Meritnation|Sep 11th, 2015 03:22pm
Have you ever felt that there is so much you want to express but you can’t find the perfect words to describe it? Do you ever feel conscious that even though your English is grammatically correct, you cannot converse properly and fall short of words when expressing yourself? Are your conversations with friends filled with overuse of words like ‘awesome’, ‘amazing’ or ‘awful’.
If yes, then you might want to expand your word tank. And the best part is that with the new age tools available at your disposable, the task is now easier than ever! 🙂
Why Vocabulary Is So Important? – Express your own thoughts and feelings and powerfully engaging with your audience. Overall, it helps you make a good impression on others which goes a long way. |
So the process of improving your vocabulary essentially involves 3 steps:
Here are some great new age ways to help you through this:
Read, read and read, for pleasure! Read magazines, newspapers, and articles on the internet. Look for topical words like words in the news.
Mark all new words you come across or create a vocabulary journal either in a notebook, your tablet or smartphone to note them down.
Then google for meanings, or use online or offline dictionaries.
If you can, note down the meaning too in your vocabulary journal. This process will ensure that the word is embedded in your memory.
Technology has made it so easy to access dictionaries, thesaurus and other word meaning tools “on demand” at a single click of your fingers. A dictionary app on your smartphone or tablet will help you quickly check meanings and prevent you from procrastinating.
Also, a good thesaurus is invaluable – whether it’s a pocket book or an app. You will learn many synonyms and antonyms of a word and their perfect usages.
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There are lots of tools available to help you learn a new word every day, including print calendar books and web sites. Here are a few of the best ones you can use:
– Merriam-Webster Word of the Day
– Word a Day newsletters by Netlingo or Wordsmith
– The OneLook® Word of the Day
Try and do this as many times as you can. You’ll not only learn the words better but they will get deep rooted in your memory, and you might even impress your conversation partners! 🙂
You can also try and use the new words while writing something.
If you come across a new word in a conversation or book, try to first figure out it’s meaning by the context in which it was used. Research indicates that strategies in which you self-evaluate how you have figured out what words mean reinforce your learning of those words.
Recommended Read: How To Improve Your Spelling Skills
Developing a feeling of interest and curiosity towards words can make you a vocabulary expert! Try and learn word roots to know more about where the words came from. This helps in 2 ways:
– The story behind a word’s origin ensures you never forget it.
– Additionally, it becomes much easier for you to understand other words originating from the same word root.
You can play several games and activities to practice and remember words. Crossword puzzles, Scrabble, Pictionary, activities to remember 10 words each day and other such things that can make learning easier and fun for you.
You can also play word games on our site: https://www.meritnation.com/games/game-list
All The Best!
Team Meritnation
Add Comment Total Comments (4)
1. Zeebran | January 20th, 2016 at 10:39 am
Its really helpful Article.to Learn And Improve English And Communication skills.so Thank You Meritnation.
2. sarah | October 27th, 2015 at 6:41 pm
loved them. keep going meritnation
3. abhinaya | October 21st, 2015 at 1:48 pm
It was really a helpful article. Everyone must read this in order to improve their English communication skills.As English is must in today’s world.
Thank you meritnation and keep posting such valuable articles.
4. Rimjhim Shukla | October 12th, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Great Tips. Found ’em useful 🙂
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