S1001 notes
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The document provides study notes and tips on English vocabulary and spelling rules. It discusses organizing vocabulary by topic to aid memorization. Key points include: - Learn 10 new words per day and review frequently. Organize words by topic. - English words can change form based on part of speech (noun, verb, adjective). Pronunciation like stress affects meaning. - Longer, multi-syllabic words from Latin and Greek tend to be more formal. - Synonyms and antonyms help increase descriptive vocabulary. - Spelling rules cover doubling consonants, prefixes, suffixes, and changing y to i. Plurals are also addressed.
S1001 notes
- 1. STUDY NOTES EPISODE 1: ELECTRONIC CRIME VOCABULARY STUDY TIPS It is important to increase your vocabulary in It is easier to remember words English. Every day you should learn 10 new linked to a particular topic. So, words. Vocabulary means not only different when learning more vocabulary, words but also different forms of these learn words in topic areas, and also words – the Adjective, Noun, Verb and learn word forms. Adverb forms. It is also a good idea to try to increase the words you know in particular In IELTS Writing there are two topic areas so that you can discuss a range tasks, Task 1 and Task 2. It is of topics. Organisation of vocabulary is important to use words that are important too. more formal, sophisticated and accurate in your writing for IELTS. When learning new vocabulary a student of English needs to be aware of the several Every day try to learn and master at aspects of Vocabulary. least 10 new words and review these words frequently. Vocabulary consists of: 1. Word Forms – the Adjective, Noun, Verb and Adverb forms. Words change their form depending on their function in a sentence. 2. Pronunciation/Stress – in a word with several syllables, which syllable carries the main stress? Stress conveys meaning. 3. Register – some words are more formal and more appropriate than others. One must choose the most appropriate word for the context. 4. Word choice – synonyms (words with similar meaning), opposites, paraphrase (describing something using a few words). Use a variety of vocabulary choices. 5. Organisation – organise your word lists meaningfully; and develop strategies for remembering new words. This will help you consolidate and extend your vocabulary. Page 1 of 18
- 2. 1. Word Forms In English the form of a word can change, sometimes quite significantly, when that word is used as an Adjective or Noun, Verb or Adverb. Eg. Adjective analytical Noun (Person) analyst Noun (Thing) analysis Verb to analyse Adverb analytically Where a different word form has not been created, then stress can be used to distinguish key word forms, for example a Noun from a Verb. Eg. Noun ‘con trast Verb con ’trast 2. Pronunciation Pronunciation means how to make the sounds of a language. It also means which sounds to stress. Stress affects: volume (loud or soft) pitch (high or low sound) length (short or long) By mixing short and long sounds we get the rhythm of a language. So, a stressed sound will be louder, higher and longer – and so much easier to hear. An unstressed sound will be softer, lower and shorter, and so more difficult to hear. Stress means the sounds to highlight or mark. The stress can move on different syllables to distinguish word forms. a na ‘ly ti cal Adjective ‘a na lyst Noun - person a’na ly sis Noun - thing ‘a na lyse Verb a na ‘ly ti ca lly Adverb Page 2 of 18
- 3. 3. Register Register means how formal or appropriate is the chosen word. In all languages some words are more formal than others – some words are used on special occasions, in special contexts and for special reasons, while others words are more common. In English a general rule is that a longer word is more formal than a shorter word. For example, Phrasal Verbs (a simple verb with a preposition – “to look into”, “to look after”) are the least formal choice and are commonly used in informal spoken language, notes, emails and postcards (informal writing). However, unusual words, borrowed into English from other languages, especially Latin and Greek, are quite formal, or high register. Greek and Latin borrowings into English often have several syllables. These words are used often in technical, scientific, medical, psychological and philosophical writings. The following words have similar meanings: look into study research analyse investigate Which word is easiest to remember? The smaller or shorter word is the easiest to learn and remember. So, you will probably learn “look into” or “study” first. Then you will pick up “research” and lastly “analyse” and “investigate”. Many words ending in –ion are borrowed from Latin: discussion examination explanation information instruction investigation presentation For all words ending in –ion the stress falls on the second last syllable: dis ‘cu ssion examin ‘a tion explan ‘a tion inform ‘a tion in ‘stru ction investi ‘ga tion presen ‘ta tion Page 3 of 18
