Words, solving, joining, hanging, wandering, and sticking
Finish the list with roots that join, loosen, balance, stray, and stick.
6 targets with matricesBuild, compare, and explain9 mastery checks
THE GIST
The idea behind these word parts
Word families connect actions, qualities, and conditions. Depend, dependent, and dependence all involve relying on something.
Go deeper · how the parts work in context
Pend historically connects to hanging. Depend develops that into relying on something; dependence names the condition. In- negates dependent in independent, but the precise meaning still depends on context.
in + de + pend + ence → independence
The colony declared independence from the empire.
Here independence means freedom from another government’s control.
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
verb
word
The gist: verbal means using words. The clue verb connects it to word.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the core meaning: word. Compare verbal (using words) with proverb (a short wise saying). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
verb + al → verbal Using or related to words. It works as a adjective in this example.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore verb · map, matrix & checks
verbalusing words
proverba short wise saying
Word-family cluster map: verb
Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
verbword
verb + aladjective
Using or related to words.
verb + al + lyadverb
In words, especially spoken words.
non + verb + aladjective
Not using words.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with verb 3 word paths
verb: word. 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
verb + al → verbal
Using or related to words.
adjective
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
verbal: Using or related to words. nonverbal: Not using words.
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
verb + al
verbal
Using or related to words.
verb + al + ly
verbally
In words, especially spoken words.
non + verb + al
nonverbal
Not using words.
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
solv/solu
loosen or free
The gist: solve means find an answer; picture loosening a knotty problem. The clue solv/solu connects it to loosen or free.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the core meaning: loosen or free. Compare solve (find an answer; picture loosening a knotty problem) with dissolve (loosen or break apart in liquid). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
solve → solve To find an answer to a problem. It works as a verb in this example.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore solv/solu · map, matrix & checks
solvefind an answer; picture loosening a knotty problem
dissolveloosen or break apart in liquid
Word-family cluster map: solv/solu
Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
solv/soluloosen or free
solveverb
To find an answer to a problem.
solve + ableadjective
Able to be solved.
Drop the final silent e before the vowel suffix: solve + able → solvable.
solu + tionnoun
An answer to a problem, or a dissolved mixture.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with solv/solu 3 word paths
solv/solu: loosen or free. 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
solve → solve
To find an answer to a problem.
verb
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
solve: To find an answer to a problem. solution: An answer to a problem, or a dissolved mixture.
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
solve
solve
To find an answer to a problem.
solve + able
solvable
Able to be solved.
solu + tion
solution
An answer to a problem, or a dissolved mixture.
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
junct
join
The gist: junction means a joining point. The clue junct connects it to join.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the core meaning: join. Compare junction (a joining point) with conjunction (a word that joins). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
junct + ion → junction A place where things join. It works as a noun in this example.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore junct · map, matrix & checks
junctiona joining point
conjunctiona word that joins
Word-family cluster map: junct
Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
junctjoin
junct + ionnoun
A place where things join.
con + junct + ionnoun
A joining, or a word that joins clauses or words.
dis + junct + ionnoun
A separation or lack of connection.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with junct 3 word paths
junct: join. 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
junct + ion → junction
A place where things join.
noun
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
junction: A place where things join. disjunction: A separation or lack of connection.
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
junct + ion
junction
A place where things join.
con + junct + ion
conjunction
A joining, or a word that joins clauses or words.
dis + junct + ion
disjunction
A separation or lack of connection.
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
pend/pens
hang or weigh
The gist: pendant means an object that hangs. The clue pend/pens connects it to hang or weigh.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the core meaning: hang or weigh. Compare pendant (an object that hangs) with compensate (balance or pay back what is owed). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
de + pend → depend To rely on someone or something. It works as a verb in this example.
In a sentence: Sharecroppers could depend on the same planters for land, supplies, and credit.
Meaning & spelling: Compensate preserves the historical “weigh or balance” sense.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore pend/pens · map, matrix & checks
pendantan object that hangs
compensatebalance or pay back what is owed
Word-family cluster map: pend/pens
Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
pend/penshang or weigh
de + pendverb
To rely on someone or something.
