Y08W09VC Word Roots — -sens / -sent- (feel / think)

The root -sens- / -sent- comes from Latin and carries the core meaning of 'to feel' or 'to think'. It appears in words that describe perception, emotion, awareness, and inner experience. 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 -sens / -sent-. As you read, notice how the meaning 'feel / think' can help you infer unfamiliar words and use them with more control.

consent

/kənˈsɛnt/

con‑sent

noun

Permission freely given by a person, especially for something to be done to or involving them.

Word Breakdown: con- (prefix meaning ‘together’) + -sent (root meaning ‘feel’) — so consent literally means a ‘feeling together’ or mutual agreement

Example: Digital platforms are required to obtain users’ consent before collecting and sharing their personal data.

Synonyms: agreement, permission, approval

Collocations: give consent, informed consent, without consent

sensitive

/ˈsɛnsɪtɪv/

sen‑si‑tive

adjective

Easily affected by or responsive to something; or relating to information that requires careful handling.

Example: The report contained sensitive personal information that was not intended for public release.

Synonyms: delicate, careful, responsive

Collocations: sensitive issue, sensitive data, sensitive to

consensus

/kənˈsɛnsəs/

con‑sen‑sus

noun

A general agreement reached by a group after discussion, reflecting a shared view or position.

Example: After lengthy debate, the committee reached a consensus that further research was needed before any action was taken.

Synonyms: agreement, accord, collective view

Collocations: reach a consensus, broad consensus, scientific consensus

Academic Vocab

consequence

/ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/

con‑se‑quence

noun

A result or effect that follows from an action, decision, or situation, especially one that is significant or hard to avoid.

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

Example: Students must consider the long-term consequences of their choices when selecting their senior subjects.

Synonyms: result, outcome, effect

Collocations: face the consequences, unintended consequence, significant consequence

inevitable

/ɪnˈɛvɪtəbəl/

in‑ev‑i‑ta‑ble

adjective

Certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.

Word Breakdown: in- (prefix meaning ‘not’)

Word family: inevitably (adv.)

Example: Change is inevitable; the question is not whether it will occur, but how quickly and in what form.

Synonyms: unavoidable, certain, inescapable

Collocations: inevitable consequence, almost inevitable, seemingly inevitable

paradox

/ˈpærədɒks/

par‑a‑dox

noun

A statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible but may in fact be true or contain a deeper truth.

Word family: paradoxical (adj.), paradoxically (adv.)

Example: It is a paradox that the technology designed to connect people has, in many ways, increased their sense of isolation.

Synonyms: contradiction, puzzle, irony

Collocations: a central paradox, present a paradox, seemingly paradoxical

ambiguous

/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/

am‑big‑u‑ous

adjective

Open to more than one interpretation; unclear or uncertain in meaning.

Word family: ambiguity (n.), ambiguously (adv.)

Example: The poem's ending is deliberately ambiguous, inviting readers to draw their own conclusions.

Synonyms: unclear, vague, open to interpretation

Collocations: ambiguous language, deliberately ambiguous, remain ambiguous

tension

/ˈtɛnʃən/

ten‑sion

noun

A state of conflict, strain, or unease between opposing forces, ideas, or people.

Word family: tense (adj.)

Example: The essay explored the tension between technological progress and the need to protect human privacy.

Synonyms: conflict, strain, friction

Collocations: create tension, underlying tension, tension between

in contrast

/ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst/

in con‑trast

phrase

A writing function phrase used to highlight a difference between two ideas, groups, or situations.

Example: The urban population grew rapidly; in contrast, rural communities experienced significant population decline.

Synonyms: on the other hand, however, by comparison

Collocations: in contrast to, in contrast with, in sharp contrast

Confusing Words

despite vs although / even though

Despite, although, and even though all introduce contrast or concession, but they function grammatically in different ways.

  • despite — Despite is a preposition and is followed by a noun group or -ing form: 'Despite the rain, the protest continued.'
  • although — Although is a conjunction and introduces a full clause with a subject and verb: 'Although it rained, the protest continued.'
  • even though — Even though works like although but sounds slightly stronger: 'Even though the evidence was limited, the team continued the investigation.'

Memory rule: A useful rule: use despite before a noun or -ing phrase. Use although or even though before a full clause.