Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 12
Pick the English-only version or the Hindi version (English lesson with Hindi meanings) above; the video keeps your place when you switch.
Below in teaching order, as in the video: related words sit side by side so you can compare them.
not certain; open to question and disagreement
विवादास्पद, संदिग्ध
Usage
Whether the new policy will help the poor is debatable.
That is a debatable point, not a fact.
Common mistake
The two teams will debatable the topic tomorrow.
The two teams will debate the topic tomorrow.
Debatable is an adjective; the verb is debate.
Remember: Debatable = still up for debate.
causing harm or damage
हानिकारक
Usage
Smoking has a detrimental effect on the lungs.
Too much screen time is detrimental to sleep.
Common mistake
Junk food is detrimental for your health.
Junk food is detrimental to your health.
We say detrimental to something.
Remember: Detrimental = does damage.
a measurement of length, width or height; an aspect
आयाम, माप
Usage
Measure the dimensions of the room before buying a carpet.
The internet added a new dimension to learning.
Common mistake
What is the dimension of this box?
What are the dimensions of this box?
For size, use the plural: the dimensions of something.
Remember: Dimensions = how big, every way.
to become or make smaller or less
घटना, कम होना
Usage
The pain began to diminish after the medicine.
His interest in the game slowly diminished.
Common mistake
The crowd diminished down after the match.
The crowd diminished after the match.
Diminish already means become less; do not add down.
Remember: Diminish = grow smaller.
freedom to decide; care in keeping things private
विवेक, स्वविवेक
Usage
Late entry is at the discretion of the principal.
She handled the matter with great discretion.
Common mistake
The manager made a discreet about the bonus.
The manager made a decision about the bonus.
Discreet is an adjective; for a choice, say decision.
Remember: Discretion = your call, quietly made.
unfair treatment of people because of their group
भेदभाव
Usage
Laws against discrimination protect workers.
There must be no discrimination against girls.
Common mistake
There is discrimination to women in some jobs.
There is discrimination against women in some jobs.
We say discrimination against a group.
Remember: Discrimination = unfair sorting of people.
making people obey a law or rule
प्रवर्तन, लागू करना
Usage
Strict enforcement of traffic rules reduced accidents.
Law enforcement officers patrol the area.
Common mistake
The police will enforcement the new rule.
The police will enforce the new rule.
Enforcement is the noun; the verb is enforce.
Remember: Enforcement = the rule, made to stick.
belonging to a group with a shared culture and origin
जातीयता, नृजातीयता
Usage
The form asks about age, gender and ethnicity.
People of every ethnicity live in Mumbai.
Common mistake
The city has many different ethnicity groups.
The city has many different ethnic groups.
Before a noun, use the adjective ethnic.
Remember: Ethnicity = your shared roots.
words or pictures that help you see something in your mind
बिंब, कल्पना-चित्र
Usage
The poet's vivid imagery shows a quiet village at dawn.
Satellite imagery showed the storm moving.
Common mistake
The poem has many beautiful imageries.
The poem has a lot of beautiful imagery.
Imagery is uncountable; do not add -s.
Remember: Imagery = pictures made of words.
included as part of a whole; formed as a legal company
सम्मिलित; निगमित
Usage
Your ideas were incorporated into the final plan.
The firm was incorporated in Delhi in 2019.
Common mistake
Yoga was incorporated with the school day.
Yoga was incorporated into the school day.
We say incorporated into something.
Remember: Incorporated = taken into the body of it.