Y09W41VC Word Roots — -flict- (strike)
The root -flict- comes from Latin and carries the core meaning of 'to strike' or 'to dash against'. It appears in words that describe conflict, harm caused by opposing forces and the act of imposing pain or difficulty on others. Understanding this root helps students recognise a cluster of important terms used in social commentary, ethical argument and formal 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 -flict- carries the idea of 'strike' into more complex words. Notice how the shared root can help you unlock meaning and use each word more accurately in academic writing.
conflict
/ˈkɒnflɪkt/
con‑flict
noun
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
inflict
/ɪnˈflɪkt/
in‑flict
verb | [inflict – inflicted – inflicted]
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
afflict
/əˈflɪkt/
af‑flict
verb | [afflict – afflicted – afflicted]
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
Academic Vocab
evaluate
/ɪˈvæljʊeɪt/
e‑val‑u‑ate
verb | [evaluate – evaluated – evaluated]
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
assess
/əˈsɛs/
as‑sess
verb | [assess – assessed – assessed]
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
weigh
/weɪ/
weigh
verb | [weigh – weighed – weighed]
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
consider
/kənˈsɪdə/
con‑sid‑er
verb | [consider – considered – considered]
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
judge
/dʒʌdʒ/
judge
verb | [judge – judged – judged]
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
on evaluation
/ɒn ɪˌvæljʊˈeɪʃən/
on ev‑al‑u‑a‑tion
phrase
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
Confusing Words
in contrast vs conversely vs by comparison
These three phrases all signal that a contrasting point is being introduced, but they carry different degrees of directness and different emphases.
- in contrast — in contrast signals a direct opposition between two situations or ideas, often used mid-paragraph to shift to the opposing side; for example, ‘Northern states recorded significant growth in GDP; in contrast, southern regions experienced continued economic decline.’
- conversely — conversely introduces the opposite of what was just stated, often suggesting a logical reversal; for example, ‘Industrialised nations have reduced their domestic emissions considerably; conversely, emissions from rapidly developing economies have increased.’
- by comparison — by comparison introduces a point that is less strong or noteworthy when placed alongside what was just described; for example, ‘The new intervention produced a 40% reduction in reoffending rates; by comparison, the previous programme achieved just 12%.’
Memory rule: A useful distinction: 'in contrast' sets up a simple opposition; 'conversely' suggests a logical reversal of what was just stated; 'by comparison' highlights a relative difference, often involving numbers or scale. In formal analytical writing, all three are effective — choose based on the type of contrast you are drawing.
- 選択結果を選ぶと、ページが全面的に更新されます。
- 新しいウィンドウで開きます。