Subject Verb Agreement

A Subject should always agree with its Subject in number

Eg: The library is very useful for studying

Split Infinitives

Avoid splitting infinitives, i.e. placing a word between to and the verb following

Eg: to quickly go, to cautiously enter (wrong usage)

Participles

Participles should be used with caution. Unrelated participles mess up the meaning of the

Sentence

Eg: Wrong Sentence: Walking along the road a scorpion stung me.

Right Sentence: Walking along the road I was stung by a scorpion

Closing Participles

Expressions like hoping to hear from you soon and looking forward to hearing from you

Instead say:

Eg: I/We hope to hear from you soon.

I/We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Singular Collective Nouns

A singular collective noun always takes a singular verb

Eg: A committee of eight members is to be formed.

Preposition

Avoid ending a sentence with a preposition.

Eg: Is there a book which I can find the information in? (is a wrong usage)

Grammar Tip: remove ‘in’

Either/neither/each/every/any take singular verbs

Eg: Each student was given an identity card

None should be treated as a plural

Eg: None of the applicants are satisfactory

Kind/sort/type are all singular nouns

Eg: This kind of problem was common in the past

That sort of thing is very common

Less/fewer

Less is used for quantity

Fewer is used for number

Eg: Less money should be spent on this project

Fewer than a dozen enquiries have been received

Between/among

Between is used for two things inevitably

Among is used for group

Eg: The rope was pulled between the two poles

Use Shall after I/We in statements expressing simple future tense

In statements expressing determination or intention use Will

Would means ‘if you are willing to’

Should means ‘if you are able to’

Try constructing sentences using these rules. You can share them all here and get them

evaluated by experts.

Wishing you Success!!

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

Here are some common queries that bother students. The questions go with answers in order to help you precisely.

How do I choose a course?

Some students are born with passion for a certain subject. Such students are blessed indeed. But it is no sin if you are not born with such inclination. You have a myriad of disciplines to choose from. You just need to make a choice. What inspires you? Which Subject you feel satisfied delving deeper into? First make basic analyses of these things. Once you have answers to these questions. Look into the aspects that are mentioned below.

Qualifications – Why do I need them?

Qualification is a testimonial that vouches for your skills, the skills that you developed. It shows that you are an industrious person. It also proves your responsibility and commitment towards a career. Any University stipulates certain qualifications as an eligibility condition for admission. Relevant work experience, project work and certain technical skills might also compliment your qualification.

What type of course should I do?

Your motives will choose the best course for your aims and goals. If you are career driven you will need a course relevant to your profession. If you are gregarious then opt for a vocational course.

If you want a career in tailoring or carpentry you need to join a vocational course. If you are basically inclined to researching, teaching then you need to pursue a course in academics. The difference between the two is that in a vocational course you need to do work with hands and work in collaboration with others. Whereas an academic course lets you present arguments, research and analyze.

Which type of study suits me the best?

Do you aspire to work immediately after completion of your studies? Or do you want to delve deeper into the topic that intrigues you? I mean are you interested in researching and things like that. Knowing what you want is very important. You should also check your own suitability to pursue a specific course. For example you can never be a good researcher if you cannot pay attention to details. If you are tied up to responsibilities and are working and still aspire to pursue a course that interests you, you can register in any distance learning course that’s of your choice. Courses that complement your current job and help you understand the field better.

How do I know if it’s a good course?

This is very very important. You need to know the viability of the course you plan to pursue. There is absolutely no use pursuing the course that doesn’t not help you grow career per se. You need to be very judicious while planning a course. And while doing it you should also seek a lot of professional advice. I seriously suggest you to do a small research on the current job market for that particular course, and the future too.

How can I be sure I’m making the right choice?

Be clear of your goal. If you’ve decided on a particular job, get an idea of what’s the job is about and if you’ll like it. Read careers information, buy trade magazines, and speak to people currently working in the job. This research is well worth it. It’s better to take your time rather than do a course that leads to a job you might not really want. You’ll ensure that you don’t waste any time and money.

What I am going to do after the course?

