Y07W19VC Word Roots — -tract- (pull / drag)

The root ‑tract‑ comes from Latin and carries the core meaning of ‘pull’ or ‘drag’. It appears in words that describe drawing something out, pulling attention toward a focus, or extracting meaning from evidence or a text. Understanding this root unlocks the meaning of many academic and formal English words. This module explores six such words drawn from the Academic Vocab list, plus three further examples in the Word Families section.

Word Families

These three words all connect to the root -tract-. As you read, notice how the meaning 'pull / drag' helps you unlock each word and use it more accurately.

extract

/ɪkˈstrækt/ (verb) /ˈek.strækt/ (noun)

ex‑tract

verb, noun | [extract – extracted – extracted]

To pull out or remove something; or a short piece from a text.

Example: The dentist will extract the tooth under local anaesthetic.

Synonyms: pull out, remove, take out

Collocations: extract information, extract data, extract from

distract

/dɪˈstrækt/

dis‑tract

verb | [distract – distracted – distracted]

To pull someone's attention away; to prevent someone from concentrating.

Example: Loud noises distract students from studying effectively.

Synonyms: divert, divert, divert

Collocations: distract from, easily distracted, distracted by

abstract

/ˈæb.strækt/ (adjective) /æbˈstrækt/ (verb)

ab‑stract

adjective, verb | [abstract – abstracted – abstracted]

Existing in thought or as an idea rather than as concrete reality; or to remove or separate.

Example: Justice is an abstract concept that means different things to different people.

Synonyms: theoretical, intangible, conceptual

Collocations: abstract idea, abstract concept, abstract thinking

Academic Vocab

impact

/ˈɪm.pækt/

im‑pact

noun, verb | [impact – impacted – impacted]

A strong effect or influence; or to have a strong effect on something.

Word family: impactful (adj.)

Example: The new policy will have a significant impact on the community.

Synonyms: effect, influence, consequence

Collocations: have an impact, environmental impact, social impact

consequence

/ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/

con‑se‑quence

noun

A result or effect of something; something that happens as a direct result.

Word family: consequent (adj.), consequently (adv.)

Example: One consequence of climate change is rising sea levels.

Synonyms: result, outcome, effect

Collocations: as a consequence, consequence of, serious consequence

influence

/ˈɪn.flu.əns/

in‑flu‑ence

noun, verb | [influence – influenced – influenced]

The power to affect someone or something; or to affect or change someone or something.

Word Breakdown: -ence (suffix forming nouns from verbs, meaning 'state of' or 'quality of'). The root 'flu' relates to 'flow'.

Word family: influential (adj.), influentially (adv.)

Example: Peer influence can affect teenagers' decisions about health and wellbeing.

Synonyms: impact, effect, sway

Collocations: influence on, influence decision, positive influence

trigger

/ˈtrɪɡ.ə/

trig‑ger

noun, verb | [trigger – triggered – triggered]

Something that causes or starts an event or reaction; or to cause something to happen.

Word family: triggered (adj.)

Example: A single decision can trigger a chain of consequences.

Synonyms: cause, spark, initiate

Collocations: trigger an event, trigger a response, trigger change

result

/rɪˈzʌlt/

re‑sult

noun, verb | [result – resulted – resulted]

An outcome or consequence of something; or to happen as a consequence.

Word family: resulting (adj.)

Example: The experiment produced unexpected results that changed the team's approach.

Synonyms: outcome, consequence, conclusion

Collocations: as a result, final result, positive result

as a consequence

/əz ə ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/

as a con‑se‑quence

phrase (connecting phrase)

A connecting phrase used to introduce a result or effect that follows from something stated previously.

Example: The factory closed due to environmental concerns. As a consequence, many workers found new jobs elsewhere.

Synonyms: as a result, consequently, therefore

Collocations: as a consequence, as a consequence of, as a consequence, the

Confusing Words

number vs amount

Number' and 'amount' are frequently confused because they both relate to quantity. However, 'number' is used for countable things (items you can count one by one), while 'amount' is used for uncountable quantities (masses or substances).

  • number — number' is used for countable nouns — things you can count individually. Example: 'A large number of students attended the assembly.' 'The number of votes increased.' (you can count votes and students individually)
  • amount — amount' is used for uncountable nouns — abstract quantities or masses. Example: 'A large amount of rain fell.' 'The amount of effort was impressive.' (you cannot count rain or effort one by one)

Memory rule: Test with 'one': can you say 'one apple,' 'one vote,' 'one student'? Use number. Can you say 'one rain,' 'one effort'? No — use amount. If you can count them individually, use number; if it's a mass or substance, use amount.