Verbal Classifications: Verbs - HSPT Verbal Skills

Each of the related words is concerned with some way of trying to make something else intelligible. To “construe” is to interpret something. Generally, the word is used in the sense of interpreting something in one way as opposed to another, as in, “He construed her words to mean that she hated all vegetables, so he never bought anything but red meat for dinner.” To decipher something is to decode it—a type of attempting to make something that was hidden now understandable. The word “disregard” really has nothing at all to do with the other meanings, for it merely means “to ignore.”

Each of the related words describes some action of making an idea more specific or explicit. For instance, to specify the details of an order is to “spell out” the exact details of that order. A description can be seen as an itemizing or something in order to make it known in its details. When we “determine” to do something, we choose a certain actual thing to do after having had a number of potential activities. To explicate is to explain, often implying detailed analysis. Only “recount” has little to do with any of these other words. It means to “retell” as in “recounting a story.” This might be a nice detailed account, but the word does not necessarily signify such detail.

Although all of these words pertain to looking or observing something, notice that the group of related words are all joined by the added notion of being intent or focused. You likely know “stare,” “gaze,” and “inspect.” The word “scrutinize” means “to examine very carefully.” In comparison with all of these focused kinds of observation, “look” is much weaker and hence fits least in the group of words.

All of the words provided indicate some state of affairs when someone is unable to walk in a proper manner; however, note that the incorrect options all pertain to somewhat disastrous types of fumbling about. When someone stumbles, he or she nearly falls while walking about. A blundering person is clumsy. Someone lurching is uncontrolled in his or her movement. To “shuffle along” merely means to walk without picking up your feet. While not the best way of transporting oneself, this is not quite so extreme as the other cases.

Notice that all of the incorrect options describe a state of affairs in which someone or something is hated to a great degree. Indeed, most of the words are synonyms. The one exception is “despise” which means “to feel contempt for someone or something.” This is because the word comes from literal roots meaning “to look down on.” Still, all of these words indicate a state of affairs in which something is disliked to a great degree. In contrast with this, the very weak word “dislike” stands out as not fitting into the group.

All of the related words here have to do with improving something or making it better. The word “perfect” can be used as a verb to describe the process of “bringing something to perfection.” It thus describes such an ongoing action as “improving.” To “ameliorate” something literally means to bring it to a better state. The “a-” prefix here is related to the “ad-” (meaning to or toward) found in words like “advance.” The “melior” portion comes from the Latin word for better. When we "refine" something, we purify it (thus improving its quality). Only the word “produce” does not signify improvement.

Each of the related words indicate an action of approving some idea or thing. To acknowledge something is to admit that it is true. To uphold an idea is to support it or maintain it (perhaps in spite of opposition). To endorse is to declare publicly that you believe something. In contrast to these words, “assert” adds the additional notion of strongly stating something that is approved or acknowledged, often with the implication that such asserting is being done in order to convince the other person.

Each of the related words describe some small type of small eating or drinking action, not taking a large quantity in any bite or drink. In contrast to these, “gulp” is a much larger type of eating / drinking, hence not fitting with the overall group.

Each of the related words here are examples of very soft sounds. In comparison with them, the word “blare” describes a loud and often harsh sound—like the blaring of a siren. Since all the others are soft sounds, this one loud sound does not fit with the whole group of sounds.

Note that all of these words pertain to praise in some manner but likewise note that they do not indicate the same “amount” or “intensity of praise.” All of the incorrect options are expressions of great, enthusiastic praise. To “laud” is to praise enthusiastically, often publically. “Acclaim” is related to words like “clamorous” and “proclaim,” both of which come from the Latin for “to shout.” An “acclamation” is loudly spoken praise. To “adulate” is to praise someone so greatly that it might even seem fawning or like a servant to a master. Finally, “extol” likewise means “to praise with enthusiasm.” In comparison with all of these, “praise” is a rather weak work.

All of these words have some relation to stopping or slowing down a process, but note that the word “halt” is different from the other options, for it indicates brining something completely to its end, stopping it entirely. The other options all indicate some sort of limitation without implying the complete ending or removal of the thing that is being limited. To “curb” something is to place some sort of limitation on that thing, as when someone “curbs his temper,” thus keeping his rage in check. A restraint does not completely stop something from moving (at least necessarily), it merely places some limitation on that thing. For instance, “spending restraints” are the limits that a given group has regarding potential financial expenditure.

