Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 23
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.
sleepy, slow and lacking energy
सुस्त, आलसी
Usage
I always feel lethargic after a heavy lunch.
The heat made the players slow and lethargic.
Common mistake
He was in a lethargic after the fever.
He was in a state of lethargy after the fever.
Lethargic is an adjective; the noun is lethargy.
Remember: Lethargic: no energy, like a sleepy cat.
by a very small amount
थोड़ा-सा, मामूली रूप से
Usage
Petrol is marginally cheaper this month.
Her score was only marginally better than mine.
Common mistake
Prices rose marginal this year.
Prices rose marginally this year.
Use the adverb marginally with a verb like rose.
Remember: Marginally: by the width of a page margin.
very careful about every small detail
बहुत सावधान, बारीकी से काम करने वाला
Usage
She keeps meticulous notes for her UPSC preparation.
The wedding needed meticulous planning.
Common mistake
He is meticulous on his work.
He is meticulous about his work.
We are meticulous about something.
Remember: Meticulous people miss nothing.
moving from one place to another to live or work
प्रवास, पलायन
Usage
Siberian cranes make a long migration to India each winter.
Migration to big cities has grown in recent years.
Common mistake
Many families did migration to Mumbai for work.
Many families migrated to Mumbai for work.
Use the verb migrate; we don't 'do migration'.
Remember: Birds migrate; their journey is a migration.
to stop something from having any effect
निष्प्रभावी करना
Usage
Baking soda can neutralize the acid in your stomach.
The police neutralized the threat quickly.
Common mistake
Curd will neutral the spicy taste.
Curd will neutralize the spicy taste.
Neutral is an adjective; the verb is neutralize.
Remember: Neutralize: make it neutral.
judging fairly, without personal feelings
निष्पक्षता, वस्तुनिष्ठता
Usage
A good judge decides with complete objectivity.
The report lacked objectivity because the writer was biased.
Common mistake
The umpire showed great objective in the final.
The umpire showed great objectivity in the final.
Objectivity is fairness; an objective is a goal.
Remember: Objectivity: facts first, feelings later.
an earlier event used as an example for later ones
पूर्व उदाहरण, नज़ीर
Usage
The court's ruling set a precedent for future cases.
The floods were on a scale without precedent.
Common mistake
A president was set by an earlier court case.
A precedent was set by an earlier court case.
A president leads; a precedent is an earlier example.
Remember: A precedent comes before: pre means before.
to think something is true without being sure
मान लेना, अनुमान लगाना
Usage
I presume the train will be late again.
In law, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Common mistake
I presumed of the shop being closed.
I presumed the shop was closed.
Presume is followed by a clause, not 'of'.
Remember: Presume: decide before you have proof.
to change something to its opposite, or go backwards
उलटना, पलटना
Usage
The court reversed the earlier decision.
He reversed the car out of the narrow lane.
Common mistake
Please reverse back the car slowly.
Please reverse the car slowly.
Reverse already means go back; 'back' is extra.
Remember: Reverse gear takes you backwards.
to copy how something real looks or works
नक़ल करना, अनुकरण करना
Usage
Pilots train in machines that simulate real flights.
The game simulates driving on Indian roads.
Common mistake
The software simulations a real earthquake.
The software simulates a real earthquake.
Simulation is the noun; simulate is the verb.
Remember: Simulate: make it seem similar.