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Common Words

English words frequently have multiple meanings and therefore understanding is often challenging for the English language learner. Following is the first installment of common English words, their meaning, and sentences illustrating the indicated meanings.

Through – (Preposition) used as a function word to indicate movement into at one side or point and out at another—especially the opposite side; to indicate passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process

Out of anger, Sam punched his fist through the wall for the fifth time this week.

The debris from space fell through the roof of the house down the street.

Everyone who enlists in the military must go through basic training.

————————————————————————————————————— used as a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy; because of; by common descent from or relationship with

Obama became president through the manipulation of emotions.

Some in my family believe that we are related to Alex Hailey through my maternal grandmother.

Through ignorance of what has intentionally been done to its education system, the U.S. has fallen from first to 26^th position in math and science.

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over the whole surface or extent of; used as a function word to indicate movement within a larger expanse; used as a function word to indicate

The airplane wreckage was scattered through a valley that would take days to reach.

The farmer sewed seed through eight acres of freshly plowed land

The tornado deposited pieces of buildings through the town.

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(adverb) from beginning to end; to completion, conclusion, or accomplishment; to the core; into the open

There is a great number of “all but dissertation” because they failed to go through with their plan.

Jake was caught in the severe thunderstorm and was soaked through when he came inside.

Recently, cures for cancer have been brought through to a point that they can be used on humans.

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(Adjective) extending from one surface to another; admitting free or continuous passage; going from point of origin to destination without change or reshipment

The skywalk is a convenient through route from the international terminal to the domestic one.

The through roads in California are more like parking lots.

Form (Noun) the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material;

The form of the statue was not very pleasing, however, it was carved out of some beautiful marble.

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a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face;

Many women have forms that are very attractive to the eyes.

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the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter;

Any warm-blooded, higher vertebrate creature that nourishes its young with milk secreted by mameary glands and skin more or less covered by hair is a form of mammal.

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established method of expression or proceeding; procedure according to rule or rote;

Courts in every country have a particular form that will be followed to ensure that justice is accomplished.

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a prescribed and set order of words;

The oath of office for the president of the United States has an exact form.

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a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information;

A person is required to fill out a number of forms simply to be seen by a doctor.

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manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique; the resting place or nest of a hare;

Many observers have criticized Tim Tebow’s form, but they cannot deny that he is a winner.

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a supporting frame model of the human figure usually used for displaying apparel;

The forms used by the department store did not accentuate the the designer’s style.

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a mold in which concrete is placed to set;

The form collapsed because it was only designed to hold 30 cubic yards of concrete.

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the printing type or other matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing;

Without the invention of the form, the printing of newspapers would have been impossible.

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one of the different modes of existence, actions, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance;

There are so many forms of cancer that doctors and researchers are forced to specialize.

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one of the different aspects a word may take as a result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation; a mathematical expression of a particular type;

Some ESL students have difficulty distinguishing verbal forms of English words.

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the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art;

The Chinese form is readily identifiable in music and is distinct from Korean and Japanese forms.

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the past performance of a race horse; known ability to perform

The racing form of Secretariat did not indicate that he would be a Triple Crown winner.

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(verb) to give a particular shape to; shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model

Her early, traumatic experiences played a significant role in forming the personality many people despise.

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to arrange themselves

The cheerleaders formed and impressive pyramid that was dangerously high.

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to serve to make up or constitute; be essential or basic element of

Pineapple junice, ginger ale, and sherbert form the punch you enjoyed so much.

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to give form or shape to

Geologist believe that the Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon over millions of years.

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to arrange in order

The troops formed a perfect rectangular and maintained it throughout their performance.

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Idioms

English idioms are a form of communication in which the meanings of individual words are superseded by the understanding of the phrases themselves. This is the first installment of English idioms and the learner should create three additional sentences after learning the ones presented here. Idioms, their meanings, and sample sentences follow:

regardless of (something) – without considering or thinking about something, without regard to something

Regardless of the weather, we are going to go to the football game tomorrow evening.

Regardless of the consequences, Samantha will buy the purse she saw in the mall.

Regardless of the grade I received, I always ensured that my point of view was stated.

run into (something – a fact/trouble/problems/difficulty) – to experience something, to encounter something

It seems that mechanics always run into additional problems when I have my truck repaired.
When I was doing research for my dissertation, I ran into some interesting facts about language learning.

Sam did not know what to say when he ran into a woman he had jilted many years ago.

so to speak – as one might or could say, this is one way to say something

The Bakers had a good time in France, so to speak, but they realized things would have been better if they spoke French.

Ellen said she and Tom were dating, so to speak.

Ebonics is a universal form of communicating, so to speak.

take over (something) – to take control of something, to take command of something

Wal-Mart appears to want to take over the retail and grocery industry in the United States.