- 4. 4. Word Choice Choosing the best or most appropriate word is important. As your vocabulary grows and strengthens so your choice of words will extend and you will be better able to describe things more exactly and appropriately. To compare is to show how two things are similar. To contrast is to show how two things are different – compare and contrast similarities and differences. Synonyms Instead of always using the same word and repeating it many times in your writing, it is a good idea to learn some extra words with similar or closely similar meaning. What is the difference between “argue”, “debate” and “discuss”? Look at the passage below and think about the difference in meaning of these words. The group meeting began with a general discussion of the issue but soon developed into a more formal debate as the different participants took particular sides for and against the topic. As feelings became quite heated, the various members of the group began to argue with each other. Finally the group leader called for order. It is important to increase your vocabulary so you will be able to express what you are trying to say more accurately and appropriately. Page 4 of 18
- 5. 5. Organisation It is a good strategy when learning vocabulary to organise words by topic. Developing your vocabulary for a particular topic will enable you to be more specific and interesting when discussing that topic. You will be able to discuss particular matters quite accurately and also have a range of synonyms to draw from. As your vocabulary grows it is a good strategy to begin to organise words into groups and sets. Take the topic of Education. This topic consists of several fields: - institutions, departments, subjects, personnel, resources and so on. Some of these fields can be divided further. Look at the table. EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FACULTIES SUBJECTS PERSONNEL RESOURCES university medicine mathematics professor classroom school architecture French lecturer blackboard college engineering physics teacher projector kindergarten science history tutor desk pre-school law geography registrar laboratory music librarian library You might make a list of qualifications – degree, bachelors, masters, doctorate, certificate, diploma. Subjects can be further broken down: Words linked to the field of study - assignments and instructions - can then be collated: Vocabulary for Assignments and Instructions NOUN ADJECTIVE OPPOSITE PERSON THING VERB ADVERB analytical unanalytical analyst analysis analyse argumentative argument argue argumentatively comparative comparison compare comparatively comparable contrastive contrast contrast convincing unconvinced conviction convince debatable debater debate debate discursive discussion discuss examined examiner examination examine explicable inexplicable explanation explain inexplicably informative informer information inform informatively instructive instructor instruction instruct instructively investigative investigator investigation investigate presenter presentation present researcher research research summative summary summarise summarily Page 5 of 18
- 6. STUDY NOTES EPISODE 1: ELECTRONIC CRIME SPELLING RULES RULE 1 ie/ei Write i before e Except after c Or when sounded like ay As in neighbour and weigh. This rhyme may help you remember the rules for using ie and ei correctly. As the rule says, you should generally write ie except under TWO conditions: 1. when the two letters follow c 2. when the two letters sound like ay (as in day) Examples: Some ie words: believe, belief, chief, field, grief, relief, yield, siege, niece, friend Some ei words: ceiling, conceit, deceive, deceit, receive, receipt, neighbour, eight, weigh, weight, vein, skein HINT: The major exceptions to this rule are the following words: conscience forfeit seize counterfeit height sheik either leisure species financier neither sufficient foreign science weird RULE 2a Doubling Consonants – One-syllable words If the word ends in a consonant preceded by a single vowel, then double that last consonant when you add a suffix beginning with a vowel. drag dragged dragging flip flipped flipping flipper nap napped napping shop shopped shopping shopper slip slipped slipping slipper star starred starring tap tapped tapping trap trapped trapping trapper wet wetted wetting wetter Note that in one-syllable words with TWO vowels, do not double the last consonant. beat beating beater foot footed footing footer look looked looking looker seat seated seating Page 6 of 18
- 7. Note that in one-syllable words ending in a double consonant, do not double the last consonant. lock locked locking locker knock knocked knocking knocker swing swinging swinger climb climbed climbing climber talk talked talking talker Note that in one-syllable words ending in a final –e instead of a consonant, do not double the consonant. hope hoped hoping stare stared staring tape taped taping Note also not to double the last consonant when adding a suffix that starts with a consonant. star starless fear fearless fearful doubt doubtless doubtful RULE 2b Doubling Consonants – Two-syllable words For words with two or more syllables that end with a consonant preceded by a single vowel, then double the consonant when both of these conditions apply: 1. Add a suffix beginning with a vowel 2. The last syllable of the word is accented begin beginning beginner occur occurred occurring occurrence omit omitted omitting prefer preferred preferring refer referred referring regret regretted regretting regrettable submit submitted submitting unwrap unwrapped unwrapping Note that when the last syllable of a two-syllable word is not stressed then the final consonant is not doubled. labour laboured labouring labourer format formated formating Page 7 of 18
