Writing Book 8 · Lesson 36

Abbreviations and affixes — use the words

Word parts are what you use on a word nobody has taught you.

The words

hyper-

too much / above

micro-

very small

macro-

very large

auto-

self

bio-

life

geo-

earth

-graphy

writing about

-cracy

rule by

-phobia

fear of

i.e.

that is

et al.

and others

cf.

compare

1hyper- means about the same as too much / above.
Hyperactive behavior.

2micro- means about the same as very small.
A microscope shows microorganizms.

3macro- means about the same as very large.
Macroeconomics studies whole systems.

✗ Hyperactive behavior. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.

✓ Hyperactive behavior. — this is how a writer says it.

Ask yourself: “Can I get a working meaning before I reach for a dictionary?”

Build a working meaning from parts you already own.