Y09W25VC Word Roots — -ag/-act- (drive/do)

A list of items to be discussed or acted upon; also refers to an underlying or hidden set of goals.

Word Breakdown: -ag- (root meaning 'to drive' or 'to do') + -enda (Latin suffix meaning 'things to be done')

Example: Critics accused the media outlet of pursuing a political agenda rather than providing objective reporting.

Synonyms: programme, plan, goals

Collocations: political agenda, hidden agenda, set the agenda

Taking action to control a situation by causing things to happen rather than simply reacting when they do.

Word Breakdown: pro- (prefix meaning 'forward' or 'in advance') + -act- (root meaning 'to do') + -ive (suffix meaning 'tending to')

Example: Schools need to take a proactive approach to student wellbeing rather than waiting until a crisis emerges.

Synonyms: anticipatory, forward-thinking, initiative-taking

Collocations: proactive approach, be proactive, proactive measures

A person or thing that takes action or produces an effect; someone who acts on behalf of another.

Word Breakdown: -ag- (root meaning 'to drive' or 'to act') + -ent (suffix meaning 'one who does or acts')

Example: Feminist literary theory argues that female characters must be read as agents with their own desires, not merely passive figures.

Synonyms: actor, force, representative

Collocations: agent of change, free agent, human agency

To publicly support or recommend a particular cause, policy or idea, especially on behalf of others.

Word family: advocacy (n.), advocate (n.)

Example: The organisation advocates strongly for the rights of asylum seekers within the Australian legal system.

Synonyms: champion, support, argue for

Collocations: advocate for, strongly advocate, advocate reform

To actively support, encourage or help something to succeed or become more widely accepted.

Word family: promotion (n.), promotional (adj.)

Example: The campaign sought to promote greater awareness of Indigenous land rights among the general public.

Synonyms: support, advance, champion

Collocations: promote awareness, promote change, actively promote

To vigorously support or defend a cause or person; to act as the leading advocate for something.

Word family: championship (n.)

Example: Throughout her career, the activist championed the right of all children to access quality education, regardless of their background.

Synonyms: support, advocate, defend

Collocations: champion the cause, champion the rights, champion reform

To put forward reasons in support of a particular position, policy or idea.

Example: The paper argues for a fundamental restructuring of how mental health services are delivered in schools.

Synonyms: advocate for, make the case for, support

Collocations: argue for change, argue strongly for, argue persuasively for

To argue in support of something; to protect an idea, person or position from attack or criticism.

Word family: defence (n.), defensible (adj.)

Example: The author defends her controversial thesis by marshalling a substantial body of empirical evidence.

Synonyms: support, justify, protect

Collocations: defend the argument, defend a position, defend the claim

Used in academic writing to attribute a clear position of support or promotion to a text, argument or person.

Example: The manifesto X advocates for a complete overhaul of the tax system to reduce inequality.

Synonyms: X argues for, X champions, X supports

Collocations: X explicitly advocates for, X consistently advocates for