When training new air traffic controller, I had to take over the position many time to maintain safety.

When AT&T took over Bellsouth, many top managers at Bellsouth were released.

up to – until, as far as a certain point, approaching a certain point

Up to the actual wedding ceremony, Terra believed that John was going to marry her.

Although Henry only invited twenty people, there were up to fifty people in the house.

Up to now, many Blacks believe that Obama is doing an outstanding job as president.

up to (someone) to decide/do (something) – to be responsible to choose or decide something

It is up to his wife to decide where to put the new furniture.

It was up to me whether or not I enlisted in the military.

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By learning the roots, prefixes, and suffixes of English words, English learners can improve their understanding of spoken and written English, while significantly developing their vocabulary. In the following, I will prove a root, prefix, or suffix, the meaning, and sample words with their definitions.

Roots, Prefixes, & Suffixes

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abase (verb) – to lower in position, estimation; to degrade; to humble

The presidential candidate would not abase himself by talking to the media concerning his ex-wife’s comment about their marriage. (to degrade)

The bishop did not abase himself by doing manual labor to help the residents rebuild after the storm had destroyed most of the town. (to lower in position)

Compromising with her husband did not require her to abase herself or her principles. (to degrade; to lower)

aberration (noun) – deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course; a problem or behavior that is unusual or unexpected_

When Sarah received her paper, the grade was such an aberration for her she cried all during dinner. (deviation from customary course)

The problem with many inexpensive digital cameras is lack of clarity aberration in the final product. (a problem that is unusual or unexpected)

Her obscene ranting in the church seems an aberration, considering her usually tranquil demeanor. (deviation from a customary course)

banal (adjective) – commonplace; lacking originality or freshness

She made some banal remarks about the dress the poor girl was wearing, but no one acknowledged them. (commonplace)

The guided tour was so banal that everyone decided not to follow the schedule the next day and explored the city on their own. (lacking originality or freshness)

The salesperson must have been on the job too long because she continued to chase customers away with her banal statements about the cars. (commonplace)

 bauble (noun) – trinket; an inexpensive piece of jewelry; a showy, usually cheap, ornament

Helen was heartbroken because the jewelry box contained a bauble instead of the engagement ring she had anticipated. (an inexpensive piece of jewelry)

Most people cover their Christmas trees with baubles because too often tree ornaments are broken. (a showy, usually cheap ornament)

Upon his return from Asia, the father gave baubles to every child in his daughter’s fifth grade class. (trinket)

beatify (verb) – to make supremely happy; (in the Roman Catholic Church) to give a dead person a title of honor for being very good

Mother Teresa was beatified by Pope John Paul II shortly after her death. (to give a dead person a title of honor for being very  good)

Those who have never been wealthy believe that material resources alone can beatify a person. (to make supremely happy)

Many who have been martyred for their faith have also been beatified by the church. (to give a dead person a title of honor)

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precept (noun) – a rule establishing standards of conduct; a court order demanding payment 

Before joining any organization, a person should understand the precepts he or she is expected to follow as a member. (rules establishing standards of conduct)            

In religion, precepts are usually commands concerning moral conduct (e.g., one person should not kill another). (rules establishing standards of conduct) 

The judge issued a precept that the parents compensate the owner for the window that the child had broken. (court order demanding payment) 

forbearance (noun) – patience, willingness to wait; a refraining from the enforcement of something

Many of the mortgage companies in the United States are not demonstrating forbearance—they are very quick to foreclose on delinquent accounts. (patience, willingness to wait)

She showed great forbearance by not disciplining her son who had stolen the candy from the store. (refraining from the enforcement of something)

We thank you for your forbearance while we determine the problem with the new computer you purchased. (patience, willingness to wait)

appropriate (verb) – to take for one’s own use (especially without the owner’s permission), to acquire, to set aside

Each year, the Congress of the United States appropriates billions of dollars for the defense of the nation.   (to set aside)  

Every business owner must be vigilant concerning employees appropriating supplies and equipment. (to take for one’s own use)

In communal living situations, no one may appropriate a common use resource. (to take for one’s own use)

remonstrate (verb) – to protest, object; to resent and urge reasons in opposition

Currently, some well-off citizens of the U.S. are remonstrating against the very system that allowed them to obtain their wealth. (to protest, object)

The President does not seem to be concerned about the number of people remonstrating against his policies. (to urge reasons in opposition

College campuses are traditional locations for students to remonstrate, but these actions too often become violent. (protest, object)

mettlesome (adjective) – courageous, high-spirited

Sally was always a mettlesome person, so it was not very surprising that she joined the Marine Corp after high school. (courageous, high-spirited)

The mettlesome routine of the opening comedian caused the audience to be disappointed with the main event. (, high-spirited)

The child’s mettlesome action of putting the fire out saved the woman from certain death. (courageous, high-spirited)

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