Sharecroppers could depend on the same planters for land, supplies, and credit.
de + pend + entadjective
Relying on another person or condition.
Debt kept many freedpeople economically dependent on landowners.
de + pend + encenoun
Reliance on another person or condition.
Economic dependence limited the meaning of legal freedom.
in + de + pend + entadjective
Able to act without being controlled by another.
Freedpeople sought land so they could lead more independent lives.
in + de + pend + encenoun
Freedom from another’s control, including the resources needed to act for oneself.
Independence required more than release from legal ownership.
ap + pendverb
To attach something to the end of a text or other object.
A writer can append the YPT page number to a quotation about John Punch so readers can check the evidence.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with pend/pens 6 word paths
pend/pens: hang or weigh. 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 + pend → depend
To rely on someone or something.
verb
Sharecroppers could depend on the same planters for land, supplies, and credit.
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
depend: To rely on someone or something. append: To attach something to the end of a text or other object.
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 + pend
depend
To rely on someone or something.
de + pend + ent
dependent
Relying on another person or condition.
de + pend + ence
dependence
Reliance on another person or condition.
in + de + pend + ent
independent
Able to act without being controlled by another.
in + de + pend + ence
independence
Freedom from another’s control, including the resources needed to act for oneself.
ap + pend
append
To attach something to the end of a text or other object.
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
err
wander
The gist: err means stray from what is correct. The clue err connects it to wander.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the core meaning: wander. Compare err (stray from what is correct) with error (a mistake caused by going astray). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
err → err To make a mistake or stray from what is correct. It works as a verb in this example.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore err · map, matrix & checks
errstray from what is correct
errora mistake caused by going astray
Word-family cluster map: err
Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
errwander
errverb
To make a mistake or stray from what is correct.
err + ornoun
A mistake.
err + antadjective
Straying from an expected course or standard.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with err 3 word paths
err: wander. 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
err → err
To make a mistake or stray from what is correct.
verb
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
err: To make a mistake or stray from what is correct. errant: Straying from an expected course or standard.
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
err
err
To make a mistake or stray from what is correct.
err + or
error
A mistake.
err + ant
errant
Straying from an expected course or standard.
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
her/hes
stick
The gist: adhere means stick to. The clue her/hes connects it to stick.
Why it works · examples & details
The shared clue is the core meaning: stick. Compare adhere (stick to) with cohesive (sticking together). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.
ad + here → adhere To stick to something. It works as a verb in this example.
The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.
Explore her/hes · map, matrix & checks
adherestick to
cohesivesticking together
Word-family cluster map: her/hes
Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.
Read the family first.
her/hesstick
ad + hereverb
To stick to something.
ad + her + encenoun
The act of sticking to a rule or surface.
co + hes + iveadjective
Sticking or working together.
Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”
Build with her/hes 3 word paths
her/hes: stick. 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
ad + here → adhere
To stick to something.
verb
What changed?
Starting word
Selected word
Compare two paths
adhere: To stick to something. cohesive: Sticking or working together.
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
ad + here
adhere
To stick to something.
ad + her + ence
adherence
The act of sticking to a rule or surface.
co + hes + ive
cohesive
Sticking or working together.
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 proverb
Spot proverb. The root verb carries the clue word. Here, it helps you understand: a short wise saying.
Decode dissolve
Spot dissolve. The root solv/solu carries the clue loosen or free. Here, it helps you understand: loosen or break apart in liquid.
Decode conjunction
Spot conjunction. The root junct carries the clue join. Here, it helps you understand: a word that joins.
Compare the meanings, then test which form fits the sentence.
verbal
using or related to words
nonverbal
not using words
Explain the difference
Verb supplies word. Non- adds not; -al remains. A gesture can communicate nonverbally.
A common mistake—and how to avoid it
An independent person may still cooperate with others. A morpheme clue does not settle every possible meaning or implication of a 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.
With no agreement on the basic facts, the dispute seemed insoluble.
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 verb. What does it mean? Which two words connect to it?
Check after you recall
verb: word. For example: verbal and proverb. Explain how each connects to the meaning.
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