- 8. RULE 3 Prefixes A Prefix is a word part added at the beginning of a base word. Knowing Prefixes helps to improve both your vocabulary and your spelling. Some common Prefixes are as follows: Prefix Meaning Examples ante- before anteroom, antenatal, antedate, antediluvian anti- against antidote, antibody, antidisestablishmentarianism auto- self automobile, automation, automatic, autoimmune bene- good benefit, beneficial, beneficiary, benefactor bi- two, twice bicycle, bicameral, bi-weekly, biennial bio- life biography, biology, biosphere, biochemistry, bio- technology de- away, down depress, decrease, demerit, depreciate dis- not, no longer, away disappear, disapprove, disavow, disallow ex- out, no longer exclude, expel, ex-wife, ex-president im- in, not immense, immodest, immoderate, improper in- in, not inflow, incorrect, incompetent, incomplete, incoherent inter- between, among interact, interstate, interrelated, intersect, intervene intra- within, between members intramural, intranet, intrastate, intravenous, of the same group intrapreneur mis- wrong, bad misspell, misinterpret, misadventure, mispronounce per- entirely, through perfect, pertain post- after post-mortem, postdate, postpone pre- before pregame, premarital, prefix, premature pro- for, take place of prohibit, proclaim re- again, back retell, re-do, reply, readdress, rethink, reclaim retro- back retrospect, retrograde, retroactive semi- half, partially semicircle, semiautomatic un- not, contrary to unhappy, unable, unwise HINT: Do NOT double letters when prefixes are added to words. However, a double consonant is needed when a prefix ends with the same letter as the beginning of the word. Be sure to write the whole prefix before writing the base word. Incorrect Correct disatisfied dissatisfaction, dissatisfied mispelling misspelling, misspelled Page 8 of 18
- 9. RULE 4 Suffixes A Suffix is a word part added to the end of a word. Although Prefixes do not change the spelling of the base word, some changes do occur when Suffixes are added to base words. 4a Suffixes with words ending in –e If the word ends in –e and the suffix begins with a vowel (for example -able, -ary, - ing, and -ous), drop the -e age aging desire desirable fame famous imagine imaginary Exception: To keep the /s/ sound of –ce, and the /dz/ sound of –ge, do not drop the final-e before –able or –ous change changeable courage courageous knowledge knowledgeable marriage marriageable notice noticeable There are also a few exceptions for other words in which the –e is kept in the word before a suffix starting with a vowel: acre acreage mile mileage If the word ends in –e and the suffix begins with a consonant (for example –less, -ly, -ment, - ness, -some) keep the –e care careful entire entirely name nameless safe safety same sameness state statement whole wholesome Exception: There are some words in which the –e is dropped before a suffix starting with a consonant. argue argument awe awful nine ninth true truly Page 9 of 18
- 10. 4b The -ly Suffix If a word ends in -l, do not drop that –l when adding the suffix –ly: formal formally usual usually real really But if the word already ends with two –l s, merely add the –y of the –ly suffix. chill chilly hill hilly 4c Suffixes with words ending in –ic When a word ends in –ic, add a –k before suffixes starting with –i, -c, OR –y picnic picnicking politic politicking traffic trafficking Some words that end in –ic add the suffix –ally not –ly. logic logically tragic tragically RULE 5 Y to I (sp) When adding a suffix to words that end with –y, change the –y to an –i. To avoid a double i in a word, keep the –y before the -ing suffix. apply applies, applied applying carry carries, carried carrying study studies, studied studying apology apologies beauty beautiful ceremony ceremonies, busy ceremonious easy busied, business happy easily, easiness happily, happiness Exception: If there is a vowel before the initial –y, keep the –y before adding –s or – ed. stay stays, stayed enjoy enjoys, enjoyed day days attorney attorneys key keys Page 10 of 18
- 11. RULE 6 Plurals (sp) Here are seven major ways to form plurals of words in English. 6a Forming plurals of most words one boy two boys one wall two walls a shoe a pair of shoes the page two pages one ribbon six ribbons Mr Herron the Herrons Mrs Smith all the Smiths For phrases and hyphenised words, pluralise the last word, unless another word is more important. one videocassette recorder two videocassette one systems analyst recorders one sister-in-law two systems analysts two sisters-in-law When words end in –s, -sh, -ch, -x or –z , add-es for the plural form (because an extra syllable is needed for pronunciation). one box two boxes a loss several losses the church two churches a buzz several buzzes a brush a pair of brushes 6b Plurals of words ending in –f or –fe For plurals of some words that end in –f or –fe change the –fe to –ve and add -s one thief two thieves a leaf two leaves a wife several wives one life their lives For other words ending in –f add s without making any changes to the base word. a roof two roofs his beliefs their beliefs the chief several chiefs a reef many reefs Page 11 of 18
- 12. 6c Plurals of words ending in –y For words ending in a consonant plus –y, change the y to i and add –es one company two companies one candy some candies For words ending in a vowel plus –y, add –s one boy two boys a monkey some monkeys 6d Plurals of words ending in –o For words ending in a vowel plus –o, add an –s one radio two radios a patio some patios For words ending in a consonant plus –o, add an –s for some plurals, and –es for other plurals, and either –s or –es for still other plurals. -s only -es only -s or –es autos echoes zeros or zeroes memos heroes cargos or cargoes pianos potatoes salvos tomatoes 6e Words with Irregular Plurals For some words, the plural is formed by changing the base word: one child two children a woman two women one goose two geese a foot two feet a mouse several mice Page 12 of 18
