More about Vocabulary

A.Prefixes using pre-, re-, and sub-

1.Pre-
Look at the following words:

preschool- a special school that young children attend before elementary school

prepare- to get ready for an event before it happens

predate- (verb) something that happens before another thing happens These dinosaur bones predate humans.

prevent- to stop something before it happens

predict- to guess something before it happens

2.Re-

Now look at these words:

review- look again

redo- do again

reinvent- invent again

revisit- visit again

3. Sub-

And finally, look at these words:

submarine- an boat that floats under the water

subway- a train that runs under the ground

subzero- below freezing temperature

substitute- a replacement (originally- something that works instead of or under something else) Our teacher didn't come to school today so we had a substitute teacher.

B.Some root words + ~cide

Root word + -cide
bullet homicide- killing a person
bullet suicide- killing one's self
bulletinfanticide- killing babies
bullet genocide- killing large groups of people (like a race of people)
bulletinsecticide- killing insects
bulletpesticide- also means killing insects
bulletherbicide- killing plants

C.Caring Vocabulary

to pamper (verb)- to treat with too much care or kindness. Some people think we shouldn't pamper children too much. If we do everything for them they won't learn to take care of themselves.

to cater (verb)- to give everything that is needed (and more). Sheila caters to her children. She gives them everything and sometimes she doesn't have time to do things for herself.

TLC = Tender Loving Care (noun)- Children should be given a lot of TLC when they are young. It helps them to become happy and caring adults.

courtesy (noun) / courteous (adj)- good manners, polite behavior. It is important to show courtesy to the king. / He is a courteous man. He speaks in a kind manner and is very polite.

to adore (verb) / adoration (noun)- like or admire very much. I adore this new sweater. It is so beautiful. / Some people give adoration to a lot of movie stars.

affection (noun) affectionate (adj)- caring or love for someone, showing love to someone (by action). Leila shows her affection by bringing flowers to her mother. / Mary is an affectionate person. She always holds her boyfriend's hand and puts her arms around his neck.

to be fond of (verb) / fondness (noun) / fond (adj)- liking someone or something. John is fond of tomato soup. / Mary has a fondness for James. / He is my fondest nephew.

D.Professional Relationship Vocabulary

The first words are types of professionals. The second words (below the first) are what we call the people they serve.

bulletteacher/instructor/tutor (provide education)

student

bulletdoctor/nurse (provide medical help)

patient

bulletsalesperson (provides things to buy)

customer

bullet librarian/museum worker (need support from people)

patron

bullet lawyer/ tax advisor (provide professional services or advice)

client

bulletgovernment official (work as a representative for others)

constituent

bulletpublisher (provide books, newspapers, websites)

reader
or subscriber if you order and receive something again and again (like this newsletter)

E.Marry/ Get Married/ Be Married

A lot of people get confused about how to use these words. Maybe this will help.

to marry (someone)- this is the general verb. It is the time when people come together as husband and wife. Do not say I married with someone. It is not correct. And do not say I married to someone. It is also incorrect.

Correct example: I married Sam 3 years ago.

to get married- this talks about the time two people got married. It makes us think of the wedding.

Correct example: I got married.

to get married to (someone)- We think of who was married in the wedding. Do not say I got married with someone. It is incorrect.

Correct example: I got married to Sam.

to get married in (someplace)- We think of where the wedding took place.

Correct Example: I got married in Hawaii.

to be married- This means a state of being. Are you married or are you single?

Correct Example: I am married.

to be married (to someone)- Also state of being. But who is married to you?

Correct Example: I am married to Sam.

Conclusion- When you use to marry or to get married, think about the wedding. When you use to be married, think about the person's life now.

F.American Words/ British Words

As you know, even though North America and Great Britain share the same language, some words are completely different. Here are some of the most common differences.
American Word British Word Flashlight Torch Gas Petrol Soccer Football Cookie Biscuit Diaper
(on a baby) Nappy
(on a baby) Can
(of food) Tin
(of food) Elevator Lift Truck Lorry Hood
(of a car) Bonnet
(of a car) Trunk
(of a car) Boot
(of a car) Eraser Rubber

G.Using Die, Died and Dead

No, I'm not trying to talk about a strange subject. It is just that I have heard a lot of people use these words wrong. So I would like to give you some help so you can make sure to always use them right.
The picture to the left is of dice. One piece is called a die, more than one are called dice. We use dice to play games.

Die is also a verb. It is the base form of the verb and present tense. It means when a life is finished. So, you could say- Someday everyone will die. Or I don't want to die.

The past tense of die is died. You could say The dog died. Or My grandfather died last year.

Dead is an adjective. It describes a noun. For example- That is a dead mouse. Or The monster is dead.

Note: Another (more polite or respectful) way to say die is pass away. For example, instead of saying My grandfather died last year, you could say My grandfather passed away last year.

H.Languages and Nationalities

Where do you come from? What is your nationality? What language do you speak?

Look at the words and then read the example sentences.
Country Nationality Language England English English Japan Japanese Japanese France French French Germany German German Korea Korean Korean United States American English* Mexico Mexican Spanish* Canada Canadian English, French* Australia Australian English* Spain Spanish Spanish Thailand Thai Thai Taiwan Taiwanese Chinese,* Taiwanese

* The word for the nationality and language are different. These languages came from other countries.

Examples

A. Jean is from France. He is French. His language is French.

B. A person from Japan speaks Japanese. His nationality is Japanese.

C. People from Mexico are Mexican. They speak Spanish.