We recommend five things for learning English vocabulary:
1. Context and Exposure.
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See or hear the vocabulary used in context.
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Sample contexts: reading material, audio, video, conversation.
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Sometimes you can guess meaning from the situation.
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What type of word is it (noun, verb, adjective)?
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Look at the words around it.
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Try to read or listen to as much English as possible.
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Choose from a variety of sources.
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Check out our vocabulary textbook list
2. Pictures and Associations.
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Sometimes seeing groups of related words can help.
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See our picture dictionary.
3. Understand Word Parts (prefixes, suffixes, roots).
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See our word parts lists here.
4. Recognize collocations (words that go together).
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Some words are commonly used with other words.
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See our lists of collocations: with verbs, with prepositions.
5. Consider connotations and multiple meanings of words.
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Some words carry special or emotional meanings.
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Example: house vs. home.
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Some words can have many different meanings.
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Example: play, set, run