An affix is a grammatical addition, attached to one end of a word, in order to expand or change its meaning:

• At the beginning it is called a prefix

• At the end it is called a suffix

• The outlines take their position from the first vowel in the prefix, with the exception of those using con dot, which take their position from the next vowel. Prefixed short forms and contractions mostly retain their original position.

1. CON- COM- CUM- COG-

(a) Dot Initial con/com is represented by a dot written at the head of the stroke:

• Place it exactly at the head of the stroke, and not slightly to one side or the other where it might be mistaken for a first place vowel sign.

• The vowel that comes after the con is the one that decides the position of the stroke. As there are so many con/com words, this is an extra aid to recognition.

• The dot represents the whole of the syllable – do not write an extra stroke M or N just because the longhand has two of that letter.

• The con dot is not omitted in the way that vowel dots are omitted at will.

compose comparison comparative compatible competition compress

complain complicated comprehend compute computed computer

conspire combat combine combination committee contest contrive

container commuter control contract contribute continue contemporary

conceit Constance constant construe constrain construction constriction

constitute constituted constitution condemn condition conditional conduit

condense concede consider commodity commodore congeal conjoin conjugation

conjecture connect connection concave concussion concoction

commix concur concrete concord conclude conclusion consecutive

conscript congress Congreve congratulate congregate

conglomeration confuse confide confirm conflict

convey connive convention convenient

conscious conscientious concession consist consistent comestible

commemorate commemorative commeasurable consume consumer

common commonsense common-law commoner commune communism

consign consent consensus consonant commend command commander

commence comment commentary concentrate concentration console conceal

conciliation constellation concern conurbation conserve conservative conservation

concert consortium consternation consequence consequently conquest

convert converted converse conversation* confront to distinguish from affront

*Although there is no vowel before, these 4 use the left (anticlockwise) version of the hooked stroke VR to allow easier derivatives, but "confront" and "affront" follow the normal rule.

A longhand com or con may be pronounced "cum" or "cun", but this cannot be indicated in the outline:

comfort comfortable compass company constable but compassion companion constabulary are pronounced with short O

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(b) Proximity (=nearness, juxtaposition) Medial con/com is shown by writing the strokes before and after it close together, instead of using a dot. This is exactly the same as disjoining, but for a different reason:

• Proximity: writing the parts near to each other in order to signify con/com/cum/cog. The second part of the outline is generally level with or slightly tucked under the first part. With some stroke combinations (chiefly after Pee Bee Tee Dee) it may be possible to also indicate the vowel of the second part by writing that in position as well, but not at the expense of keeping the two close together.

• Disjoining: writing the parts of an outline near to each other because (a) they cannot be joined satisfactorily, or (b) detaching a portion of the outline to signify another suffix, e.g. "-mental" "-ality" "-lessness". Its name reflects the fact that the parts would be joined if they could, or were joined to start with.

When using proximity, the outlines take their position from the first vowel of the word, as normal.

In the following, the initial prefix is the first up or downstroke, so that is the one that takes its rightful position in regard to the line. The second half of the outline can also be in position according to its vowel, but only if a convenient outline results:

decompose decompression decontaminate discontinue discomfort

disconnect disconcerting ill-concealed ill-conceived ill-considered malcontent

overconfident overcompensate preconceive preconception precondition

recompense recommend recommendation reconcile reconnoitre recondite

recombine recondition reconsider reconstruct recommit reconnect recommence

subconscious subcommittee subcontract subcontinent

well-conducted well-constructed well-connected well-concealed

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In the following, the initial prefix is a horizontal stroke. The first up or downstroke comes somewhere after the con-, so that is the stroke that is written in position in regard to the line. The position of the whole outline is still decided by the first vowel sound of the word, not the vowel that follows that particular up or downstroke (see asterisked examples below):

incompetent incomplete  incomparable incompatible incombustible

inconspicuous incontinent inconsistent inconclusive incongruous incongruously

incommunicable* inconsequential* inconceivable encompass

*With these two, the first up or downstroke is the very last one, but the outline is still placed according to the first vowel.

excommunicate uncompromising uncomplaining uncompleted uncomplicated

uncommitted unconditionally unconnected unconscious uncommon unconcerned

misconceive misconstrue misconduct semi-conductor semi-conscious semi-complete

non-committal non-compliance non-combatant non-conductor

non-content non-consent non-conformist*   *Optional contraction

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These contractions omit the con:

contentment* inconsiderate inconvenient/inconveniently/inconvenience constitutional constitutional/constitutionally**

*The N is also omitted  **Optional contraction

Proximity within a phrase can replace an initial con dot if the outline can be written close to the one preceding. Unlike the "medial con" words listed above, the con- word in such phrases must retain its correct position in regard to the ruled line. The words should form a natural phrase, otherwise legibility will be reduced:

I am confident, they will consume, your complaint, sign the contract

their control, full container, unfair comparison, very comfortable

we shall consider, we shall commence, we shall continue

In some advanced phrases, the con can be omitted altogether and the remainder of the outline joined, providing the phrase is a common/obvious one:

we have concluded, satisfactory* conclusion, I am concerned, for your consideration

*Contraction

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Proximity is useful in these words for the word "come":

income tax, becoming welcoming incoming oncoming overcoming home-coming

The originals use short forms: come coming income become welcome overcome

locum-tenens but locum locomotion locomotive*   *Optional contraction

Proximity is not appropriate after punctuation marks, vowel-sign short forms (a, the, why, how, beyond, you, with, when, what, would) or single downward dashes (of, all, to, too, on, owe/ought, but) but is sufficiently clear after upward dashes (and, should, upward tick the):

and contain, should continue, on the company, on the condition

The idea is that the short forms are not mistaken for vocalisation of the following outline. Sometimes the con- word cannot be placed clearly in the combination and is better written with the con dot:

Clear combination: should commend, and command, on the committee, beyond the control

Needs dot: should command, and commend, on the connection, beyond control, would complete

When a vowel-sign short forms is part of a phrase, then proximity can be used because the con- word is being written near a stroke rather than just a floating dot or dash:

for the conditions, in the committee, for all consumers, if you would consider

Compare:

The conditions ...  The committee ...  All consumers would consider

If you decide to leave a larger-than-usual space between outlines in order to signify your future punctuation in the transcript, then clearly proximity is not possible. It would not be appropriate anyway because it should only be used for words that run on easily (as per normal phrasing rules) and not where there is a natural gap or pause.

As shorthand speed is helped by having reasonably compact notes rather than sprawling ones, it is important that only the clearest proximity phrases are used. When in doubt, retain the dot for the con- word rather than risk a hesitation or unclear notes.

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(c) Cum and cog are only abbreviated when medial:

circumference circumvent circumnavigate circumcise circumcision

circumspect circumscribe decumbent encumber encumbrance incumbent

recognise recognition unrecognisable recumbence superincumbent

precognition incognito

These contractions omit the whole prefix: circumstance circumstantial

Cum and cog at the beginning of a word are always shown with full strokes, therefore it is irrelevant whether they are grammatically a prefix or not:

cumbent cumber cumbersome Cumbrian

cummerbund cumquat cummin/cumin Cummings comings*    *Short form

cumulus cumulative cognize

cognate cognition cognitive cognomen

The following words may occasionally be encountered with silent G. The shorthand dictionary (1974) prefers the silent G versions, but in modern dictionaries they have the hard G sound:

Pronounced CON:

cognoscible cognizant incognizant

Suggested outlines for when pronounced COG - just add in a stroke G:

cognoscible cognizant incognizant*   *Avoiding proximity, in order to keep the set of words alike

Whichever outline is used, the spelling in your transcript will be the same. Alternatives are given here because the shorthand dictionary does not reflect current pronunciation.

