verb): to lead or guide
(noun) - a person's behavioro ** ducere is one of the most prolific sources of English words
E
ev, et: time, ageo Latin, aevum: lifetimeo medieval (adjective): related to the Middle Ages (500 - 1500 AD)
F
fac, fact, fec, fic, fas, fea: make do, doo Latin, facere - make, doo difficult (noun): hard to do, troublesome
fer: bear, carryo Latin, ferre: bear, carryo infer (verb): to come to a conclusion from looking at facts, to guess
fict, feign, fain: shape, make, fashiono Latin, fingere: shape, makeo fiction (noun): something produced from imagination, an invented story
fid: belief, faitho Latin, fidere: to trusto confide (verb): to trust, to trust another person with a secret
fig: shape, formo Latin, figura: form, shape, figureo figurem (noun): shape, pattern, drawing
(verb) - decide, plan, decipher
flu, fluct, flux: flowo Latin, fluere: to flowo fluid (adjective): capable of flowing, a smooth easy style
(noun) - a liquid
form: shapeo Latin, forma: beauty, shape, formo format (noun): the shape and size of something
fract, frag, frai: breako Latin, frangere: to breako frail (adjective): easily broken, not strong, weak
G
gen, gin: to give birth, kindo Greek, genus: birtho generate (verb): to produce, to create
geo: eartho Greek, ge: eartho geography (noun): a science that describes the earth's surface
gor: to gather, to bring togethero Greek, ageirin: to gathero category (noun): a class or set in which a thing is placed
grad, gress, gree: step, go, moveo Latin, gradus: stepo degree (noun): a step or stage in a process
graph, graf: write, drawo Greek, graphein: write, scratch, carveo graphic (adjective): written, drawn, vividly shown
H
her, hes: to sticko Latin, haerere: to sticko adhere (verb): to stick
J
jac, ject, jet: to throwo Latin, jacere: to throw, to lieo reject (verb): to throw out, unwilling to accept
jug, junct, just: to joino Latin, jungere: to joino junction (noun): a place at which two things join
L
lex, leag, leg: lawo Latin, lex: lawo legal (adjective): based on law
lect, leg, lig: choose, gather, select, reado Latin, legere: to chooseo collect (verb): to gather, to bring together
loc: place, areao Latin, locare: to place
o location (noun): a place, a position occupied
log: say, speech, word, reason, studyo Greek, logos: speech, word, reasono logic (noun): the study of reason, reasoning
luc, lum, lust: lighto Latin, lucare: shineo Latin, lumen: lighto Latin, lustrare: light-upo translucent (adjective): permitting some light to come through
M
man: hand, make, doo Latin, manus: hando manage (verb): to handle with skill, to be able to do
mem: recall, remembero Latin, memor: mindfulo memory (noun): the ability to recall or to bring to mind
ment: mindo Latin, mens: mindo mental (adjective): related to the mind
min: little, smallo Latin, minuere: to lesseno minor (adjective): less important, lesser
mit, miss: sendo Latin, mittere: put, sendo admit (verb): to accept, to allow entry
mob, mov, mot: moveo Latin, movere: moveo motion (noun): act of moving, action
N
nasc, nat, gnant, nai: to be borno Latin, nasci to be borno nascent (adjective) - just born
nom, nym: nameo Latin, nomen: nameo nominate (verb): to name for office
nov: newo latin, novus: newo novice (noun): a beginner or newcomer
O
oper: worko Latin, opus: worko operate (verb): to work, to perform
P
pat, pass: feel, suffero Latin, pati: suffero passion (noun): a strong feeling or emotion
path: feelo Greek, pathos: feelingo sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings
ped: footo Latin, pes: footo impede (verb): to hinder, to slow down
pod: footo Greek, pous: footo podium (noun): a platform, an area raised above the surrounding ground
pel, puls: drive, pusho Latin, pellere: to drive, push, beato repel (verb): to drive away or push back
pend, pond: to hang, weigho Latin, pendere: to hang, to weigho append (verb): to add or correct
phan, phas, phen, fan, phant, fant: show, make visibleo Greek, phainein: showo phantom (noun): something seen but having no physical existence, a ghost
phil: loveo Greek, philos: lovingo philosopher (noun): a person who seeks (loves) wisdom
phon: soundo Greek, phone: voice, soundo phonetic (adjective): related to speech sounds
