In the last post, we talked about how you can use magazine articles, trade journals, and graduate thesis papers to expand your vocabulary in a specific area of study or research. These are valuable resources because the vocabulary words are both targeted to those fields and used correctly in context in the discussions and explanations contained in the text.

Knowing how to use a word correctly is just as important as knowing the word in the first place. Not only will misuse of a word confuse your listeners or readers, but it will give them the impression that you are lacking in knowledge that you may actually have. When you’re learning a new word, be sure to include in your exercises the creation of sample sentences so that you get familiar with using the word in context.

If you’re not sure exactly how to use a word, you can find examples on line. If you’re using the Ultimate Vocabulary software, the Word Discover™ “50 Power Examples” feature is a quick and easy way to see how each word is correctly used in context. Because many words have secondary meanings, or can be used in slightly different ways, the more examples you have to look at, the better.

The examples provided through the Ultimate Vocabulary software include phrases taken from business and news journals – ideal for a professional’s use – as well as examples of how the word is used in narrative or fiction. Look for a wide range of sample sentences and study them until you’re confident you know how to use the word correctly.

When you find an example of a phrase using the target vocabulary word(s) you’re studying, mark or highlight them (on paper) or cut and paste them (on line) into your vocabulary study journal, or onto the flash cards you use for vocabulary review. Once you have a good variety of examples, make up your own sample sentences for practice.