Last week I advised you to write words in groups according to subject or word type, for example all words that regard food, or action verbs. This aids memorization as each time you add a new word you can review those are already on your list. This is an excellent practice but to really BUILD your vocabulary you must work at it. That doesn't mean it is hard, just that like everything worth doing, it takes time and commitment. If you are passionate about words and intricate details as I am, it is a pleasure! Use each new word you meet as an occasion to learn more words that may be in the same family or associated. If the word is a verb, what is the noun to describe the state or situation? Are there any nouns to identify the 'doer'. the person who performs the action? Are there adjectives or adverbs? Then, are there synomyms ( syn - together / same + onome / no-men = name) - words that have a similar or the same meaning, including more formal or informal equivalents? Finally are there opposites or antonymns (anti - opposite)? Look at this example with the verb 'employ' Starting from just one word, being just a little curious, you can discover other 10-15 associated words. This method will not only increase the number of words you know but also help you become more familiar with how words are made, that is what the most common prefixes and suffixes are. For example, 'un' as a negative prefix meaning 'not', 'ment' as a way to make a noun from a verb, or 'ed' or 'able' to make an adjective. Knowing these will enable you to uncover the real meaning of an unknown word by breaking it up into smaller parts to then reconstruct the meaning. If you have studied Latin or Greek, or if your native language is Latinate, you will definitely be advantaged as many prefixes and suffixes are precisely of Latin or Greek origin.
What is 'depletion'? de = remove ple = plein (French), pieno (Italian), plenty (English) - full, abundant tion - noun suffix So depletion means - reduction in the number or quantity of something And telescope? tele - from a distance scope - see or range So a telescope is an instrument to make distant objects appear nearer You can find some interesting worksheets on prefixes and suffixes here or if you are feeling brave en.islcollective.com/resources/printables/worksheets_doc_docx/prefixes_and_suffixes_-_poster/suffixes-eg-s/103565 When I was a child there was a programme on TV named 'Call My Bluff'. A bluff is a deceit, it can also be used as a verb but it's not a really strong verb and it's meaning is closer to pretending or joking. Here 'call' means 'pronounce' or 'declare'. To teams gave three possible definitions of a given word only one of which was correct. You can try a similar game here www.esltower.com/GRAMMARSHEETS/prefixes/prefixmultiplechoicesentences.pdf and here www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/call-my-bluff This skill is really useful and demonstrates a deeper understanding of English. That is why it is part of the Use of English part of Cambridge exams. Try an exercise here www.englishrevealed.co.uk/CAE/Part3/cae_word_formation_1.php not for exam practice, but for simple fun! Let me know in the comments if you learn using affixes and how! Also try to create a word family table starting from the word friend as in the picture above.
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What is this?When I started lostinclassics I looked for language lessons in the books I was reading, such as for example the use of phrasal verbs or inversion in conditionals and I explained them through examples found in the text. I also did reviews of the books I read and tried to give some advice on how to read classics using the various resources I know of. Then I switched to just reviews and lately I have been doing a bit of creative writing inspired by my reading. Who knows what I will come up with next! Archives
September 2020
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