Word of the Week
With its 120th word, Word of the Week has now come to an end. We hope you enjoyed this free feature and that it has given you an insight into the thinking and research behind the English Vocabulary Profile.
All 120 are still available to read in our archive, below. Each Word of the Week in the archive is followed by a link to the full entry for that word on the English Vocabulary Profile. To view the entries, you will need to subscribe to the EVP: to subscribe for free click here.
Word of the week: yet
The adverb yet is known from A2 level but its use as a conjunction (as in this dictionary example simple yet effective, which is given in the entry) seems to be known only from B1 level. The first sense of the adverb that is listed in the EVP is UP UNTIL NOW (as in the Learner example at A2 level I haven’t seen the sea yet.) In British English, it is commonly taught in connection with use of the present perfect tense. The adverb also occurs in different phrases, two of which are listed at B2 level: the best/worst,etc yet and yet again. Further phrases will be included at C1 level, for example be/have yet to do something (as in They have yet to make a decision.), which will be based on ongoing research into vocabulary at the C levels of the CEFR.To view the full entry for yet on the English Vocabulary Profile, please click here.
Word of the week: turn
According to the Cambridge Learner Corpus and from an analyis of classroom materials, the first sense of the verb turn to be known by learners is that of CHANGE DIRECTION. This is perhaps not surprising, given that the function of giving directions is commonly taught at A2 level. Another sense that should be known early by learners is the one relating to PAGE: i.e. the specific instruction to go to another part of a book, as in Turn to page 34. However, this meaning is relatively infrequent in first language use and little learner evidence has yet been found for it, so it is listed at B1. It would be really interesting to know which verb you commonly use in this context: do you ask students to turn to a page or to go to a page? Please tell us your views via the Feedback button on the website.To view the full entry for turn on the English Vocabulary Profile, please click here.
Word of the week: moment
For certain learners around the world, the noun moment is likely to be known very early, as it is a cognate in several Latinate languages. However, the EVP aims to reflect knowledge and use around the world, so it is listed from A2 level. By then, learners clearly know the common phrase at the moment. The entry lists two further phrases wait a moment and for a moment, at B1 and B2. It remains to be seen whether the currently popular phrase have a senior moment will be included at the C levels, though it seems doubtful.To view the full entry for moment on the English Vocabulary Profile, please click here.
