Greek Roots GRAPH and GRAM: Write and Draw

Learn the Greek roots graph and gram, which name writing, drawing, and recording.

Greek gave English a second set of writing words. 'Graph' comes from 'graphein', to write, draw, or record. A biography is a written life (bio means life). An autograph is written by oneself (auto means self). A paragraph was once a mark written beside text to show a new section. Geography is literally earth-writing, a description of the planet.

'Gram' is a close relative meaning something written or drawn: a diagram is drawn through or across to show parts; a telegram is writing sent from far away (tele means far); grammar is the art of letters. Graph usually names the act or tool of recording, while gram often names the finished record. Compare a 'seismograph', the machine that records earthquake shaking, with a 'seismogram', the paper or screen record it produces.

Seeing graph or gram in a science or social studies word tells you writing or recording is involved.

• 1GRAPH means write, draw, or record.
• 2GRAM means something written or drawn.
• 3A -graph often records; a -gram is often the record.