Lesson 38: POS / PON
The Root
POS and PON come from Latin ponere, meaning "to put" or "to place."
When you see these roots in a word, think about placing something—putting it in position, setting it down, or arranging it.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| position | POS (put, place) + -ITION (state of) | a place where something is put; a stance or view |
| compose | COM- (together) + POS (put) + -E | to put together; to create by combining |
| oppose | OP- (against) + POS (put) + -E | to put against; to resist or disagree |
| propose | PRO- (forward) + POS (put) + -E | to put forward; to suggest for consideration |
| dispose | DIS- (apart, away) + POS (put) + -E | to put away; to get rid of; to make inclined |
| expose | EX- (out) + POS (put) + -E | to put out into the open; to reveal |
| impose | IM- (upon) + POS (put) + -E | to put upon; to force on others |
| deposit | DE- (down) + POS (put) + -IT | to put down; to place for safekeeping |
| component | COM- (together) + PON (put) + -ENT | a part put together with others |
| opponent | OP- (against) + PON (put) + -ENT | one put against; a competitor |
| postpone | POST- (after) + PON (put) + -E | to put after; to delay |
| compound | COM- (together) + POUND (variant of PON, put) | put together; made of multiple parts |
| depose | DE- (down) + POS (put) + -E | to put down from power; to remove from office |
| disposition | POS (put, place) + -ITION (state of) | the way one is inclined or put together; temperament |
| interpose | INTER- (between) + POS (put) + -E | to put between; to intervene |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The committee voted to __________ the decision until next month.
a) impose
b) oppose
c) postpone
d) compose
- She tried to __________ herself between the two arguing friends.
a) depose
b) dispose
c) interpose
d) expose
- The documentary will __________ the truth about the scandal.
a) impose
b) expose
c) compose
d) propose
- Each __________ of the machine must work perfectly for it to function.
a) opponent
b) deposit
c) component
d) disposition
- Critics __________ the new policy, citing potential harm.
a) proposed
b) composed
c) opposed
d) disposed
- She has a naturally sunny __________—always cheerful.
a) deposit
b) compound
c) position
d) disposition
- The rebels planned to __________ the corrupt leader.
a) expose
b) compose
c) depose
d) dispose
- Please __________ the check in the bank by Friday.
a) impose
b) oppose
c) deposit
d) depose
- We must __________ together to create something beautiful.
a) impose
b) compose
c) expose
d) depose
- I'd like to __________ a new solution to the problem.
a) oppose
b) dispose
c) propose
d) postpone
- The new regulations __________ strict requirements on all businesses.
a) expose
b) compose
c) impose
d) propose
- Water is a __________ made of hydrogen and oxygen.
a) component
b) opponent
c) compound
d) disposition
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: position, compose, oppose, propose, dispose, expose, impose, deposit, component, opponent, postpone, compound
Her __________ in the debate was convincing and well-researched.
The investigation could __________ years of hidden corruption.
Trust is a key __________ of any healthy relationship.
Due to weather, we must __________ the outdoor event.
Mozart could __________ entire symphonies from memory.
She will __________ the incumbent in the next election.
Governments __________ taxes to fund public services.
I __________ that we take a different approach this time.
How should we __________ of the old equipment?
Please __________ your belongings in the lockers provided.
The interest will __________ over time if left untouched.
Many citizens __________ the construction of the new highway.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
When the mayor proposed a new development project, opponents quickly organized. They opposed the plan on environmental grounds, exposing previously hidden impact studies that painted a darker picture.
"This will impose decades of pollution on our community," said organizer Luz Herrera. "We cannot simply dispose of these concerns."
The mayor's disposition was defensive. "Every component of this project has been vetted," she insisted. "My position is that growth and environment can coexist."
But critics interposed facts that couldn't be ignored. They deposited evidence at the city council's door—literally and figuratively. As pressure mounted, some council members began to compose compromise amendments.
Eventually, the mayor was forced to postpone the vote. The compound of public opinion and documented harm proved too powerful. Whispers even emerged about whether she might be deposed in the next election.
For Luz, the delay was a partial victory. "We didn't oppose for nothing," she told supporters. "We exposed the truth. Now we have time to propose something better."
Questions
- The mayor "proposed" a project. This means she:
a) Put it forward for consideration
b) Opposed it
c) Deposited it
d) Postponed it
- Critics "exposed" hidden studies. This means they:
a) Hid the studies further
b) Put them out in the open
c) Composed them
d) Deposed them
- The project would "impose" pollution. This means it would:
a) Remove pollution
b) Force pollution on the community
c) Compose pollution
d) Deposit pollution
- Critics "interposed" facts. This means they:
a) Ignored facts
b) Put facts between the parties
c) Postponed facts
d) Disposed of facts
- The mayor might be "deposed." This means:
a) She might be promoted
b) She might be removed from power
c) She might compose a response
d) She might deposit funds
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- c
- c
- b
- c
- c
- d
- c
- c
- b
- c
- c
- c
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- position
- expose
- component
- postpone
- compose
- opponent
- impose
- propose
- dispose
- deposit
- compound
- oppose
Reading Passage Questions
- a
- b
- b
- b
- b