How to turn words you recognise into words you use
Choose a word for something you already want to say, work out what it adds and write your own sentence. Later, try to recall the word without looking. Recognising a word in someone else’s sentence does not tell you whether you can find it when you need it.
Start with a sentence you would actually say
“The instructions were good” is a fine sentence. But what, specifically, made them good? Perhaps they gave exact details, or put you at ease.
Three ways to describe instructions
Clear, precise or reassuring?
“Clear” suggests you could understand them. “Precise” draws attention to the exact detail. “Reassuring” tells someone how they made you feel.
Choose the one you mean. A longer word that changes your meaning will not improve the sentence.
Try this with a sentence from your own life, perhaps about something you read or how you felt. Write the ordinary version first, then see whether another word makes it more accurate; if not, keep the original.
Explain the word, then close the definition
Say what the word means without copying the dictionary: for “reassuring”, perhaps “it makes me feel less worried”. Then write a sentence about something you found reassuring, and think of a situation where the word would be wrong.
Later, with the definition out of sight, ask yourself which word you chose and why. If you cannot remember, look it up and try a new sentence. Or start from the meaning: what word describes instructions that put you at ease?
When it fits, try the word in a message or conversation. You do not need an excuse, and some thoughts are already clearest in everyday language.
Keep a short list you have a reason to revisit
Collect words you would like to use, with your own examples. When you return to the list, try a fresh sentence before reading the old one. Can you explain the choice? Would a nearby word change the meaning?
Your answers give you more to notice than a word count and can guide your next practice. They are not a formal assessment of your English.
Where arcoco can help you practise
arcoco gives you meanings, word choices and sentence contexts, and brings words back for review. You can revisit words and their progress in the Journal. After a game, pick a word you want to use and try the sentence exercise above.
We make arcoco, and we have not established that completing its games improves spontaneous speech. It does not coach pronunciation. For the game formats and current iPhone and Android details, read how arcoco works.
Play: find the word you already know
Five everyday sentences. Each needs a word many people recognise but rarely use.
Use the word
1 / 5The instructions were so ____ that everyone set up the chairs differently.
Check the answer
Ambiguous. It means open to more than one meaning. Ambitious means wanting a lot, and adequate means good enough.
She’s ____ about the new job: excited by the work, worried about the commute.
Check the answer
Ambivalent. It means having mixed feelings. Indifferent means not caring either way, and apathetic means having no interest or energy.
After the third delay, our enthusiasm began to ____.
Check the answer
Wane. It means to grow gradually weaker. Waver means to become unsteady or unsure, and wilt is what plants do in the heat.
The report was ____: it covered every case and left nothing out.
Check the answer
Comprehensive. It means including everything. Comprehensible means easy to understand, and compulsory means required.
He gave a ____ apology, the kind you give when you don’t mean it.
Check the answer
Perfunctory. It means done quickly, as a duty. Profuse means plentiful, and heartfelt means sincere.
Your score
