Lesson 3: Learning Word Families
Learn One Word, Get Four Free!
Imagine learning one new word, but getting three or four extra words for free! That is the power of learning word families1. A word family is a group of words that share a common root word2 but have different functions (noun, verb, adjective, etc.). Learning words this way is one of the most efficient strategies to rapidly expand your vocabulary.
What is a Word Family?
A word family consists of a root word and all of its different forms. By learning the whole family, you learn how to use the core idea in many different grammatical situations.
Example 1: The "Success" Family
The root idea is achieving a goal.
| Word Form | Word | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (the idea) | success | I wish you success in your new job. |
| Verb (the action) | succeed | If you work hard, you will succeed. |
| Adjective (describes a person) | successful | She is a successful businesswoman. |
| Adverb (describes an action) | successfully | He completed the project successfully. |
Example 2: The "Act" Family
The root idea is doing something.
| Word Form | Word | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (the thing) | action | His quick action saved the day. |
| Noun (the person) | actor | He is a famous movie actor. |
| Verb (the action) | act | We must act now to solve the problem. |
| Adjective (describes a person) | active | It's important to be physically active. |
Usage Note: How to Learn Word Families
This strategy works perfectly with your vocabulary notebook and a learner's dictionary.
- Identify the Root: When you learn a new, important word (like 'decide'), recognize it as your root word.
- Use a Dictionary: Look up the root word in an online learner's dictionary. Good dictionaries will show you the "word family" or "related words" for an entry.
- Create a Family Page: In your notebook, dedicate a whole page to that word family. Write down the noun, verb, adjective, and adverb forms.
- Write Your Own Sentences: For each form, write a personal example sentence. This is the most important step to truly learn how to use each word correctly.
In Conversation
Srey explains the strategy to Bora.
Bora: Srey, I'm trying to improve my vocabulary, but it feels slow learning one word at a time.
Srey: I know what you mean. My teacher gave me a new strategy: learning word families.
Bora: How does that work?
Srey: Let's take the word 'danger', which is a noun. The adjective form is 'dangerous'.
Bora: Oh, I know that one! "A moto can be dangerous."
Srey: Right. And the verb is 'endanger', which means to put something in danger. For example, "Pollution can endanger fish in the river."
Bora: Wow. So from 'danger', I get 'dangerous' and 'endanger'.
Srey: Exactly! You learn one root idea and get multiple words. It's much more efficient.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. In the sentence "Her decision was final," what word form is 'decision'?
- a) Verb
- b) Noun
- c) Adjective
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) Noun (It's the name of the thing she made).
2. Choose the correct word form: "You need to be very ______ when you drive." (root: care)
- a) careful
- b) carefully
- c) care
Click to see the answer
Answer: a) careful (An adjective is needed to describe 'you').
3. Choose the correct word form: "Please drive ______." (root: care)
- a) careful
- b) carefully
- c) care
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) carefully (An adverb is needed to describe the verb 'drive').
edit Your Mission
- Build a Family: The root word is 'collect' (verb). Use an online learner's dictionary to find the noun for the *thing* you do and the noun for the *person* who does it. Write them in your notebook.
- My Sentences: Write two sentences using different forms of the word 'beauty' (e.g., beautiful, beautifully).
- Speak: Your mission is to use two different forms of a word in a conversation. (e.g., "I decided to learn English. It was a good decision.")