Word Stems:Word Stems:Building blocks for Building blocks for

languagelanguage

You will You will remember that remember that the the CelticCeltic tribes were tribes were conquered by conquered by Romans Romans who who spoke spoke Latin Latin & & GreekGreek..

And then centuries later, And then centuries later, the the RenaissanceRenaissance caused caused LatinLatin & & GreekGreek to influence the to influence the English language again.English language again.

Latin & GreekLatin & Greek also influenced also influenced SpanishSpanish, , FrenchFrench, and , and ItalianItalian, so when we borrow , so when we borrow from these languages, we are often also from these languages, we are often also borrowing from Latin or Greek.borrowing from Latin or Greek.

Because of the impact of Because of the impact of Latin Latin & Greek& Greek, many of our words are , many of our words are made of two or three fragments made of two or three fragments of Latin. We sometimes call of Latin. We sometimes call these pieces these pieces prefixes, suffixes,prefixes, suffixes, rootsroots, or , or stemsstems..

If you know the If you know the Latin & Greek Latin & Greek stems, you can discover the stems, you can discover the meaning of many words.meaning of many words.

For example, For example, subsub means means underunder and and terr terr means means landland. Knowing this . Knowing this can help you understand a word can help you understand a word like like subterraneansubterranean, which means , which means undergroundunderground..

Each time you learn one easy Each time you learn one easy stem, you have learned an stem, you have learned an important part of dozens of important part of dozens of English words, so learning English words, so learning stems is stems is power learningpower learning. .

You only have to study one You only have to study one small thing in order to learn small thing in order to learn parts of dozens of thingsparts of dozens of things!!

All of our quizzes will be All of our quizzes will be cumulative. You must prepare cumulative. You must prepare yourself to be a disciplined yourself to be a disciplined student, reviewing all lists student, reviewing all lists for all quizzes. The point is for all quizzes. The point is to to learnlearn these stems now, and these stems now, and to to knowknow them for the rest of them for the rest of your life.your life.

Word Stems – Lesson OneWord Stems – Lesson One

Don’t forget to fill in your Don’t forget to fill in your chartchart The stemThe stem The stem’s definitionThe stem’s definition At least one example of a word At least one example of a word that uses the stemthat uses the stem

SUB = underSUB = under

SubmarineSubmarine

A submarine goes under the sea.

SUB = underSUB = under

SubmergeSubmerge

To submerge is to put something under the surface.

SUB = underSUB = under

SubdueSubdue

To subdue is to bring someone under your control.

BI = twoBI = two

BicycleBicycle

A bicycle has two wheels.

BI = twoBI = two

BilingualBilingual

Someone who is bilingual can speak two languages.

BI = twoBI = two

BiannualBiannual

A biannual event happens twice a year.

VAC = emptyVAC = empty

VacuumVacuum

A vacuum is a space emptied of matter.(Emptying air out of its chamber is part of how a

vacuum you clean carpets with works)

VAC = emptyVAC = empty

EvacuateEvacuate

During a fire drill, we evacuate the building, which means we empty

the building.

VAC = emptyVAC = empty

VacationVacation

A vacation is a time empty of work.

PRE = beforePRE = before

PredictPredict

To predict is to announce something before it even happens.

PRE = beforePRE = before

PreparePrepare

If you prepare food, you are getting it ready before you cook

it.

PRE = beforePRE = before

PreschoolPreschool

A preschool is somewhere you go before you start school.

SUPER = overSUPER = over

SuperviseSupervise

To supervise is to watch over people.

SUPER = overSUPER = over

SuperiorSuperior

If one blender is superior, it is over the other one in quality.

SUPER = overSUPER = over

SupermodelSupermodel

A supermodel is over a normal model.

UN = notUN = not

UnequalUnequal

If something is unequal, it is not equal.

UN = notUN = not

UnnecessaryUnnecessary

If this sign is unnecessary, than it is not necessary.

UN = notUN = not

UntiedUntied

If your laces are untied, then they are not tied.

INTER = betweenINTER = between

InternationalInternational

An international agreement is between nations.

INTER = betweenINTER = between

IntermissionIntermission

An intermission is a break between two parts of a performance.

INTER = betweenINTER = between

IntersectionIntersection

An intersection is between two streets.

SEMI = halfSEMI = half

SemicircleSemicircle

A semicircle is a half circle.

SEMI = halfSEMI = half

SemiformalSemiformal

A semiformal dance is halfway between casual and formal.

SEMI = halfSEMI = half

SemifinalsSemifinals

If you make the semifinals, you are halfway to the finals.

DIS = awayDIS = away

DismissDismiss

To dismiss someone is to send them away.

DIS = awayDIS = away

DistractDistract

To distract someone is to take their attention away from where it

was before.

DIS = awayDIS = away

DisagreeDisagree

If you disagree with someone, you are moving away from agreement.

SYM = togetherSYM = together

SymmetrySymmetry

Things that have symmetry are together in their form or

arrangement.

SYM = togetherSYM = together

SymphonySymphony

A symphony is when many different instruments or sounds come

together as one.

SYM = togetherSYM = together

SymposiumSymposium

A symposium is a gathering where people come together to discuss a particular topic.

Based on what you learned about Based on what you learned about stems, what is most likely the stems, what is most likely the definition of definition of Interstellar?Interstellar?

a.a. An exploding planetAn exploding planet

b.b. A type of radiation A type of radiation

c.c. The space between starsThe space between stars

d.d. A type of medical device used A type of medical device used in surgeryin surgery

C

Based on what you learned about Based on what you learned about stems, what is most likely the stems, what is most likely the

definition of definition of Sympatric?Sympatric?

a.a. The process by which The process by which caterpillars become butterfliescaterpillars become butterflies

b.b. Two species of animal that Two species of animal that occupy the same areaoccupy the same area

c.c. A medical technician A medical technician specializing in x-raysspecializing in x-rays

d.d. An error in logicAn error in logic

B

ReviewReviewStemStem meaningmeaning

BiBi

SubSub

VacVac

PrePre

SuperSuper

two

under

before

empty

over

ReviewReviewStemStem meaningmeaning

UnUn

InterInter

SemiSemi

DisDis

SymSym

not

between

away

half

together

THE ENDTHE END