Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 37
This episode is in English.
Below in teaching order, as in the video: related words sit side by side so you can compare them.
a group of people meeting; or parts fitted together
सभा; संयोजन
Usage
All students sing the national anthem at morning assembly.
Each worker fits one part on the car assembly line.
Common mistake
The school assembled is at eight o'clock.
The school assembly is at eight o'clock.
Assembly is the noun; assembled is a verb form.
Remember: Assembly: things or people brought together.
a promise; or calm confidence in yourself
आश्वासन; आत्मविश्वास
Usage
The minister gave an assurance that the line would open by March.
She walked out to bat with calm assurance.
Common mistake
The bank assuranced us that our money was safe.
The bank assured us that our money was safe.
Assurance is a noun; the verb is assure.
Remember: Assurance: words that make you sure.
protection a country gives to people fleeing danger
शरण
Usage
The family fled the war and sought asylum in India.
The country granted asylum to the journalist.
Common mistake
He asked an asylum in a foreign country.
He sought asylum in a foreign country.
We say seek, ask for or apply for asylum, with no an.
Remember: Asylum: a safe place away from danger.
very plain and simple, with no luxury
सादा, कठोर
Usage
Gandhi led an austere life with very few things.
The monk's room was austere: a mat and a lamp.
Common mistake
The austere hotel had gold taps and a marble pool.
The luxurious hotel had gold taps and a marble pool.
Austere means plain; luxury is its opposite.
Remember: Austere: strict, plain, nothing extra.
short for automobile; in India, also an autorickshaw
ऑटो, गाड़ी
Usage
Chennai is a big centre of the auto industry.
We took an auto from the station to the hotel.
Common mistake
The door opens auto when you come near.
The door opens automatically when you come near.
Auto is a noun or prefix; the adverb is automatically.
Remember: Auto: short for automobile.
whether something is free to use or buy
उपलब्धता
Usage
Check seat availability before booking the train.
Rooms are offered subject to availability.
Common mistake
The available of doctors in villages is low.
The availability of doctors in villages is low.
After the, use the noun: availability.
Remember: Availability: is it available or not?
a copy or spare kept in case the first fails
बैकअप, अतिरिक्त प्रति
Usage
Keep a backup of your photos on another drive.
Always have a backup plan if the train is late.
Common mistake
Please backup your files every week.
Please back up your files every week.
The noun is backup; the verb is back up, two words.
Remember: Backup: something at the back, ready to help.
used in 'on behalf of': for someone, or in their place
की ओर से
Usage
The captain thanked the fans on behalf of the team.
My father signed the form on my behalf.
Common mistake
I am writing in behalf of my class.
I am writing on behalf of my class.
In Indian and British English we say on behalf of.
Remember: On behalf of: standing in for someone.
the breaking of a law, rule or agreement
उल्लंघन
Usage
The builder was sued for breach of contract.
A data breach leaked the phone numbers of millions.
Common mistake
We spent the holiday on the breach in Goa.
We spent the holiday on the beach in Goa.
Breach means breaking a rule; a beach is sand by the sea.
Remember: Breach: a break in a wall, a rule or a promise.
very cruel, violent or harsh
क्रूर, निर्दयी
Usage
The brutal attack shocked the whole town.
The brutal May heat kept people indoors.
Common mistake
Thank you for your brutal help with my homework.
Thank you for your kind help with my homework.
Brutal means cruel or harsh, never kind.
Remember: Brutal: like a brute, with no mercy.