Why roots?

A learner who memorises 500 random words gains 500 words. A learner who masters 12 high-frequency Latin roots can decode hundreds — including words they have never seen before.

The twelve

| Root | Meaning | Examples | | --- | --- | --- | | dict | say | dictate, predict, contradict | | scrib / script | write | prescribe, manuscript, transcribe | | port | carry | transport, deport, portable | | spect | look | inspect, perspective, retrospect | | vid / vis | see | visible, evident, supervise | | mit / miss | send | transmit, dismiss, emission | | ten / tain | hold | contain, retain, tenable | | fer | bear, carry | transfer, refer, infer | | gen | birth, kind | generate, genuine, genre | | duc / duct | lead | introduce, conduct, deduce | | fac / fect | make, do | factory, effect, manufacture | | rupt | break | interrupt, abrupt, eruption |

Worked example

Given dict = "say", reason about contradict:

contra- (against) + dict (say) → to speak against.

Without ever having seen the word, you can extract its meaning.

Common trap

A root tells you about the concept, not the precise modern meaning. Always cross-check with context.