assume To assume is to believe something is true or believe that something is going to happen, but sometimes a belief in present circumstances or the future is incorrect. Richard assumed that he was going to get promoted to a managerial position at work, but the job was given to someone else. Everyone in Janet’s family has […]
approve To approve of something is to say it’s okay. simple past past participle approve approved approved The bank approved our request for a loan. Vinesha approves of her son’s decision to go into education as a career. Almost everyone approves of the new playground equipment. I hope my application for the position is approved. The prefix
appeal To appeal is to be attractive. When something is appealing, a person likes it: I like this car. This car appeals to me. Do you like those shoes? Do those shoes appeal to you? He likes that girl. She appeals to him. She doesn’t like that boy. He doesn’t appeal to her. You can also use
ail To ail is to be sick. Henry is ailing from a bad back. Jennifer is taking care of her ailing mother. (In this sentence “ailing” is an adjective.) This medicine will surely cure what ails you. Oscar had been ailing from a mysterious sickness for weeks until he saw the doctor. What’s ailing you? The word
aggravate To aggravate someone is to bother, cause problems, or increase a problem. It’s similar to the word “irritate.” This situation aggravates me. (present tense) This situation is aggravating me. (present continuous tense) Her lack of concern about her grades aggravates her teachers and her parents. Smoking has aggravated his condition. (He made his health condition worse.) Don’t aggravate her. Don’t
ache When something hurts, use the word “ache” to describe the pain: He has a stomachache.His stomach aches.In the first sentence, the word “ache” is a noun. In the second sentence, “ache” is a verb. I have a toothache. My tooth aches. You have a backache. Your back aches. Our daughter has an earache. Her
account To account for something is to keep track of it. A person keeps records, takes notes, and maintains information. This word can be used for many different situations: Charles can’t account for his whereabouts last weekend. (He can’t remember where he was.) Did you account for the possibility that all of these extra people might show up
accident Use the word “accident” when you or another person makes a mistake: I’m sorry. That was an accident. Maria knocked the glass over by accident. He didn’t mean to do it. It was an accident. The company’s negligence resulted in an accident. The word “accident” is often used when one or more cars crash:
accept To agree to something, say “okay,” or allow something to happen is to accept it. These sentences show how you can use “accept” as a verb: I accept your offer. Your application for a credit card was accepted. (Here the verb “accept” is in the passive voice.) Allen was accepted at Harvard. Christine accepted John’s offer of marriage.
accent Everyone has an accent of some kind when speaking English. It can identify the part of the world in which you live or from which you have come. The accent is noticed by the person who listens to it. I come from the midwestern part of the United States, so you might notice that I have
