Learn vocabulary quickly - Study words with the same root!

Readers often ask for advice about how to learn lots of English vocabulary quickly. One good way is to concentrate on learning related words in groups, rather than one at a time. When you learn a new word, study the other words that share the same root. It's efficient!

For example, here are four related words, all with the same root. 

VIRTUE (noun) - moral goodness

• “I want you all to live lives of virtue.” 

The word virtue is often used in the phrase by virtue of which means “because of,” as in, “She has the legal right to participate in decisions about his healthcare by virtue of being married to him.”

VIRTUOUS (adj.) - full of good moral character

• “She made a virtuous decision to donate the money to charity.” 

VIRTUOUSLY (adverb) - with moral goodness

• "She virtuously resisted the urge to go out shopping for more shoes."

VIRTUAL (adj.) - very close to being something without actually being it

• “The country is ruled by a virtual dictator.”  

The word virtual is often used in the phrase virtual reality, as in, “This video game creates a world of virtual reality.”