What do the prefixes tell us?
A word is often made up of a prefix-word root-suffix. Where the suffix tells us whether the word is a noun, a verb or an adjective and the word root tells the root from which the word originates but the prefix on the contrary tells us more than just its positive or negative implication. Let’s take a look.
‘Intro’ is used for inwards as in introspect to look inwards and ‘extro’ is outwards as in extrovert to be outspoken. ‘Ambi’ another prefix is used for ‘both’. We very well know mono-,bi- and poly- are for singular ,for two and for many. ’peri’ another prefix means surrounding like in perimeter, ‘endos’- inner is used in the biological term endoderm that is the inner layers of the skin.
‘com’ is used for ‘with’ for e.g.com-patriot ,company etc. Another similar prefix here is syn-that is for together which becomes ‘sym’ sometimes like in sympathy , otherwise in words like synergy it is used as it is.
Adding a-as a prefix makes any word negative like asymmetric so does the prefix in-, dis-another prefix is something that has many negative denotations like against, or not in the same orientation for e.g. dis-oriented . Prefixes do tell us a lot about the nature of the word being dealt so a little homework might just help you a lot more than you would have thought.
More info on certain words and phrases
a) Does burning incense sticks infuriate you?
This question might be a startling one, well no friends this is not a scientific research but is one of the phenomenon observed in the English language. The word “Incense” which means something that produces a fragrant odor when burnt also means to make very angry. The word has extreme meanings one is to please someone and other to infuriate them, so this fact can be kept in mind while using it.
b) What is the principle of your principal?
Yet another word that leads to confusion in usage. How many times have you addressed the letter to the Principle of your institution? These details are minute but they do leave an impression of how detailed and observant you are. These mistakes do occur due to lack of concentration at times but if a doubt occurs in your mind every time you come across the word you need to work out something.
Principal with an ‘a ’is the head of an institute or the main part whereas the Principle are rules or values. A little something can be set to remember like the ‘Principal’ is often not your ‘Pal’ and the ‘Principle’ of life is simple.
Get your homophones right
Homophones or words that sound similar are often very challenging when you are about to use them. For e.g. Eminent is a renowned person or thing whereas imminent which sounds very similar is something which is just about to happen. Eligible is a bachelor whereas illegible is something which is not clear. So a little caution, is suggested while putting them to use.
How to escape the trickery of words?
Well the only way to escape the trickery of words is to not get tricked. Knowledge is your only weapon.
Similar looking words are not always similar in meaning. For e.g. Husbandry which is the management of resources has nothing to do with being a husband, well it is slightly related but cannot be depended upon for a direct connotation. Likewise Depravity which sounds a lot like something similar to deprive but without bearing any resemblance in meaning, it means extreme wickedness. Deleterious which looks like a distant relative of Delete is something that means harmful. Categorical which sounds like something category wise means absolute or in totality .They are not very difficult to trace so keeping a note of these notorious words can help you stay smart?
A way to foreign languages
Earlier people use to think that if a person is not good in English, he is good for nothing. Does the same view continue today also?
No, though English is the official language of many of the countries across the world but it is not the only foreign language people are concerned about. Many of the other foreign languages nowadays are in great demand. Jobs related to foreign languages are available all over the world.
It is required in global marketing. French, German, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Italian, are few of the languages which seek for talented minds which can be used for the promotion of their business.
Beside the other related fields which offer jobs for multilingual are operator, decoder, online content writer, interpreters, and technical translators. Every country in the world has these jobs to be fulfilled by suitable deserving candidates. For example, the interpreter needs to have sound knowledge of a language of the language and the translator should have good writing skill.
Different universities all over the world have people appointed for foreign languages in academics. They also hold good positions in tourism department, entertainment, public relation, mass communications, international organizations, embassies, diplomatic services, publishing houses, BPO etc.
So, now know more languages and travel the world!