pict: paint, show, drawo Latin, pingere: to painto picture (verb): to paint or draw
port: carryo Latin, portare: carryo import (verb): to bring in from a foreign country
pli, ply: foldo Latin, plicare: foldo reply (verb): to respond, to answer
pon, pos: put, placeo Latin, ponere: to lay down, put, placeo postpone (verb): to put off to a later time
psych: mindo Greek, psukhe: soul, spirito psychology (noun): study of how the mind works
Q
quir, quis, quest, quer: seek, asko Latin, quaerere: seek, asko query (verb): to ask questions
R
rupt: breako Latin, rumpere: breako rupture (verb): to break or burst
S
sci, scio: to knowo Latin, scire: to knowo conscious (adjective): aware, having knowledge of oneself
scrib, scrip: writeo Latin, scribere: to writeo script (noun): handwriting, something written
sent, sens: feel, thinko Latin, sentire: feelo sentiment (noun): a thought prompted by feeling
sequ, secut, sue: followo Latin, sequi: to followo sequence (noun): a continuous series
sist: to withstand, make upo Latin, sistere: to make a stando insist (verb): to be firm about something needed, to demand
soci: to join, companionso Latin, sociare, socius: to join, a companiono sociable (adjective): inclined to seek friendship, companionship
sol: alone
o Latin, solus: alone, singleo solitary (adjective): being alone
solv, solu, solut: loosen, explaino Latin, solvere: too loosen, releaseo solve (verb): to find an answer
spec, spi, spic, spect: looko Latin, specere: look, look ato spectator (noun): a person who watches
spir: breath, soulo Latin, spirare: breatheo respiration (noun): breathing
stab, stat: stando Latin, stare: to stando stature (noun) - height of a standing body, importance of position
strain, strict, string, stige: bind, pullo Latin, stringere: to bind or pull tighto constrict (verb) - to squeeze, to make narrow
stru, struct, stroy: buildo Latin, struere: to buildo destroy (verb): to ruin, to pull down
T
tact, tang, tig, ting: toucho Latin, tangere: to toucho tactile (adjective): related to the sense of touch
tele: far awayo Greek, telos: endo telepathy (noun): communication from one mind to another without verbal or written
communication
tend, tens: stretcho Latin, tendere: to stretcho contend (verb): to strive or reach for, to argue
tain, ten, tent, tin: hold, keep, haveo Latin, tenere: to holdo retain (verb): to keep, to hold in place
term: end, boundary, limito Latin, terminusm: limit, boundaryo exterminate (verb): to kill off, to get rid of
terr: eartho Latin, terra: earth
o territory (noun): area of land
test: see, witnesso Latin, testis: witnesso attest (verb): to provide proof, to say something is true
therm: heato Greek, therme: heato thermometer (noun): a device for measuring heat
tor, tors, tort: twisto Latin, torquere: twisto torsion (noun): twisting of the body
tract, trai, treat: pull, drawo Latin, trahere: pullo attract (verb): to draw toward, to arouse interest
U
uni: oneo Latin, unus: oneo unite (verb): to make one, to join together
V
vac: emptyo Latin, vacare: to be emptyo vacant (adjective): empty, not occupied
ven, vent: comeo Latin, venire: to comeo convene (verb): to assemble, to come together
ver: trueo Latin, venus: trueo verify (verb): to confirm that something is true
verb, verv: wordo Latin, verbum: wordo verbalize (verb): to express in words, to put into words
vers, vert: turn,changeo Latin, versare: to turno versatile (adjective): capable of changing or adapting, useful
vid, vie, vis: seeo Latin, videre: to see; Latin, videre: to separateo visible (adjective): able to be seeno divide (verb): to separate
vit, viv: live
o Latin, vivere: to liveo vital (adjective) - necessary for life
voc, voke: callo Latin, vocare: call, voiceo vocal (adjective): spoken or uttered by the voice
volv, volt, vol: roll, turno Latin, volvere: to roll, turn
o revolve (verb): to turn around
Prefixes
Prefixes and suffixes were originally words themselves but they are now groups of letters added to words or to roots to create new words. Prefixes [pre (before) + fix (fasten) = fasten before] are groups of letters placed before words or roots. Prefixes modify or extend the meanings of words and roots. Following is a list of commonly used prefixes and sample vocabulary.
