Most Used English Vocabulary Imperative to Learn

Enhance your English vocabulary with an in-depth understanding of the imperative mood. Learn how to give commands and make requests with confidence.

Most Used English Vocabulary Imperative to Learn

The imperative mood in English vocabulary is used to give commands, make requests, or offer invitations. It is a direct way to engage the listener and instruct them on what to do.

Definition:

Imperative Mood: A grammatical mood expressing a command, obligation, or a request.

Examples:

• “Study harder.”
• “Please close the door.”
• “Come to the event.”

Key Characteristics:

1. Structure: Starts with a verb in its base form, without a subject.
2. Directness: Focuses on the action, not the subject performing it.
3. Usage: Often used for instructions, requests, offers, and advice.

English has an extensive vocabulary. It is loaded with homophones, homonyms, and homographs.

• Homonyms – Words with the same spellings and pronunciations but different meanings.
• Homophones – Words that sound similar but have different spellings and meanings.
• Homographs – Words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and meanings.

HOMOPHONES:

1. Advise – Advise is a verb. For example: I advise you to bring bottled water.
   

   Advice – Advice is a noun. For example: I need your advice.

2. Affect – Affect is a verb, which means, “to influence.” For example: The injury won’t affect her performance.
   

   Effect – Effect is a noun, that means “the outcome or result.” When used as a verb, ‘effect’ means “to produce a result.” For example: The song had a calming effect on the baby.

3. Allude – Allude is a verb, which means “calling attention to indirectly.” It is a ‘coy.’ For example: The paintings allude to Rembrandt.
   

   Elude – Elude means to evade or get away from something. For example: Michael Scofield eluded the cops.

4. Allusion – An allusion is an indirect or casual reference. For example: The novel’s title is an allusion to Shakespeare.
   

   Illusion – An illusion is a false idea or image. For example: The tension between illusion and reality.

5. All – Used to refer to the whole quantity. For example: She left all her jewelry to her daughter.
   

   Awl – A small pointed tool used for piercing holes. For example: He used an awl to pierce the leather.

6. Amoral – Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something. For example: An amoral attitude to gender discrimination.
   

   Immoral – Immoral means violating conscience or public morality. For example: An immoral and unwinnable war.

7. Ark – Noah’s ark OR a vessel that serves as protection against extinction. For example: A starship built by their android protectors.
   

   Arc – A curved shape. For example: The huge arc of the sky.

8. Bazaar – Bazaar is a marketplace. For example: Tony went to the bazaar to buy vegetables.
   

   Bizarre – Bizarre, on the other hand, means something unusual and spooky. For example: The Bermuda Triangle incidents are bizarre.

9. Bridal – Bridal concerns a wedding or bride. For example: Bridal traditions will never go away.
   

   Bridle – A bridle is a horse harness or a rope. It could also mean to keep under control. For example: The fact that she was the servant bridled her tongue.

10. Coign – An external corner of a wall. For example: ‘Coign of vantage’ is a phrase meaning a favorable position for observation or action.
    

    Coin – A flat, typically round piece of metal with an official stamp, used as money OR to invent or devise a new word or phrase. For example: He showed me how we could make a lot of coins OR he coined the term ‘desktop publishing.’

11. Colonel – An army officer of high rank. For example: The jawans saluted as the Colonel drove by.
    

    Kernel – A softer, usually edible part of a nut OR the central or most important part of something. For example: This is the kernel of the argument.

12. Complement – A thing that completes or brings to perfection. For example: The libretto proved a perfect complement to the music.
    

    Compliment – A polite expression of praise or admiration. For example: The bride was complimented by many on her wedding day.

13. Doe – A female deer. For example: The safari saw a doe and her fawn.
    

    Dough – A thick, malleable mixture of flour and liquid, used for baking OR lots of money. For example: The dog ate the cookie dough.

14. Elicit – Evoke or draw out. For example: A corrupt heart elicits in an hour all that is bad in us.
    

    Illicit – Forbidden by law, rules, or customs. For example: Adolescents have started using illicit drugs.

15. Gorilla – A powerfully built great ape. For example: The gorillas were creating a ruckus in the jungle.
    

    Guerrilla – A member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting. For example: The guerrilla warfare was getting out of hand.

16. Immanent – Immanent means “pervading” or “existing within.” For example: The room’s immanent tension made her anxious.
    

    Imminent – Imminent means “about to happen.” For example: The exam period is imminent.

    
    

    Eminent – Eminent means “distinguished.” For example: He was an eminent scholar.

17. Knead – Massage or squeeze with the hands. For example: The bakers kneaded the dough.
    

    Need – Require something because it is essential or very important. For example: I don’t need your sarcasm.

