Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 33
This episode is in English.
Below in teaching order, as in the video: related words sit side by side so you can compare them.
the aim or purpose behind an action
इरादा, आशय
Usage
Her intent was to help, not to criticise.
The man was arrested with intent to steal.
Common mistake
We slept in an intent during the school camp.
We slept in a tent during the school camp.
Intent means purpose; a tent is what you sleep in.
Remember: Intent: what you intend to do.
being kept apart from other people
अलगाव, एकांत
Usage
Patients with chickenpox stay in isolation for a week.
Old people living alone often feel a sense of isolation.
Common mistake
He was kept on isolation for ten days.
He was kept in isolation for ten days.
We say in isolation, not on isolation.
Remember: Isolation: alone, like an island.
an informal word for a boy or young man
लड़का, युवक
Usage
The commentator said this lad from Ranchi could play for India.
The lad who delivers our newspaper is only sixteen.
Common mistake
Dear Sir, the lad named below has applied for a passport.
Dear Sir, the young man named below has applied for a passport.
Lad is informal; formal letters need young man or boy.
Remember: Lad: a friendly word for a boy.
dishonest control of people or facts to get what you want
हेरफेर, चालबाज़ी
Usage
The regulator fined the trader for share price manipulation.
Crying to get your way can be a form of manipulation.
Common mistake
The cook's manipulation of the dough made soft rotis.
The cook's kneading of the dough made soft rotis.
Manipulation usually means unfair control of people or facts.
Remember: Manipulation: pulling strings like a puppet master.
words or ideas that are silly or untrue
बकवास, बेतुकी बात
Usage
The rumour that exams are cancelled is complete nonsense.
Stop talking nonsense and finish your homework.
Common mistake
He told a nonsenses about the match.
He talked nonsense about the match.
Nonsense is uncountable: no a, no -s. We talk nonsense.
Remember: Nonsense: no sense at all.
important or interesting enough to be noticed
उल्लेखनीय
Usage
Hampi is notable for its ancient stone temples.
The film's music was a notable success.
Common mistake
Kerala is notable of its backwaters.
Kerala is notable for its backwaters.
We say notable for, not notable of.
Remember: Notable: worth a note.
to balance or cancel out the effect of something
संतुलित करना, भरपाई करना
Usage
Diwali sales helped offset the shop's monsoon losses.
Higher onion prices were offset by lower transport costs.
Common mistake
The bonus offsetted the pay cut.
The bonus offset the pay cut.
Offset does not change in the past: offset, offset.
Remember: Offset: put one weight against the other.
letting things happen without acting; a verb form
निष्क्रिय; कर्मवाच्य
Usage
Arjun stayed passive while the others argued.
'The letter was written by Tagore' is in the passive voice.
Common mistake
'Tagore wrote the letter' is in the passive voice.
'Tagore wrote the letter' is in the active voice.
When the subject does the action, the voice is active.
Remember: Passive: things pass you by while you do nothing.
to keep doing something even when it is hard
डटे रहना; बना रहना
Usage
If you persist with your practice, you will improve.
If the fever persists, see a doctor.
Common mistake
She persisted to ask for a refund.
She persisted in asking for a refund.
We say persist in doing something.
Remember: Persist: stay on, insist, don't stop.
continuing to try; or going on for a long time
दृढ़; लगातार
Usage
Her persistent efforts finally got the road repaired.
He has had a persistent cough for three weeks.
Common mistake
He was persist and called the office every day.
He was persistent and called the office every day.
After was, use the adjective: persistent.
Remember: Persistent: the one who persists.