Vocabulary Builder: formula

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 11 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

formula (noun)

• Meaning: The essential meaning is a repeated and proven way of doing something. There are several variations on this:

• a standard way of saying something: Many churches use the formula "The Lord be with you" and the answer "And also with you" before a prayer.
• a fixed way of doing or making something, such as a recipe: the formula for making Coca Cola
• a somewhat boring way of creating something: The popular author wrote his books following a formula.
• a statement of a principle in science or mathematics, like Einstein's E=mc2

• Plural: formulas (or formulae in formal writing)

• Verb Forms:

• formulate, formulates, formulated, formulating (express as a formula)
• reformulate, reformulates, reformulated, reformulating (formulate again)

• Other Noun Forms:

  • formulary (plural formularies): books, collections, or systems of formulas

  • formulation (plural formulations): act(s) of making a formula or some other specific plan

  • reformulation (plural: reformulations): act(s) of making a formula again

• Adjective Form:

  • formulaic: made according to a formula (often used negatively)

• Adverb Form:

  • formulaically: in a formulaic way

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "formula" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. formula
2. formulas or formulae
3. formulaic
4. formulaically
5. formulate
6. formulates
7. formulation
8. reformulated
9. reformulating
10. reformulation


1. How many ________ are contained in your formulary?
2. When their first effort failed, the food scientists spent weeks ________ their recipe for chocolate chip cookies.
3. The chef ________ new concoctions faster than her assistants can write them down.
4. We have formulated and ________ this plan 15 times and we're still no closer than when we started.
5. Sculpting ________ is seldom a path to success.
6. Sadly, his novels seemed a bit ________.
7. What is the best ________ for making a cup of tea?
8. We need to ________ a new recipe for chai tea.
9. The ________ of the chemical that we made once before is nearly completed.
10. The ________ of a new business plan can take months.

Vocabulary Builder: specific

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 10 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

specific (adjective)

• Meaning: exact; definite; used for a certain purpose

  • This can (rarely) be a noun, as in a medicine that's a "perfect match" for a problem: "There is no specific for the common cold."

• Verb Forms: specify, specifies, specified, specifying

• Noun Forms:

  • specifications (singular: specification): the "specs" or requirements of something: "This tire's specifications call for 45 pounds of air pressure."

  • specificity: the quality of being specific. "She reported on the conversation with a high degree of specificity."

  • specifics: not exactly a plural of "specific," this means "details": "I can't get into the specifics right now, but generally speaking..."

• Adverb Form:

  • specifically: in a specific or exact way: "I specifically told you not to wake me until 7 a.m.!"

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "specific" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. specific
2. specifically
3. specification
4. specifications
5. specificity
6. specifics
7. specified
8. specifies
9. specify
10. specifying

1. The ________ for manufacturing these items must be exact.
2. This is not the item the customer ________; we need to serve him the correct one.
3. I need to know ________ which item you are ordering from our menu.
4. When the customer ________ a certain part, we should be sure to send the one she wanted.
5. Please calculate the costs with great ________.
6. Can I give you an estimate, or do you need a ________ number?
7. What is the ________ for boiling water in Fahrenheit?
8. Please try to ________ your needs exactly so we can give you the best service possible.
9. Instead of ________ an exact order in a restaurant, you can tell the table staff what you like and they'll try to match your taste to their menu.
10. I can't agree to go with you until you tell me the ________ of your itinerary.

Vocabulary Builder: export

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 9 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

export (verb/noun)

• Meaning: verb: to ship goods to another country; noun: an item that has been shipped. Plural: exports)

• Verb Forms: export, exports, exported, exporting

• Noun Forms:

  • exportation: the act of exporting: "Their products were available for exportation."

  • exporter (plural: exporters): a person or company which exports things

  • exportability: the condition of being exportable: "What is the exportability of these goods?"

