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ELC501 (1) Confirm Meaning of Words Using A Dictionary - ODL
ELC501 (1) Confirm Meaning of Words Using A Dictionary - ODL
of Words
Using a Dictionary
Learning outcomes:
You will :
• Each definition will also usually include a sample sentence to help you
determine how the word is used and whether that definition matches
how the word is used in the text you are reading.
• The next slide will show you an example of online dictionary entry for
the word ‘decode’.
Online dictionary entry example: The word
Part of speech
Pronunciation
definition
Sample sentence
So how to choose the right definition if
the word has several definitions?
If a word has several definitions, you should:
↘In particular, you should determine whether the word used in the
sentence is a noun, an adjective and so on.
The following slide can help you get a clearer picture of what the
above means.
Part of speech
"It is believed that such ills are due to bad or imperfect legislation
and can only be relieved by good or more perfect legislation”.
• Once the part of speech is identified, then you can choose the
suitable definition that fits the sentence.
"It is believed that such ills are due to bad or imperfect
legislation and can only be relieved by good or more perfect
legislation”.
So in order to confirm what the word ‘ills’ mean in the sentence, replace the definition given into the
idea/sentence/context to see if it is fitting:
1) It is believed that such harm are due to bad or imperfect legislation and can only be relieved by good
or more perfect legislation.
2) It is believed that such problem(s) are due to bad or imperfect legislation and can only be relieved by
good or more perfect legislation.
→ Which word fits the context better? Harm? Or Problem(s)?
• ‘problem(s)’ is the more accurate definition for this sentence.
Note: If the unknown word asked is in the plural form (e.g. ‘ills’, instead of its singular
form-’ill’) the answer must also be in the plural form (hence, problems, and NOT
problem).
To sum up…
• In order to decide which is the appropriate definition to use
in the dictionary, these are what you need to do: