vocabulary

[Edmoura]

Is there an efficient way to get a great deal of vocabulary?

[Soup]

One way to build your vocabulary is to use word association. Every new word you come across find its synonym, antonym, collocation, fixed expression, idiom, and functional use. For example,

big
synonym: large, great
antonym: little, small
collocation: big and tall, big-screen version
fixed expression: that's very big of you
idiom: Big hitter - UsingEnglish.com
functional language: Would you have it in a bigger size?

[Edmoura]

Thanks a lot. I'll try it with my students. YES, I teach English here in
Brazil.

[Edmoura]

Hi!

Thanks a lot for your help. It's been useful.
See you soon.

[Clark]

It is also necessary to distinguish between an active and a passive vocabulary. The former implies both understanding and using, the latter - only understanding.

[Edmoura]

How can I be sure about using both?
Is there a grammar site here?
And what about might ?

Any help would helpful.
Thanks.

[Soup]

Originally Posted by Edmoura

How can I be sure about using both?
Is there a grammar site here?
And what about might ?

Any help would helpful.
Thanks.

There's some misunderstanding here. Passive vocabulary describes all the words and phrases that people recognize when they read or hear language. Active vocabulary describes all the words and phrases that people actually use when they write and speak a language.

The point is to get students to use what they already know. How do you do that? Ask them to read a paragraph and circle the words they know. Now have them use those words in a conversation using a new, different topic. The exercise will show you and them what is passive knowledge and active knowledge. If they can use the words, then the words are part of their active vocabulary; if they can't use the words, or are using them incorrectly, or in only one context, then the words are part of their passive vocabulary. Further practice: have the students learn to use their passive vocabulary.