Plan for when you finish. If you are aiming for a particular job, do voluntary work while studying. If you’re doing an English course and want to be a journalist, you could write for the student newspaper or work for the radio. Having a plan will help you make the most of the opportunities that come your way when you’re on the course.

I am sure this blog helps you plan the right University course for a compelling academic career. For any clarification please do contact us. In fact you can leave your comments underneath this blog.

Wishing you all success in abundance!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

(Inspiration drawn from Diana Hopkins and Pauline Cullen)

Let us now ask some fundamental questions to ourselves:

u    Why do you think you have fewer strengths worth celebrating?

• Because everyone has always pointed out your shortcomings – as you do yourself.
• Because you rarely get any positive feedback for a job well done
• Because the things you do well are so familiar to you that you take them for granted.
• Because you have learned to focus only on your mistakes

All these things have definitely pulled down your confidence levels. You might have felt utterly depressed about these things. But let me tell you, you are not bad at all. It’s only that you never considered the strengths you own. But unfortunately all these strengths lie within you dormant because you never took an account of them. Never considered them seriously. You need to evaluate your strengths and perhaps seek some guidance too from a good friend of yours. In s

Audit of strengths:

When have you last done a full audit or stocktaking of your strengths? This is not as easy as it seems because you will have discounted your strengths. It is a task indeed. Because you have started underestimating your strengths, and have grown lazy with all the life processes. You have become a dormant survivor. Try doing these things.

• Find a good listener to help you review everything you have done.
• Others may be more objective about what you can do than you can be.
• Discuss work and non-work projects you have been involved in over the last 2 years.
• Strive to avoid discounting the other person’s attempts to name your strengths

You will now certainly feel your strengths. Once you know them try to focus on them more and more to improve the quality of your life. And to see your score catapult in any exam that you take.

How can you appropriately celebrate your strengths?

• Make a list of your strengths and read it to yourself regularly, adding to it often.
• Praise yourself for what you have achieved. ( Never mind if others do not praise you)
• Compare yourself favorably with peers who have not done what you have done.
• Review your strengths whenever you are feeling defeated.

How does this exercise help your self esteem or confidence? Have you uncovered some strengths you had overlooked? Are you getting better at stressing the positive? If so please do share your experience with us. And please do share the techniques you adopt to identify your strengths. We are waiting anxiously for your response.

Wishing you success!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

Fallacy No 1: The purpose of Statement of Purpose is to list all your skills and abilities.

Fact No 1: The purpose of an SOP is to kindle interest in the University board and generate an admission

Fallacy No 2: Attractive Vocabulary improves the quality of an SOP

Fact No 2: This is utterly wrong. An attractive vocabulary doesn’t improve the quality of your SOP. Simple words that substantiate your genuine passion for specific courses reflect your sincerity. A pompous use of words will do nothing

Fallacy No 3: Your SOP will not be read carefully and thoroughly

Fact No 3: Your SOP will be read carefully and thoroughly by the admission board

Fallacy No 4: The more good information you present in the SOP the better

Fact No 4: By including too much information, an SOP may actually kill the appetite to learn more

Fallacy No 5: If you want a really good SOP, have it prepared by an SOP service

Fact No 5: Many Grad Schools look for a simple, honest SOP

I hope this blog clarifies many a doubt on writing SOPs. Do you still have queries/doubts in the same area? Ask us right away. You can in fact put your doubt underneath this blog. Our experts will come to your rescue instantly.

Wishing you Success!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

A Statement of Purpose gets you place in the Grad School you dream for. This is no exaggeration. Almost all the application processes for securing a seat either in the graduate or the undergraduate program in the US ask for a well drafted Statement of Purpose which elaborates your purpose of studying in that particular grad school.

A Statement of Purpose is typically an essay ranging between 500 and 1500 words. Universities are specific about the length of the SOP. The length is clearly prescribed in the application form and the student needs to upload it while submitting it. You are not supposed to exceed the word limit stipulated by the University.

