{"id":146212549,"date":"2024-07-02T17:03:34","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T17:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writetosuccess.net\/on-playing-with-words\/"},"modified":"2024-07-02T17:03:34","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T17:03:34","slug":"on-playing-with-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writetosuccess.net\/nl\/on-playing-with-words\/","title":{"rendered":"On Playing with Words"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"person<\/figure>

Native English speakers only need to learn around 9,000 words to read proficiently (Nation, 2014<\/a>; Qian & Lin, 2019<\/a>). This, out of a lexis of over 170,00 words (and growing!)<\/p>

Hence most of us walk, eat<\/em> and talk<\/em> on a daily basis rather than shuffle, feast <\/em>or murmur<\/em>.<\/p>

We\u2019re creatures of habit. The words we use frequently become top-of-mind, and therefore likely to be used again. Our routine vocabulary shrinks like a puddle in the sun.<\/p>

One way to prevent, indeed, reverse, this trend is to play with words.<\/p>

Reading, crossword puzzling, etc., can build our word banks but having a fine working<\/em> vocabulary means being able to summon novel words and express ourselves in new ways. Like play piano, or basketball, this skill requires practice.<\/p>

The following drills are designed to be pen-and-paper; no reference to outside sources required. Use the back of an envelope, a napkin, scribble on your hand like a teenager, draw in sand on the shoreline.<\/p>

The goal is to tap your linguistic aquafer. If you feel inspired to augment your vocabulary through reading or dictionary browsing, all to the good, but no pressure.<\/p>

Grab your quill and parchment and let\u2019s away.<\/p>

Pre-root-ixes: Prefixes, root words and suffixes<\/h2>

Straightforward: choose a prefix, root word or suffix and list as many words containing it as you can.<\/p>