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