Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
What Is the Academic Word List?
What the Academic Word List is, how it was built, what it covers and leaves out, and how to use it alongside reading and writing instead of memorizing it.
Learn Vocabulary
Vocabulary guides for learners: CEFR levels, exam preparation, confused words, word parts, idioms, phrasal verbs and study methods.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
-able and -ible: Two Spellings for One Sound
What -able and -ible mean, a rule of thumb for choosing between them, spelling changes such as dropping e, common exceptions and a practice set with answers.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Re- and Pre-: Prefixes About Time and Direction
What the prefixes re- and pre- really mean, from again and back to before and in advance, with examples, false friends and a practice set with answers.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
The -tion and -sion Endings: Turning Verbs into Nouns
When does a verb take -tion and when -sion? Learn the spelling patterns (-ate to -ation, -ide to -ision), the exceptions, pronunciation and a practice set.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Un-, Dis- and In-: Three Prefixes That Mean Not
Why unhappy works but dishappy does not. Learn when to use un-, dis- or in- (im-, il-, ir-), the patterns, the exceptions and a practice set with answers.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Five Ways to Say Important, and When to Use Each
Essential, key, vital, significant and crucial each give a different reason something matters. Learn when to use each, and how to be more specific.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Complement vs. Compliment, Principal vs. Principle
Meaning, memory aids and quick tests for complement and compliment and for principal and principle, with examples, proofreading tips and a practice set.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Hard, Complex or Arduous? Words for Difficult
Looking for another word for difficult? See how hard, tough, complex, demanding and arduous differ, with examples, register notes and a short practice set.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Words for Happy: From Glad to Elated
Words for happiness sorted by strength and type: glad, pleased, content, cheerful, delighted, elated and more, with examples, patterns and a practice set.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Other Ways to Say Angry, and When to Use Each
Words for anger sorted by strength and tone, including upset, cross, annoyed, furious and mad, with regional notes, examples and a short practice set.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Imply vs. Infer: Who Is Doing the Work?
The difference between imply and infer, a simple test, related words such as suggest, hint and deduce, and a short practice set with answers.
Learn Vocabulary · · 7 min read
Affect vs. Effect, Then vs. Than, Its vs. It's
Clear rules and quick tests for affect and effect, then and than, and its and it's, with examples, exceptions, a practice set with answers and a study method.