Category: vocabulary
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna): Principle vs. Principal
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna): Affect vs. Effect
Confused by the difference between affect and effect?
Affect is a verb. It means to influence.
Effect is a noun. It means the result.
Compare these two examples:
Stress can negatively affect your sleep.
Lack of sleep is a negative effect of stress.
Now you try it:
- How much you exercise can have an _ ( affect / effect ) on your overall health.
- A lack of exercise can negatively _ ( affect / effect ) your health.
ANSWER KEY: 1. effect; 2. affect
Joanna Rodzen-Hickey has been an ESL teacher and consultant for nearly 20 years. She has taught English at numerous universities and community colleges in New Jersey and currently teaches at the Hackettstown High School in Hackettstown, NJ.
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna): Normalization vs. Normality
Let’s practice!
1. One of the impacts of COVID-19 has been the _______ ( normalization / normality ) of working from home.
2. We eagerly await a return of pre-pandemic _______ ( normalization / normality ).
ANSWER KEY: 1. normalization; 2. normality
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna): Idioms with flowers
Happy Spring!!! Let’s learn a few idioms with flowers.
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna): Expressions with ‘rain’
It is said that April showers bring May flowers, so let’s practice some expressions with rain.
it’s raining cats and dogs = it’s raining very heavily
to be rained in = to have to do something inside instead of outside because of bad weather
rain or shine = something is happening regardless of the situation (typically weather)
rain date = an alternate event date in case the weather is bad
rain on one’s parade = to spoil one’s plans, excitement, or pleasure
to take rain check = to not be able to accept an offer or invitation now, but to be able to do so in the future
to save for a rainy day = to save something (typically money) for a time when you may need it unexpectedly
Joanna Rodzen-Hickey has been an ESL teacher and consultant for nearly 20 years. She has taught English at numerous universities and community colleges in New Jersey and currently teaches at the Hackettstown High School in Hackettstown, NJ.
Vocabulary Thursdays: Idioms with ‘earth’
April 22 is Earth Day. And since it’s also Vocabulary Thursday, let’s practice some idioms with earth. Do you know more? Share them in comments.
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna)
Estimate
The verb estimate means to roughly calculate the number or value of something.
For example, Let’s estimate how many marbles there are in the jar.
The noun ‘estimate’ means a rough calculation of the number or value of something.
For example: According to Luke’s estimate, the kitchen renovation is going to cost us about ten thousand dollars.
Note that the pronunciation of the verb ‘estimate’ /ˈɛs təˌmeɪt/ is different from the pronunciation of the noun ‘estimate’ /ˈɛs tə mɪt/.
Can you use estimate in a sentence? Add yours in the comments 🙂
Joanna Rodzen-Hickey has been an ESL teacher and consultant for nearly 20 years. She has taught English at numerous universities and community colleges in New Jersey and currently teaches at the Hackettstown High School in Hackettstown, NJ.
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna)
Economic vs. Economical
Economical describes something that helps you to keep your expenses low.
Economic describes something related to the economy.
Now try to complete these two sentences.
1. My new car is very _______ ( economic / economical ) to run. My gas bill is now much lower.
2. The pandemic has had a negative _______ ( economic / economical ) impact on the restaurant industry.
Here’s the answer key. 1. economical; 2. economic. Did you get it right? Now, you try it! Create sentences with these words. Post them in comments.
Joanna Rodzen-Hickey has been an ESL teacher and consultant for nearly 20 years. She has taught English at numerous universities and community colleges in New Jersey and currently teaches at the Hackettstown High School in Hackettstown, NJ.
Vocabulary Thursdays (with Joanna)
What’s the word? Can you use it in a sentence?