The English Prefixes Pro-, Contra-, and Counter-

Welcome back, fans of Greek and Latin root words as they pertain to the word origins of English vocabulary!  I have been busy working on Greek and Latin root words podcasts, and would like to share with you in subsequent posts each week's discoveries.  I am a huge devotee of Greek and Latin etymology, which can do wonders for your working vocabulary.  For a complete list of these Latin and Greek roots podcasts, check out the archive.


This past sennight ("sennight" is short for a period of "seven nights," just as fortnight means a period of "fourteen nights") I've written the following podcasts and blogs, each of which has a beautiful graphic word tree with it.  Check them out!


The English prefix pro-"forward, forth, for"
In this podcast and blog (otherwise know as a "rootcast") I focus on the following English vocabulary words that contain the English prefix pro-: "forward, forth, for":




*progress*: step 'forward'
*promise*: send an intention 'forward'
*procrastinate*: put off or 'forward' into tomorrow
*propellant*: fuel which pushes a vehicle 'forward'
*product*: that which is led 'forward' by a company to sell
*promote*: move 'forward'
*pro and con*: 'for' and against
*pronoun*: part of speech which stands in place of or 'for' a noun
*pro-Apple*: 'for' Apple products
*pro bono*: 'for' the common good
*quid pro quo*: this 'for' that
*professional*: one who has put 'forth' knowledge or advanced skills to the public
*pro*: short for 'professional'

Note that many of the words above have English morphemes in them that I've also written podcasts about.  Check them out by going to the English prefix pro- podcast and blog!



The English prefixes "contra-" and "counter-": "opposite, against"



*contradict*: speak 'against'
*contrast*: that which stands 'against' something else, offering an 'opposite' viewpoint
*contrary*: having the habit of often going 'against' what others do
*counter*: to offer an 'opposite' opinion
*counterbalance*: a weight or force placed 'against' another to even it out
*counteract*: to do something 'against' or 'opposite' something else
*counterattack*: to go 'against' something that has attacked you
*counterfeit*: money that is made 'opposite' of real money
*counterclockwise*: to move in a path 'opposite' that of a clock's hands
*country*: land 'opposite' another that butts up 'against' it
*con*: evidence that speaks 'against' a proposal
*contraindicate*: to indicate 'against'
*encounter*: to run up "against"

Note that many of the words above have English morphemes in them that I've also written podcasts about.  Check them out by going to the English prefixes contra- and counter- podcast and blog!


For an clear podcast that explains what morphology and morphemes are (prefixes, suffixes, roots, stems, etc.), check out this podcast on English morphology


I hope that you have enjoyed this week's podcasts, blogs, and beautiful graphic word trees.  I'll have two more for you next week! Stay tuned!


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