Post on 13-Dec-2015
Lesson #4 Directional Prefixes
Our focus this week is on the directional prefixes
ambi- and amphi-
Ambi- is a Latin prefix
Amphi- is a Greek prefix
they both mean “around, on both sides”
An amphibian (like a frog) is an organism
that lives on land and in water. It lives “on both
sides.”
Ambidextrous people use their right and left
hands equally well. They can write with
“both” hands.
With your partner, explain how each of these amphi- or ambi- words means
“around” or “on both sides.” The context will give you a clue.
An amphibious reptileAn amphibian airplane
An amphitheaterAn ambitious salesperson
An ambiguous remarkAn unambiguous remark
Find the amphi- or ambi- word that makes sense in the context.
amphibian amphitheater ambivalent
Many people feel ___________ about paying taxes.Can you explain why?
The ancient Romans watched plays in an outdoor __________ called the Colosseum.
Is a monkey an ___________? Explain why or why not?
1. amphibian
amphi + bi(o) = amphibian
Live, life
+An animal that lives on both land and water
=On both sides
A crocodile is one of the largest and oldest amphibians on Earth.
2. ambidextrous
ambi + dextr = ambidextrous
Right hand
+ Able to use both hands
=
On both sides
My cousin Jake is ambidextrous. He writes with his left hand, but bats with his right.
3. ambition
ambi + (i)t = ambition
go+To go around and work hard
=around
Students need to have ambition if they want to graduate with honors.
4. ambivalent
ambi + val = ambivalent
Be strong
+To feel strongly about both sides of an issue.
=
Many people are ambivalent on the issue of paying taxes; they know they have to pay them no matter what.
On both sides
5. amphitheater
amphi + theater = amphitheater
Theater, watch
+To be able to watch a performance from both sides
=On both sides
We went to a concert at the amphitheater in Birmingham.
6. ambiguous
ambi + (i)gu = ambiguous
drive+To “drive” around and not get to the point.
=around
The student gave an ambiguous answer to the question because he did not know the real answer.
7. amphibious
amphi + bi(o) = amphibious
Live, life
+Relating to or adapted for both land and water
=On both sides
I like to watch amphibious planes land on the water.
8. ambidexterity
ambi + dextr = ambidexterity
Right hand
+The quality of being able to use both hands
=On both sides
I wish I had the gift of ambidexterity when I broke my right hand.
9. ambience
ambi + (i)t = ambience
go +The feeling of what is going on around you
=around
I did not like the ambience of the restaurant, so we left and went to eat somewhere else.
10. ambiguity
ambi + (i)gu = ambiguity
drive+The act of not getting to the point
=around
It is important to avoid ambiguity when explaining a concept that can easily be confused with another.