Is there a certain novel or reference book that you can't say enough about for those that would like to expand or review widely used vocab words? Thank you!
2007-09-06 13:12:42 · 12 answers · asked by jannsody 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Well I have a dictionary :) I was just wondering about other types of books such as a vocab book that has examples of the words in context. The dictionary can be a bit dry sometimes albeit I do enjoy it more than some others. Thanks for the input.
2007-09-06 13:23:07 · update #1
The Dictionary
2007-09-06 13:16:07 · answer #1 · answered by booda2009 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋
There are a few reference books that might help. Woe Is I-The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O'Conner is the one I would recommend.
Other books that you might find useful are Words That Make a Difference-And How to Use Them in a Masterly Way by Robert Greenman or Usage and Abusage-How to Pick the Right Words-And Avoid the Wrong Ones-In Speech and Writing by Eric Partridge. Both are very instructive, but more like specialized dictionaries.
If you would prefer a novel, I would recommend any novel by Taylor Caldwell. She was reputed to have one of the best vocabularies of any author. I know I usually have to keep a dictionary by me while reading her novels.
2007-09-06 13:43:44 · answer #2 · answered by ck1 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Smith Wigglesworth was an English man who was born in 1859. He died in 1947. When he was a young man he could not read or write. His wife taught him how to read. Her choice of his text book was the bible.This was his foundation for a truly great lifeswork. If you want it ALL then the bible is the book for you. It is full of great stories about LOVE,SEX,VIOLENCE,GENOCIDE,GREAT ART,GREAT WEALTH, AND THE WISDOM OF THE AGES. There are some dull places,but you can skip past those and just read the ones you like. If you do not like the "old English" version then get one that has been translated into the language of today! To increase your vocabulary simply look up every single word that you do not know the definition of. This book is available online for free ,,,as are many dictionaries that you can use.Choosing ONE book is very difficult,but the bible is my choice. I like Shakespear. I liked Erskine Caldwells "Tobacco Road" also.
2007-09-13 17:37:37 · answer #3 · answered by wayne_burdeshaw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One book? Get a dictionary, open it to a random page, and read a little a few times a week.
Read, read, read! I read a lot and keep a notebook handy to write down words I want to look up later. Be sure to record the book name and page number so you can refer back to how the word is used in context.
Do the Readers Digest Word section to learn new words.
Listen to others talk. Hear a word you don't understand? Write it down to reference later.
The English language is a beautiful thing. It has its hard and fast rules, yet still allows us to combine its 600,000+ words into infinite combinations, in which we can create new meaning with each and every phrase. We depend on language for so very much. But is any one of us really its master?
2007-09-06 13:20:27 · answer #4 · answered by Ice 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
..wow. i can't believe some people actually put "Dictionary" as their answer.
If you are looking for an actual BOOK to increase your vocabulary, I strongly suggest a book called "Tooth and Nails" by Charles Elster and Joseph Elliot. These two men are geniuses, if you ask me. They incorportate almost all the "commonly used SAT vocabulary words" in their novel, which actually is a pretty interesting mystery / detective story.
It helped me a lot when I was preparing for the SAT's. ;)
2007-09-06 14:33:40 · answer #5 · answered by yayaya 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
it is not an genuinely e book, yet SparkNotes grants little novels that have SAT vocabulary words inserted in them on purpose. i might examine those out. Any older novel might have greater of a assorted vocabulary. Dickens, Austen, and any of the Brontes are solid. A e book that i'm analyzing actual now that has a brilliant form of great vocab is the middle of Darkness. i do no longer understand if i might propose it, and it is form of confusing, yet a brilliant form of solid words.
2016-10-19 22:51:32 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poe had a stunning vocabulary. Read The Fall of the House of Usher. Context clues and your trusty dictionary will serve you well.
2007-09-13 16:30:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a book called "They Have a Name for it" which is a fun read with names for odd things. Like the tips of shoelaces are aglets.
You'll increase your vocabulary, but not necessarily with words you'll use a lot.
If you really want a great vocabulary source, sign up for daily emails from www.wordsmith.com. I have learned SO much from this site and it's done in a fun way.
2007-09-13 12:23:48 · answer #8 · answered by dashelamet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to expand your vocabulary, I would suggest some reading by the major philosophers of the past.
Another point would be to just read all kinds of different subject matter. That way it would expose you a good general knowledge of the world we live in. Just think of the fun you would have being able to discuss all kinds of topics at the parties you go to!
2007-09-14 10:43:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
read shakespeare with help from a dictionary. He actually made up a lot of commonly used words in today's language.
2007-09-13 16:32:53 · answer #10 · answered by Katarina S. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