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Grammar and Idioms | For Young People |
| Conjecture (cun-Jek-chur): noun -- a guess, usually an informed guess |
| In her paper, she made a conjecture about the origin of the human race. He is so well-known on Wall Street, everyone wants to know his conjectures about economic trends. |
| Pedantic (pe-DAN-tic): adj - overly involved in rules or book-learning |
| I liked that book, but I thought it was a bit pedantic. At times, the author could have used everyday words rather than advanced vocabulary. After the professor's lecture, only one person asked questions. All of his questions were pedantic--few people even knew what was going on. |
| Cosmopolitan (cahs-mō-PAH-li-tun): adj - urban, having to do with cities and contemporary times |
| After three years in New York, she has a very cosmopolitan look. When he spoke his cosmopolitan ideas in his hometown state, Alabama, many people were offended. |
| Esoteric (e-sō-TE-ric): adj - intended for a small group, understood by few people |
| His latest book has to do with esoteric Old English literature. Only Old English scholars will be able to read it. I didn't want to join that esoteric group. They're too involved in a small set of ideas. |
| Incontrovertible (in-kahn-tru-VER-di-bul): adj - undeniable, clearly known |
| The man might have been executed, but incontrovertible evidence came to light a week before his execution day. Now that she has won an academy award, her fame is incontrovertible. |
Practice: Complete the sentences with the correct word (answers are at the bottom of the page):
1. He will never run for president. His bookish views are too _________________ to ever be popular.
A. pedantic
B. incontrovertible
C. esoteric
D. cosmopolitan
E. conjectured
2.
Her ______________ ideas were greatly appreciated in her small social
circle. Today, many more people agree with her thoughts.
A. pedantic
B. incontrovertible
C. esoteric
D. cosmopolitan
E. conjectured
Now study more words and practice them. After that, there are more practice problems using all 10 words on this page.
Bombastic (bomBAStic): adj. -- pompous, having high views of one's own opinions I liked that professor, but I thought his lectures were bombastic--a little too much about his own successes.
Her bombastic essay did not get good reviews--it was all about her own research.Ornate (orNATE): adj. - having detail and being attractive, having fine details My next door neighbor used to do ornate embroidery. She made beautiful pillows and blankets.
The ornate language in his election speech didn't fool me--I don't like that guy.Complement (COM-ple-ment): noun - something that goes with another, something that completes, v. completing another thing This carpet is a perfect complement to the room. It goes with the curtains very well.
We complement each other: I'm energetic and he's not. Together, we're moderate.Fallacy (FA-lu-see): noun - something false, something not right She saw the fallacy in the other lawyer's argument. She made the most of it.
He searched his research for fallacies before he turned it in to the committee. Modicum (MAH-di-cum): noun - a small amount, a token amount or just enough He showed a modicum of decency when his girlfriend tried to make a scene in front of his wife.
Unfortunately, that lawyer doesn't have a modicum of honesty.
More Practice. Complete the sentence with the missing word or words.
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