- 13. 6f Words with no separate plural form Some words have the same form for both singular and plural: deer cattle pliers sheep trousers wheat fish scissors rice 6g Plurals of foreign words alumnus alumni antenna antennae appendix appendices criterion criteria psychosis psychoses radius radii thesis theses basis bases crisis crises datum data medium media memorandum memoranda phenomenon phenomena NB: Some of these words are beginning to acquire an English plural form eg memorandums/memos, antennas Page 13 of 18
- 14. RULE 7 Homonyms English has many words which sound alike but spelled differently and have different meanings. These are called Homonyms. Here are the most commonly misspelled sound-alike words: WORD PART OF SPEECH MEANING EXAMPLE accept verb to agree, receive She accepted a gift. except preposition exclude, all but, other Everyone passed the exam than except Tom. expect verb await, anticipate When do you expect the baby to arrive? affect verb influence Drugs affect judgement and ability to drive safely. effect noun result Alcohol can have a powerful effect on some people. effect verb accomplish The medicine effected the desired result. hear verb listen and receive a Did you hear what he said? sound here preposition in this place Come here please. its possessive adjective 3rd person possessive The dog hurt its leg. it’s Contraction - it is It’s mine. pronoun+verb passed verb elapse, move in front The time passed by as the sun of passed over our heads. past adjective before now This past year has been very busy. than comparative particle at that time She is older than I. then adverb of time 3rd person plural Then he left. their possessive adjective possessive These are their books. there preposition not here, in that place He is over there next to that tree. they’re contraction – they are They’re over here. pronoun+verb to preposition direction towards I am going to the shops. two adjective double, duo There were twins in the family – two boys. too adjective a lot, also It cost too much – I couldn’t afford it. were verb plural of was We were very tired last night after work. wear verb put on clothes I will wear that to the party. where adverb question for location Where were you last night? we’re contraction – we are We’re from Shanghai. pronoun+verb weir noun a small dam The weir was replaced by a large dam. who’s interrogative + verb who is Who’s in there – come out now! whose possessive adjective possessive adjective Whose is this? Is it yours? question your possessive adjective 2nd person This is mine. That is your book. you’re contraction – possessive You’re not invited. Only men can pronoun+verb you are come. Page 14 of 18
- 15. Here are some more commonly misspelled sound-alike words. WORD PART OF SPEECH MEANING EXAMPLE advice noun recommendation Thank you for the good advice. It helped me. advise verb give advice, counsel I advise caution. Be careful! angel noun heavenly being, good The holy picture depicted several person angels. angle noun space between two The triangle has two equal angles. lines bare adjective uncovered, naked The beggar was bare and freezing. bear noun animal The Panda bear is loved around the world. buy verb purchase I went to the shop to buy some rice. by preposition along, passed He walked by the house but didn’t stop to say “Hi”. bye noun farewell Good bye! cite verb point out The policeman cited all the rules I had broken. sight noun vision The mountains present beautiful sights at dawn. site noun location, place I will build my new house on that site. council noun a governing group The council met to decide on the road changes. counsel verb give advice, My parents always give me good suggestions advice. desert noun dry place The Sahara Desert is growing. dessert verb abandon course of Please don’t desert me! The dessert sweet food will follow the main meal and is ice cream. forth noun forward From this day forward until the end of time. fourth adverb after third You are the fourth. There are three ahead of you. hole noun empty space, gap You have a hole in your sock. whole adjective complete The whole of the day was wasted. I did nothing. knew verb past tense of “know” He knew his work, so he did well. new adjective not old I have to buy some new socks. know verb to understand I know the whole story. I read it in the paper. no particle negative No, thank you. peace noun quiet time, no war The war ended. Peace returned. piece noun part, section She gave me a piece of cake. quit verb to stop work, give up He quit his job and left the firm. quiet adjective not noisy Please be quiet. No talking through in the exam. quite adjective very He was quite happy travelling alone in Europe. stationary adjective not moving The train was stationary, then it slowly began to move. stationery noun paper, pens We need stationery for the office. weather noun climate The weather was hot and humid. whether conjunction if He asked whether you were coming or not. Page 15 of 18
