A word becomes yours when you can use it on a topic you have never used it for. Practise each new word in three contexts, and it will be ready when a new task arrives.
This lesson closes the skills in the vocabulary in context section. It builds on avoiding direct translation.
What is the three-context method?
Take one word and write a sentence for each of three settings: school, home and community. The word stays the same, and the situation changes.
Use the word in a new sentence, not a copy of the dictionary example. The effort of building it is what makes it stick.
Worked example: the word “reliable”
| Context | Sentence |
|---|---|
| School | Our class monitor is reliable because she always submits the attendance list on time. |
| Home | My older brother is a reliable babysitter, so my parents trust him when they go out. |
| Community | The village clinic is reliable, since it opens at the same time every morning. |
All three sentences use “reliable” with its natural partners. The word now belongs to three situations, not one.
Reusing a word across task types
Now try the same word in three kinds of task.
- Email: “Could you ask a reliable friend to collect the forms?”
- Essay sentence: “Reliable public transport reduces the number of cars on the road.”
- Speaking answer: “My aunt is very reliable. If she says she will come, she always comes.”
Each task type needs a slightly different tone, and practising all three teaches you where the word fits.
Building a small word bank
Keep five words at a time. For each, record the word, one collocation and three sentences.
| Word | Collocation | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| reliable | reliable source | school, home, community |
| reduce | reduce waste | essay, email, speaking |
| convenient | convenient location | email, speaking |
| significant | significant change | essay |
| encourage | encourage someone to | school, home |
Retire a word when you have used it correctly in three different pieces of writing, and add a new one.
A common mistake
Many students write one sentence, tick the word as learnt and move on. A week later they only think “I have seen this word before” and cannot use it.
Fix it by testing the word in a fresh context after a few days, without looking at your notes. If you can write a new sentence, it is learnt.
Check yourself
Use the word convenient in three sentences, one for school, one for home and one for the community.
Answer
A model set. School: “The library is convenient for students because it is next to the canteen.” Home: “It is convenient to keep the rice cooker near the dining table.” Community: “The new bus stop is convenient for elderly residents.”
Your sentences will differ. Check that each has a clear situation and that “convenient” is used with its natural meaning, which is easy or suitable.
What to study next
Put all four vocabulary skills together on the vocabulary practice set. If your words still sound vague, return to replacing vague words with precise choices.
For a teacher to set reuse tasks from your own word bank, see online one-to-one English tuition.