What do the following partial words have in common?

LA
SOO
WRI
SCY
BREA

HINT:
The same three letters can change each word into a new one.

Answer:

The letters (word) THE can be added to each word to create a new one:

LATHE
SOOTHE
WRITHE
SCYTHE
BREATHE

Credit: NY Times Crossword - Oct. 28, 2012
Michael Sharp and Caleb Madison
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