Prefixes 4: New Words and Pronunciation

The Prefixes EM/EN

Prefix	Meaning
em, en	to cause to

Pronunciation tips: EN and EM are pronounced with a short E sound, the E sound in met.
These prefixes are usually not stressed with verbs. They are often stressed with nouns.

Interesting Pronunciations

Enlighten – use the stopped T and strong N or glottal stop as in the words “written” or “gotten”

Encounter – can use a silent T as we do in “internet;” say encouner

Enthusiastic – say en-thoo-zee-YA-stik – there is a linking Y sound within “ia” which is often pronounced eeya – in this word A sounds like A in cat; this linking sound is also in “create,” but A sounds like A in late

Answer the Questions

1. We tend to use the word embark for long projects. In this way, it’s similar to the original meaning of starting on a journey by boat. Think of a long-term project. When do you plan to embark on it or did you embark on it some time ago?

2. If you tell a good story to a friend, do you like to embellish it or do you only state the facts? Also, do you know anyone who likes to embellish stories?

3. What is one quality or work ethic that your workplace or manager places emphasis on? Why do you think this quality is stressed?

4. Describe one way in which your family empowered you.

5. Are you good at empowering other people? Why or why not?

6. In popular speech, we sometimes say that friends or relatives enable us to do unhealthy things, like drinking heavily, gossiping, etc. Do you know of someone who tends to enable others in this way?

7. When you encounter a problem at work, what is the first thing that you usually do?

8. Think of a time when you had to speak to another person and the situation was uncomfortable. How was the encounter?

9. During what time of day do you have the most energy? Why?

10. Describe one person that you know who tends to enlighten others. What is this person like?

11. What is one subject that you are very enthusiastic about and another subject that you are not enthusiastic about at all? Explain this difference in your interests?

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