These follow Italian/French pronunciation: cognoscente cognac

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(d) "Concom-" Write the first syllable in full and use proximity to represent the second one:

concomitant concomitance also co-conspirator

(e) Some con- and com- words are clearer written in full, even though it is a grammatical prefix:

commissar commissary commissariat commiserate

commissioner subcommissioner commissionaire commove

commotion commission decommission non-commissioned

commorancy connascent connate connatural

connoisseur consul consular consulate

reconnaissance connumeration to distinguish from numeration

commerce commercial/commercially*   *Contraction

connote connotation to distinguish from commutation

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(f) Where the con- or com- is not a prefix write it in full:

comb coma comma Como comose

comely incomer* newcomer comeback**

*Using short form "in" hence the N is unvocalised   **Using short form "come"

comedown comedian comedy comic comical

comfrey comet comate/co-mate comity*

*=courtesy/civility, with accent on first syllable, not to be confused with "committee"

comp* Compton con conned conning-tower

*Popular abbreviation for various words beginning thus

cone coney condor conic conical

conoid coniform conifer conine

conch/conk conchate Congo Congolese

conation conative conatus Connie Connaught

Congleton conger/conker/conquer conqueror unconquerable

Connecticut Connor/Conner Connell Conrad Conway

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2. ACCOM-

Use Kay joined or disjoined:

• The prefix is deemed to include the O vowel after the M in accommodate etc.

• The prefix is joined only for "accommodation" and "accomplish" as those outlines are distinctive enough not to be mistaken for other words.

accommodate accommodative accommodator accommodated unaccommodating accommodation

accompany unaccompanied accomplice accomplish unaccomplished

accumbent accumbency Not a prefix: accumulate acumen

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3. MAGNA- MAGNE- MAGNI-

A disjoined M represents these syllables, with a short a/e/i vowel. Both vowels of the prefix are deemed to be included in the M and are therefore not written:

magnify magnification magnifical magnificat magnificent

magnanimous magnanimity magniloquence magnalium

Magna Carta magnitude magnetite magnetise magnetiser

magnetisation magnetometer magnetometric magneton magnetron

magnetic/magnetically/magnetism (Contraction) magnetics* magnetisms*

*Suggested outlines for the plurals. As they are both nouns, adding Circle S to the short form would be ambiguous.

magnet If the prefix were used, this would involve a penlift, resulting in a slower outline for this short word.

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"Magnetism" etc in compound words: the contraction should not be joined, as that would not be clear. If the Em can be joined to the stroke before it, then use it for the "magne-" prefix. If it cannot be joined, then a disjoined contraction would be sufficiently clear:

demagnetise unmagnetised remagnetised diamagnetic diamagnetism

hydromagnetism* antimagnetic* aeromagnetism*

electromagnetic thermomagnetism* geomagnetism*

*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary. Writing in full as shown is preferable to using the contraction, in order to avoid ambiguities about the endings, see asterisked note on "magnetics" above.

ferromagnetism ferrimagnetism nonmagnetic These cannot join the Em, therefore the contraction is used.

If the magn- ends with any vowel other than the short ones shown above, it is written using full strokes, and these are not prefixes anyway:

magnum magnate magnolia

magnesium magnesian magnesia magnesic

An exception to the above rule is "magneto". The length of the E varies between the derivatives and it makes sense to keep the whole set the same as the other "magnet" words above:

magneto magneto-electric magneto-electricity magnetopause magnetosphere magnetostatic

Note: static electric* electricity*   *Contractions

The prefixes magna- etc are derived from Latin magnus = great. The "magnet" words are derived from Magnesia, a region in Greece where magnetic rocks were first discovered in ancient history.

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4. IN- UN-

(a) Stroke N according to normal rules:

inspire inseparable inbuilt intake intractable

insist indecent injustice ingress infuse infringe

invent inverse invalid inimitable insure inquire

inestimable inexpensive* inequality** unopposed untie unattached

*Using contraction  **Using short form "equal" therefore that part is on the line

untrue undo* undecided unclean unguarded unhook  *Does not use short form "do"

unhygienic unholy unhealthy unloved

unethical unlocked unlikely unoccupied unrealistic* unearned

*Note the I dot goes at the end of the stee loop and not squeezed in below where the Kay starts.

unsuccessful unfaithful uninspiring unimportant unimproved*

*Short form is not used for this word, as it would be too similar to "unimportant"

influenced uninfluenced* uninfluential (Contraction)

*This is shown incorrectly in the 1974 dictionary written on the line, but correct, as here, in the 1950's dictionary.

