Move down, out, across, between, under, in, and across a distance.
8 targets with matrices3 core roots revisited11 mastery checks
THE GIST
The idea behind these word parts
A prefix can specify direction or location. Trans- points across, inter- between, and sub- under in the words taught here.
Go deeper · how the parts work in context
In transcribe, scribe connects to writing and trans- suggests a transfer. The complete word means put speech or other material into written form. A prefix clue helps narrow the meaning; context finishes the job.
trans + scribe → transcribe
Students transcribe the recorded interview into written notes.
Transcribe means put speech or other material into written form.
Word parts suggest a meaning; the sentence helps confirm it. If the clues are not enough, check a dictionary.
EXPLORE THE WORD PARTS
Meaning, connections, and practice
Choose a word part. Read its gist, explore its map and matrix, then answer its three checks. Open the extra explanation whenever you need it.
How to use a matrix
Leading part + base + ending → word. Choose cells from left to right. Only paths that make one of the listed words are enabled. ∅ means no part is added.
The center can be a root or a whole word. Some cells contain combining forms or grouped endings. Related bases can change spelling, as in scribe/script or mit/miss; follow the spelling notes.
Keep a word for comparison, then select another word to see which parts and meanings changed.
01
de-
down
The gist: descend means go down. The clue de- connects it to down.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: down. Compare descend (go down) with decline (slope or bend down). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
de + press → depress To lower an amount, level, or activity. It works as a verb in this example.
In a sentence: Employers could use divisions among workers to depress their bargaining power.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore de- · map, matrix & checks
descendgo down
declineslope or bend down
Prefix connections map: de-
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
de-down
de + scend
Go down.
de + cline
Slope or bend down.
de + pressverb
To lower an amount, level, or activity.
Employers could use divisions among workers to depress their bargaining power.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with de- 3 word paths
de-: down. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
de + scend → descend
Go down.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
descend: Go down. depress: To lower an amount, level, or activity.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
de + scend
descend
Go down.
de + cline
decline
Slope or bend down.
de + press
depress
To lower an amount, level, or activity.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
02
ex-
out
The gist: export means carry out of a place. The clue ex- connects it to out.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: out. Compare export (carry out of a place) with exhale (breathe out). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
ex + port → export To send goods to another country for sale. It works as a verb in this example.
In a sentence: Landlords continued to export food from Ireland while many Irish people faced famine.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore ex- · map, matrix & checks
exportcarry out of a place
exhalebreathe out
Prefix connections map: ex-
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
ex-out
ex + portverb
To send goods to another country for sale.
Landlords continued to export food from Ireland while many Irish people faced famine.
ex + hale
Breathe out.
ex + tractverb
To take or draw something out of a larger source.
Planters used coercion to extract labor from enslaved people.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with ex- 3 word paths
ex-: out. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
ex + port → export
To send goods to another country for sale.
verb
Landlords continued to export food from Ireland while many Irish people faced famine.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
export: To send goods to another country for sale. extract: To take or draw something out of a larger source.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
ex + port
export
To send goods to another country for sale.
ex + hale
exhale
Breathe out.
ex + tract
extract
To take or draw something out of a larger source.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
03
out-
beyond or more than
The gist: outgrow means grow beyond something. The clue out- connects it to beyond or more than.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: beyond or more than. Compare outgrow (grow beyond something) with outnumber (be greater in number). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
out + grow → outgrow Grow beyond something.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore out- · map, matrix & checks
outgrowgrow beyond something
outnumberbe greater in number
Prefix connections map: out-
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
out-beyond or more than
out + grow
Grow beyond something.
out + number
Be greater in number.
out + lastverb
To last longer than something else.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with out- 3 word paths
out-: beyond or more than. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
out + grow → outgrow
Grow beyond something.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
outgrow: Grow beyond something. outlast: To last longer than something else.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
out + grow
outgrow
Grow beyond something.
out + number
outnumber
Be greater in number.
out + last
outlast
To last longer than something else.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
04
trans-
across
The gist: transport means carry across. The clue trans- connects it to across.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: across. Compare transport (carry across) with transatlantic (across the Atlantic). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
trans + port → transport To carry people or goods from one place to another. It works as a verb in this example.
