Y09W15VC Word Roots — -alter- (other)

One of two or more possibilities; another option that could be chosen instead.

Word Breakdown: -alter- (root meaning 'other' or 'different') + -ative (suffix meaning 'relating to' or 'tending to')

Example: If the primary source of evidence is unreliable, researchers must consider an alternative explanation for the data.

Synonyms: option, choice, substitute

Collocations: viable alternative, present an alternative, no alternative

A noisy, heated argument or confrontation between people.

Word Breakdown: -alter- (root meaning 'other' or 'to quarrel with another') + -ation (suffix forming a noun from a verb)

Example: The documentary captured an altercation between protesters and counter-protesters outside the government building.

Synonyms: dispute, quarrel, confrontation

Collocations: heated altercation, verbal altercation, brief altercation

To make a change to something; to become different.

Word Breakdown: -alter- (root from Latin alter, meaning 'other' or 'to change to something different')

Example: The editor requested that the author alter the opening paragraph to better engage the reader from the outset.

Synonyms: change, modify, adjust

Collocations: alter the meaning, alter significantly, alter the course

To confirm or prove that something is accurate, correct, acceptable or officially approved.

Word family: validation (n.), valid (adj.)

Example: The findings must be validated by independent researchers before they can be accepted as scientific consensus.

Synonyms: confirm, verify, support

Collocations: validate the findings, validate a claim, validate an approach

To confirm or support a statement, theory or finding with additional evidence from another source.

Word Breakdown: cor- (prefix — a form of 'con-' meaning 'together' or 'jointly')

Word family: corroboration (n.), corroborating (adj.)

Example: The witness's testimony corroborated the account already provided by the physical evidence.

Synonyms: confirm, support, back up

Collocations: corroborate the evidence, corroborate a claim, independently corroborate

To provide evidence that proves or supports a claim or argument as true or valid.

Word family: substantiation (n.), substantial (adj.)

Example: The journalist was asked to substantiate the allegations before the article could be published.

Synonyms: prove, support, back up

Collocations: substantiate a claim, substantiate the argument, fail to substantiate

To confirm the accuracy, truth or correctness of something, especially through examination or investigation.

Word Breakdown: -ify (suffix meaning 'to make or establish as')

Word family: verification (n.), verifiable (adj.)

Example: It is essential to verify all statistical claims before incorporating them into a research report.

Synonyms: confirm, check, establish

Collocations: verify the facts, verify the source, independently verify

To show that something is definitely true or correct; to formally establish something as fact.

Word family: confirmation (n.), confirmed (adj.)

Example: The follow-up study confirmed the findings of the original research across a larger sample group.

Synonyms: verify, establish, prove

Collocations: confirm the findings, confirm a hypothesis, confirm that

Used in academic writing to indicate that the evidence or point just made demonstrates a particular truth or pattern.

Example: The recovery rate improved by 28% over two years; this shows that early intervention strategies are effective.

Synonyms: this demonstrates, this indicates, this confirms

Collocations: this shows that, this clearly shows, this shows how