Fact

● Being proficient in English and being able to study in English requires a

minimum vocabulary of around:

6000 words
Why should we learn vocabulary?

Vocabulary knowledge is the single most important area of language

competence and is of concern to all four language skills.

It is not easy to listen or speak confidently or read or write effectively if we do

not have reasonable vocabulary competence.
 What are the ways to enhance vocabulary?

Learn words in context

Develop vocabulary cards

Read extensively

Distinguish between formal and informal words

 Word Formation

In English, new words can be formed by using suffixes and prefixes.

Prefixes:

- A prefix is attached at the beginning of a root word to form a new word.

I calculated the amount I would need.

I miscalculated the amount I would need.
Prefixes
anti- (= against) anti-nuclear protestors, anti-social behaviour
auto- (= self) an autobiography, auto-suggestion
co- (= together) co-exist, a co-production, my co-driver
ex- (= previously) his ex-wife, an ex-footballer
inter- (= between) an inter-city train, an international phone call
mini- (= small) a minibus, a minicab
mis- (= badly/wrongly) misuse, misbehave, miscount, a misprint
mono- (= one) a monorail, monolingual, speak in a monotone
multi- (= many) a multinational company, a multi-storey car park
out- (= more/better) outnumber the opposition, outplayed their opponents
 Prefixes
over- (= too much) overweight, an overgrown garden, ill from overwork

post- (= after) the post-war years, a post-dated cheque

pre- (= before) the pre-war years, preheat an oven

pro- (= in favour of) pro-government forces, pro-European policies

re- (= again) re-write a letter, remarry, the resale value of the car
semi- (= half) semi-precious stones, reach the semi-final
sub- (= under/less) the subway, subnormal intelligence, sub-zero temperatures
super- (= big/more) a superstar, a superhuman effort, a supersonic aircraft
trans- (= across) a transatlantic flight, a heart transplant operation
under- (= too little) undercooked food, an underused resource, underpopulation
 There are some negative prefixes meaning ‘not’.

un- feeling unhappy, an unfair decision, unhealthy conditions, high

unemployment, unplug a machine, unpack a suitcase

in- an independent state, an inoffensive remark, the invisible man,

an incurable disease, a terrible injustice

il- (+ l) an illegal act, an illogical argument

im- (+ b/m/p) an imbalance, an immoral act, immature behaviour, an impossible

situation, an impractical dreamer, wait impatiently
ir- (+ r) an irrational fear, an irresponsible attitude

dis- a dishonest statement, a violent disagreement, disappearing out of the

door, a dislike of flying

non- non-alcoholic drinks, non-stop entertainment, a non-smoking area

de- defrost a fridge, the depopulation of the countryside, the decentralization

of government
 Suffixes:

A suffix is attached at the end of a root word to form a

new word.

Care + LESS = careless

Suffixes
Verb ➔ noun ending in -ion
correct ➔ correction,
discuss ➔ discussion
produce ➔ production,
describe ➔ description
inform ➔ information,
invite ➔ invitation
add ➔ addition,
repeat ➔ repetition
decide ➔ decision,
permit ➔ permission
Verb + -ment development, government, movement, payment

Verb + -ance/-ence acceptance, performance; existence, preference

Verb + -ing a building, my feelings
Adjective + -ness blindness, forgetfulness, illness, sadness
Adjective in –ant/–ent distant ➔ distance,
➔ noun in –ance/-ence important ➔ importance
absent ➔ absence,
silent ➔ silence,
violent ➔ violence
Adjective + -ty/-ity certainty, royalty; nationality, stupidity
There are a number of endings that we use to
express a person’s role.

Noun/Verb + -er/-or builder, driver, footballer,

interviewer, lawyer, owner,
smoker, walker,
a editor, navigator

Noun/Verb/Adjective + -ist
journalist, motorist,
nationalist, tourist
Verb + -ant/-ent assistant, informant,
inhabitant, servant
correspondent, student
Verb + -ee addressee, employee,
interviewee, payee
Noun + -an/-ian republican; historian, musician
 Adjectives
Noun + -al industrial, national, natural, original, traditional
Noun + -ic artistic, energetic, heroic, photographic
Noun + -ful careful, hopeful, peaceful, powerful, wonderful
Noun + -less careless, hopeless, powerless, useless, worthless
Noun + -ous courageous, dangerous, famous, luxurious
Noun + -y greedy, healthy, salty, thirsty, wealthy
Noun + -ly costly, cowardly, friendly, neighbourly
Verb + -ive active, effective, exclusive, informative
Verb + -ing amusing, exciting, surprising
Verb + -ed amused, excited, surprised
Verb + -able/-ible acceptable, eatable, excusable, manageable, comprehensible, defensible
Put the words in brackets in the appropriate form (use prefixes
or suffixes):
1.He was acting in a very ------- way. (child)
1.He was acting in a very childish way
2.She looked ---------. She started to cry. (happy)
2.She looked unhappy. She started to cry.
3.He passed his exam. He was ---------- for the second time.
(succeed)
3.He passed his exam. He was successful for the second time.
4.The team that he supported was able to win the -------. (champion)
4.The team that he supported was able to win the championship.
5.I couldn't find any --------- in his theory. (weak)
5.I couldn't find any weakness in his theory.
6. He wants to be a ------------ when he grows up. (Mathematics)
He wants to be a mathematician when he grows up.
7.There were only a ------- of people at the match. (hand)
There were only a handful of people at the match.
8.The road was too narrow, so they had to ------- it. (wide)
8.The road was too narrow, so they had to widen it.
9. I think that you should _______your decision. It may not be the best
thing to do. (consider)
I think that you should reconsider your decision. It may not be the best
thing to do.
10. You need a --------- of motivation, organization and hard work to
realize your dreams.(combine)
You need a combination of motivation, organization and hard work to
realize your dreams.
 Word root
A root word is a basic word with no prefix or suffix added to it.

Root word With a prefix With a suffix

normal abnormal normality, normalise

might almighty mightily

education co-education educational, educationally

legal illegal legalise, legality

mature immature maturity

behave misbehave behaviour, behaved

fiction non-fiction fictional, fictionally

dress undress dressed

happy unhappy happier, happily

 One Word Substitution
- one word may be used in place or several words or phrases.

 That which cannot be expressed in words – inexpressible

 That which cannot be seen-invisible
 A person who knows many languages-linguist
 One who is unable to pay one’s debts-insolvent
 One who is able to make an eloquent speech-orator
 That which cannot be reached - inaccessible
One who looks at the bright side of things. Optimist
One who looks at the dark side of things. Pessimist

One who does not drink alcohol. Teetotaler

One who is all powerful Omnipotent

One who is present all over Omnipresent

One who is for pleasure of eating and drinking Epicure

A small shelter for a dog Kennel

One who walks in one’s sleep Somnambulist

The study of the origin and history of words Etymology

A place where money is coined Mint

A list of books Catalogue

A person who always thinks of himself Egotist
A thing no longer in use Obsolete
Handwritten book Manuscript
A person who is controlled by wife. Henpeck
A person who is mentally ill. Lunatic

A person who draws or produces maps. Cartographer

One who presents a radio programme. Radio Jockey

A person who compiles dictionaries. Lexicographer

A keeper or custodian of a museum or other collection Curator

A Government by a king or queen Monarchy
A Government by one Autocracy

A Government by the few Oligarchy

A Government by the Nobles Aristocracy

A Government by the officials Bureaucracy
A Government by the people Democracy

A Government by the rich Plutocracy

1. A person of good understanding knowledge and reasoning power
A.Expert B.Intellectual C.Snob D.Literate
2. List of the business or subjects to be considered at a meeting
A.Schedule B.Timetable C.Agenda D.Plan
3. A person who knows many foreign languages
A.Linguist B.Grammarian C.Polyglot D.Bilingual

4. One who possesses many talents

A.Versatile B.Nubile C.Exceptional D.Gifted
5. A person not sure of the existence of god
A.Cynic B.Agnostic C.Atheist D.Theist

6. Detailed plan of journey

A.Travelogue B.Travelkit C.Schedule D.Itinerary
THE END