Inter-, Intra-
As a commissioner, I
attended the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging last week. Among
business items was an examination of the state formula used in Michigan to
distribute federal money to be used for senior services in all 16 regions of
the state.
The formula is called
the Intrastate Funding Formula, but I heard several people refer to it as the
Interstate Funding Formula. Since intra- is a prefix meaning within, and the formula is used only inside the State of Michigan, intrastate is correct,
and interstate is wrong.
Inter- means between or among. Interstate commerce,
for example, is the exchange of merchandise between states. There is an
out-of-state aspect by necessity. On the other hand, intrastate commerce would
be carried on within the boundaries of one state. An intranet exists with a
single company and usually has limited access. The internet is an open network
available to anyone anywhere in the world. Intramural sports are played by
teams from the same school, but intermural sports find different schools
competing against each other.
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
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