A Statement of purpose is a presentation of your candidature to the University. In simpler words it ascertains your suitability to pursue a course of your choice to the admission board. It is a passive presentation of your profile to the board since you cannot present yourself to the admission board to defend your case.  A passive presentation like that hence has to be even more compelling and attractive. You should show them that you would be an asset to the University if offered an admission.

Points you need to remember while drafting an SOP:

1. An SOP is a written summary of your academic journey. It has to be in an utmost sincere tone
2. While composing an SOP bear in mind that you just need to express your feelings not impress the admission board
3. Please avoid mentioning unnecessary things in the SOP. An SOP should be a valuable write-up showcasing your academic and co-academic competencies.
4. The content of the SOP should be arranged in logical sequence. First, the academic performance grades etc, followed by co-curricular indulgence like papers, presentations, projects and then extracurricular activities like sports, social service and other things. Please do not mention the extracurricular aspects first for this may put you in a very poor light in front of the admission board.
5. Show your deep desire to be an alumnus in the University. Speak about the University and its credentials.
6. Tell the admission board the reason you want to be there. Talk about the specialization you would like to undertake. Tell them you eventually want to end up researching on a particular field owing to your passion.
7. Tell the board how the University offers the right platform for the most coveted research programs of the world
8. In the SOP you have to show a link between your passion for specialization and current academic interests and projects. A project undertaken in the similar area of desired specialization will earn you more points.
9. Group activities like sports earn you credentials during admission process. State them confidently in your SOP.
10. Please do not beat about the bush. Redundant sentences and feelings will not win favor
11. Do not show your inclination to stay back in the US.
12. Last but not the least tell the board that you want to return to your country after completing education in the US.

Read this blog more than once to know how to write an SOP. You can then try writing a sample SOP for yourself. Please do not imitate the SOPs available on internet. It shows that you are not a diligent, creative person and hence will not be an asset to the University. You will be considered a copycat. Try writing the SOP yourself. You can however get the language evaluated by an expert.

Get back to us with more on this.

Wishing you success!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

• Read or listen to as much as you can
• Find lots of examples on how the words that you want to use are used in context. Learning common combination of words will help you in speaking and writing.
• Read or listen to lot of material on one topic. This helps you quickly become familiar with vocabulary on that topic. . Fr example for listening you can :

a) Interview a number of advanced/fluent speakers for one or two minutes each on the same topic and record each conversation

b) Follow a major story on the radio or the TV over a period of time.

c) Only listen to certain type of News story

d) Use diagrams to make connections between words that are associated together

e) Use diagrams to make connections between words that are associated together

f) Put the word you are learning into a sentence about you or what interests you at the moment

g) Ask an advance speaker of English to check that your sentences are appropriate

• Practice speaking or writing as much as possible
• Decide which words are worth learning
• Organize your vocabulary learning

Evaluating your Progress:

• Keep records of your writing and speaking
• Keep a diary as you learn. Write down your feelings and comments on your progress as you go
• Ask a fluent or advanced speaker or writer of English to check your speaking/writing

These are tested and proved methods of learning vocabulary. Unless and until you are passionate about it you will not see positive results. Try practicing them and you will see adding new words to your vocabulary at a very fast pace.

Please do share some more interesting techniques for learning vocabulary, if you have any. Also read this blog a couple of times at least to comprehend it thoroughly. And do not forget to leave your impressions underneath it.

Wishing you Success!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Not all the most beautiful and most reputed Universities of the world are affordable though- Ahem! The price tag (that is inclusive of tuition fee and miscellaneous expenditure) that goes with the name is not affordable by scores of students. Although the Universities’ financial boards offer decent support, the price of the tuition offered leaves a student gaping.

Here is the list of the world’s richest and pricy Universities:

• Washington, D.C.’s George Washington University tops the list with the fee soaring to $40,437. The admission procedures vary per subject. For some courses the students need to take both the General and the Subject GRE.

• Sarah Lawrence College seconds GWU with a price tag of $40,350. SLC clearly mentions that GRE is not required.

• Kenyon College in the US stands third in the list. The fee amounts to $40,240. And aspiring students need to take a General GRE.

• Vassar College is one of the most prestigious educational edifices in the US. It has a heavy fee tag too, extracting a whopping $40,210. GRE is mandatory for aspiring students and this goes unsaid.

• Bucknell University comes next with an admission fee of $36,652. Besides other mandatory eligibility conditions, students need to show a decent score in GRE.

• Harvard University which inspires many a diligent student charges $36,173. You cannot think of being there without a decent score in GRE!

• Yale one of the best Universities of the world has a price tag of $35,300. GRE is an obvious requirement.

• Imperial College London charges a fee of $27,800 for non-British and European Union students).

• Canada’s Quest University is reputed both for quality education and expenditure. With a fee about $20,500 for tuition in U.S. dollars, students also need to take ACT test, a decent score in which becomes indispensable for admission.

• National University of Singapore joins the bandwagon of the richie rich Universities charging a huge $24,000. The University has stringent conditions for admission among them a good score in GRE is mandatory.

• The American University of Paris has a fee tag of $33,000 per year.

• University of Melbourne is one of the priciest in Australia and becomes unaffordable by many owing to a fee structure of $20,200 per year.

The admission procedures and requirements of all these opulent Universities are almost the same. Besides a compelling academic performance a student needs to show a decent score in GRE (most of these Universities). The non-native speakers of English also need to show a decent score either in TOEFLiBT or IELTS, as a proof to their English proficiency.  A score of 100 as in TOEFLiBT and a 7 or 6.5 band in IELTS is stipulated by the admission boards.

The other aspects of admission include a very persuasive Statement of Purpose written by the student supporting his/her decision to join that particular University. Highly supportive Recommendation Letters that vouch for a student’s academic and co-curricular performance also suggest a seat in these coveted Universities. Most of these Universities offer financial aid to the deserving students. Scholarships and grants are always there for the student who is considered an asset by the admission board.

So what are you waiting for? If you have in you some stamina to dream bigger and louder you can approach one of these Universities. I am sure joining one will be a dream come true. Your future becomes secure by all means. You will inevitably carve a niche for yourself in you choicest field/discipline. Then on life becomes a cakewalk for you. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?

For any query pertaining to admission procedures you can browse the official websites of these Universities which mention and clarify almost all the student queries. Your queries pertaining to financial aid and such are clarified thoroughly on the University website.  Just Google the University name and you unlock a treasury of useful information.

In any case we are there to assist you by all means. Please write to us on this blog. In fact you can put your word right underneath it.

Wishing you Success!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

Unable to contain curiosity, are you? I will no longer hold you all in suspense. I am going to announce these words right away and I am sure you all will fall in love with them. As usual we will look at the word and its meaning. We will also use the word in context in order to retain it permanently in our memory.

• Minatory: The word minatory is an adjective. It means something that is baleful, threatening or ominous. Well in simpler words it is something that has bad consequences. The effect of the drug aspartame could be minatory. It means that consumption of this drug could have a very bad effect on the health in the long run.

• Sonorous: The root ‘sono’ has got to do with sound. That’s the clue!! It is a word that speaks of sound and sound only. Yes, you got it right! Sonorous is loud, booming, echoing and all the words that you can imagine thereafter.
• Frenetic: Frenetic is a frantic (anxious, worried), frenzied state of mind. In other words it is ‘mad’ state of mind.
• Heinous: Heinous is once again an adjective, it means something that is monstrously bad. An extremely bad thing is termed heinous. ‘A heinous crime’ is the contextual usage of the word. Scandalous, atrocious and odious are the other GRE high frequency synonyms of the same word. Do note them down.
• Cogent: the root ‘cog’ suggests drawing together; it also reflects a mental activity that is focused. Well, you got it right. Cogent is being sound, logical, rational, coherent and convincing. Mind you, all the synonyms mentioned here for this word are equally important for your GRE.
• Condign: Condign is an adjective which suggests suitability. Condign is well-deserving, fitting and adequate. ‘A condign punishment’ is the contextual usage of the word.
• Recreant: Recreant has a negative meaning. A recreant soldier is someone who is craven, cowardly, pusillanimous and spineless.
• Macabre: Macabre is a horrible thing to have happened. It is an adjective that is close in its meaning and negativity to the word heinous. Macabre tales of war and plague in the Middle Ages, is the word used in context. The other important synonyms of the word are gruesome, morbid, grisly and ghoulish.
• Redoubtable: Redoubtable is being formidable. It is an adjective that means commanding reverence, respect or the like. The redoubtable presence of the lecturer in the class, this sentence helps you to remember the word better.
• Temerarious: Temerarious is being rash or reckless. It is being presumptuously daring. It is close to another adjective ‘audacious’ (a high frequency GRE word) which also means being insensitively bold. “I would never have been temerarious enough to make use of such a title on my own” (dictionary.com). A sentence like this helps you remember the word better.

