Many learners believe the best way to improve their vocabulary is to memorize definitions of numerous words. However, this approach isn't necessarily the most effective. The best way is to fully understand a word.
To truly know a word, we must understand its form, meaning, and usage. Today, let's focus on the form of a word. In the coming weeks, we will discuss meaning and usage.
The Form of a Word
The form of a word relates to how it sounds, how it is written, and its components. Understanding the sounds of a word includes recognizing it when spoken and pronouncing it correctly. This involves not only the individual sounds but also how these sounds may change in natural speech. For example:
It’s nice to meet you.
When spoken quickly, some people might blend the sounds at the end of “meet” and the beginning of “you,” creating a 'ch' sound. Although the spelling does not suggest this, it’s important to recognize such changes.
These sound changes do not alter the meaning of the words but may cause difficulty in understanding the sentence if you're not familiar with them.
Importance of Stress in Words
In English, stress is crucial to the sound of a word and can determine whether a word is a noun or a verb.
For instance, consider the word spelled i-m-p-o-r-t. When we stress the first syllable, IM-port, it functions as a noun. When we stress the second syllable, im-PORT, it serves as a verb. This differentiation in stress is part of understanding a word's form.
Components of a Word
The form of a word also includes its parts. Recognizing the root word along with its prefixes and suffixes is essential. These additions can change the meaning of the root word.
For example, understanding the word “reaction” involves recognizing the verb “to react” plus the suffix -tion, which indicates a state or action. Similarly, knowing the word “unwise” involves recognizing the base word “wise” and the prefix -un, which means “not.”
Expanding Vocabulary Through Form
By examining English words in this way, we can expand our vocabulary through a comprehensive understanding of a word's form.
As demonstrated with the word “import,” the same word can function as different parts of speech depending on its form.
So, the best way to improve your vocabulary is to fully "know a word" — its form, meaning, and usage — not just its definition.
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