Say this, not that
It is imperative that we commence the project forthwith.
We need to start this week.
Grand vocabulary can hide the actual deadline. Plain words with a date carry more weight.
Sounding less formal (without sounding careless)Learn new English words every day.
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Everyday word
recoverynoun
Getting better after an illness, injury or bad time.
The recovery of the forest after the fire was surprisingly rapid.
Where you'll meet it: B1 · noun
Full word pageUsage insight
40 Better Words for “Beautiful” (and When to Use Each)
“Beautiful” covers a lot of ground, so choose a synonym based on what kind of beauty you mean: striking, delicate, elegant, or awe-inspiring each suggest something different.
Read the lessonWord in context
hopefuladjective
Believing that something good will happen.
A line of people hopeful of obtaining tickets.
How it's used: B2 · adjective
Full word pageWord worth knowing
metaphornoun
Describing something by calling it something else, like "time is money."
Why it's useful: B2 · noun
Full word pageA better word
good (person)
kind
Warm towards other people.
Better ways to say “good”Quick practice
He had to sell his car at a considerable _____.
Full word pageDon't confuse these
Affect vs Effect
Affect
To influence or change something.
The rain affected our plans.
Effect
The result of a change.
The rain had an effect on our plans.
Affect is the action. Effect is the result of that action. If you can put 'the' or 'an' in front of it, you want effect.
Learn the differenceUsage insight
Words for Describing Someone’s Voice
Describe a voice by pitch (shrill, gravelly), volume and force (booming, faint), or emotional quality (soothing, clipped). Combining one trait from each category usually gives a fuller picture than piling on adjectives.
Read the lessonWord worth knowing
seamlessadjective
Smooth and without any breaks or problems.
Why it's useful: B2 · adjective
Full word pageDon't confuse these
Elicit vs Illicit
Elicit
To draw out a response or reaction.
The question elicited an awkward silence.
Illicit
Not allowed by law or rules.
They were fired for illicit use of company funds.
Elicit is something you do. Illicit is something something is.
Learn the differenceQuick practice
She _____ her shawl around her shoulders.
Full word pageSay this, not that
Why did you do it like that?
What led you to this approach? I want to understand the trade-off.
The original sounds like an accusation even when it isn't. Asking for the reasoning gets you the same information without the defensiveness.
How to give feedback people can actually useEveryday word
struggleverb
To try very hard to do something difficult.
He struggled to get free from the rope.
Where you'll meet it: B1 · verb
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