Q&A for How to Expand Your Vocabulary

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  • Question
    What kind of books should I read to work on my writing?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    There are many books on how to write well. However, reading absolutely any book will help your writing if you pay attention to the way the writer uses words.
  • Question
    I've tried hard to learn more and more words and utilize them in my daily conversation, but at the right moment I abruptly forget and get stuck. What should I do?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Just keep practicing. We get better at things we practice.
  • Question
    I can't understand some words when Americans sing, but I understand everything when they speak. Why is that?
    Community Answer
    American singers often sing very quickly and do not pronounce words clearly. Many native English speakers have to look up song lyrics in order to know what singers are saying.
  • Question
    Is there any easier way to understand American people?
    Community Answer
    You can do that by listening more and more to their music and movies, and also watch a lot of interviews and programs.
  • Question
    How do I expand my vocabulary if I cannot remember the words?
    Community Answer
    ake a point to use the words in your daily conversations. Write down the words in a small notebook and go through them regularly.
  • Question
    What are some tips for reading?
    Community Answer
    Find a book that interest you. Find a comfortable spot to read in. You may choose to read out loud or quietly to yourself.
  • Question
    Do I need to mark vocabularies down in a notebook to make the whole thing more effective?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Do whatever works well for you. The important thing is to review new words periodically, and say them aloud in sentences so that you can remind yourself of their meanings.
  • Question
    How can I improve my English language communication skills?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The best way is to speak a lot (or write back and forth) with someone who is fluent in English.
  • Question
    How do I remember new words that I learn?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Use them in actual sentences from time to time.
  • Question
    Can I use these tips to learn Indonesian words?
    Community Answer
    These tips are useful for any language you may want to speak/understand better.
  • Question
    How can I learn idioms?
    Community Answer
    If you want local phrases from folks that live in a specific place, then try searing YouTube.com for certain areas or topics. Example: If you were trying to learn idioms of 'southerns talking about vegetables', then search something 'vegetables' related, click through a few videos and listen for a stereotypical southern style accent. YouTuber's often give out information about the city or state that they're filming in or from, so it helps figure out if you're dealing with someone from South Carolina verse someone from Mississippi for your phrases.
  • Question
    What if I encounter hundreds of words I don't know when reading, should I look up every word in the dictionary?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, if you want to know what they mean and how to pronounce them. Make up a few funny sentences using those words to help you remember them.
  • Question
    What is an effective way to learn phrasal verbs?
    Community Answer
    Use online teaching phrasal sites. You can also use novels a sources to identify different phrasal verbs, and use Post-it notes and a highlighter to help you memorize them.
  • Question
    When I learn a word and its definition, I forget the definition in a few days. What should I do?
    DanteInAthens
    Community Answer
    Write the word and definition on a flashcard, and put the flashcard in a place where you will see it every day, such as a bathroom mirror, and repeat the word and definition every time you see it.
  • Question
    Which one is better: learning vocabulary or grammar?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Neither is "better." They're both important. It might make sense, however, to concentrate first on vocabulary.
  • Question
    Is learning prefixes, suffixes, and roots really helpful for the SAT test?
    Community Answer
    Yes it is, because if you do not know a word, you can reason through it and get a general idea of what the word means by knowing prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
  • Question
    What can I do to understand English words while I'm reading a book?
    Community Answer
    Keep a dictionary nearby while you're reading. If English is not your first language, you might want to keep Google Translate or another translation app/program open to consult as well.
  • Question
    How will I know when I am using the appropriate word in a sentence?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    If you're not sure, ask the opinion of one or more other people who are good with words.
  • Question
    I have the richest vocabulary in my class, I just finished reading Illustrated Classic’s Jane Eyre. What should I do next?
    Pixie~
    Top Answerer
    Read another classic novel or a more challenging piece of literature. You could also try expanding your vocabulary even further by looking up new words and incorporating them into your daily conversations and writing. Additionally, you could join a book club or discuss your readings with friends to gain different perspectives and insights.
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