problem vocabulary and prepositions this
section contains information and exercise on commonly misused words,
confusingly related words, use of pre[osition and two words vwebs, with
each section are example sentences and exercises, the answers to the exercises
will be found at the end of this section.
the following suggestion will be
useful in helping you improve ytour vocabulary.
1. read well-written books,magazines,
and newspapers, magazines such astimes and newsweek.
2. look up every word that are
unfamiliar to you in the practice test in this book and in other reading
material. keep a notebook of an familiar words, write the word,the
definition,and an original sentences in your notebook and study it often.
3. study the problem vocabulary items
and two-word verbs (verbal idioms) in this book.
4. review your vocabulary word notebook
often,repetition will help you to remember the meaning of difficult words.
Commonly
Misused Words
The following words are
often misused by native English speakers as well as nonnative speakers.
Sometimes the spellings are so similar that people fail to distinguish between
them. Others are pronounced exactly the same, but they are spelled differently
and have different meanings. Words in the latter category are called homonyms.
Study the words, parts of speech (noun, verb, etc.), definitions, and sample
sentences in this list.
·
ANGEL (noun) - a spiritual or heavenly
being. The Christmas card portrayed a choir of angels hovering over the
shepherds.
·
ANGLE (noun) - a figure formed by two
lines meeting at a common point. The carpenters placed the planks at right
angles.
·
CITE (verb) - quote as an example. In
her term paper, Janis had to cite many references.
·
SITE (noun) - location. The corner of
North Main and Mimosa Streets will be the site of the new shopping center.
·
SIGHT (a) (noun) - a device used to
assist aim (of a gun or telescope). Through the sight of the rifle, the soldier
spotted the enemy, (b) (noun) - view. Watching the landing of the space capsule
was a pleasant sight, (c) (verb) - see. We sighted a ship in the bay.
·
COSTUME (noun) - clothing, typical style
of dress. We all decided to wear colonial costumes to the Fourth of July
celebration.
·
CUSTOM (noun) - a practice that is
traditionally followed by a particular group of people. It is a custom in
Western Europe for little boys to wear short pants to school.
·
DECENT (adjective) - respectable or
suitable. When one appears in court, one must wear decent clothing.
·
DESCENT (noun) (a) - downward motion. The
mountain climbers found their descent more hazardous than their ascent, (b) -
lineage. Vladimir is of Russian descent.
·
DESSERT (noun) (desert) - the final
course of a meal, usually something sweet. We had apple pie for dessert last
night.
·
DESERT (noun) (desert) - a hot, dry
place. It is difficult to survive in the desert without water.
·
DESERT (verb) (desert) - abandon. After
deserting his post, the soldier ran away from the camp.
·
LATER (adverb) - a time in the future or
following a previous action. We went to the movies and later had ice cream at
Dairy Isle.
·
LATTER (adjective) - last of two things
mentioned. Germany and England both developed dirigibles for use during World
War II, the latter primarily for coastal reconnaissance, (latter = England).
·
LOOSE (adjective) - opposite of tight.
After dieting, Marcy found that her clothes had become so loose that she had to
buy a new wardrobe.
·
LOSE (verb) (a) - to be unable to find
something. Mary lost her glasses last week. (b) - opposite of win. If Harry
doesn’t practice his tennis more, he may lose the match.
·
PASSED (verb - past tense of pass) (a) -
elapse. Five hours passed before the jury reached its verdict, (b) - go by or
beyond. While we were sitting in the park, several of our friends passed us.
(c) - succeed. The students are happy that they passed their exams.
Confusingly Related
Word
Select the word in
parentheses that completes the meaning in each sentence
1.
Betty’s insulting remark greatly
(effected/affected) Kurt, who is a very sensitive person.
2.
Detroit manufacturers hope to develop an
easily attachable (device/devise) for the carburetor to improve gas mileage.
3.
While doing the experiment, we asked the
lab technician’s (advice/advise).
4.
After declaring bankruptcy, the company
was forced to (liquefy/ liquidate) its assets.
5.
Keith’s company’s headquarters were
(formerly/formally) located in Philadelphia.
6.
(Especially/Special) attention must be
given to the questions at the end of each chapter.
7.
George was (among/between) those
students selected to participate in the debate.
8.
They were (already/all ready) to leave
when a telegram arrived.
Prepositions
Prepositions are a class of words that indicate relationships between nouns, pronouns and other words in a sentence. Most often they come before a noun. They never change their form, regardless of the case, gender etc. of the word they are referring to.
Prepositions are a class of words that indicate relationships between nouns, pronouns and other words in a sentence. Most often they come before a noun. They never change their form, regardless of the case, gender etc. of the word they are referring to.
Prepositions
typically come before a noun:
For
example:
*
after class *
at home *
before Tuesday *
in London *
on fire *
with pleasure
A
preposition usually indicates the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of
its object to the rest of the sentence.
For
example:
*
The book is on the table. *
The book is beside the table. *
She read the book during class.
In each of the preceding sentences, a preposition locates the noun "book" in space or in time
In each of the preceding sentences, a preposition locates the noun "book" in space or in time
Verbal
Idioms
A group of words
(phrases) that are combined so that it creates a new meaning & is different
from its forming words
Example:
"Under
the weather" - not feeling well.
I
can not go to work today, I'm a bit under the weather.
Another example:
"Add
fuel to the fire" - makes things worse.
That's
enough! You're only adding fuel to the fire!
Common Combination And Preposition
1.
Common
Verb and Preposition Combinations
Verbs and prepositions are also used in common phrases. The
verb generally goes in front of the preposition.
Do you agree to the
new guidelines?
You get what you pay for.
It’s easy to fall in love with big,
silly dogs.
I have no doubt about the
outcome of the vote.
He delights in telling
jokes about Texas and Texans.
That remark was in bad taste and I
don’t intend to reply to it!
Miller is substituting for Brown
in tomorrow’s game.
2.
Common Adjective and Preposition Combinations
Adjectives and prepositions are
commonly used in phrases. The adjective usually goes before the preposition.
He was found guilty of fraud
and tax evasion.
Students often get worried
about writing exams.
Mary won’t have children; she is in
love with her black lab.
The world felt sorry for the
victims of the tsunami.
Jamila is good at songwriting
and painting.
There are many health risks associated
with smoking.
Chocolate and red wine are
actually good for your heart!
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