Y08W05VC Word Roots — -duc / -duct- (lead)

To reach a conclusion by reasoning from known facts or evidence; to work something out logically.

Word Breakdown: de- (prefix meaning ‘down’ or ‘from’) + -duc (root meaning ‘lead’) — so to deduce is to ‘lead down’ to a conclusion from the evidence

Example: From the available clues, the investigator was able to deduce that the document had been altered.

Synonyms: conclude, infer, work out

Collocations: deduce from, deduce that, logically deduce

To carry out or lead a process, activity, or investigation in an organised way.

Example: The research team conducted a series of interviews to gather perspectives from local community members.

Synonyms: carry out, perform, run

Collocations: conduct research, conduct an interview, conduct a review

The opening section of a written text or speech that leads the reader or audience into the main topic.

Example: A strong introduction should clearly state the argument and give the reader a sense of how the essay will proceed.

Synonyms: opening, preface, preamble

Collocations: write an introduction, introduction to, in the introduction

To be or make up something; to form or compose a whole.

Word family: constitution (n.), constitutional (adj.)

Example: Paid work and volunteer work together constitute the full range of labour in any society.

Synonyms: make up, form, comprise

Collocations: constitute a majority, constitute evidence, constitute a problem

To assert the opposite of a statement, or to be in direct conflict with something else.

Word Breakdown: contra- (prefix meaning ‘against’)

Word family: contradiction (n.), contradictory (adj.)

Example: The second study contradicted the findings of the first, leading researchers to question their original conclusions.

Synonyms: oppose, conflict with, deny

Collocations: contradict a claim, contradict evidence, directly contradict

To give special importance or attention to something, making it stand out as particularly significant.

Word family: emphasis (n.), emphatic (adj.)

Example: The teacher emphasised the importance of providing specific evidence when making a claim in an essay.

Synonyms: stress, highlight, underline

Collocations: emphasise the importance, emphasise that, place emphasis on

Suggested or understood without being directly stated; implied rather than explicit.

Word Breakdown: im- (prefix meaning ‘in’ or ‘into’)

Word family: implicitly (adv.)

Example: The author's criticism of the government was implicit throughout the article, even though she never stated it directly.

Synonyms: implied, unstated, indirect

Collocations: implicit assumption, implicit message, implicit in

One of several levels, sheets, or amounts of something lying on top of or beneath another; in analysis, a level of meaning or complexity.

Word family: layered (adj.)

Example: A skilled reader looks beyond the surface layer of a text to uncover deeper meanings and assumptions.

Synonyms: level, tier, stratum

Collocations: layer of meaning, surface layer, add a layer

A writing function phrase used to introduce a consequence or outcome that follows directly from what has been stated.

Example: The factory was closed down; as a result, over two hundred workers lost their jobs.

Synonyms: therefore, consequently, as a consequence

Collocations: as a result of, as a direct result, as a result, she