All of these options can pertain to disapproval of something or at least some aspect of something. While the four incorrect answers all have different aspects of critiquing, the general sense is this somewhat general notion of having some negative judgment regarding the thing being disapproved, objected to, criticized and so forth. Note however that “condemn” implies an unqualified, strong critique, thus surpassing the general notion shared by the other options. It thus is the word that least fits among the options provided.

Note that all of the incorrect answers share in the fact that they describe the action of coming to a halt or stopping some process. In contrast to these, “decelerate” merely means “to slow down.” The word is the opposite of “accelerate,” which means “to increase one’s speed.” Note that both words share the base “-celer-.” This base comes from the Latin word for “fast or quick.” “Celerity” is a word meaning “swiftness.” The word “accelerate” means “to go toward swiftness” (the “ac-” is a form of the “ad-” found in “advance”). Likewise, “decelerate” means “to go away from swiftness” (the “de-” prefix means “down from” or at times “away from”).

Even if you do not know all of the wrong answers’ meanings, first notice that the word “espouse” likely reminds you of the word “spouse,” meaning “husband or wife.” The word “espouse” means “to support or adopt a given position or belief.” To “espouse” an idea is somewhat (metaphorically) like getting married to it. You certainly know “deny” is different from that. To “recant” something is to say that you no longer believe it. The word literally means “to sing in a different way.” We might say, “Now that you recant your position, you are singing a different tune, aren’t you?” To disavow something is to deny that you have responsibility for that thing or that you support it. To repudiate a position is to deny it, often desiring to be free of any association with it whatsoever.

The group of wrong, related words all indicate some kind of action of combining things. To “fuse” two or more things is to blend or combine them into a single entity. A welder is someone who fuses metals together with heat. Just as a dating “couple” is a set of two “joined people,” the word “couple” can more generally mean to combine. Splicing is the process of joining strands (wire, rope, etc.) together at a single point of connection. In contrast, to “sever” something is to cut it apart or divide it.

All of the related, incorrect options pertain to something that “gets in the way.” The word “impede” means “to delay or hinder with some obstacle.” The word comes from the Latin word for foot (found in “pedal” and “pedestrian”). Based on this root, “impede” literally means “on the foot”—as though you were to place a stone on someone’s foot, thus “impeding” his or her motion. To “hamper” the progress of something is to impede it. An “obstruction” is something that is placed in the way of something else. “Prevent” obviously is related to these other words. In contrast, “to assist” is to help, which is quite the opposite of all the other impediments and obstructions!

These words are all very closely related, even the one differing word. Note, however that the wrong answers all necessarily indicate singing. Chanting is not merely something that happens at a football game. It comes originally from the Latin for “to sing,” and it is found in words like “cantata” as well as “incant,” which itself basically means “to chant.” An “incantation”—so often associated with magic for most people—is originally derived from this kind of chanting by which the supposedly magical words would be sung. “Cantillate” is clearly related to these as well, basically meaning “to chant” or “to intone,” implying that such singing is perhaps done in a religious context. To “recite” something merely means to repeat it, generally from memory. Sometimes, a “recitation” could be sung or chanted, but we would likely have to add a description to make clear that it was being sung, for the word “recite” does not necessarily indicate such chanting.

All five verbs are used when communicating with someone else. "Talking," "writing," "shouting," and "typing" are ways to communicate your ideas to someone else. "Listening" is used when someone else is communicating with you.

If you "analyze" or "examine" something, you are inspecting it in detail, not just on the surface. If you "deduce" something, you are making a conclusion. This also requires inspection at a deeper level. To "differentiate," you must be able to look at multiple items and determine their similarities and differences. (Much like you are doing now!) All of these words indicate a deep examination or inspection of something. The word "commit" can mean to carry out. For example: He "committed" a crime. It can also mean to pledge oneself. For example: He "committed" himself to performing in the play. Neither of these meanings requires examining or inspecting.