Active and Passive Vocabulary

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

Sometimes it's so difficult to choose the right word for my students. I think it's the lack of the practice. My problem is that I use correct words and very often can't explain why I use them. Where can I find the answer how to choose the right words besides dictionaries?

Often, the right word is a matter of taste rather than grammar. It very much depends on the circumstance.

[Tdol]

Harry, try [DAVIES] Variation in English Words and Phrases (VIEW) for examples of words in use, then compare the contexts- I use this site a lot.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by Tdol

Harry, try [DAVIES] Variation in English Words and Phrases (VIEW) for examples of words in use, then compare the contexts- I use this site a lot.

Thanks very much! I'll try.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Often, the right word is a matter of taste rather than grammar. It very much depends on the circumstance.

I fully agree with you. Very often I speak English and I can't believe that it's me speaking. I can be very fluent at times like many native speakers.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

I fully agree with you. Very often I speak English and I can't believe that it's me speaking. I can be very fluent at times like many native speakers.

I can't tell about your speaking, but your written English is very good.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

I can't tell about your speaking, but your written English is very good.

I have been teaching and improving my English since 1977. Fifty of my student are teachers of English now.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

I have been teaching and improving my English since 1977. Fifty of my student are teachers of English now.

That's fantastic! You should be proud.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

That's fantastic! You should be proud.

I'm very proud of them especially when I hear about their achievament in the field of teaching. Coming back toour discussion I just want to say that Vocabulary is one of the most important factors in learning languages.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

I'm very proud of them especially when I hear about their achievament in the field of teaching. Coming back toour discussion I just want to say that Vocabulary is one of the most important factors in learning languages.

There is no doubt about that. It beats the hell out of pointing and grunting.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

There is no doubt about that. It beats the hell out of pointing and grunting.

When you teach English as a second language the students often complain about reading rules, grammar tenses, spelling and of course vocabulary. Let's take for example the verb "To look". As a beginner they have to know the following phrases: "look for" look after" look up" look forward to" look at" look like" etc. It's really hard to remember, isn't it?