Y06W09VC Word Roots — -al (relating to)

Relating to a particular person or their private life, feelings or experiences.

Word Breakdown: -al (suffix meaning 'relating to')

Example: The author drew on personal experiences to make the writing more authentic and engaging.

Synonyms: individual, private, subjective

Collocations: a personal opinion, personal experience, make it personal

Relating to the customs, beliefs, arts and social behaviour of a particular group or society.

Example: The poem reflects the cultural values of the community it was written for.

Synonyms: social, traditional, community-based

Collocations: cultural identity, cultural background, cultural significance

Existing in or produced by the natural world; not made or caused by people. Also describes something that comes easily or without effort.

Example: The scientist argued that the damage to the reef was the result of natural processes as well as human activity.

Synonyms: physical, organic, innate

Collocations: a natural process, natural environment, come naturally

To examine something in detail in order to understand it or explain it.

Word family: analyse (v.), analysis (n.), analytical (adj.)

Example: Students were asked to analyse the author's word choices and explain their effect on the reader.

Synonyms: examine, study, investigate

Collocations: analyse the data, analyse a text, carefully analysed

To look at something carefully and in detail to learn more about it.

Word family: examine (v.), examination (n.)

Example: The class examined the photograph closely to identify clues about the historical period.

Synonyms: inspect, study, analyse

Collocations: examine closely, examine the evidence, carefully examine

To investigate or examine something thoroughly, often to discover something new.

Word family: explore (v.), exploration (n.), exploratory (adj.)

Example: The essay invited students to explore different perspectives on the issue of climate change.

Synonyms: investigate, examine, research

Collocations: explore ideas, explore the theme, explore further

To carry out a systematic study or examination to find out about something.

Word family: investigate (v.), investigation (n.), investigative (adj.)

Example: The students investigated the effects of light on plant growth over a four-week period.

Synonyms: examine, study, research

Collocations: investigate a question, conduct an investigation, investigate further

To examine something very carefully and critically, looking for problems or details.

Word Breakdown: -ise (suffix meaning "to make or cause to become")

Word family: scrutinise (v.), scrutiny (n.)

Example: The editor scrutinised every sentence of the article to ensure the facts were accurate.

Synonyms: examine closely, inspect, analyse critically

Collocations: scrutinise carefully, under scrutiny, scrutinise the evidence

‘Upon analysis’ means after looking closely at information, evidence or a text.

Example: Upon analysis, the class noticed that the writer used repetition to build tension.

Synonyms: after analysis, after examining, upon examination

Collocations: upon analysis, we see; upon analysis, the evidence; upon analysis, it becomes clear