• Adjective Forms:

  • export: relating to exportation: "export fees"

  • exported: a thing which has been exported: "The exported apples have been shipped"

  • exportable (opposite: nonexportable): available to be exported: "Are these products exportable?"

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "export" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. export (adj.)
2. export (noun)
3. export (verb)
4. exportability
5. exportable
6. exportation
7. exported (adj.)
8. exported (verb)
9. exporter
10. exporters
11. exporting (verb)
12. exports (noun)
13. exports (verb)
14. nonexportable
1. He ________ widgets to the Arctic.
2. We shipped the ________ last Thursday.
3. He has been an ________ of widgets for over 30 years.
4. The ________ of some widgets is limited by national laws.
5. They are one of the biggest ________ of widgets.
6. They rose to the top because they ________ only their best quality widgets.
7. Unfortunately, the government determined their widgets were ________, and could only be sold in domestic markets.
8. We ________ only the finest widgets.
9. We'll need to assess the ________ of our widgets before we try to enter the global market.
10. The company had one ________ that sold better overseas than all their other widgets.
11. They have been ________ widgets since their invention.
12. The company had to apply for an ________ license.
13. They grabbed the market when they ________ the first-ever plastic widgets.
14. Do you think our widgets are ________?

Vocabulary Builder: method

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 8 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

method (noun)

• Meaning: a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, usually by following a definite plan

  • Some methods--such as the Stanislavsky Method of acting--might be referred to in context as "the Method."

• Plural: methods

• Verb Forms: methodize, methodizes, methodized, methodizing

• Meaning: create a method for doing something

• Noun Forms:

  • methodology (plural: methodologies): a system of methods, as used in the arts or sciences, or the study of such methods: "the specific methodology for repairing ecosystems"

  • antimethod (rare) (plural: antimethods): a method that goes against the one usually used: "When western medicine didn't cure her, she turned to the antimethod of Chinese herbalism." OR an approach that avoids using a method entirely: "Despite his use of antimethod, he still managed to arrive at solution."

  • antimethodology (rare) (plural: antimethodologies): a system of antimethods.

• Adjective Forms:

  • methodical: systematic; orderly; carefully following a method

  • methodological: related to a methodology: "a methodological foundation for repairing ecosystems"

  • methodless: without a method; random. "A methodless approach seldom gets the desired results."

• Adverb Forms:

  • methodically: carefully following a method: "He cleaned the windows methodically, left to right, top to bottom."

  • methodologically: in a methodological way: "Her research project was methodologically sound."

• BONUS: In the 18th century, Church of England minister John Wesley developed a "method" of spiritual practice that evolved into the Methodist Church. Adherents are called "Methodists" (singular: Methodist); the theology is called "Methodism."

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "method" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. antimethod
2. method
3. methodical
4. methodically
5. Methodist
6. methodize
7. methodized
8. methodizing
9. methodless
10. methodological
11. methodologically
12. methodologies
13. methodology
14. methods
1. Thinking ________ is the key to success.
2. Various ________ have been tried in accounting, but the profession has settled on a few surefire systems.
3. If you need to perform a task numerous times, it's best to ________ your work flow.
4. You might not see it, but there's ________ in his madness.
5. ________ your work may take a few minutes time, but you'll save hours in the long run.
6. Working ________ improves a team's efficiency.
7. His ________ work habits cost his company hundreds of dollars a month.
8. Her team worked faster after they ________ their system.
9. When the usual way of doing things failed to work, Reggie used an ________ that did the trick.
10. Modern ________ of sanitation are improving public health worldwide.
11. My mother never goes to church, but she still considers herself a ________.
12. ________ studies of efficiency can help your company increase its profits.
13. If you're going to work with chemicals in a laboratory, you need to be ________.
14. I think your hypothesis is sound, but your ________ is preventing you from getting the best results.

Vocabulary Builder: individual

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 7 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

individual (noun)

• Meaning: one person; or a single thing, separate from others

• Plural: individuals

• Verb Forms: individualize, individualizes, individualized, individualizing (to make individual: "The committee encouraged the participants to individualize their nametags.")

