Use a dictionary to improve your vocabulary

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We usually refer to a dictionary to find out the meaning of a word. 

Let’s consider the word opportunity.

To search for its definition we can go to an online dictionary. When we are there, we check how it is pronounced (both UK and US).

But there is more to discover. 

You have a group of friends that you prefer spending time with. Words feel the same way. They like to be around familiar words that they know. When words do this, we call it collocation.  

How many words do you know that collocate with the word opportunity? 

Here is a screenshot from the Cambridge Dictionary.  Can you spot the collocations?

Page from Cambridge Dictionary

There are three collocations here:

unique opportunity to

missed the opportunity to

at the earliest opportunity

There are more such collocations on the page:

have an opportunity

at every opportunity

a golden opportunity

By spending just a few minutes reading these collocation, you enrich your word bank–allowing you to express yourself with greater precision. Your language gains more flexibility. You widen your range of vocabulary. 

This is a goldmine–expanding your vocabulary could not be easier.  Would you agree?

At the earliest opportunity, use one of the collocations. 

How many collocations can you think of with the word risk? 

3 free websites for learning English

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People ask me what are the best sites for learning English. I understand that there are a lot of websites out there, and it can get overwhelming.

Here are 3 websites I always recommend:

1. British Council covers a lot of ground, from vocabulary to grammar to business English. Spend time here to get acquainted with all it has to offer. I especially recommend this site for learners at the beginner to upper-intermediate levels.

2. BBC Learning English has engaging videos and articles on current affairs. It is an excellent site if you want to improve your general knowledge or if you are preparing for English exams where you will need to read passages about current affairs. The site also covers the basics in grammar and vocabulary. Overall, an excellent resource. One of my favourites. Here’s my post that takes a deep dive into this website.

3. ThoughtCo.  is for people who are fluent speakers of the language. If you are at the upper-intermediate level and above, do visit this site. You will find it rewarding. Look out for articles by Richard Nordquist, an American professor. I find his articles on grammar to be insightful.

Here is some general advice on learning the language.

Explore the three websites and find the one that suits  you the best.

Have you heard of the zero article?

 

This is a little known article. The reason for that, is that it is invisible!

When we use no article in front of a noun, it is called the zero article. To understand the zero article, you need to know about two concepts:

  1. Abstract noun – this is a noun that you cannot know through your five senses.               (e.g. peace, hate, love)
  2. Plural count noun – these are nouns that cannot be counted. (e.g. cars, cellphones, paperclips)

We use the zero article before abstract nouns and plural count nouns. For example:

  1. History is a fascinating subject. (History is an abstract noun.)
  2. She collects photos of cats. (Cats is a plural count noun.)

We are talking about history and cats in general.

Not:

  1. The history is a fascinating subject.
  2. She collects photos of the cats.

Now,  here is the catch. There are times when we use the definite article with these nouns. We use the definite article when talking about specific abstract or plural count nouns. For example:

  1. Mary has specialized in the history of medieval India.
  2. She takes care of the cats in her building.

In the above sentences, we are talking about a specific history (medieval India’s) and specific cats (the ones in her building).

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We cannot write:

  1. He has specialized in history of medieval India.
  2. She takes care of cats in her building.

Hope you are now more aware of this lesser-known article. Look out for them when you read and write.

 

Those little words: a, an, the

Many Indian speakers find it difficult to use the correct article in a phrase. This is because in languages such as Hindi, there are no articles!

This post will look at the use of articles: a, an, the. In the next post, we will look at the  zero article (my favourite).

We use the definite article for shared knowledge between two speakers. For example: The cab has come. And we use the indefinite articles when there is no shared knowledge. For example: A cab has come. (We are not sure who has ordered the cab.)

Often, Indian speakers tend to drop or add the definite article (the) in certain phrases. Here are a few examples:

  1. across globe – should be: across the globe
  2. think out of box – should be: think out of the box
  3. out of the town – should be: out of town
  4. since beginning – should be: since the beginning
  5. in next few years – should be: in the next few years

I wish I could give you a rule to follow here, but I cannot think of one. Be aware of the use the definite article and look critically at the common phrases you use. Check to make sure that they are correct. Over time, it will come naturally to you.

All the best!

 

 

 

 

Indianisms: We are like that only!

Indianisms is one of my favourite topics. It comprises of expressions that are specific to the country. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with them. However, if one is communicating with people from other countries, it would be a good idea to not use them. After all, the purpose of communication is to be understood by the other person.

Here are some Indianisms which you should be aware of:

1.Do the needful

This is a classic Indianism. Try to re-phrase it. Perhaps: Please take care of it.

2. Kindly

Another classic. Instead of kindly note… go for: please note

3. Concerned department

Ah, if only departments were truly concerned about our problems. You could try: relevant department.

Now you know how to convert this sentence into international English:

Kindly do the needful and send the documents to the concerned department.

How Indian is your English?

How can I improve my pronunciation?

To improve your pronunciation, you need to focus on:

a. the sounds of English;

b. syllable stress.

The sounds of English 

If you are really, really serious about improving your pronunciation I urge you to become familiar with the phonemic chart.

It may take a while to master all 44 phonemes.

But once you do, you will have a clear understanding of the sounds that make up a word. You will be able to taste words!

Here is an excellent video about the phonemic chart. Highly recommended.

Syllable stress

Apart from being familiar with the sounds of English, you need to know about syllable stress.

I hear you ask: but, what is a syllable?

A syllable is a complete sound with a vowel sound in it.

A word can have one or more syllables. For example, in the word ‘syllable’ there are three syllables.

Next question: what is syllable stress? If there are two or more syllables in a word, then one word is stressed. For example, in the word syllable, the first syllable is stress:

syll / a / ble

In India, many people stress on the incorrect syllable.

For example, some Indians say: senTENCE. While the correct syllable stress should be: SENtence.

Here are some other common errors:

Indian                            UK/US

DEbate                        deBATE

tenDENcy                   TENdency

POtential                     poTENtial

For more on commonly mispronounced words by Indians, check out these videos: