Y09W29VC Word Roots — -sequ/-sec- (follow)

A series of events, actions or things that follow each other in a particular order.

Word Breakdown: -sequ- (root meaning 'to follow') + -ence (suffix forming a noun meaning 'the state or action of')

Example: The argument gains its persuasive power from the careful sequence in which evidence is presented.

Synonyms: order, series, progression

Collocations: in sequence, logical sequence, narrative sequence

A result or effect that follows from an action or condition.

Word Breakdown: con- (prefix meaning 'with' or 'together') + -sequ- (root meaning 'to follow') + -ence (suffix forming a noun)

Example: One consequence of widespread media bias is a public that struggles to distinguish reliable from unreliable information.

Synonyms: outcome, result, effect

Collocations: face the consequences, long-term consequence, as a consequence

Coming after or following something in time or order.

Word Breakdown: sub- (prefix meaning 'after' or 'below') + -sequ- (root meaning 'to follow') + -ent (suffix meaning 'characterised by')

Example: The initial study was flawed, but subsequent research using a larger sample confirmed the original hypothesis.

Synonyms: following, later, ensuing

Collocations: subsequent research, in subsequent years, subsequent to

Suggested or understood without being directly stated; embedded within something as an underlying assumption.

Word family: implicitly (adv.), implication (n.)

Example: The text's implicit argument is that environmental destruction is a product of capitalism, even though the word is never used.

Synonyms: unspoken, unstated, implied

Collocations: implicit assumption, implicit message, implicit understanding

Stated clearly and directly, leaving nothing to implication or guesswork.

Word family: explicitly (adv.)

Example: The policy document is explicit about the criteria for eligibility, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Synonyms: direct, clear, stated outright

Collocations: explicit reference, make explicit, explicit statement

Done or shown openly and not concealed; not hidden.

Word family: overtly (adv.)

Example: The discrimination was overt — job applicants with non-Anglo names received significantly fewer interview offers.

Synonyms: open, visible, obvious

Collocations: overt racism, overt pressure, openly overt

Not openly acknowledged or displayed; secret or concealed.

Word Breakdown: co- (prefix here from Latin cooperire, meaning 'to cover completely')

Word family: covertly (adv.)

Example: Researchers documented covert discrimination in hiring practices that would not have been visible through official records.

Synonyms: hidden, secret, concealed

Collocations: covert operation, covert discrimination, operate covertly

Understood or implied without being openly expressed; accepted silently without objection.

Word family: tacitly (adv.)

Example: There was a tacit agreement among the committee members not to raise the issue of funding cuts during the public meeting.

Synonyms: unspoken, implied, understood

Collocations: tacit agreement, tacit understanding, tacit approval

Used in literary analysis to draw attention to the unstated or underlying significance of a passage or text.

Example: On the surface the letter is a polite request; however, the implicit meaning is a clear ultimatum.

Synonyms: the underlying message, the deeper meaning, what is left unsaid

Collocations: the implicit meaning is, the implicit meaning here, reveals the implicit meaning