Y08W01VC Word Roots — -cess / -cede- (go / yield)

A series of steps or actions carried out in a deliberate order to achieve a particular result.

Word Breakdown: pro- (prefix meaning ‘forward’) + -cess (root meaning ‘go’) — so ‘process’ literally means ‘a going forward’

Example: The writing process involves planning your ideas, drafting your response, and then carefully revising your work.

Synonyms: procedure, method, sequence

Collocations: writing process, thought process, step-by-step process

To admit that something is true, or to give ground on a point in an argument, acknowledging that the opposing view has some merit.

Example: In a well-structured essay, writers often concede a counterargument before explaining why their own position is still stronger.

Synonyms: acknowledge, admit, grant

Collocations: concede a point, concede defeat, concede that

The ability, right, or opportunity to approach, use, enter, or make use of something — whether physical, digital, or conceptual.

Example: Not all students have equal access to the digital resources and support they need to succeed at school.

Synonyms: entry, availability, opportunity

Collocations: access to information, gain access, equal access

To successfully reach a goal or desired result through sustained effort. When you achieve something, you have worked purposefully toward it and brought it to completion.

Word family: achievement (n.), achievable (adj.)

Example: After months of focused revision, she achieved a result she was genuinely proud of.

Synonyms: accomplish, attain, fulfil

Collocations: achieve a goal, achieve success, achieve results

To gain or obtain something — such as knowledge, a skill, or a possession — often gradually and through your own effort.

Word family: acquisition (n.), acquired (adj.)

Example: Over the course of the unit, students gradually acquired the vocabulary they needed for formal essay writing.

Synonyms: gain, obtain, develop

Collocations: acquire knowledge, acquire skills, acquire experience

Consisting of many connected and interrelated parts, making something difficult to fully understand or resolve.

Word Breakdown: com- (prefix meaning ‘together’ or ‘with’, indicating many parts joined into one)

Word family: complexity (n.), complicate (v.)

Example: The relationship between poverty and educational outcomes is complex and cannot be explained by a single factor.

Synonyms: intricate, multifaceted, complicated

Collocations: complex issue, complex relationship, complex problem

To state clearly and precisely what something means or what its limits and boundaries are.

Word Breakdown: de- (prefix meaning ‘completely’ or ‘thoroughly’, from Latin, intensifying the idea of marking limits precisely)

Word family: definition (n.), definitive (adj.)

Example: Before building her argument, the writer carefully defined the key terms she would be using throughout the essay.

Synonyms: clarify, specify, explain

Collocations: define a term, define the problem, clearly define

Something that actively contributes to or influences a result or outcome. A factor is one of several elements that, together, produce a particular effect or situation.

Word family: factors (n. plural)

Example: One significant factor in the success of the campaign was the broad community support it received.

Synonyms: element, influence, contributor

Collocations: key factor, contributing factor, main factor

Used in formal writing to introduce a conclusion, result, or logical consequence that follows from what has already been stated.

Example: The research consistently pointed to the same outcome; therefore, the scientists concluded that further testing was unnecessary.

Synonyms: consequently, thus, as a result

Collocations: and therefore, therefore it follows, therefore we can conclude