Word: eligible

Associations

The word "eligible" means being qualified or suitable to do something. It often refers to meeting certain criteria or requirements.

• Example 1: "Only students with a certain grade point average are eligible for the honors program." This means only those students who meet the GPA requirement can join.
• Example 2: "She is eligible to vote because she is over 18." This means she meets the age requirement to vote.
• Example 3: "He is eligible for a promotion since he has completed all the necessary training." This means he is qualified for the promotion based on his completed training.

A well-known synonym of "eligible" is "qualified." The difference is that "qualified" often implies a stronger sense of having achieved the necessary standards or skills, while "eligible" simply means meeting the basic requirements.

Substitution

Instead of "eligible," you could use:

• "qualified" - which emphasizes meeting all necessary standards.
• "suitable" - which means being right for a particular purpose.
• "appropriate" - which suggests being fitting or correct for a situation.

Using these words may change the meaning slightly. For example, "qualified" implies more than just eligibility; it suggests readiness or capability.

Deconstruction

The word "eligible" comes from the Latin root "eligibilis," which means "able to be chosen." It is formed from:

• The prefix "e-" means out or from.
• The root "leg" is from the Latin "legere," which means to choose or select.
• The suffix "-ible" indicates capability.

The combination means being capable of being chosen, which helps us understand its meaning.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where you were eligible for something? How did it feel?
• Is there anything you wish you were eligible for but currently are not? Why?
• In what areas of life is it important to be eligible? Can you list some examples?