In a sentence: Railroads helped transport Mexican workers north toward jobs in the United States.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore trans- · map, matrix & checks
transportcarry across
transatlanticacross the Atlantic
Prefix connections map: trans-
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
trans-across
trans + portverb
To carry people or goods from one place to another.
Railroads helped transport Mexican workers north toward jobs in the United States.
trans + atlantic
Across the Atlantic.
tran + scribeverb
To put spoken or written words into another written record.
A historian might transcribe a migrant’s account to preserve the person’s words for analysis.
Tran- is the shortened form of trans- (across) in this word.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with trans- 3 word paths
trans-: across. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
trans + port → transport
To carry people or goods from one place to another.
verb
Railroads helped transport Mexican workers north toward jobs in the United States.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
transport: To carry people or goods from one place to another. transcribe: To put spoken or written words into another written record.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
trans + port
transport
To carry people or goods from one place to another.
trans + atlantic
transatlantic
Across the Atlantic.
tran + scribe
transcribe
To put spoken or written words into another written record.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
05
inter-
between
The gist: intercity means between cities. The clue inter- connects it to between.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: between. Compare intercity (between cities) with interstate (between states). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
inter + act → interact To act on, communicate with, or respond to one another. It works as a verb in this example.
In a sentence: Ethnic groups could interact as allies when Japanese and Filipino workers joined the same strike.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore inter- · map, matrix & checks
intercitybetween cities
interstatebetween states
Prefix connections map: inter-
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
inter-between
inter + city
Between cities.
inter + state
Between states.
inter + actverb
To act on, communicate with, or respond to one another.
Ethnic groups could interact as allies when Japanese and Filipino workers joined the same strike.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with inter- 3 word paths
inter-: between. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
inter + city → intercity
Between cities.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
intercity: Between cities. interact: To act on, communicate with, or respond to one another.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
inter + city
intercity
Between cities.
inter + state
interstate
Between states.
inter + act
interact
To act on, communicate with, or respond to one another.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
06
sub-
under
The gist: submarine means a vessel that travels under the sea. The clue sub- connects it to under.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: under. Compare submarine (a vessel that travels under the sea) with subsoil (soil under the top layer). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
sub + marine → submarine A vessel that travels under the sea.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore sub- · map, matrix & checks
submarinea vessel that travels under the sea
subsoilsoil under the top layer
Prefix connections map: sub-
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
sub-under
sub + marine
A vessel that travels under the sea.
sub + soil
Soil under the top layer.
sub + mergeverb
To put under water.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with sub- 3 word paths
sub-: under. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
sub + marine → submarine
A vessel that travels under the sea.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
submarine: A vessel that travels under the sea. submerge: To put under water.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
sub + marine
submarine
A vessel that travels under the sea.
sub + soil
subsoil
Soil under the top layer.
sub + merge
submerge
To put under water.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
07
in- (in)
in or into
The gist: inject means throw or put in. The clue in- (in) connects it to in or into.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: in or into. Compare inject (throw or put in) with insert (put in). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
in + ject → inject To put something into a larger body or situation. It works as a verb in this example.
In a sentence: Workers could inject new strength into a strike by joining across ethnic lines.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore in- (in) · map, matrix & checks
injectthrow or put in
insertput in
Prefix connections map: in- (in)
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
in- (in)in or into
in + jectverb
To put something into a larger body or situation.
Workers could inject new strength into a strike by joining across ethnic lines.
in + sert
Put in.
in + flownoun
A flow into a place.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with in- (in) 3 word paths
in- (in): in or into. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
in + ject → inject
To put something into a larger body or situation.
verb
Workers could inject new strength into a strike by joining across ethnic lines.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
inject: To put something into a larger body or situation. inflow: A flow into a place.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
in + ject
inject
To put something into a larger body or situation.
in + sert
insert
Put in.