A
a-, ac-, ad-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, as-, at- to, toward, near, in addition to o aside (adverb): to or toward the side
a + side o accompany (verb): to go with someone as a companion
ac + com + pan + y o adjust (verb): to correct, to move closer to a correct position
ad + just o affix (verb): to attach to something, to fasten
af + fix o aggression (noun): hostile behavior towards someone or something
ag + gress + ion o allocate (verb): to distribute to specific people or for specific purposes
al + loc + ate o annihilate (verb): to destroy
an + nihil + ate o associate (verb): to join with
as + soci + ate o attend (verb): to look after, to go to
at + tend
a-, an- not, without o apolitical (adjective): without interest in politics
a + polit + ic + al o anemia (noun): the condition (disease) of not having enough red blood cells
an + em + ia
ab-, abs- away from, off o abrupt (adjective): unexpected change
ab + rupt o absolve (verb): to be set free from one's actions or obligations
ab + solve
ante- before o anterior (adjective): before or near the front
ante + rior
anti- against o antipathy (noun): dislike, opposite feeling
anti + path + y
auto- self o automotive (adjective): related to self-propelled machines
auto + mot + ive
B
bi- two o biped (noun): a two-footed animal
bi + ped o biennial (adjective): happening every two years bi + enni + al
C
cat-, cata-, cath- down, with o category (noun): a class or set to which a thing belongs
cate + gor + y o catalogue (noun): a book or pamphlet that lists and describes
cata + log + ue o catheter (noun): a medical device used to transfer fluids cath +eter
circum- around o circumvent (verb): to manage to get around a situation
circum + vent
co-, cog-, col-, com-, con-, cor together, with o cohesiveness (noun): the ability to stick together
co + hes + ive + ness o cognate (adjective): related, similar in nature
cog + nate o collaborate (verb): to work together
col + lab + or + ate o commitment (noun): to entrust, to put into a place
com + mit + ment o convenient (adjective): handy, nearby
con + veni + ent o correct (verb): to set right, to be right
cor + rect
contra- against, opposite o contradict (verb) to state the opposite
contra + dict
D
de- to do the opposite, to take away from o decrease (verb): to grow smaller, to become less
de + cre + ase
di-, dif-, dis- apart, separate, two, opposite, not o divide (verb): to separate into two or more parts
di + vide o differ (verb): to be unlike
dif + fer
dis- not, opposite of, exclude o distrust (verb): to have no confidence or trust
dis + trust
E
e-, ex- out, out of, from o emit (verb) to send out
e + mit o expel (verb): to force out ex + pel
en-, em- put into o enamor (verb): to cause to love, to "put" someone "into" love
en + am + + or o empower (verb): to give power, to put into power em + pow + er
epi-, upon, beside, over o epilogue (noun): the concluding section of a play or literary work
epi + logue
extra- beyond o extraordinary (adjective): going beyond normal
extra + ordin + ary
I
il-, im-, in-, ir, not, in o illegible (adjective): cannot be read
il + leg + ible o imposter (noun): someone who poses as someone else
im + post + er o inaction (noun): lack of motion, idle
in + act + ion o irresolute (adjective): uncertain about hot to act, undecided, not having a solution
ir + re + solute
in-, im-, il- in, into o instead (adverb): in place of, an alternative
in + stead o import (verb): to bring into a country from another country
im + port
inter- between, among o interject (verb): to throw something (usually a comment) between other things
inter + ject
intro- into o introspection (noun): to look into one's own thoughts and feelings
intro + spect + ion
M
mal- bad o malfunction (noun): when something does not work properly
mal + funct + ion
mis- wrong o misconduct (noun): wrong doing, bad behavior
mis + con + duct
mono- one o monologue (noun): a dramatic performance or speech given by one actor
mono + logue
multi- many o multiply (verb): to increase in number
multi + ply
N
non- not, no o nonsense (noun): something that has no meaning or makes no sense
non + sense
O
ob-, oc-, of-, op- toward, against, in the way o obtain (verb): to gain or get, to get a hold of
ob + tain o occur (verb): to happen, to come to mind
oc + cur o offer (verb): to attempt to give, to propose, to try to hand out
of + fer o oppose (verb): to be against, to stand in the way of something
op + pose
over- excessive, above o overwork (verb): to have too much work
over + work
P
para- beside o paradox (noun): a statement that seems true and contradictory at the same time
para + dox
per- through o persecute (verb): to go after, to pursue
per + secute
post- after o postpone (verb): to put off to a later time, to delay
post + pone
pre- before o precede (verb): to go before, to come in front of
pre + cede
pro- for, foward o propel (verb): to push forward
pro + pel
R
re- back, again o readmit (verb): to allow in again
re + ad + mit
retro- backward o retrospect (noun) to look back at past events
retro + spect
S
se- apart, move away from o secede (verb): to withdraw from an organization
se + cede
semi- half o semiannual (adjective): occurring twice a year
semi + annu + al
sub-, suc-, suf-, sup-, sur-, sus under, beneath, near, from below, secretly, above, up o submarine (adjective): underwater
sub + mar + ine o succeed (verb): to do well, to come after
suc + ceed o suffice (verb): to be enough
suf + fice o support (verb): to hold up, too keep up
sup + port o survive (verb): to live, to live through something, to exist
sur + vive o sustain (verb): to keep up, to hold up,
sus + tain
super- over, above o superimpose (verb): to place something on top of something else
super + im + pose
syn-, sym- together, at the same time o synchronous (adjective): happening at the same time
syn + chron + ous o sympathy (noun): sharing another person's feelings, compassion
sym + path + y
T
trans- across, beyond, change o transform (verb): to change shape
trans + form
tri- three o tripod (noun): a three-legged stand
tri + pod
U
un- not, against, opposite o unceasing (adjective): never ending, continuous
un + ceas + ing
uni- one o uniform (adjective): having the same form or consistency
uni + form
Suffixes
Suffixes are groups of letters attached to the ends of roots, words, and word groups. Suffixes serve a grammatical function. A suffix can indicate what part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) the word belongs to. Suffixes can also change and extend the meaning. The following suffixes are grouped beneath the grammatical function they perform.