These words are indispensable to your GRE preparation. You will anyways find some of these words in the exam. I tell you time and again that your GRE preparation is incomplete without these words. So do spend some time trying to know their meanings thoroughly. Please do not be content with the explanation given here. Try to research on the words mentioned here and come up with more number of synonyms of the words. And please use them in context to remember them better and forever.

If you want to remember meanings of words forever, then:

1. Work with the word.

2. Expand its meaning into a suitable context.

3. Relate it to the person or situation you know.

4. Share the word with your friends, colleagues

5. Try to pronounce the word aloud at least five times

Read this blog more than once to understand what’s said and suggested. Do get back to us with some more synonyms of the words given. Do not harbor doubts if you have any. Do get them clarified right away.

Wishing you all, success!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

Mimic the words: I always wonder how I learned my mother’s language. It was never a conscious effort. So it is for all of us. Then why is that we have trouble learning a new language? It’s because we never implement the methods that we adopted as children for learning a language. As children we imitated all the words spoken by our parents and relatives. That’s how we learned.

The same method can be implemented for learning a new language. Just copy/imitate the new words spoken by your seniors, friends, celebrities, sports personalities, teachers, lecturers etc. Imitation makes learning easier. Note all the interesting and new words they use, as well as their methods of delivery.

Play with words: Nothing can be learned under stress. Enjoy the process of accumulating new words to your language. Say them aloud. Share them with your friends and relatives. Use them in context whenever, wherever possible. Organize small vocabulary learning groups with your friends and have weekly meets. All these things will make learning vocabulary extremely enjoyable.

Look out for unknown words: Don’t be content with known words. Try to look out for new words, words that you never heard. If you get intimidated seeing a new word you will never learn it. Instead consider it an opportunity and learn the word, the meaning and pronunciation.

Give your brain a healthy diet: It means keep your brain active and agile by feeding it with information, nutrition, oxygen and love. And one of the brain’s major sources of information is vocabulary and words. So feed your brain with adequate number of words in order to keep it healthy. Feed some ‘fresh’ words to your brain every now and then and do not starve your brain too long. (Smiles)

Learn from your mistakes: Please do not feel embarrassed if you do not know the meaning/pronunciation of any word. Do not worry if you have given a wrong meaning to a particular word. To err is human. Remember mistakes alone expedite/catalyze learning.

Become friends with words: One best way to remember words and that too forever is becoming friends with them. By using them in novel contexts every now and then and getting back to them time and again to refresh your relation with them.

Stay committed: Commitment is an essential ingredient of a successful life. You need to stay committed to the pursuit of adding to your vocabulary. Only then will you master it one day.

I am sure you all enjoyed reading these 7 methods. Understanding them is more important. And practicing them will put you on the path to success inevitably. You can share some interesting methods like the ones mentioned above if you have any. We shall be eagerly waiting for your responses on this blog.

Wishing you Success!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com

Start teaching GRE Vocabulary, you learned enough!

Hi this is an article that exclusively deals with learning GRE Vocabulary faster and better. After reading this blog you will not only be able to crack the exam like a tornado or tycoon but will also be able to train fellow aspirants. You will help them by sharing all these wonderful vocabulary learning techniques that will help you memorize a huge, huge, huge number of words effectively.