• Other Noun Forms:

  • individuality: the unique characteristic(s) of a certain individual: "Even members of some lower life-forms--fish, reptiles, etc.--may exhibit individuality in their behavior."

  • individualist (plural: individualists): one who asserts his or her individualistic traits: "Sometimes being an individualist makes it hard to get along with others."

  • individualism: the principle of being an individualist: "Her boss supported her individualism and didn't insist on her wearing the company uniform."

• Adjective Forms:

  • individual: separate: "The pretzels came in individual packages."

  • individualistic: insisting on being a unique individual: "His individualistic behavior made it difficult for his office mates to accept him."

• Adverb Forms:

  • individually: one by one: "The group arrived individually before sitting down together."

  • individualistically: in an individualistic way: "She dressed individualistically to stand out from the crowd."

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "individual" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. individual (adj.)
2. individual (noun)
3. individualism
4. individualist
5. individualistic
6. individualistically
7. individualists
8. individuality
9. individualize
10. individualized
11. individualizes
12. individualizing
13. individually
14. individuals

1. If you behave too ________, people will think you're weird.
2. A team is made up of many agreeable ________.
3. Some people admire the type of person we call a "rugged ________."
4. Please place each sandwich in an ________ bag.
5. Each slice of cheese comes ________ wrapped. What a waste of plastic!
6. Dealing with a group of ________ is a little bit like "herding cats."
7. He ________ his kids' lunches by adding each kid's favorite snack.
8. Did you meet the ________ I told you about? What was he like?
9. He ________ his house by putting up black Christmas lights.
10. Some feel that a person's ________ is what makes him or her worth knowing.
11. Mel was so ________ that no one was comfortable around him.
12. Many organizations find it difficult to tolerate ________ in their members.
13. You can ________ your wardrobe with these colorful scarves.
14. I have been ________ my dogs by giving each one a different collar.

Vocabulary Builder: theory

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 6 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

theory (noun)

• Meaning: There are several related meanings for theory:

  • a group of statements used to explain something: Darwin's theory of evolution
  • a proposed (but not yet accepted) explanation
  • a particular view of how something is to be done: a theory of teaching
  • speculation: the theory of life on other planets

• Plural: theories

• Verb Forms: theorize, theorizes, theorized, theorizing 

• Other Noun Forms:

  • theorist (plural theorists): a person who theorizes

• Adjective Forms:

  • theoretical: in the manner of a theory: "She studies theoretical physics."

• Adverb Forms:

  • theoretically: this is sometimes used informally: "Since I paid for lunch last time, theoretically it's your turn."

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "theory" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. theoretical
2. theoretically
3. theories
4. theorist
5. theorists
6. theorize
7. theorized
8. theorizes
9. theorizing
10. theory
1. Darwin ________ about evolution for many years before he published his book.
2. In fact, there were several ________ about evolution out there before Darwin devised his.
3. It's better not to ________ until you get all the facts.
4. I have a ________ about why we failed: we may need to change our strategy.
5. Let's not stop ________ until we arrive at a workable solution.
6. Because there will never be an eyewitness, anything we say about the earth's origins must be to some degree ________.
7. For every ________ who believes something, you can find another who believes the opposite.
8. When the professor ________, her students take notes!
9. Some ________ believe that aliens may already have visited us.
10. ________, the "four-minute mile" was considered impossible--until Roger Bannister did it in 1954.

Vocabulary Builder: economy

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 5 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

economy (noun)

• Meaning:

  • economy (plural: economies): the system of buying, selling, etc., in a place: "the U.S. economy"

  • economy: careful management of money: "Try to conduct your affairs with economy."
    This can also be used to mean "less effort," for example "economy of movement"

• Noun Forms:

• economics: the study of economies: "She majored in economics in university."

• economist (plural: economists): a person who studies economics

• Verb Forms: economize, economized, economizing: save money: "We'll need to economize if we're going to meet our budget."

