Yes, I mean 'try to memorize the word that you failed to memorize when you first saw it'.
Some words are hard to memorize, even though you've tried to memorize them with all the means which you think are so effective.
I agree that 'imagination' is the trick, but sometimes it doesn't work, too. For example, I can memorize the words 'adoption' and 'adaption' with imagination, but it seems there's no way for me to memorize the word 'leper' or 'seism' by using the imagination.
Sometimes it may have something to do with the 'word roots'. Look at these words: spectacular, spectator, speculation, aspect, expect, inspect, respect, prospect, retrospect, suspect, perspective. Yes, you got it: they share the word root 'spec' (=see; look). It's so daunting to memorize all the word roots, though.
Some words do look similar, but they don't share the same root - they just look alike. How about 'crush' and 'crash'? It's another story to memorize 'confusing words' like these.
Sometimes a word doesn't make you think of another word - you haven't a clue about it, for example, the word 'prairie'. Does the word remind you of another word which may help you memorize it?
Another way to memorize such a word is 'repetition'. Try to write or use the 'hard-to-memorize' word over and over again. Or even try to create a short paragraph with the word.
So, try to memorize the word this time with whatever effective way. And, feel free to share a way which you think works.
Comments
And, last but not least, the 'pronunciation'.
It helps if you know how to pronounce a word, even though there are words that sound similar. Only too often, though, we can't remember the pronunciation of a word.
I'd like to thank setareh, Vision, Afro for sharing the effective ways of memorizing words.
Yes, it seems we still remember the words we learned when we were little.
Also, some words are easier to memorize than others.
We should try to find the way which is most effective or works so well for us. There must be such a way - try to find it.
Important topic to discuss. In reality I am facing trouble to memorize new words and found I can easily remember the words which I learned in my childhood and seldom can use newly learned words, what a pity! So, my vocabulary is still in my school level. I am dying inside to find it out. Yes, I am trying to learn similar words to memorize. But, nowadays I am pondering over to read my old blogs, I hope it will work a bit.
@usra
Thanks for the comment. Yes, repetition can be so effective.
We really need to find a way to memorize the words. Sometimes there seems to be no way to memorize a word - too difficult to memorize. Do give up and try to nail it.
Many thanks to Mishaikh, Alice, Onee, Evangelina, Adaline!
I'm pleased you all enjoyed this blog and some of you shared the effective ways to memorize those hard-to-memorize words.
Let's help each other to memorize as many words as possible.
I like that idea to write a paragraph with those hard to memorize words. I will try. Thank you so much for sharing your valuable ideas. Its very nice of you.
Imagination, word roots, related words, and repetition. Thanks for the tips, Expector.
I always forgot about new word when I only use it occasionally. You seems a bit busy these days, thanks for this useful blog. Have a nice day, doc! :)
A good tip here Expector! My best bet is always with words that I find interesting, I keep a list of it and use it as often as possible and it stays with me because they are words that interests me in the first place so remembering them isn't so tough. :)
Very good lesson for the learners. Thanks Expectator for your concern for us (learners).