- 16. There are also many single and two-word phrases that sound alike but have different meanings. WORD PART OF EXAMPLE SPEECH all ready adjective All of them were ready. They were all ready. already adverb The train had already left by the time we arrived at the station. all right All of them were right. They were all right, not one single mistake. alright adjective Wrong spelling of “all right” all together adjective All of them were together again. They were all together in the restaurant. altogether adverb Her actions were altogether wrong. She was completely at fault. any body phrase Any large body of water becomes unsafe to drink after a few days. anybody pronoun Has anybody seen my shoes? any more phrase Are there any more potato chips left? anymore adverb I do not want to se her anymore – never again! any one phrase Any of those magazines is suitable – any one of them. anyone pronoun Can anyone hear me? Is anyone there? anytime phrase I can make an appointment for any time during the day or night. anytime adverb Anytime tomorrow will do. any way phrase You can take any of those ways – any way will do. Just hurry up! anyway adverb She objected but he went to the pub anyway. a while phrase It will take a while to finish – maybe one day, maybe two. awhile adverb I can only stay for a while – a few minutes actually. every body phrase Every single river in the small country was polluted. everybody pronoun He wanted everybody to come to his daughter’s wedding. every day phrase It rained every single day last week. everyday adjective It was an everyday, boring, ordinary story. every one phrase Each and every one of the bottles was empty. everyone pronoun He gave everyone a small gift. in to preposition + He came in from outside to escape the cold and rain – he into conjunction came in to get warm. may be preposition He fell into the river and got completely drenched. maybe verb phrase They may be late – but then again they might be on time. somebody adverb Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. Who knows? somebody phrase Some large bodies of water remain pure for a large time. some one pronoun Somebody has stolen my watch. someone phrase Could you give me some of those large ones please? pronoun Someone has taken my briefcase too. Page 16 of 18
- 17. Commonly misspelled words. absence acceptable accessible accidentally accommodate accompanied accomplish accuracy achievement acquaintance acquire across actually address admission advice advise affect effect against aggression aisles alcohol alleys all right a lot amateur among amount analysis angel angle announcement apparent appearance approach appropriate approximate argument article aspirin associate athlete attach attack attendance authentic average bargain basically beautiful beginner believe beneficial benefited biggest boundary breath breathe bulletin bureaucracy business cafeteria calculator calendar careless carrying category cemetery census certain changeable changing channel chief coming commercial commitment committee comparative competent competition conceited conceive concentrate condemn confident conscious conscience conscientious consensus consistent continuous controlled controversy convenience coolly course coarse courteous criticism criticise curiosity dealt deceive decide definite dependent descend describe desirable despair develop different disagree disappear disappoint disastrous disease divine efficient environment eighth elaborate embarrass equipment especially exaggerate excellent except exercise existence expense experience experiment explanation extremely familiar family fascinate favourite February financially forty friend fulfil gauge government grammar guaranteed guidance harass height here hear heroes hindrance hoping huge humorous hypocrite ideally ignorant imaginary immediately immensely incidentally incredible independent indispensable individually initiative intelligent interest interference interrupt irrelevant irresistible irritated its it’s jealousy knowledge laboratory laid led leisure lenient liable library license lightning likelihood loneliness lose loose losing luxury magazine magnificent maintenance manageable management marriage material mathematics meanness meant medicine mere miniature mischievous missile mortgage muscle mysterious naturally necessary nickel niece ninety ninth noticeable obstacle occasionally occurrence official omitted operate opinion opportunity opposite ordinarily originally paid pamphlet parallel particular past passed peculiar penetrate perceive performance permanent personal persuade physical piece peace planned pleasant politician possess possibly practical precede preferred prejudice preparation principle principal privilege probably procedure proceed professor prominent promise pronunciation psychology pursue questionnaire quiet quite Page 17 of 18
- 18. quit quizzes realise really receive recipe recognise recommend referring repetition rehearsal relief relieve religious remembrance reminisce restaurant rhythm ridiculous sacrifice safety sandwich satellite scarcity schedule secede secretary seize siege sense separate sergeant sheriff shining significant similar sincerely sophomore specimen statistics straight strategy strength studying succeed success sufficient suicide surely surprise suspicious symbol technical technique temperature temporary tendency than then their they’re there thorough though through thought tomorrow to too tragedy transferred tremendous tries truly typical unconscious until usage usually vacuum valuable various vegetable view violence villain visible warrant weather whether Wednesday weird where were woman women writing written yield yacht Page 18 of 18