• Adjective Forms:

  • economy: meant to save money: "Economy cars use less gasoline."

  • economical (antonym uneconomical): in an inexpensive way: "Riding the bus is an economical alternative to owning a car."

  • economic: related to the economy: "Economic indicators" tell how the economy is doing

• Adverb Forms:

  • economically (antonym uneconomically): in a way that saves expense or effort: "Let's try to complete the project economically, without spending too much."

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "economy" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. economic
2. economical
3. economically
4. economics
5. economies
6. economists
7. economized
8. economizing
9. economy (not about money)
10. economy (adj.)
11. economy (noun)
12. uneconomical
1. American ________ have won several Nobel Prizes in recent years.
2. This year's ________ forecast is grim.
3. The ________ of several countries were affected by the hurricane.
4. ________ requires an understanding of supply and demand, efficiency, and other topics.
5. He ________ as much as he could, but he still couldn't afford to live in the city.
6. Eating out all the time is ________.
7. If you plan ahead, you can get a seat on an ________ flight.H. If you try ________ a little more, you can build up your savings account.
8. Being a concise writer requires a certain ________ of language.
9. Having a roommate is an ________ alternative to living alone.
10. The American ________ is bouncing back from the pandemic slowdown.
11. Two can live as ________ as one.

Vocabulary Builder: conceive and concept

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 4 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

The words conceive and concept have a close relationship going back to Latin concipere and conceptum, both of which are based on words meaning "to seize" or "to take in fully."

Thus:

conceive (verb): to form something--an idea or a purpose (but also a baby!); imagine, believe, become pregnant with

concept (noun): something which has been conceived; a notion, idea, 

I have mixed the derived words; an equal sign (=) means the words are near-perfect synonyms (i.e., they have the same meaning and usage).

• Verb Forms: conceive=conceptualize; conceives=conceptualizes; conceived=conceptualized; conceiving=conceptualizing (but we never use the "conceptualize" forms for making a baby)
• Noun Forms:
• concept (plural concepts)=conception (plural conceptions): "We're looking forward to hearing your concept for the new building." ("Conception" is also the act of making a baby: "at the moment of conception.")
• conceptualization (plural conceptualizations): the act or process of forming a concept: "We're behind schedule; the conceptualization of the new building is taking too long."
• Adjective forms:
• conceivable: imaginable: "We're taking every conceivable precaution."
• inconceivable: unimaginable: "The cost of the new building is inconceivable."
• conceptual: relating to a concept: "We're looking forward to seeing your conceptual drawings."
• Adverb forms:
• conceptually: relating to a concept, in front of an adjective: "The plan is conceptually impossible." (That is, the concept won't work.)
• conceivably: able to be imagined: "The costs could conceivably run into the millions."
• inconceivably: unable to be imagined: "The plan is inconceivably expensive."

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "conceive" or "concept" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. There is no ________ way we can finish this project on time.
2. We might be finished soon, ________ by Christmas.
3. I'm trying to ________ a way to do this more cheaply.
4. He ________ the solution when the rest of us were still thinking about it.
5. If she ________ a new plan, let me know, will you?
6. They had trouble ________, so they decided to adopt.
7. I'm sorry, my ________ of the project is still unclear.
8. The ________ framework for the project is almost completed.
9. We need to hire a new architect; this one's ________ of the new building has been going on for months.
10. The new building's systems are ________ innovative.
11. That sort of rudeness in a formal situation is ________.
12. Our new boss is ________ intelligent.

1. conceive=conceptualize
2. conceives=conceptualizes
3. conceived=conceptualized
4. conceiving
5. concept=conception
6. conceptualization
7. conceivable
8. inconceivable
9. conceptual
10. conceptually
11. conceivably
12. inconceivably

Vocabulary Builder: proceed

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 3 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

proceed (verb)

• Meaning: move forward; continue doing something

  • with "from," can mean come from: "Good health proceeds from proper diet and exercise."

