Academic vocabulary Weeks 1 - 9

Subject An area of study, such as science or math. Math is Steven’s best subject.

Our school picnic was the subject of a newspaper article. Someone or something that is thought about, written about, or talked about. Our school picnic was the subject of a newspaper article.

The subject of a discussion or conversation. topic The subject of a discussion or conversation. Abigail always has a lot to say on the topic of dog care.

The subject of a book or other written work. topic The subject of a book or other written work. He has read many books on the topic of space travel.

To check and correct errors in writing. edit To check and correct errors in writing. Before he handed it in, Rosemary edited Andrew’s story.

revise To make a piece of writing better by making it clearer or more correct. The reporter will revise the newspaper article to include the new information.

A change that makes something better. revision A change that makes something better. The revisions in word choice improved my sentences.

To change or make different. revise To change or make different. He revised his plans when he saw the rain.

Normal, common, or expected. usual Normal, common, or expected. We did the usual things we do every day.

unusual Not usual or ordinary It is very unusual for Ms. Hornada to get angry.

regular Usual or normal Vegetables should be a regular part of everyone’s diet.

Always happening at the same time. regular Always happening at the same time. Our regular lunch time is 11:45.

brief Short in time or length. Mom wrote a brief note explaining why I didn’t come to school.

To shorten the time of length of something. abbreviate To shorten the time of length of something. Mr. T. had to abbreviate class because there was an assembly.

To shorten a word by leaving out letters. abbreviate To shorten a word by leaving out letters. You can write that Garfield School is on Aurora Dr. and not have to write Aurora Drive.

To stop for a short time in the middle of something. pause A short stop or rest To stop for a short time in the middle of something. A period is at the end of the sentence and it signals a pause when we are reading. When reading aloud to your teacher, you should pause at a period and a comma.

To explain or tell the meaning of a word or phrase. define To explain or tell the meaning of a word or phrase. We define word when we tell what a word means.

The meaning of a word or phrase. definition The meaning of a word or phrase. The definition of edit means to check for and correct errors in writing.

Known for sure; certain. definite Known for sure; certain. We are waiting for a definite answer from Ms. Hornada about when we can have a party.

definitely Without a doubt Catherine will definitely finish her homework before bedtime.

definitely Without a doubt Catherine will definitely finish her homework before bedtime.

To make greater or larger increase To make greater or larger We will increase our library by adding more books.

A greater amount of something. increase A greater amount of something. The movie theater announced an increase in the cost of a ticket.

decrease To make or become less Listening carefully can decrease the time your teacher keeps you in from recess.

The amount by which something become less decrease The amount by which something become less The flu caused a decrease in school attendance.

form Type or kind Reading is Jeren’s favorite form of entertainment.

To make or create; give shape to form To make or create; give shape to How do we form a triangle?

To make or create; give shape to form To make or create; give shape to How do we form a triangle?

Format and Style Format means the way in which something is made up or organized. The simple format of the game makes it easy to play. Style means the way in which something is written, said, or done. The writer’s style is easy to understand.

To bring or come to an end conclude To bring or come to an end The teacher concluded the lesson just as the recess bell rang.

The end or last part of something conclusion The end or last part of something At the conclusion of the story, the lost dog found its way home.

To decide based on the facts you have conclude To decide based on the facts you have Gabriel looked at the pay print and concluded that it had been made by a bear.

A decision reached using the facts and clues you have conclusion A decision reached using the facts and clues you have We studied the clues and drew a conclusion about who had eaten the sandwich.

REVIEW WORDS Brief definitely increase subject decreased edited revisions unusual

REVIEW WORDS abbreviate conclude abbreviation defined definite definition forms pause usual