What does each word mean? The word balmy is an adjective used to describe mild and pleasant weather. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is balmy used in an example sentence: The weather was unexpectedly balmy. Click here to create a Spellzone vocabulary list using the word balmy. Barmy means mad, crazy, or foolish. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is barmy used in an example sentence: It drives my sister barmy when I leave the television on standby instead of turning it off properly. Click here to create a Spellzone vocabulary list using the word barmy. Where does each word co...
What does each word mean? If something is moot, it is open to argument or debate. Moot can also be used to describe something that is insignificant or irrelevant.Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is moot used in an example sentence: It was a moot point. Click here to create a Spellzone vocabulary list using the word moot. The verb mute describes the act of muffling or silencing a noise. As a noun, mute is used to refer to both someone who is unable to speak and something used to soften the sound of an instrument. As an adjective, the word describes someone who is unable to speak. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary defin...
Last week we looked at redundant expressions and why you should cut them from your writing. Here ten examples: I am absolutely certain that the train is at 3pm. Since ‘certain’ means ‘established beyond doubt or question’, the word ‘absolutely’ is redundant. A better sentence would be: I am certain that the train is at 3pm. They should have given us advanced warning that the road would be closed. A ‘warning’ is usually given ahead of time, so the word ‘advanced’ is unnecessary. Better sentences would be: They should have given us warning that the road would be closed. They should have warned us ...
What is a redundant expression? A redundant expression, or tautology, is an expression in which a word or group of words is unnecessary because it repeats something that has already been expressed by another word. For example: This envelope contains important documents inside. While at first it might seem like there is nothing wrong with this sentence, if you take a closer look, you’ll notice that the word inside is redundant. This is because the word contains already indicates that the envelope holds documents within it. Why is it important to be aware of redundant expressions when writing? If your writing contains redundant expressions, a reader might think th...
Should I use everyday or every day? If you want to describe something that is ‘common’ or ‘ordinary’, use everyday. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is this adjective used in some example sentences: He was responsible for the everyday household chores like vacuuming and washing up while she took care of the garden. Everyone else was dressed up and I stood out in my everyday jeans and jumper. You can buy everyday items like milk and bread at the corner shop. Click here to find Spellzone vocabulary lists related to the word everyday. Every day means ‘daily’. Here is every day used in some ex...
What does each word mean? A conscience is one’s moral sense of right and wrong and is used to guide the way one chooses to conduct themselves. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is conscience used in some example sentences: She wanted to skip her spelling lesson, but her conscience knew this was wrong. He couldn’t let go of his guilty conscience and eventually decided to own up to his crime. Click here to find Spellzone vocabulary lists related to the word conscience. The adjective conscious describes the act of being aware of and responding to one’s surroundings. The word can also describe the act of knowing abou...
What is a hyphen? A hyphen is a short dash which is used to link words together. There are three main situations in which hyphens are used: in compound words, when adding a prefix to another word, and to denote word breaks. This week, we will look at how to use hyphens in compound words. What is a compound word? A compound word is a word that is made up of two or more other words. Hyphens are often used in compound words either to show that when the included words are together they have a combined meaning, or to show the relationship between the included words. There are different types of compound words and you don’t need to use hyphens in all of them. Compound Adjectives...
What does each word mean? The word elicit means ‘to call forth’ or ‘to draw out’. It is used to describe the calling forth of emotions, opinions, responses etc. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is elicit used in some example sentences: The museum elicited huge media interest. She tried to elicit a smile from her crying friend. The adjective illicit is used to describe activity which is done in spite of accepted morality, law, or convention. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is illicit used in some example sentences: The area was known for the presence of ...
Often, in our Commonly Confused Words and Word for Wednesday blog posts, we use word classes to describe the way a word functions within a sentence. Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going back to the drawing board. What are the main word classes? What are their functions? There are nine main word classes: adjective, adverb, conjunction, determiner, exclamation, noun, pronoun, preposition, and verb. While this list might look daunting, it is very likely that you are already using words within each of these classes instinctively and correctly. Knowing the names of the word classes is useful for describing what a word is doing in a sentence and for helping you tell apart commonly c...
What does each word mean? Cereal is a type of grass which is used to produce edible grains. Examples of cereal grains are rice, corn, and oats. The word is also used to refer to a type of breakfast food prepared from these grains. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is cereal used in some example sentences: Each year the farmers must decide on which cereals to plant. My favourite cereal is Corn Flakes. Click here to find the Spellzone vocabulary lists featuring the word cereal. Serial is used to describe something that happens in a series. As a noun, serial refers to a set of programmes that appear at scheduled times. Click he...
What does each word mean? Dual is an adjective used to describe something that has two parts. In British English, it is also occasionally used as a verb to describe the act of converting a road into a dual carriageway. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is dual used in some example sentences: My driving instructor’s car has dual controls. We use dual-language textbooks in our Spanish class. There are plans to dual the road. Click here to find the Spellzone vocabulary lists featuring the word dual. A duel is a fight with deadly weapons arranged in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honour. Today, it is mostly used ...
What does each word mean? As a noun and an adjective, the word quiet describes a lack of noise. As a verb, quiet refers something becoming less loud. Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word. Here is quiet used in some example sentences: The sea was calm, but he was worried it was quiet before the storm. The library is usually quiet during the day, but it becomes noisier once school finishes. She tried to quieten the crying baby. Click here for the Spellzone word lists which include the word quiet. Quite is an adverb that shows the extent or degree to which something is the case. The word has different...
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