Y09W29VC Word Roots — -sequ/-sec- (follow)

The root -sequ- / -sec- comes from Latin and carries the core meaning of 'to follow'. It appears in words that describe consequences, sequences and the logical order in which events or ideas proceed. Understanding this root helps students recognise an important family of terms used in analytical and academic writing. This module explores six Academic Vocab words alongside three further examples in the Word Families section.

Word Families

These three word-family examples show how -sequ/-sec- carries the idea of 'follow' into more complex words. Notice how the shared root can help you unlock meaning and use each word more accurately in academic writing.

sequence

/ˈsiːkwəns/

se‑quence

noun

A series of events, actions or things that follow each other in a particular order.

Word Breakdown: -sequ- (root meaning 'to follow') + -ence (suffix forming a noun meaning 'the state or action of')

Example: The argument gains its persuasive power from the careful sequence in which evidence is presented.

Synonyms: order, series, progression

Collocations: in sequence, logical sequence, narrative sequence

consequence

/ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/

con‑se‑quence

noun

A result or effect that follows from an action or condition.

Word Breakdown: con- (prefix meaning 'with' or 'together') + -sequ- (root meaning 'to follow') + -ence (suffix forming a noun)

Example: One consequence of widespread media bias is a public that struggles to distinguish reliable from unreliable information.

Synonyms: outcome, result, effect

Collocations: face the consequences, long-term consequence, as a consequence

subsequent

/ˈsʌbsɪkwənt/

sub‑se‑quent

adjective

Coming after or following something in time or order.

Word Breakdown: sub- (prefix meaning 'after' or 'below') + -sequ- (root meaning 'to follow') + -ent (suffix meaning 'characterised by')

Example: The initial study was flawed, but subsequent research using a larger sample confirmed the original hypothesis.

Synonyms: following, later, ensuing

Collocations: subsequent research, in subsequent years, subsequent to

Academic Vocab

implicit

/ɪmˈplɪsɪt/

im‑plic‑it

adjective

Suggested or understood without being directly stated; embedded within something as an underlying assumption.

Word family: implicitly (adv.), implication (n.)

Example: The text's implicit argument is that environmental destruction is a product of capitalism, even though the word is never used.

Synonyms: unspoken, unstated, implied

Collocations: implicit assumption, implicit message, implicit understanding

explicit

/ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/

ex‑plic‑it

adjective

Stated clearly and directly, leaving nothing to implication or guesswork.

Word family: explicitly (adv.)

Example: The policy document is explicit about the criteria for eligibility, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Synonyms: direct, clear, stated outright

Collocations: explicit reference, make explicit, explicit statement

overt

/əʊˈvɜːt/

o‑vert

adjective

Done or shown openly and not concealed; not hidden.

Word family: overtly (adv.)

Example: The discrimination was overt — job applicants with non-Anglo names received significantly fewer interview offers.

Synonyms: open, visible, obvious

Collocations: overt racism, overt pressure, openly overt

covert

/ˈkəʊvɜːt/

co‑vert

adjective

Not openly acknowledged or displayed; secret or concealed.

Word Breakdown: co- (prefix here from Latin cooperire, meaning 'to cover completely')

Word family: covertly (adv.)

Example: Researchers documented covert discrimination in hiring practices that would not have been visible through official records.

Synonyms: hidden, secret, concealed

Collocations: covert operation, covert discrimination, operate covertly

tacit

/ˈtæsɪt/

tac‑it

adjective

Understood or implied without being openly expressed; accepted silently without objection.

Word family: tacitly (adv.)

Example: There was a tacit agreement among the committee members not to raise the issue of funding cuts during the public meeting.

Synonyms: unspoken, implied, understood

Collocations: tacit agreement, tacit understanding, tacit approval

the implicit meaning

/ðə ɪmˈplɪsɪt ˈmiːnɪŋ/

the im‑plic‑it mean‑ing

phrase

Used in literary analysis to draw attention to the unstated or underlying significance of a passage or text.

Example: On the surface the letter is a polite request; however, the implicit meaning is a clear ultimatum.

Synonyms: the underlying message, the deeper meaning, what is left unsaid

Collocations: the implicit meaning is, the implicit meaning here, reveals the implicit meaning

Confusing Words

fictional vs fictitious

These two adjectives both relate to things that are not true, but they are used in different contexts and with different implications.

  • fictional — fictional relating to fiction — imagined, invented or belonging to a story or literary work; for example, ‘Harry Potter is a fictional character created by J.K. Rowling for the purpose of her fantasy novel series.’
  • fictitious — fictitious not real or true; invented to deceive — it implies that something is deliberately fake or false; for example, ‘The investigation revealed that the academic's credentials were entirely fictitious and had been fabricated to secure the position.’

Memory rule: A key distinction: 'fictional' is a neutral term for what belongs to literature or storytelling; 'fictitious' implies deliberate falseness or deception. A fictional character is a normal part of a novel; a fictitious identity is a fraud. Use 'fictional' for literary analysis and 'fictitious' when fraud or deception is involved.