It is useful also to group together in memory words derived from the same stem, _e.g._ _canō_, _cantus_; _certō_, _certāmen_; _dūcō_, _dux_; _regō_, _rēx_, _rēgius_; _caedō_, _caedēs_. A specially interesting study consists in noting the English words which go back to Latin originals. From various causes a large part of our English vocabulary is borrowed from Latin. Cf. _donate_ with _dōnō_ and _dōnum_, _lucid_ with _lūx_, _regent_ with _rēx_ and _regō_.
Finally, it will be found very helpful constantly to read Latin aloud, for thus the _ear_ will help the _eye_ and words will have meaning when _heard_ as well as when _seen_. Indeed, we ought to use our ears far more than our eyes in acquiring a Latin vocabulary, in order that Latin words, when heard, shall suggest at once to our minds the same pictures which they suggested to the minds of Roman boys.
#Inflections and Syntax.#--It is not enough, however, to be familiar with the meanings of individual words, however many we may succeed in mastering. We must possess a knowledge also of _inflections_, _i.e._ of the declensions and conjugations, which tell us how individual words may be altered in form in order to express different relations to other words, and of _syntax_, which tells us how words are combined together into sentences. A knowledge of inflections and an understanding of syntax are the tools by which we arrive at the meaning of sentences as a whole. As the wise workman uses the best and most efficient tools, so one who undertakes to read Latin with speed and pleasure must make his mastery of inflections and syntax as complete as possible. It is assumed that students of this book have already had some drill in the commoner inflections. The principles of syntax can best be studied as they occur in actual reading. The commonest, and therefore most important, are discussed in the notes and illustrated by appropriate references to the grammars in common use and by the tables of constructions on pages xvi to xxvi. A very practical way of fixing the principles of syntax firmly in mind is by frequent translation from English into Latin. It should be remembered, however, that we study syntax simply because such study enables us to read and enjoy the great works of Latin literature.