Y06W19VC Word Roots — -man / -manu- (hand)

The root -man- or -manu- comes from Latin and means 'hand'. It appears in words that relate to things done by hand, made by hand or controlled by hand. Understanding this root helps students decode unfamiliar words in history, technology, art and everyday vocabulary. This module explores six academic words built with this root alongside three Word Families examples.

Word Families

These three words all contain -man / -manu-. As you read, notice how the meaning 'hand' helps you work out each word.

manual

/ˈmænjuəl/

man‑u‑al

adjective / noun

Done or operated by hand rather than by machine. As a noun, a book of instructions.

Word Breakdown: -man- / -manu- (root meaning 'hand')

Example: Before computers, all financial records were kept using a manual filing system.

Synonyms: hand-operated, physical, non-automated

Collocations: manual labour, a manual process, instruction manual

manufacture

/ˌmænjuˈfæktʃə/

man‑u‑fac‑ture

verb / noun | [manufacture – manufactured – manufactured]

To produce goods on a large scale using machinery. As a noun, the process of making products.

Example: The factory manufactures over ten thousand units of the device each month.

Synonyms: produce, make, assemble

Collocations: manufacture goods, mass manufacture, manufactured product

manuscript

/ˈmænjuskrɪpt/

man‑u‑script

noun

A handwritten or typed document, especially an author's text before it is published.

Example: The historian discovered a manuscript from the 1600s that had never been studied before.

Synonyms: document, text, original

Collocations: a handwritten manuscript, submit a manuscript, an ancient manuscript

Academic Vocab

cause

/kɔːz/

cause

noun / verb | [cause – caused – caused]

The reason that something happens. As a verb, to make something happen.

Word family: cause (n./v.), causal (adj.)

Example: Scientists studied the cause of the rapid decline in bee populations across the region.

Synonyms: reason, factor, source

Collocations: identify the cause, cause and effect, the main cause

factor

/ˈfæktə/

fac‑tor

noun

Something that contributes to a result or influences an outcome.

Word family: factor (n.), factorial (adj.)

Example: Diet and exercise are both important factors in maintaining good physical health.

Synonyms: element, contributor, variable

Collocations: a key factor, contributing factor, a major factor

contribute

/kənˈtrɪbjuːt/

con‑trib‑ute

verb | [contribute – contributed – contributed]

To be a part of the cause of something; to give or add something toward a result.

Word family: contribute (v.), contribution (n.)

Example: Poor diet and lack of physical activity both contribute to an increased risk of certain diseases.

Synonyms: add to, play a part in, lead to

Collocations: contribute to, make a contribution, contribute significantly

result

/rɪˈzʌlt/

re‑sult

noun / verb | [result – resulted – resulted]

Something that happens as a consequence of an action or process. As a verb, to happen as a consequence.

Word family: result (n./v.)

Example: Increased levels of exercise resulted in measurable improvements in the students' concentration.

Synonyms: outcome, consequence, effect

Collocations: as a result, result in, the result of

effect

/ɪˈfekt/

ef‑fect

noun

A change produced by a cause or action.

Word family: effect (n.), effective (adj.)

Example: The effect of regular sleep on cognitive performance has been studied extensively.

Synonyms: impact, outcome, consequence

Collocations: the effect of, have an effect on, a lasting effect

due to this

/djuː tuː ðɪs/

due to this

phrase

‘Due to this’ introduces a result caused by the idea just mentioned.

Example: The path was flooded. Due to this, students had to use the side gate.

Synonyms: because of this, as a result, therefore

Collocations: due to this, the; due to this, students; due to this, it

Confusing Words

lay vs lie

Lay and lie are commonly confused because they look similar and overlap in some forms. Lay is a transitive verb — it always needs an object (something being placed) — for example, 'Please lay the book on the table.'

  • lay — Lay' means to put or place something down. It needs an object — for example, 'Please lay the book on the table.'
  • lie — Lie is an intransitive verb — it does not take an object and describes the position of a person or thing — for example, 'She decided to lie down for a rest.'

Memory rule: The key difference: if you are placing something somewhere, use lay (you lay something down). If someone or something is resting in a position, use lie (they lie down). The past tense of 'lay' is 'laid'; the past tense of 'lie' is 'lay' — which is why these words are so often confused.