NOUNS
Nouns perform the function of naming. Nouns name persons, places animals or things, as well as groups, ideas and qualities. In a sentence, nouns can be subjects, objects, or appositives.
A
-acy, -cy o Noun: state or quality
privacy: the state of being alone priv + acy
infancy: the state of being a baby or young child in + fan + cy
-age o Noun: activity, or result of action
courage : having the spirit to overcome fear cour + age
-al ,el, ul o Noun: action, result of action
referral : the action of directing a person to another place, person or thing re + ferr + al
-an o Noun: person
artisan : a craftsperson arti + san
-ance, -ence o Noun: action, state, quality or process
resistance : the action of opposing something re + sist + ance
independence: the state of not being under the control of others, free, self-governing in + de + pend + ence
-ancy, -ency o Noun: state, quality or capacity
vacancy : an empty room or position vac + ancy
agency: the capacity to exert power or influence, a position or person that performs a function
ag + ency
-ant, -ent o Noun: an agent, something that performs the action
disinfectant : an agent that destroys germs, somthing that cleans dis + in + fect + ant
dependent: a thing supported by another, a thing determined by another de + pend + ent
-ate o Noun: state, office, fuction
candidate : a person nominated for an office or position candid + ate
-ation o Noun: action, resulting state
specialization : the result of being distinguished by one quality or ability spec + ial + iz + ation
D
-dom o Noun: place, state of being
wisdom : possessing knowledge wis + dom
E
-er, -or o Noun: person or thing that does something
porter : a person who carries things port + er
collector: a person who collects or gathers things col + lect + or
F
-ful o Noun: an amount or quanity that fills
mouthful : an amount that fills the mouth mouth + ful
I
-ian, an o Noun: related to, one that is
pedestrian : a person who walks ped + estr + ian
human: a person hum + an
-ia o Noun: names, diseases
phobia : an illogical fear of something phob + ia
-iatry
o Noun: art of healing psychiatry : branch of medicine that deals with the mind and emotions
psych + iatry
-ic, ics o Noun: related to the arts and sciences
arithmetic : a branch of math that usually deals with non-negative numbers arithm + et + ic
economics: the social science related to studying business eco + nom + ics
-ice o Noun: act
malice : the desire to do evil mal + ice
-ing o Noun: material made for, activity, result of an activity
flooring : a material made for floors floor + ing
swimming: the activity of swimming or moving through water swim(m) + ing
building: the result of making a structure build + ing
-ion o Noun: condition or action
abduction : the action of carrying someone away by force ab + duct + ion
-ism o Noun: doctrine, belief, action or conduct
formalism : a belief in sticking to prescribed forms or artistic styles form + al + ism
-ist o Noun: person or member
podiatrist : a foot doctor pod + iatr + ist
-ite o Noun: product or part
graphite : a black material used in making pencils graph + ite
-ity, ty o Noun: state or quality
lucidity : clear thinking luc + id + ity
novelty: something new or unusual nov + el + ty
-ive o Noun: condition
native : a person born in a specific place
nat + ive
M
-ment o Noun: condition or result
document : an official paper usually showing proof or evidence of something docu + ment
N
-ness o Noun: state, condition, quality
kindness : the quality of being kind or nice kind + ness
O
-or o Noun: condition or activity
valor : bravery, courage val + or
-ory o Noun: place for, serves for
territory : an area around a place territ + ory
S
-ship o Noun: status, condition
relationship : the state of being related or connected to something or someone re + lat + ion + ship
U
-ure o Noun: act, condition, process, function
exposure : the condition of being exposed or unprotected pos + ure
Y
-y o Noun: state, condition, result of an activity
society : companionship soci + et + y
victory: the result of winning something
vict + or + y
VERBS
Verbs make statements about nouns, ask questions, give commands, or show states of being. Verbs can be active or passive. Verbs also show tense or time of action.
