Master SAT & GRE Vocabulary Through Latin & Greek Roots

Why Learn Roots?

Standardized tests like the SAT and GRE often feature words that look unfamiliar, but most of them are built from the same building blocks that English borrowed from Latin and Greek. Recognizing a root, prefix, or suffix can instantly give you a clue to a words meaning, allowing you to answer readingcomprehension questions faster and to tackle the sentenceequivalence and textcompletion items with confidence.

This page groups together highfrequency test words by their classical roots. For each root we give a short definition, a list of example words, and a quick memory tip. Use the tables as a reference while you study, and try to spot these roots in any new word you encounter.

Common Latin Roots

aud- / audi- (to hear)

Tip: Think of audio on your phone anything with aud relates to hearing.

cred- (believe, trust)

Tip: Credit is what you give someone you trust.

duc- / duct- (lead, bring)

Tip: Duct is a pipe that leads something from point A to B.

port- (carry)

Tip: Port sounds like pork you carry the pork in a bag.

Common Greek Roots

phil- (love, affinity)

Tip: Phila- = phile fan of.

log- / -ology (study, word, reason)

Tip: -logy always means the study of ___.

graph- / -gram (write, record)

Tip: Graph = to draw/write. Think of a graph chart.

hydr- (water)

Tip: Hydro = water, as on a waterpark sign.

Applying Roots on the Test

• Identify the root. When a word looks unfamiliar, locate the familiar part (e.g., scribe, rupt).
• Consider prefixes & suffixes. Un, less, tion, ive modify the base meaning.
• Choose the answer that matches the combined meaning. For sentenceequivalence, both answer choices must share the same rootderived sense.
• Practice with flashcards. Write the root on one side, a list of test words on the other, and test yourself daily.

Quick Reference Chart

Further Resources

For deeper practice, explore the following free online tools:

• Quizlet search SAT GRE Latin Greek roots for readymade flashcard sets.
• MerriamWebster Dictionary check etymology sections for each word.
• Khan Academy vocabulary videos that often highlight word origins.