The above matrix and word sums demonstrate (once again) the morphological nature of English vocabulary. Once you have established the correct spelling of the base <friend> : fri + end or f.r. (i)e.n.d as shown here you can used the above matrix and word sums to build on the words in this morphological family. This... Continue Reading →
From Order to Ordinary
The three matrices present similar information but from different levels of semantic difficulties. You can use any (or all) of them based on level of whom you are working with. You can construct word sums and see how many words you end up with. You may try different word games: for example, try switching affixes... Continue Reading →
Just Playing with Words
The words <plays, played, player, playing, playful> are composed of bases and suffixes: <-s, -ed, -er, -ing, -ful> are suffixes. <Playmate, playlist, playground, play-date> are compound words composed of two bases. Worried about students not having strong or rich vocabulary?Understanding and using morphology – bases and affixes – can provide the answer you need to... Continue Reading →
Good Writing Requires More Than Creativity
Both models represent the same information: the structure of language. However, each model creates a different mental picture because the visuals are different. The first model divides the structure of language into three broad components - pronunciation, grammar, meaning - before subdividing each component into two aspects. The units of language gets larger as you... Continue Reading →
From act to action
Morphological analyses and vocabulary development inter + act --> interact inter + act + s --> interacts inter + act + ed --> interacted inter + act + ing --> interacting inter + act + ion --> interaction pro + act + ive --> proactive en + act --> enact en + act ... Continue Reading →
Why ‘privilege’ and not ‘priviledge’?
Does any of you have a word that you constantly misspell no matter how many times you look up the correct spelling? I have had a few of such words and one of the most memorable for me is the word ‘privilege’. The first time I became aware of my problem with that word I... Continue Reading →
