ENGLISH LANGUAGE O LEVEL(FORM ONE) NOTES – USING A DICTIONARY

USING A DICTIONARY

Dictionary:

It is a kind of book or reference that contains words of a language, arranged alphabetically and showing class and uses.

We often use a dictionary to look up a word. We do this when we do not know what the word means. Dictionaries are organised to help us look up words easily.

Importance of Dictionary Book

1. Gives meaning of words
2. Shows words of the same meaning
3. Shows words which mean the opposite
4. Shows the classes of words (verbs, nouns, adjectives)
5. Shows how words are used
6. Shows how words are made
7. Shows how words are pronounced

Synonyms: words which mean the same are called synonyms.

Examples:

• Angry – mad
• Cried – shouted
• Huge – big
• Hate – dislike
• Clever – bright

Antonyms: A dictionary also shows words which mean the opposite. Words which mean the opposite are called antonyms.

Examples:

• Hate – like
• Ugly – beautiful
• Slow – fast
• Friendly – enemy
• Strong – weak

Word Formation

A dictionary also shows how words are made. This is called word formation.

– A noun can be made from a verb or from an adjective.

Example: vacate (v) – vocation (n)

Some nouns end with:

1. …ion (examination)
2. …ty (beauty)
3. …ness (politeness)
4. …ce (importance)

Some adjectives end with:

1. …ous (poisonous)
2. …al (trial)
3. …ic (electric)
4. …an (African)
5. …ful (helpful)

Pronunciation

A dictionary shows how words are pronounced. English words are pronounced differently from Kiswahili. The way English words are written is different from the way they are pronounced.

Example: see – pronounced as /si/ and not see

Exercise

Write the following words as they are pronounced in the dictionary.

Example: King – /Kiŋ/

1. Sing =
2. Cheek =
3. Cart =
4. Chest =
5. Dish =

Exercise

Show differences of pronunciation of the underlined words.

1. Please sit on the seat
2. I left my hat in the hut
3. Pull the boy from the pool
4. Do not hurt my heart