Does ology require the use of a combining vowel?

The word "ology" is a suffix, and it usually requires a combining vowel when added to a root word.

Here's why:

* Pronunciation: Adding a combining vowel (usually "o") helps to create a smoother pronunciation. For example, "bio" + "logy" becomes "biology" rather than "biology."

* Etymology: The suffix "-ology" comes from the Greek word "logia," meaning "study of." The combining vowel "o" helps maintain the original Greek sound.

However, there are some exceptions:

* Words ending in "y": If the root word ends in "y," the "y" often acts as a combining vowel. For example, "psychology" instead of "psycholology."

* Words ending in "-a": Some words ending in "-a" may drop the "a" before adding "-ology." For example, "anthropology" instead of "anthropol-ology."

So, while "ology" generally requires a combining vowel, there are some exceptions based on the root word.