18. Licence – Licence is the noun. For example: One who is licensed to perform dental surgery has a dental surgeon’s Licence.
    

    License – License is the verb.

19. Nay – Or rather; more than that. For example: It will take months, nay, years.
    

    Neigh – A characteristic high-pitched sound uttered by a horse. For example: The horses neighed in excitement on seeing their master.

20. Principle – A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior. For example: A man of principle.
    

    Principal – The first in order of importance. For example: The country’s principal cities.

21. Shear – Cut something (such as wool, hair, or grass) with scissors or shears. For example: I’ll shear off all the fleece.
    

    Sheer – Nothing other than; unmitigated. For example: She giggled with sheer delight.

22. Stake – A strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end. For example: They used stakes to support the trees.
    

    Steak – A slice of meat or fish, especially beef, cooked by broiling, frying, etc. For example: He liked his steak rare.

23. Team – Two or more people working together. For example: He teamed up with the band to produce the album.
    

    Teem – Be full of or swarming with. For example: Every garden is teeming with wildlife.

24. Toe – Any of the five digits at the end of a human foot; push, touch, or kick with one’s toe. For example: He toed off his shoes and flexed his feet.
    

    Tow – Pull along with a rope or chain. For example: The car had to be towed once it stalled.

25. Vain – Conceited; producing no result. For example: A vain attempt to tidy up the room.
    

    Vane – Device for showing wind direction.

    
    

    Vein – A blood vessel; streak; crack. For example: He felt the adrenalin course through his veins.

26. We – Used to refer to the speaker together with other people regarded in the same category. For example: Nobody knows kids better than we teachers do.
    

    Wee – Little; very small; very early. For example: In the wee hours of the morning.

27. Whine – A complaining tone of voice. For example: The whine of the engine.
    

    Wine – An alcoholic drink made of fermented grape juice. For example: He opened a bottle of red wine.

28. Wretch – An unfortunate or unhappy person; a despicable or contemptible person. For example: Ungrateful wretches.
    

    Retch – Make a sound or movement of vomiting. For example: The poor child retched during the flight.

Homographs and Homonyms:

There are also words such as homonyms and homographs. Homographs are words with different meanings and pronunciations but the same spellings, while homonyms are words with different meanings but the same spellings and pronunciations. Homographs are words such as read (reed) and read (red).

• Bow – A weapon used for shooting arrows; a ribbon tied with two knots; bending your head to show respect to a king.
• Wound – An injury; wrap around something.
• Minute – Something small and tiny; a period of time.
• Sow – Planting a seed in the ground; an adult female pig.
• Tear – Tears are what comes out of your eyes when you cry; ripping or breaking something.

Some homonyms to look out for are:

1. Book – One could refer to the book you are reading, or to booking a seat at a restaurant or booking a ticket.
2. Peer – It could mean looking at something, or a person your own age.
3. Fair – A fair could be a place you go to have fun, or it would mean being just and reasonable.

Note: Steps to Start Improving Instantly:

• Keep a pocket notebook with yourself all the time.
• Concentrate on people’s speech.
• Pick out words that are noticed as homophones, homonyms, and homographs.
• Categorize these words in different sections.
• Find their different meanings and uses for learn English vocabulary imperative mood.

The Importance of Learning English Vocabulary

Why is Vocabulary Essential?

1. Communication: A rich vocabulary allows you to express your thoughts clearly and effectively.
2. Understanding: Knowing more words improves your reading comprehension and listening skills.
3. Academic Success: A strong vocabulary is crucial for academic achievements and standardized tests.
4. Professional Growth: It enhances your ability to communicate in a professional setting, aiding career advancement.
5. Cultural Awareness: Vocabulary helps in understanding cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions unique to English.

How to Improve Your English Vocabulary

1. Read Regularly: Books, articles, and blogs in English will introduce you to new words.
2. Use a Thesaurus: Learning synonyms and antonyms expands your word knowledge.
3. Flashcards: Create flashcards for new words and review them regularly.
4. Conversational Practice: Use new vocabulary in conversations to reinforce learning.
5. Word Games: Engage in crosswords, Scrabble, and other word games for a fun learning method.

Practical Tips

• Set Goals: Aim to learn a certain number of new words each day or week.
• Contextual Learning: Try to learn words through sentences and paragraphs rather than in isolation.
• Regular Review: Consistently review and practice the words you have learned to ensure they become a permanent part of your vocabulary.

Improving your vocabulary is imperative to mastering the English language and can open up numerous opportunities in various aspects of life.