These use halving: intend intent intention intense integral integrate

intellect intoxicate intangible integument

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(b) Use small initial hook before the strokes STR SKR and upward Hay, where the in- is not a negative:

instruct instructor instruction* instrument inscribe/inscribed* inscription* inscriber inscroll  *Contractions

inhale inhaler inhalant inherent inherit inheritance inheritor

inhabit inhabitant inhibit inhibition

If it is a negative, the small hook is not distinctive enough when written at speed, considering the word has the opposite meaning, so full stroke N is used to keep it very clear which is meant:

inscrutable inhospitable

The small hook is not used for any of the following:

(a) Not before downward Hay:

inhume inhuman inhumane inhumanity

(b) Not for un- en-:

unscrew unscrewed unscrupulous unscripted*

unscriptural** unscramble unscratched unscrutinized

**This also has an optional contraction

unstrung sunstroke sunscreen* unscreened* on-screen*

enscroll* enhance enhearten  *All these are suggested outlines, not in dictionary

(c) Not used medially for unin- or disin-:

uninhabited uninhabitable uninhibited

uninstructed uninherited* disinherited*

*Suggested outlines, not in dictionary

(d) Not used with ST or SK:

install instil instant inscape insculp

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5. IMM- INN- UNN- ILL- IRR-

Most such words come in pairs with related or opposite meanings, and the initial vowel is the only difference between their shapes, although they may occupy different positions in relation to the line. As the outlines need to remain unvocalised for speed purposes and their position may not always be clearly written, repeating or changing the stroke is the most reliable way to ensure the difference is always obvious. This is not done to reflect the longhand spelling or to suggest that the consonant is sounded twice, but merely to produce a distinctive pair:

(a) imm- inn- unn- Repeat the stroke:

immaterial immature immaturity immeasurable

immedicable immitigable immethodical immaculate*   *Pair: "maculate" = to spot

immemorable immemorial immensurable

immingle immiscible immigrate compare emigrate

immodest immobile immerge compare emerge

immoderate immortal immoral immorality

immutable immix immission

innumerable innavigable innocuous to distinguish from noxious which is very similar

innutritious innominate innervate compare enervate

unnecessary unneeded unnoticed unnatural

unknown unknowing unnegotiable unnerving

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(b) ill- Change to downward Ell:

limited illimited limitable illimitable

If that is not possible, repeat the stroke:

illegal illegible illegitimate illicit

illiterate illogical illiberal

See Theory 14 L Forms/Negatives for fuller explanation and many more examples.

Not paired: words that are not part of a pair do not need the stroke repeated or changed:

immense immensely immerse immersion

immune immunity imminent immolate immure

inn inner innards innocent innovate innuendo

illusion illusory illustration illustrious

ill illness ill-favoured ill-judged ill-informed* ill-mannered   *Using contraction

Exceptions: although not paired, repeating the stroke is clearer for these:

immediate* immediately* immediacy innate uninnate   *Contractions

unnumbered Only one stroke N, as the "num-" part is represented by the short form.

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(c) irr- Change Ray to Ar, as you would normally do when a vowel precedes the R sound:

relevant irrelevant

If that is not possible or convenient, add an Ar before the Ray. Note that the first vowel is written before the Ar, and the following vowel is written after the Ray:

radiate irradiate

If the outline already uses Ar, then add another Ar to the beginning. Again, the vowel signs sit outside the two Ar strokes:

remediable irremediable

The following outlines look similar, using both Ar and Ray:

air-raid air-rifle arrowroot orrery arrearage (arrears)

See R Forms page/Prefix Irr for fuller explanation and many more examples.

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6. INTER- INTRO-

(a) Inter always uses doubled Em and can be vocalised, as per normal doubling rules:

interpret interplay interfere interferometer

interpolate interview intervene interval

interchangeable interweave intertwine compare intwine entwine

intercept intersect intercede intercessor

interlace interlock interlink interlingual

interlining interlunar interlinear Note: lunar linear

international interzonal interbreed intersperse

intercity interact interdependence interrelationship

These do not repeat the R in the next syllable: interregnum interrogate interrupt

Disjoin a following M (lack of angle between strokes of different lengths) or upward L (to avoid an awkward join):

intermittent intermarry intermix

intermediate intermediary intermingle

intermural intermezzo

interleave interloper interlude

intercommunicate intercom Note: interim has separate strokes, as the central vowel is somewhat slurred, and the alternative would be disjoining.

