EN 2206: Vocabulary Development IV
Idioms
· Focus: The
particular meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words, but the context
usually helps
- Idioms describing people: She has a heart of gold; he’s hard as a nail, cold fish, pain in the neck.
- Connected with language: To put it in a
nutshell this is a waste of time. Who’s going to start the ball rolling, speak someone’s mind,
makes sense.
· Types of
activities:
- Completing a text using idioms,
- Matching the idioms and their meanings,
- How do we describe: the person who is the teacher’s
favourite etc.
Different collocation tasks
· Types of
activities:
- Words frequently used together:
List the nouns
frequently used with ‘join” e.g. band, army, club etc.
Adverbs with
‘possible’: always, quite
Nouns with
‘negotiate’: deal,
- List three words that typically occur with these
words
Verb: accept, delay,
receive
- payment
Adjective: long, ………..,
………….
- leg
Adverb: listen - carefully,
……………
etc
Phrasal verbs
· English words can
combine with prepositions and adverbs (particles) to make phrasal verbs. The
dictionary shows them with their definitions and examples at the end of the
main entry for adverb.
· Types of
activities:
- Look at the word ‘run’ .Find the phrasal verbs and
their definitions. Use them in new sentences.
- Circle the particle that fits the meaning of the
sentence. The plane took off / over / up later than expected.
- Completion tasks.
Choosing the right word
· Focus: Selecting
the right word to match the style (formal, spoken, informal) and subject areas
(business, science)
Style labels show in what situation a particular
word is used, subject words show the subject area and that it is not used in
everyday English
· Types of
activities:
- Write the correct style label for the following
groups of words
e.g. thereby, constitute, splendid, notably
(formal)
ok, anyway, ouch, hubby (spoken)
- Look at a dictionary page. Make a list of subject
verbs and style verbs under different headings
- What subject areas do these groups of words belong
to:
e.g. capital,
expenditure, joint venture, market share
Word building tasks: adding one idea to another
· Words for linking
sentences / clauses
e.g. For this job
you need a diploma. In addition, you need some experience.
Addition words: furthermore, moreover, what’s
more(less formal), besides, likewise, similarly, on top of (all) that
· Adding words at
the end of clauses / sentences
e.g. They
sell beds, chairs, tables and so on.
And so
forth, to top it off.
· Adding words that
begin or come in the middle of clauses
e.g. In
addition to his degree in Science, he has an MA in sociology.
Pursuant to my letter of May first…
Words with interesting origins from other languages
· Borrowings from
other languages:
- Japanese: tycoon, karate, origami, judo, bonsai,
futon
- Chinese: tea, kung fu, kumquat
- Arabic: mattress, cipher, alcove, algebra, harem,
carafe
- Turkish: yoghurt, jackal, tulip, caftan
- Farsi: caravan, shawl, taffeta, bazaar
- Eskimo: igloo, anorak
- India: bungalow, shampoo, pyjamas, dungarees
Use a dictionary to check the meanings and to find
other borrowed words from Italy, Spain, Greece, France etc,
· Types of
activities: Make two or three networks to help you to learn the words. e.g.
food, clothes, sports