• Verb Forms: proceed, proceeds, proceeded, proceeding

• Noun Forms:

  • procedure: the way to proceed; method (plural: procedures)

  • proceeding: a course of action (plural: proceedings; this form can also be used to describe a meeting and such: "Let's begin the proceedings." Also describes a record of such actions.)

  • proceeds: the result(s) of something, especially financial: "Save the proceeds from the sale."

• Adjective:

  • procedural: of or relating to a procedure or procedures. Sometimes used as a noun: "police procedurals" are stories (books, movies, TV) about the processes of police work.

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "proceed" in each sentence. Answers below.

1. procedural
2. procedurals
3. procedure
4. procedures
5. proceed
6. proceeded
7. proceeding
8. proceedings
9. proceeds (noun)
10. proceeds (verb)

1. The suspect was ________ down the street when he was arrested by the officer.
2. After she files her paperwork, the candidate ________ to the debates.
3. What is the correct ________ for contacting the police in your area?
4. He submitted the ________ of the meeting to the Chairperson.
5. My mom likes to watch CSI and other ________ on television.
6. After you check in at the front desk, you may ________ to your room.
7. The clerk made a ________ error and my request was not processed.
8. All ________ from our fundraiser will be donated to Children's Hospital.
9. We must follow the proper ________ to avoid accidents in the workplace.
10. When he saw his picture in the newspaper, the mugger ________ to the nearest police station and turned himself in.

Vocabulary Builder: approach

 

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 1 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

approach (verb)

• Meaning: to come near (or nearer) to.
• This may be physical (to approach a town) or mental (to approach an agreement).
• Verb forms: approach, approaches, approached, approaching
• Noun form: (plural: approaches) approach, the act of drawing near (the flight was on approach"); the way of doing something ("an approach to improved health").
• Adjectives:
• approachable: able to be approached
• unapproachable: unable to be approached

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "approach" in each sentence. Correct answers are in the first comment below.

1. A smile and a friendly manner will make you seem more ________.
2. Ladies and gentlemen, we are ________ our final destination.
3. If you ________ a problem correctly, you're halfway to a solution.
4. I'm afraid to talk to my teacher. He's so ________!
5. If a grizzly bear ________ you, don't run! Lie down and "play dead."
6. If you are ________ by a salesman on the street, smile politely and pass by without speaking.
7. Let's try a different ________.

1. approach
2. approaches
3. approached
4. approaching
5. approachable
6. unapproachable

Vocabulary Builder: context

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 2 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

context (noun)

• Meaning: the setting, situation, or circumstances in which something is found.
• Often it's used to refer to a particular word in a particular sentence: "You can usually figure out the meaning of a word from its context"--that is from the words that come before and/or after it.
• Plural: contexts
• Verb forms: contextualize, contextualizes, contextualized, contextualizing
• Adjectives:
• contextual: relating to the context: "the contextual understanding of a word"
• contextualized (also a verb form): same as contextual, but often used as a subject complement (after the verb to be): "A person's actions are easier to understand if they are contextualized."
• uncontextualized: the opposite of contextualized: "contextualized vs uncontextualized words"

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PRACTICE:

Place the correct form of "context" in each sentence. Answers in the first comment below.

1. context
2. contexts
3. contextualize
4. contextualizes
5. contextualized (verb)
6. contextualizing
7. contextual
8. contextualized (adj.)
9. uncontextualized

1. My best professor always ________ the literature he taught by discussing the author's time and place.
2. Decisions are better understood if they can be ________.
3. The ________ cues in a text can make it easier to understand.
4. He ________ the books he teaches so the students understand them better.
5. A word is easier to understand if you can ________ it.
6. A(n) ________ statement can often be misunderstood.
7. The conference was made more interesting by the various cultural ________ of the participants.
8. I understand a word better if I can see it in its original ________.
9. Sometimes ________ a decision helps people understand it better.