Note: interior inter* internal intern internee interminable interest**

* = bury, accent on 2nd syllable     **Contraction

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(b) Intro uses either doubling or full strokes, whichever is convenient to join:

• Doubled N with no dot I vocalisation. This is an exceptional use of doubling because there is no vowel between the T and R. It therefore counts as a special unvocalised prefix, like magna-.

• Stroke N + TR with both vowels, where necessary to obtain a good join.

introvert introversion introit introrse

introspection introduce introductory introduction*   *Contraction

Note these pairs:

intermit intromit intermission intromission

intercession introcession

interject interjection introject introjection

Using doubling for both inter and intro relies on the fact that, apart from the two pairs above, they are mutually exclusive, thus avoiding clashes. As new words arise with these prefixes, consistently using N + TR for "intro-" would be the most reliable way of ensuring that clashes never occur – this is not quite so fast as a doubled stroke, but reliability is more important.

Intra always uses N + TR:

intramural intravenous intramuscular

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7. SELF-   SELF-CON-

(a) Self used as a prefix is shown by a circle in 2nd place against the stroke:

• Write the circle first, then the strokes of the outline, so that you are writing in the same order as the syllables are spoken, and to avoid any backward movement of the pen.

• With normal words, the outline is written in 2nd position, to accord with the vowel in "self", but short forms and contractions retain their original position.

• The self circle is never omitted.

• Not used medially or finally for the word "self".

self-defence self-evident self-reliant self-esteem self-imposed self-seeker

self-service self-determination self-explanatory self-help self-same

Do not be tempted write the outline in 1st or 3rd position just because of the vowel in the main part of the outline:

self-righteous self-accusation self-satisfied self-sacrifice self-taught self-propelled

self-pity self-discipline self-willed self-hood self-invited

Keep a short form or contraction in its rightful position. Most contractions are in 2nd position anyway:

self-important/importance self-neglect self-improvement self-build self-schooled

self-instruction self-satisfaction self-subjection self-respect self-valuation

self-sufficient self-interest self-governing self-advertisement

In a fully vocalised outline, if the 2nd place on the stroke is occupied by a vowel sign, then place the circle just outside the vowel sign. Most of the time you will not be vocalising outlines and can place the circle right next to the stroke:

self-opinionated self-employed self-sown

If you have already completed the outline, and then decide you need to go back and insert the 2nd place vowel, placing it outside the self circle will still be readable, even though it is not the perfect textbook version.

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(b) Self-con  Write circle at the head of the stroke, to replace the con dot. The outline remains in 2nd position, as "self" still provides the first vowel of the word:

self-control self-contained self-condemnation self-confident self-conscious self-congratulation self-complacent

(c) When the "self" is not a prefix, or is alone or in the middle or end of a continuous outline, it should be written in full; some are short forms:

self selves hers herself one's/once oneself*   *Contraction, as it omits the N

selfish/selfishness* unselfish/unselfishness* unselfconscious selfless do-it-yourselfer

*Contractions

non-self non-self-governing non-self-regarding – hyphenated outlines allow the second part to also be written in its own position, and to use the self-circle.

our ours ourself ourselves, your yours yourself yourselves

myself thyself itself himself themselves hisself* theirself* theirselves*

*Met with in vernacular or lax speech only but grammatically incorrect in academic terms – a desire to make them match the possessive in my/her/yourself etc, coupled with easier pronunciation. See http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hisself for a discussion of this usage. Correction of the speaker's word-formation may not be appropriate in some circumstances.

The Circle S at the end of some of the short forms above is only expressing the S sound, and is not being used as a joined "self circle".

An outline using the self circle prefix should not be phrased with the word before it. Going back to insert a circle would cause more delay and interruption to smooth flow of writing than is gained by phrasing.

The circle is not used to represent the lone word "self" in phrases.

The self circle cannot clash with the circle which represents an intervening dot vowel, as those before the stroke are all in first position and the few that are in second position come after the stroke (see also Theory 2 Vowels/Intervening Vowels (B)):

self-praise person perspex parallel paragraph palpable

If you need to emphasise just the word "self" then write it in full so that you can put a wavy line under it:

He said self service, not health service!

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8. TRANS-

(a) Written in full:

transaction transatlantic transatlantic* transcend  transceiver transducer

*Optional contraction

transferee transfuse transfix transfiguration transistor

transit transient translucent transition transform transform/transformed*

*Optional contraction

(b) The N is omitted before certain strokes to achieve briefer outlines. As the N is lightly sounded, it can be omitted and the outlines remain readable:

Before P and M:

transpose transpire transport transparent transplant transpacific

transmit transmitter transmission transmute transmogrify transoceanic

transhume transmigration also transnational but transept transom

To allow hooks: transfer transference transgress but transverse to distinguish from "transfers"

Stroke N and R hook both omitted in these: transcribe transcript transcription

Before Ell:

translate translation translator retranslate transliterate transalpine

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9. ANTI- ANTE-

These are pronounced the same.

• anti = against, opposite

• ante = before

(a) Generally halved N:

antibiotic antibody anti-aircraft Antichrist anticlimax

anti-clockwise antedate antidote antigen antitoxin antipathy

antenatal antipodes antechamber anteroom antediluvian

Use full strokes to enable joins, or to obtain clearer outlines:

ante meridiem* antemeridian antimundane

*Latin = before midday = a.m.; post meridiem = after midday = p.m.

antecedent antecessor anticipate anticyclone antihistamine

antisocial antirrhinum antithesis anti-semitic antimacassar

Not prefixes: antique antiquated antelope antenna anteater antimony

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10. SUPER- SUPRA-

The older pronunciation is the diphthong "syoo", but the plain vowel "soo" seems to be more prevalent. I am keeping to the latter in these pages as being the more up-to-date and quicker to write, although you are unlikely to need to insert that vowel sign:

super super

superabundance superannuate superannuation supernatural supernumerary

supercharger supercilious superficial superfluous superman superhuman

superimpose superlative supermarket supernova supersede

supersonic superstition superstitious superstructure supervene

supervise supervisor super-cooled super-tanker super-duper

Supra Always insert the second vowel:

supranational supralunar supramundane supra-orbital

Note these not prefixes: superb superior supernal

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11. DIS-

Stroke as normal:

disappear dispute display disprove disapprove distant district

disjoin discover discovery discoverer discount disclose disguise

disqualify disfigure dismay disintegrate dishonour disallow dislike

discourse disagree disgrace disgruntled discriminate discreet/discrete*

*discreet = prudent, cautious; discrete = separate

Contractions:

disinterested disrespect disorganise/disorganised disorganisation displeasure disproportion

With "diss-", as only one S is pronounced, only one S needs to be shown in the outline.

dissatisfied dissection disseminate dissent dissident dissolve

dissipate dissuade dissever dissemble dissociate dissociation disassociate**

*A less common version of dissociate

The following 3 outlines (and their derivatives) use the Ses circle for the two S's purely to provide distinguishing outlines:

disseize disserve disservice

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12. MIS-

Stroke as normal, but disjoined if necessary:

misprint mistrust mistreat misdeed mistake* misquote   *omits the T

miscreant misuse mis-shapen misread* mislead mishear   *past tense, rhyming with "reed"

misplace miscalculate misfit misfire

Disjoining also signifies a medial "con", but no clashes occur. If a clash arose, a non-theory suggestion would be to either insert the con dot, or make the "mis-" disjoin by using the shorthand hyphen sign, so that any suggestion of "con" is excluded.)

misconceive misconception miscompute misconduct misconjecture misconstrue

Contractions: misinform/misinformed misinformation misfortune

For "miss-" (i.e. prefix mis + s) the Circle Ses is used to improve readability, and does not suggest that the two S's are pronounced separately. In such words the S sound is immediately followed by a consonant, and without the double S (both longhand and shorthand), one would tend to read the second part as beginning with that consonant e.g. mis+pend instead of mis+spend. This is the same reason why the longhand hyphen is there, to make it easier to read:

mis-spell mis-spend/mis-spent mis-state mis-stated  mis-statement mis-cite

The above does not apply to other miss- words that are not prefixes, such as "missing, mission."

Note that diss- words do not need to use the large circle as above, because the prefix is always followed by a vowel.

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13. FOR- FORE-

• For- means away, off, out, extremely, wrongly, and gives a negative or prohibitive meaning.

• Fore- means before, in front of, preceding, and refers to position in place, time or rank.

• The outlines use different vowels for these two prefixes, with the advantage of providing additional distinction for these sets of outlines. Modern dictionaries seem not to differentiate the pronunciations of these 2 prefixes.

• Knowing the meanings of the prefixes is a great help in getting the spellings correct, although some of the words below may be encountered with variant spellings e.g. forfend is sometimes met with as "forefend". If you know what the words mean, keeping to the correct prefix for each meaning should keep your spelling of them on track and avoid the confusing variants that sometimes find their way into print.

(a) For- always uses a hooked FR, which may be reversed to make a good join. The vowel is a first place light dash:

forbid forbear forfend forsake forsooth

forward* forswear forspent forgive forget   *Unlike the others, this one does mean "fore/in front"

These two have full strokes, to attain more flowing outlines:

forlorn*  forfeit**

*More flowing outline than if the hooked FR were used   **Possibly avoiding similarity to forfend

(b) Fore- mostly uses full strokes Eff plus Ar or Ray; occasionally the hooked stroke FR to gain a good join. Never uses the reversed FR. The vowel is a 2nd place heavy dash:

fore foremost foreman forewoman

foreleg foreordain forefront forecourt foreground

foreshore forecast forearm pinafore aforementioned

aforesaid forehand* aforehand* aforetime aforethought   *These use Ar and Ray to distinguish

forebear forebode forefather forefinger

foreknow foreknown forename foreshadow

foreclose foredate Note also: forehead pronounced "forrid"

Hooked FR for good join:

forestall foretell foresheet foreshorten

forewind forewarn forewarned before beforehand*    *Optional alternative

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Some for/fore pairs:

forgo (=do without/give up) forego (= precede/go before) foregone conclusion, forwent forewent

forjudge forejudge

"forjudge" = deprive by a judgement, expel from court, a legal term; "forejudge" = prejudge, judge beforehand. If you need to differentiate, then it is worthwhile learning both outlines. The version "forejudge" is probably the one most likely to be met in normal non-legal speech.

forgather foregather – both mean "come together, assemble." The shorthand dictionary provides outlines for both versions, but the first version is the one that matches the derivation and meaning.

Most of the "for-" words have the accent on the second syllable, so the hooked form is more appropriate. With "fore-" most are accented on the first syllable, making full strokes more appropriate. This helps to show where the accent lies, and so improves legibility, as well as providing additional distinction between the above pairs.

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14. NON-

Written as per normal theory – N + N Hook when it can be joined (but occasionally disjoined), otherwise strokes N + N:

non-acceptance non-cumulative non-existence non-existent

non-residence non-resident non-resistance non-linear

non-appearance* non-payment nonplussed non-feasance

*Note how the first vowel of "appearance" is written to the N stroke, similarly with other outlines below

non-specific non-stop non-starter non-binding

non-attendance nondescript non-addictive non-effective

nonchalance non-essential non-sequitur

nonsense nonentity non-intervention

non-smoker non-working non-alcoholic

non-observance* non-obedience   *Disjoined, rather than N + N as in "non-obedience", possibly to avoid an overlong outline.

Short forms or contractions remain in their correct position:

non-performance non-delivery non-production non-productive

efficient/efficientlyefficiency non-efficient/ly/cy* inefficient/ly/cy

*An exception, as it does not remain on the line; it is not clear why this is so, as a prefix should not affect the position of a contraction. Best vocalised to avoid any possible clash with the phrases "in inefficient" or "in any efficient".

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"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

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