affect:  to make a change on something/someone
Too much sugar affects my health in a bad way.
Your lateness affects everyone in the class.

commit:  to do what is necessary to achieve a goal.
You must commit to practicing the violin everyday if you want to get good.
She’s willing to commit to this relationship.

demand:  to strongly ask for
I demand to see the manager.
She demanded to be included in the meeting.

discard:  to throw away
I’m keeping this one but discarding all the rest.
Please discard your old batteries at the recycle center.

explode:  to expand rapidly with force and a loud noise
They heard a bomb explode inside the bank.
At nine o’clock, the sky exploded with fireworks.

gather:  to collect together, to come together
The campers gathered wood for the fire.
The children gathered together to hear the story.

interrupt:  to rudely stop someone else’s activity
I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner, but this is important.
The fire alarm interrupted their final exam.

last:  to continue in time
How long will this movie last?
If you take care of this car, it should last you another ten years.

moan:  to make sounds of being hurt, to complain
Stop moaning and finish your homework.
He could hear the wounded soldiers moaning in the dark.

prepare:  to get ready
She prepared a wonderful dinner for their anniversary.
The village was not prepared for the earthquake.

reach:  to get to (a place)
He had to reach the top shelf to get a role paper towels.
When they reached the beach, everyone ran towards the ocean.

replace:  to change one thing for another
In my coffee I replace sugar with honey.
Please replace the top on the toothpaste when you’re finished.

sparkle:  to shine by reflecting light
Her diamond sparkled in the sunlight.
Her eyes sparkle when she laughs.

suggest:  to introduce an idea for possible action
Her mother suggested that she start a diary.
I suggest we have a barbecue this weekend.

whisper:  to talk without using your voice
In the library everyone is supposed to whisper.
He whispered something in her ear and then left.

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the above vocabulary on the audio file below.

Use these flashcards to help you study.

When you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

accept:  to say yes to an offer
We accepted their invitation to dinner.
They told the letter carrier they don’t accept junk mail.

appreciate:  to be thankful for something you are given
Thanks again.  I really appreciate all your help.
She appreciates it when her family visits her in the hospital

borrow:  to take and use something for a short time that’s not yours
Could I please borrow your cell phone.
Her sister often borrows her clothes without asking.

cure:  to make (someone) healthy again
He cured his cold with vitamin C and plenty of water.
The doctor cured his patient of a nasty rash.

entertain:  to do something that people enjoy
The mime entertained the crowd for hours.
She entertained her children by playing a game with them.

gain:  to get more
She knew that she had gained weight over the holidays.
What do you have to gain by that action?

head:  to go 
If the alarm sounds, head for the nearest exit.
The soldier headed in the direction of the gunfire.

irritate:  to bother someone a lot
I can’t use that cream because it irritates my skin.
Their loud Saturday night parties irritate us.

memorize:  to learn (something) by repetition
He quickly memorized her phone number.
We have to memorize our lines for the play.

permit:  to allow, to give permission
Many parents permit their children to stay up later on Friday nights
The police would not permit them to walk in the street.

promise:  to do what you say you’re going to do
She promised to never leave him.
Do you promise not to laugh when I tell you my story?

recognize:  to know (something) from an earlier time
I recognize that music.  It’s Beethoven, isn’t it?
The old man didn’t recognize his own daughter.

switch:  to replace one thing with another, to exchange
Let’s switch seats.  I can’t see the screen very well.
I don’t like this toothpaste.  I’m going to switch to another brand.

suffer:  to feel pain for a long time
She suffers from migraine headaches.
Many teenagers suffer from not enough sleep.

warn:  to tell (someone) about a future danger
A sign warned motorists that there was black ice on the road.
He warned her not to go out after dark.