Y09W41VC Word Roots — -flict- (strike)

A serious disagreement or clash between opposing forces, ideas or people.

Word Breakdown: con- (prefix meaning 'together' or 'against') + -flict- (root meaning 'to strike')

Example: The conflict between personal freedom and collective safety is at the heart of many contemporary policy debates.

Synonyms: clash, tension, disagreement

Collocations: in conflict with, internal conflict, apparent conflict

To cause something unpleasant or harmful to be experienced by another person or group.

Word Breakdown: in- (prefix meaning 'on' or 'upon') + -flict- (root meaning 'to strike')

Example: The study examined the long-term psychological harm inflicted on individuals who experienced homelessness during childhood.

Synonyms: impose, cause, administer

Collocations: inflict harm, inflict damage, inflict suffering

To cause pain, suffering or distress to someone; to trouble or affect adversely.

Word Breakdown: af- (prefix variant of ad-, meaning 'to' or 'upon') + -flict- (root meaning 'to strike')

Example: Chronic underfunding continues to afflict the public health system, with the most vulnerable communities bearing the greatest burden.

Synonyms: affect, trouble, harm

Collocations: afflict communities, afflict the region, long afflicted by

To assess or judge the quality, significance or validity of something carefully and systematically.

Word family: evaluation (n.), evaluative (adj.)

Example: Students must evaluate the reliability of each source before incorporating its evidence into their argument.

Synonyms: assess, judge, appraise

Collocations: evaluate the evidence, evaluate the argument, critically evaluate

To make a judgement about the nature, quality or amount of something.

Word family: assessment (n.), assessable (adj.)

Example: The committee was asked to assess the potential impact of the proposed legislation before it could be put to a vote.

Synonyms: judge, evaluate, measure

Collocations: assess the impact, assess the risk, independently assess

To carefully consider the relative merits or importance of different factors.

Example: When forming a position, it is essential to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of competing arguments.

Synonyms: consider, balance, judge

Collocations: weigh the evidence, weigh up the options, carefully weigh

To think carefully about something before making a decision or judgement.

Word family: consideration (n.), considered (adj.)

Example: In evaluating the argument, it is important to consider not only the evidence presented but also what has been omitted.

Synonyms: reflect on, think about, take into account

Collocations: consider the evidence, carefully consider, consider all sides

To form an opinion or conclusion about something based on evidence or reasoning.

Word family: judgement (n.), judicious (adj.)

Example: It would be premature to judge the success of the policy before the long-term data has been collected and analysed.

Synonyms: assess, evaluate, determine

Collocations: judge fairly, judge on its merits, difficult to judge

Used in academic writing to introduce a judgement or conclusion drawn from careful analysis of the evidence.

Example: The policy appears promising at first glance; on evaluation, however, its failure to address root causes becomes clear.

Synonyms: on closer inspection, having assessed the evidence, upon reflection

Collocations: on evaluation, the argument; on evaluation, it becomes clear; on evaluation, however