in + flow
inflow
A flow into a place.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
08
tele-
far or across a distance
The gist: telephone means carry sound across a distance. The clue tele- connects it to far or across a distance.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the meaning of the leading part: far or across a distance. Compare telephone (carry sound across a distance) with telescope (view something far away). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
tele + phone → telephone Carry sound across a distance.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore tele- · map, matrix & checks
telephonecarry sound across a distance
telescopeview something far away
Prefix connections map: tele-
Compare this beginning across different bases. These words share a leading part; they do not necessarily share a root. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
tele-far or across a distance
tele + phone
Carry sound across a distance.
tele + scope
View something far away.
tele + conferencenoun
A meeting held across a distance.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with tele- 3 word paths
tele-: far or across a distance. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
tele + phone → telephone
Carry sound across a distance.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
telephone: Carry sound across a distance. teleconference: A meeting held across a distance.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
tele + phone
telephone
Carry sound across a distance.
tele + scope
telescope
View something far away.
tele + conference
teleconference
A meeting held across a distance.
Check your understanding
Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.
0 of 3 answered correctly
DECODE · FOLLOW THE CLUES
Use the clue without overtrusting it
A word part gives you a strong clue—not always a complete definition.
Spot the part.Underline the exact letters you recognize.
Recall the clue.Say the meaning you learned for that part.
Test the whole word.Combine the clue with the other parts and the sentence.
Decode decline
Spot decline. The leading word part de- carries the clue down. Here, it helps you understand: slope or bend down.
Decode exhale
Spot exhale. The leading word part ex- carries the clue out. Here, it helps you understand: breathe out.
Decode outnumber
Spot outnumber. The leading word part out- carries the clue beyond or more than. Here, it helps you understand: be greater in number.
Compare the meanings, then test which form fits the sentence.
import
bring goods in
export
send goods out
Explain the difference
The port root stays. Im- and ex- change the direction. State the direction from the country’s point of view.
A common mistake—and how to avoid it
In- means into in inject, but not in invisible. Learn the sense used in the whole word rather than assuming one meaning for every occurrence.
REVIEW · BRING ROOTS BACK
Keep these roots working
Before opening each matrix, recall the root’s meaning. Build the review words, then explain the whole word. These core roots return in later lessons with new word forms.
Some review words use today’s affixes; others bring back an earlier pattern. Not every affix can attach to every root.
struct: build. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.
Prefix / leading part
Root or whole base
Suffix / ending
infra + struct + ure → infrastructure
Basic systems, such as roads and railways, that a community uses.
noun
Railroad infrastructure connected Mexican towns with jobs across the United States border.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
infrastructure: Basic systems, such as roads and railways, that a community uses. constructive: Helping to build, improve, or solve something.
Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.
Read every word sum and meaning
Word sum
Word
Meaning
infra + struct + ure
infrastructure
Basic systems, such as roads and railways, that a community uses.
con + struct
construct
To build or create something.
con + struct + ion
construction
The process of building or creating something.
con + struct + ive
constructive
Helping to build, improve, or solve something.
Use it: Write one sentence about history using a review word. Underline its root, circle its affixes, and explain why that word fits your sentence.
QUICK QUIZ · RECALL & APPLY
Recall the parts. Apply the pattern.
Check every target, then complete three applied questions. If you miss one, revisit its matrix and try again. Finish with the new-word challenge below.
CHECK IN CONTEXT
Make sense of a new word
Use both the word parts and the sentence. Open a hint if you need a starting point.
The team could not see the buried pipe. They used equipment to locate the subsurface structure.
Expand your thinking · explain it or use itCheck your sentence
Does the word’s established meaning fit your idea?
Does its form fit the grammar of your sentence?
Can you identify a meaningful part and explain its contribution?
These optional notes are not saved, graded, or submitted.
COME BACK · RETRIEVE IT AGAIN
Remember after a break
Return in two days, then about a week later. Before opening the notes, recall a meaning, rebuild two words, and use one in a new sentence.
Start with de-. What does it mean? Which two words connect to it?
Check after you recall
de-: down. For example: descend and decline. Explain how each connects to the meaning.
Review dates are saved only on this device and shown on the course hub. No notifications are sent. Written responses are not saved.
Lesson-quiz progress and review dates are saved only on this device, not submitted to your teacher. Word-part and context practice checks reset when you reload the page.
