in a spoiled or ruined condition / inoperative

[Mnemon]

Hello foreros,

The above screenshot is actually a list of synonyms/ slang terms describing something being in a spoiled or ruined condition. How many of them are you familiar with? Which ones exactly? I'd like to know the ones that could be employed in everyday conversation; The ones that don't feel dated or old-fashioned to you.

 

[emsr2d2]

What exactly are "foreros"?

 

[tedmc]

Which word to use depends on the object and the context.
I don't see the words "out of order/not working/dilapidated/derelict/run down" in the list.

 

[Mnemon]

What exactly are "foreros"?

Hello @emsr2d2.
It's utilized to refer to forum members. Not sure, but I'd reckon the word comes from Spanish.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello @emsr2d2.
It's utilized to refer to forum members. Not sure, but I'd reckon the word comes from Spanish.

It's certainly not "utilised" here. Please don't refer to us that way again. Use only English words in your posts. And it's "used", not "utilised".

 

[Mnemon]

I don't really understand what the fuss here is about.

And it's "used", not "utilised".

What makes you say this? Here's what my dictionary says,

utilize verb [transitive] [formal]
to use something
This room is mainly utilized for training purposes.
What criteria do you utilize in selecting employees?

Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners CD-ROM 2nd Edition. CD-ROM © Macmillan Publishers Limited 2007. Text © A&C Black Publishers Ltd 2007.

Just for the record, I'm not supposed to be here to bandy crooked words with you _ nor do I have any proclivity for doing so. I've come here for a reason and the reason is to ameliorate my proficiency in English. If you are disinclined to answer my question, just simply ignore it. Thank you.

 

[5jj]

Just for the record, I'm not supposed to be here to bandy crooked words with you _ nor do I have any proclivity for doing so. I've come here for a reason and the reason is to ameliorate my proficiency in English. If you are disinclined to answer my question, just simply ignore it. Thank you.

We do our best to help people improve their English. Most teachers of BrE would tell you that 'utilised'sounded a little pretentious in your sentence; 'used' is more natural. Similarly. 'improve' is more natural than 'ameliorate' in the sentence I have quoted. This is a forum, so you are under no obligation to listen to our advice, but we will keep on giving our suggestions; other members may benefit from them.

 

[emsr2d2]

Just for the record, I'm not supposed to be here to bandy crooked words with you, nor do I have any proclivity for doing so. I've come here for a reason and the reason is to ameliorate my proficiency in English. If you are disinclined to answer my question, just simply ignore it. Thank you.

We always try to make learners' English more natural. If that's not what you want, I won't respond in any more of your threads. I do have one final bit of advice though - all the following from the quote above sound pretentious/old-fashioned/unnatural:

- to bandy crooked words with you
- proclivity
- ameliorate

I can assure you that if you insist on using phrases like those in general conversation, you're going to get some very strange looks. Here's what a native speaker would say (just for info):

I'm not here to argue with you and I don't want to. I'm just here to improve my English. If you don't want to answer my question, you can ignore it.

 

[5jj]

I'm not here to argue with you and I don't want to. I'm just here to improve my English. If you don't want to answer my question, you can ignore it.

As a former IELTS and CAE examiner, I just want to say that your version would gain a higher mark in those examinations than Mnemon's highfalutin version.

 

[probus]

Highfalutin was a nice shot!

 

[jutfrank]

I've come here for a reason and the reason is to ameliorate improve my proficiency in English.

Then you're in the right place. Our aim is to help you improve your use of English. If we point out that you've used certain vocab items inaccurately, you'd do very well to take notice.

 

[tedmc]

In my opinion, the use of less common, bombastic words in writing does not necessarily impress discerning readers; it has the reverse effect. Appropriateness/aptness in the use of words is more important.

 

[Mnemon]

As a former IELTS and CAE examiner, I just want to say that your version would gain a higher mark in those examinations than Mnemon's highfalutin version.

That's not an accurate statement, particularly when it comes to GRE. I've never been an IELTS examiner, but I've been told different.

I've come here for a reason and the reason is to ameliorate improve my proficiency in English.

Our aim is to help you improve your use of English. If we point out that you've used certain vocab items inaccurately, you'd do very well to take notice.

If that's how you want to help me (and others) improve our use of English, then you'll fail pretty dismally. Shall we say "dismally" or "abysmally" in this case, Jutfrank?
"Ameliorate" in the above quote may be seen as formal, pompous, highfalutin, turgid, turbid or even antediluvian, but it's 100% accurate.



====================================================================================================


Those screenshots have been taken from the book, Essential Words for the GRE.

 

[Tdol]

They don't all mean the same- if something is on the rocks, it is in trouble, but that does not mean it is f&cked.