Customer Reviews

English Words from Latin and Greek Elements

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As the reviser of this book--not the Photographer (there is not a single picture in the tome)--I must correct a few misimpressions given in the other reviews, while touting the systematic format that separates Dr. Ayers's book from its competitors. To be sure this is a textbook--the best selling text in this subject area--divided into two halves, one dealing with English words derived from Latin, the other dealing with English words derived from Greek. Each lesson has some introductory material; these intros vary: some explain how English builds words from Latin and Greek bases with an explanation of how dictionaries present such information, some are mini-lectures in linguistic processes that characterize English words, some deal with how the form and meaning of words change with time. Each lesson presents a list of bases, prefixes and suffixes for the student to memorize. These are set forth clearly in caps, and there are many examples given for each item. The lesson ends not with quizzes but with words derived from the elements presented in sentences that are written by skilled writers of English. All of the information is well indexed at the end. This systematic approach gives the student control over the most frequently encountered word elements in English coming from Greek and Latin. As a consequence of her studies, such a student will have stored in her brain the keys to about half of the harder words in English including the many thousands of technical words invented each year--especially those medical and biological tongue twisters invented by the biological and medical communities. With the keys in her head and the word in its context before her, the student will often undertand the author without having to look up words that often are not yet even in the most recent dictionary. This is power; but power is not easily gained in any field of endeavor. The book can be used by a diligent person for self-study, but most students will need a structured environment in which to learn its contents. TD Worthen

Didn't realize this would be in textbook format; with chapters, questions and quizzes. Not useful to me as a reference book.

This is the book of choice for use in my classroom. Students find it easy to use and understand. For my purposes, I find the book to be logically arranged and clearly written. It is very accessible, and I encourage students, teachers, and philologists alike to use it.

Rocco Dormarunno
Instructor, College of New Rochelle

As a student of Latin and Greek, I found this book helpful in two realms. First, the book provided a comprehensive review of my Latin and Greel vocabulary...which is all the better for this book. Secondly, I found that this book provided an excellent look into the deapths of the English language, showing readers how important Latin and Greek are to anyone who speaks English. This aspect of the book proved itself in two areas for me: 1) It helped to improve my English vocabulary, and 2) it gives even more of a glimps into why it is important to study the Classics. It seems to me that those who read this book will see the LUX!

I found what I have been looking for! A book who extends your English vocabulary systematically. I strongly recommend this book particularly for English learners. (I'm from Turkey)

With carefully chosen chapters and exercises, I'm sure you will learn a lot of things about Latin and Greek words in English. I memorized many difficult English words with the help of this book. I want to thank to the authors.

Very good book! I read it three times!

I have had such a great success with "Greek and Latin Roots in Everyday Language" published by the Perfection Form Company (not carried by Amazon) and I was looking for something more to supplement my teaching with. Although the information contained in "English Words - From Latin and Greek Elements" is of a high quality, and of the sort that my students would benefit from, it is given at a level which requires intelligence and patience. The book might work well for Juniors and Senior high students at advanced level; however the book, I believe, was not designed to be copied. It is tightly formated and each lesson builds upon the next. You might try the aforementioned book for your typical high school student.

The book was pretty good. It's a little slow as it talks about the origin of the world's languages and kinds of dictionaries there are, but as you progress through the book, it explains the Latin/Greek prefixes, suffixes, and bases of some English words. It does a good job explaining the etymology of some words.

As a student of Latin and Greek, I found this book helpful in two realms. First, the book provided a comprehensive review of my Latin and Greel vocabulary...which is all the better for this book. Secondly, I found that this book provided an excellent look into the deapths of the English language, showing readers how important Latin and Greek are to anyone who speaks English. This aspect of the book proved itself in two areas for me: 1) It helped to improve my English vocabulary, and 2) it gives even more of a glimps into why it is important to study the Classics. It seems to me that those who read this book will see the LUX!

I first read this book in a college class, "Foundations of World Languages," and had since loaned it to other members of my family who were in class. I have had to replace mine twice so far because it doesn't seem to find its way home, but I will keep replacing it as often as necessary because it is a fascinating book and an aid to understanding the meaning of new words. Words you have never heard before can be deciphered with what is in this precious little book!

"This book is a worthwhile, worthwhile, book. It is a very systematic vocabulary-builder,which explains the rules of declension,as well as most, if not all of the common roots of Latin and Greek. I would also reccomend to you Mr Ayers other book: Bioscientific terminology-to go along with this book, and the purchase of one of the dictionaries that he reccomends. Study it: memorize it: master the rules of etymology and your life will be opened up in ways that you cannot begin to understand."