Are you ready for the challenge? Ok get, set, go!!

You better start reading! Reading maketh a man! We all need to remember and re-implement this proverb by making it a regular habit. A well read person has lot may words at his/her disposal. He not only knows the words but can effectively put them into context while writing and speaking. Does he not have an edge that way? Many of us do not read. Leave alone reading when we find a tough word we close the book/newspaper/window and walk away! That’s really bad!

When you find a tough word acquaint yourself with that then and there. Don’t wait for the most opportune moment to dawn upon you. Just get that dictionary lying in your closet and hunt for the meaning. Spend some time with the word, trying to establish a relation between the word and the context.

Mind-blowing results: Are you feckless about new words?? Hmmm what do you do when you hear a new word from your teacher/boss? Feel guilty that you do not know it? Or fall a prey to inferiority complex? Well, do not let those two things effect you. I mean guilt and inferiority complex.

If you do not know the meaning of a particular word you have not committed a sin. Just know the meaning right away and put it in different contexts at least 5 times. The word dares not leave your memory. Try it and see, the results will astonish you.

Pamper and pet the words you learned: Human memory is more volatile than any other chemical. You need to keep visiting and revisiting the new words you learned. Spend sometime with them, understand them, pamper them, and pet them. This you need to do in order to keep your relation with the word in tact.

Fall in love with the words you learned: What do you do to impress your beloved? Get gifts? Write poems? Do stunts? That’s what words want you to do for them. Use them in different contexts. Blast your imagination thinking where all you can use this word. Talk about the word with family and friends (you will hardly spend 5-10 seconds doing that) and the word becomes your faithful accompanist. I can already see you gasping there!!

You are a magician!! Hey did anyone tell you that you are a magician. There is a small world of magic within your brain. You can many a time create wonderful things in your brain to remember words. Words that actually trouble you; I mean words that are tough to remember.

Let me give an example: There’s a word hermetic which means airtight, sealed. You may have some difficulty remembering it. What you can do is relate the word to a word close to its spelling. You can think of ‘hermit’. A hermit is a saint an ascetic who abandons worldly pleasures and stays far away from mankind meditating and contemplating. Is he not closed away, shut away from the rest of the world? Is airtight just not that?

You can paint a cute little scenery of woods, a small wooden cottage and a hermit meditating, on the canvas of your mind. Just imagine that for a while. I swear you will never forget these two words.

Become an archeologist! Ahem! Well only then you will start exploring for words that you never knew so far. Tell yourself that you are going to learn 5 new words this week and use all the skills that are mentioned above this paragraph. I wish you success in your new endeavor as an archeologist (smiles!!)

Party with words! What you can do is organize some weekly get-togethers with your study groups and play games like word building, scrabble, etc. You can also organize word quizzes and share with your friends the words you learned and vice-versa.

Practice makes perfect: This is the mantra to success. There is no shortcut to the kingdom of success. Once you reach, there is no returning either. You can learn from various resources. Books, online support, libraries and tests cater to your requirement eternally. The sources available for practice are just unlimited. You can keep chiseling and refining your skills perpetually, reasonably there is no end to a process like that.

What I suggest is read all these articles on our blog and keep updating your vocabulary running through our word lists (there are a dozens of them on the site). Icing on the cake is the tests segment. Take tests on a daily basis. These tests help you score your performance. Best thing is you can take these tests in complete isolation. No mortal soul will comment negatively on you performance. Great it sounds, doesn’t it?

‘I am unable to remember words’, ‘I can’t do this’, I can’t do that!’ well we are no agony aunts to pamper you and your weaknesses with some ineffective counseling.

We are globally recognized goal-oriented trainers and expect the same level of commitment from you. We don’t propound endless theories, we make you all learn effective methods and implement them even more effectively. If you have the stamina we desire then you have stopped at the right place. Let’s call it a mutual success then!

If you are aspiring for a perfect 800/800 in GRE Verbal, this article is for you. Implementing all the above said techniques will land you on your destination for sure.

Wishing you success as always!!

Regards,

Anu Veluri

Manager- learnwordlist.com