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'Root' is the underground part of a plant or the origin of something; 'route' is a path or way from one place to another.
Side-by-side comparison
"Root" is the underground part of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients. Also the fundamental origin: "the root of the problem" = the underlying cause. "Root cause" = the original source of an issue.
The tree roots had cracked the pavement over decades.
Money is the root of much corporate misconduct.
She has deep roots in the local community, her family has lived there for generations.
"Route" is the path taken from one place to another. "Take this route" = follow this road. In logistics: a sequence of deliveries or stops. Also: to send something along a specific path.
What is the fastest route to the airport from here?
The delivery driver optimises his route to save fuel.
All calls are routed through the main switchboard.
Common mistake
- •"The root to success" when meaning the path is wrong (correct: route to success).
- •"Root" is the underground origin or cause; "route" is the path or itinerary toward somewhere.
Trick to remember it
- •"Root" has double O like "boot" and "foot", things that go downward, as roots grow underground.
- •"Route" has UTE like "outer", the road going outward, borrowed from French.
Quick rule
Is it the plant's base, an origin, or a fundamental cause? "Root." Is it the path, way, or itinerary? "Route."
Did you know?
In computing, ROOT concentrates two easily confused concepts. "Root access" or "root user" is the superuser in Linux/Unix systems, with unlimited access to everything, like the king of the operating system. "Root directory" is the top-level directory from which all others branch (like a tree). ROUTE, on the other hand, is the path data packets follow in computer networks, and "routers" take their name from this function. It is ironic that in the technical field, ROOT and ROUTE are equally fundamental and appear together constantly: "root access to configure routing tables."
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
What's the fastest _____ to the airport from here?
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Stress is often at the _____ of many health problems.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy