PREFIXES 1

(A) CON- COM-

Represented by a thin dot at the head of the stroke, called the Con Dot. It is never omitted in the way that vowel dots are.

Because of the large number of words with this prefix, the vowel that comes after the Con is the one that decides the position of the stroke. This does not happen with any other prefix.

compose compare complain comprise complete completely*

* Downward L to continue the same motion of the hook

competition computer computers computed combine

contain continue contrast construction concrete

conclusion conclude confident confuse convey

convict convenient consider consideration conscious concise

consult concern conserve consequence composition compensation condensation
 

The Con Dot represents the whole syllable, so no stroke M or N is required for the prefix, despite the double letters in the longhand spelling:
 

commit committee committed connect connection

common commonly commence command commuter

commemorate connive community

Some words that are spelled con/com are pronounced "cun/cum", but they still use the  Con Dot:
 

compass company constable comfort comforted comfortable

(B) When the con- or com- syllable is in the middle of a word, the two parts are disjoined, which means written separately, and written close together. The position of the outline is decided by the first vowel, as normal. Often the second part can also be written in its own position:
 

disconnect reconnect decompose incompetent

incomplete unconscious incongruous inconsistent ill-conceived

over-confident pre-condition sub-contractor non-combatant

The Con Dot is not used when it is not a prefix:
 

con conned conning conifer comic

comedy comet comfrey coconut

(C) Exceptions

These words are clearer written in full:
 

commission commissioned commissioning commissioner

commotion commiserate commiseration consul
 

consulate consular connoisseur reconnaissance

(D) CUM- COG-

Initial cum- and cog- are written in full:
 

cumulative cumbersome Cumbrian

cummerbund cognitive cognizant

Medial cum- and cog- use proximity:
 

circumference circumvent circumnavigation

encumber incumbent recognise incognito

(E) CONCOM-

The first syllable is written in full and proximity is used to represent the second syllable:
 

concomitant concomitance also co-conspirator (conspire)

(F) Distinguishing outlines
 

commute commutation connote connotation

More examples where the triphone version uses Ish instead of Shun Hook:
 

contention continuation, condition tuition

(G) ACCOM-

Stroke K, either joined or disjoined:
 

accomplish accommodation accommodate accommodated
 

accompany* accompanied accomplice

* "accompaniment" is given in Lesson 48
 

unaccommodating unaccompanied
 

Not a prefix: accumulate accumulator accumulation

(H) SELF-

Write a small circle by the beginning side of the first stroke. The outline goes in second place, following the vowel in "self". Write the circle first, then the outline.

A vowel sign in the same place as the Self Circle is written closest to the stroke, but as shorthand is written mostly without vowel signs, the first line below illustrates both versions:

self-same self-same self-help self-employed

self-taught self-reliant self-defence
 

Keep a short form or contraction in its rightful position:
 

self-important/importance self-satisfaction self-respect self-sufficient self-interest

The Self Circle cannot be mistaken for an intervening circle vowel sign, as those are used when the stroke is hooked and they never occur before an initial stroke.

The prefix is not used alone, medially or finally:
 

self selves selfless selflessly

yourself yourselves herself theirselves*

* Lax version of "themselves"

Reminder of short forms:
 

myself himself ourselves themselves

(I) SELF-CON-

A small circle replaces the Con Dot. The outline is in second position, because the first vowel is that of "self":
 

self-control self-contained self-confident
 

self-conscious self-congratulation self-condemnation

(J) Short Forms
 

selfish-ness circumstance

Derivatives:

selfishly unselfish circumstances

Contractions
 

oneself commercial-ly circumstantial
 

Derivative/Related: commercialism commerce commercial* (noun) commercialise

* The short form "commercial " is an adjective. The noun "commercial " (television advertisement) did not exist when the short forms were fixed, so there was no clash at that time. Now there would be a clash, if using the contraction for the plural noun "commercials". It is therefore preferable to use a full outline for the noun, as shown here.

(K) Phrases

The principle of writing close up, called proximity, can be used an alternative method for indicating the con/com syllable at the beginning of a word, by omitting the Con Dot and writing the outline close up to the previous outline. This is only done where it is clear and readable, and generally avoided after vowel sign short forms:

I am confident,  I have completed, you must continue, we shall complain

he confused, they may conclude, building committee, inform the committee

various concerns, (income) incoming income tax

Omission Phrases
 

you must consider, I have considered, into consideration, take into consideration
 

satisfactory conclusion, come to the conclusion, came to the conclusion, on the contrary

I am concerned, we are concerned*, necessary consequences, unexpected consequences

* Using Ray, to continue the motion of the line

SUMMARY

• Outlines using Dot Con are placed according to the next vowel

• Con can be indicated by proximity within the word and in phrases

• Self words take second position

• Self before short form keeps its normal position

• Self-con circle replaces the Con Dot

• Initial cum- and cog- are written in full

• Medial cum- and cog- use proximity

EXTRA VOCABULARY

computation completion combination container contrive condemn

condone conjunction* confide confer conference convenience

* Omits the K sound

consent conceal consist consistent conjecture* conjectural*

* Special use of doubling for the -ture syllable

conservation consequently accomplished accomplishment accompanist

self-imposed self-evident self-esteem self-explanatory self-satisfied

self-seeker self-sacrifice self-willed self-discipline self-determination

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