Y06W43VC Word Roots — -ist (one who practises)

The suffix -ist comes from Greek and Latin and means 'one who practises' or 'a person who believes in' a particular activity, doctrine or set of ideas. It is added to nouns to form words that describe a person defined by their occupation, skill or beliefs. Recognising -ist helps students decode unfamiliar words in social studies, science, politics and everyday vocabulary. This module explores six key academic words ending in -ist alongside three Word Families examples.

Word Families

These three words all contain -ist. As you read, notice how the meaning 'one who practises' helps you work out each word.

journalist

/ˈdʒɜːnəlɪst/

jour‑nal‑ist

noun

A person whose job is to collect, write and present news and information for the media.

Word Breakdown: -ist (suffix meaning 'one who practises')

Example: The journalist spent three months investigating the story before publishing her findings.

Synonyms: reporter, writer, correspondent

Collocations: an investigative journalist, a journalist covering, award-winning journalist

activist

/ˈæktɪvɪst/

ac‑tiv‑ist

noun

A person who campaigns vigorously for political or social change.

Example: The environmental activist gave a passionate speech about the urgent need for action on climate change.

Synonyms: campaigner, advocate, reformer

Collocations: an environmental activist, community activist, young activist

specialist

/ˈspeʃəlɪst/

spe‑cial‑ist

noun

A person who has expert knowledge or skill in a particular field.

Example: A marine biology specialist was invited to speak to the class about the effects of ocean acidification.

Synonyms: expert, professional, authority

Collocations: a specialist in, consult a specialist, a subject specialist

Academic Vocab

conclude

/kənˈkluːd/

con‑clude

verb | [conclude – concluded – concluded]

To reach a final decision or judgement based on evidence and reasoning; to bring something to an end.

Word family: conclude (v.), conclusion (n.), conclusive (adj.)

Example: After reviewing all the evidence, the researchers concluded that the intervention had significantly improved outcomes.

Synonyms: determine, decide, deduce

Collocations: conclude that, reach a conclusion, it can be concluded

summarise

/ˈsʌməraɪz/

sum‑ma‑rise

verb | [summarise – summarised – summarised]

To give a brief account of the main points of something.

Word family: summarise (v.), summary (n.)

Example: The final paragraph summarised the three key arguments and restated the author's overall position.

Synonyms: outline, recap, condense

Collocations: summarise the main points, briefly summarised, in summary

finalise

/ˈfaɪnəlaɪz/

fi‑nal‑ise

verb | [finalise – finalised – finalised]

To complete the last details of something; to put something in its finished form.

Word family: finalise (v.), final (adj.), finally (adv.)

Example: She spent the last hour of the workshop finalising her essay and checking that every reference was correctly cited.

Synonyms: complete, finish, wrap up

Collocations: finalise the details, finalise a plan, finalise and submit

determine

/dɪˈtɜːmɪn/

de‑ter‑mine

verb | [determine – determined – determined]

To discover or establish something by investigation; to decide the outcome of something.

Word family: determine (v.), determination (n.)

Example: The research aimed to determine whether the programme had a measurable effect on student engagement.

Synonyms: establish, decide, find out

Collocations: determine the cause, determine the outcome, determine whether

decide

/dɪˈsaɪd/

de‑cide

verb | [decide – decided – decided]

To make a choice or come to a conclusion after considering options.

Word family: decide (v.), decision (n.)

Example: After weighing both arguments, the student decided that the evidence more strongly supported the first position.

Synonyms: choose, conclude, resolve

Collocations: decide to, decide on, make a decision

in conclusion

/ɪn kənˈkluːʒən/

in con‑clu‑sion

phrase

‘In conclusion’ introduces the final summary or closing point of a piece of writing.

Example: In conclusion, the evidence shows that the garden project benefits the whole school.

Synonyms: to conclude, in summary, finally

Collocations: in conclusion, the evidence; in conclusion, this shows; in conclusion, we can

Confusing Words

lightening vs lightning

Lightening and lightning are often confused because they look and sound very similar. Lightening is the present participle of the verb 'to lighten' — it means making something lighter in colour or weight — for example, 'The sky was gradually lightening as the sun began to rise.'

  • lightening — Lightening' means becoming lighter in colour or weight, or making something lighter — for example, 'The sky was lightening before sunrise.'
  • lightning — Lightning is a noun describing the electrical discharge during a storm — for example, 'A bolt of lightning struck the tree during the storm.'

Memory rule: An easy way to remember: lightning (the storm phenomenon) has no 'e' in the middle — it is quick and sharp, just like a bolt. Lightening (from the verb 'lighten') always has an 'e' because it is a gradual process — getting lighter over time.