Vocabulary Building?

Question

My vocabulary isn't very advanced and I was wondering if there were any ways to improve it other than reading (I read rather frequently and it doesn't seem to help me at all). Only serious suggestions please

Answer 1

Take notes during lecture (if you're in college). I've picked up lots of words this way. Read some scholarly journal articles (again, if you're in college, because often the only way to gain access to a scholarly journal is through a university library).

Get the Dictionary.com Word of the Day e-mail. It includes a word, its definition, and several sentences showing how the word has been used in published journalistic or literary texts.

Read more opinion articles. These are the writing outlets that give authors free reign to say exactly what they want to say how they want to say it. They thus include more unusual words than regular old news stories. I suggest starting at Salon.com and Slate.com, both of which have many beautifully written articles and book reviews.

Answer 2

Depends what you read. I've got lots of books that are purely for my own recreation - not much literary merit, but I also have made a point of reading the classics. Try reading some of the books from the Observer "1001 Books to Read Before you Die" list.

Alternatively, log on to Dictionary.com. They have a Word of the Day facility, that e-mails you with a different word everyday. It is usually something a little more uncommon than words in daily usage. Subscription is free.

Answer 3

the incorrect answer is A. memorizing lists of vocabulary words is a meaningless, senseless job. maximum individuals do memorize to pass a voc. attempt. in case you have been to ask the guy, each week later, what a memorized be conscious ability, ninety% or > could draw a sparkling. a mixture of B, C, and D are actual, conceivable approaches to advance contained in using new vocabulary words. i could additionally recommend lots practcie writing context clue sentences. as an occasion, if the recent vocabulary be conscious is DISMANTLE----discover the meaning in a dictionary and prepare writing sentences containing the be conscious. W/prepare the meaning will handle better lasting potential.

Answer 4

There are several books to assist with learning vocabulary for the GRE. Try getting some of those study materials. You could also make notecards with words on them and the definition and use on the back and practice a few a week.

Answer 5

To stimulate the brian you can play the Brain age game on nitendo DS it it very helpful. Also you can look onlince for groups of intelligent words that can be used, not words that when you say them people think you are a know it all, and make flash cards, if you have a daughter in middle school you can use her vocab books for word or if you are someone in school you can use those. Also try watching Akeelah and the Bee. lol good luck!

Answer 6

I agree - the dictionary. Pick a new word every other day and use it frequently in your everyday conversations. You will be surprised how quickly your vocabulary builds up

Answer 7

It sounds obvious but listen to other people talk. If I hear a word used by a friend or colleague that isn't widely used I often stop them mid sentence to ask them what it means. If I like it I try to use it myself.

Answer 8

I think that the most obvious answer is to arm yourself with a good concise dictionary & a theasaurus and then whenever you are stuck with any word, look it up. Sorry to sound patronising but that is what I do.

Answer 9

One of the very interesting way to improve your vocabulary is to take up a vocab challenge.

Having a good vocabulary is more than knowing a large number of words. It is ability to choose words with greater precision and at the appropriate time.

Smart Vocab Challenger is an ultimate language challenge. Check it out and follow Smart Vocab Challenger on Facebook to help improve your vocabulary.

Answer 10

I find sticking post-it notes on things a good way