A
-ate o Verb: cause to be
graduate : to give a degree to, to pass from one stage to the next gradu + ate
E
-ed o Verb: past tense
attained : something that has been reached or grasped at + tain + ed
-en o Verb: to cause to become
moisten : to cause to become moist or damp moist + en
-er, -or o Verb: action
ponder : to think about pond + er
clamor: to make noise, to call for loudly clam + or
I
-ify o Verb: cause
specify : to name or indicate in detail spec + ify
-ing o Verb: present participle
depicting : showing, describing with images or pictures de + pict + ing
-ize o Verb: cause
fantasize : to dream about something, to create images in the mind fant + as + ize
U
-ure o act
Verb: conjecture : to come to a conclusion by supposition or guesswork con + ject + ure
ADJECTIVES
Adjectives describe or modify nouns. Adjectives tell the reader more about the noun used in the sentence.
A
-able, -ible o Adjective: worth, ability
solvable : able to be solved or explained solv + able
incredible: not able to be believed, amazing in + cred + ible
-al, -ial, -ical o Adjective: quality, relation
structural : related to the physical make up of a thing struct + ure + al
territorial: related to nearby or local areas territ + or + ial
categorical: related to a category, aboslute cate + gor + ical
-ant, -ent, -ient o Adjective: kind of agent, indication
important : marked by worth im + port + ant
dependent: determined or relying upon something else de + pend + ent
convenient: at hand, easy to use con + ven + ient
-ar, -ary o Adjective: resembling, related to
spectacular : related to something that is eye-catching or amazing spectac + ul + ar
unitary : related to units or single groups representing quantities unit + ary
-ate o Adjective: kind of state
inviolate : not disturbed, pure in + viol + ate
E
-ed o Adjective: having the quality of
terraced : having terraces or steps
terrac + ed
-en o Adjective: material
silken : made from silk, a fiber produced by worms silk + en
-er o Adjective: comparative
brighter : more light bright + er
-est o Adjective: superlative
strongest : having the most strength strong + est
F
-ful o Adjective: having, giving, marked by
fanciful : marked by imagination fanci + ful
I
-ic o Adjective: quality, relation
generic : related to a whole group gener + ic
-ile o Adjective: having the qualities of
projectile : something thrown with an outside force pro + ject + ile
-ing o Adjective: activity
cohering : the act of sticking together co + her + ing
-ish o Adjective: having the character of
newish : modern, recent new + ish
-ive, -ative, -itive o Adjective: having the quality of
festive : having the quality of a festival or party fest + ive
cooperative : being able or willing to work with another person or thing co + oper + ative
sensitive: easily felt, responsive to the senses
sens + itive
L
-less o Adjective: without, missing
motiveless : a reason for someone to do something mot + ive + less
O
-ous, -eous, -ose, -ious o Adjective: having the quality of, relating to
adventurous : characterized by the desire to seek new experiences or risks ad + vent + ur + ous
courageous : characterized by courage, brave cour + ag + eous
verbose: having more words than needed verb + ose
fractious: characterized by being difficult or troublesome fract + ious
Y
-y o Adjective: marked by, having
hungry : having hunger, marked by a desire hungr + y
ADVERBS
Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives and other adverbs.
F
-fold o Adverb: in a manner of, marked by
fourfold : being four times as great four + fold
L
-ly o Adverb: in the manner of
fluently : marked by ease of movement, effortlessly smooth flu + ent + ly
W
-ward o Adverb: in a direction or manner
homeward : toward home home + ward
-wise o Adverb: in the manner of, with regard to
timewise : with regard to time time + wise
TOEFL Writing Topics
The following are TOEFL style essay examples:
1) If you could change one important thing about your country, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
2) What are some important qualities of a good school teacher? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.
3)Many people say that the internet is the most important invention ever. Do you agree or disagree with this and if not, what do you believe to be more important? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
4) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People pay too much attention to the less important things in life and fail to see the larger issues. Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion.
5) Which do you feel is more important in your life: security or freedom and independence? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
6) A job should mean a job for life. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
7) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, life is easier today than in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
8) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A problem shared is a problem solved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
9) Some music is very inspirational. Other music seems boring and meaningless. Which type of music do you listen to and why do you think some music forms are much more popular than others? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
10) If you could travel back in time or into the future, which would you choose and what exact period of time would you like to experience? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
