Verbal Advantage: 10 Steps to a Powerful Vocabulary

I grew up in a few single wide trailers and had the vocabulary that you would expect. After my military career and over 10 years in the corporate world, my vocabulary increased just by association with my peer groups (even before I ever purchased Verbal Advantage). I still have many friends who I care about deeply that never left that small town I grew up in. When I communicate with them today I can't help but to think they are not as intelligent as I am. I don't want to feel that way, but it's true. If I owned a company, the chances are I would not hire them. Verbal Advantage made me realize that successful Executives probably view my current communication ability in the same regard as I view my childhood friends from the trailer parks. As much as that Executive may like me and believe I have a high aptitude, I doubt he would give me a Vice President job. There is a communication gap between executives and myself in the same way there is between myself and my old buddies. Is this fair? Probably not... But not much in life is fair. In reality however, we all play by the same rules. One of those rules is that people in a position to hire you need to be able to see you in that role before they will put you into that role. Vocabulary is one facet that will help. Two other details that you should investigate are 1) Your appearance, including your attire and physical looks and 2) The way you carry yourself. I despised vocabulary and grammar in school. For some reason Verbal Advantage is really enjoyable for me. Maybe it's because now I can see the correlation between success and vocabulary? Not sure, either way I thoroughly enjoy Verbal Advantage. I suggest getting both the audio program and this book. I've went through this entire program more than once. It's not a fast process. I never realized how many words I just glossed over while reading or talking with others. I've reread books from a few years ago and noticed the author used many words that I had never seen until I went through VA. How did I not notice that I didn't know these words the first time I read the books? You'll be amazed at how many words you gloss over without even slowing down. Even at times when the learning curve feels slow, all of a sudden during a conversation you'll whip out a brand new word you learned weeks ago and didn't even realize you were ready to use it. It's a great feeling when you use the precise word to communicate effectively. There are no downsides to improving yourself. Success is not something you pursue; Success is something you become...

Initially, I was disappointed, because I seem to possess already a larger than average vocabulary, so I tabled the book awhile and came back later. Now, I see its virtues more clearly. Everyone can benefit from the book's riches, including its 3,500 words. The scheme is based on "levels" and then on "organization around themes" that not only increase vocabulary, but remind of us unused words, and also make them more precise (including pronunciation). Many include etymologies. Most juxtapose synonyms to differentiate meanings. Sometimes definitions seem sparse or omitted, but one still develops the sense by other routes. The "levels" are degrees of sophistication and/or complexity, arbitrary obviously, but with deliberation that is sensible, which then the user can determine how sophisticated to enrich his vocabulary. For example, Level 10 is Latinate vocabulary one might not use/encounter with frequency, but even these arcane words suggest other possibilities for different uses. Even so, one can always pick-and-choose words suggested. Everyone can benefit from this work, from the articulate to the newbie, going to a "level" of one's own choosing. Acquiring a vocabulary this large will require time, and a strategy to exercise with it regularly. Just being reminded of words so often unused is itself a valuable tool. And most importantly, each word is actually developed with substance not merely quick definition and/or synonyms. Even words already-known can, and have, become more precise through re-acquaintance with this book. My only cavil, and it's minor, is not being able to use this resource as a "reference" also. But even I'm not sure how that could be achieved alongside its other ambitions. Just enriching one's vocabulary is itself a noble project, and this book certainly takes that task seriously and performs well. Overall, it is an impressive and very useful device.

This is a fun book for learning new words. The words are divided in 10 levels, each level containing 50 "key" words. Each level is progressively more challenging (you may read this as - it contains the words you might have been less likely to encounter, though this depends on what do your normally read). Beside each word, you'll find the pronounciation in brackets. With words which may have two of more pronounciation, they are all mentioned here. The "key word" is follows with the definition, as well as the origin. For example, if the word has a Latin root, then the Latin word is mentioned, together with the meaning of the Latin word. Then the usage of the words is mentioned, together with different contexts in which such word may be used. You'll find the contexts where the word was originally used, as well as how its usage spread to other contexts, sometimes altering the meaning the word originally had. You'll also find sections warning your of "abusage" of the words. You'll find antonyms and synonyms of the "key" words, together with their definitions, usage, appropriate contexts, and distinguishing differences. Each level is followed by a reviews, sample text where you can check out your comprehension, additional notes and a quiz. At the beginning of the book is a "pretest" with 100 words, designed to help you to evaluate your current vocabulary level. At the end of the book is "posttest" with 100 words, designed to help you evaluate how much has your vocabulary expanded after working with this book.

The package of the book is really safe, and the content of the book is helpful for enlarge people's vocabulary. I am using this book for preparing my GRE verbal tests. Recommend to people who is going to take the test as well.

Top seller! Item received way earlier than expected. Highly recommended!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a good option if you want to increase your vocabulary with other words. And additionally improves your grammar skills.

ばっと見の内容は500のキーワードがあり、それぞれに同義語、反意語、語源等が紹介されているという感じです。キーワードのリストだけ見ると数はそれほど多くなく、他に類似の洋書と比べてもそこまで際立った違いは感じないかもしれなく、目次を見て物足りないと思う人もいるかもしれませんが、この本の神髄はその説明に含まれている単語・熟語全部込みで、まず、作者が意図してる同義語等も含めた収録語彙が総数が3500＋、そして説明文には、それ以上に、恐らく非母語話者はお目にかかったことのない単語・表現がものすごく散りばめられています。さらっと読む分には、同義語として紹介されていて流してしまうような物も、しっかり見てみるととても難しいものが多く、特にフレーズはさらっと読むと本当に分かった気になって飛ばしてしまいそうなものがかなり使われているので、完全に読み込むなら単語本として最高の難語、そして情報量がつまっています。そして単語・類語の説明として、語源や神話、歴史・文化的な側面、文学の一節等、きちんと読めば読むほど単語に付随した情報を得られるので（それを全てかみ砕いていくのは大変ですが）、トータルで英語力が上がる事間違いなしだと思います。 そして、単語帳の洋書にしては珍しく音声があり、音声は別売りで高いのですが、このレベルで音声がついているのは珍しいと思うので、耳でも勉強も含めおすすめです。上で述べた難しい同義語・反義語等、そして10語ごとのテスト、珍しいラテン語等の語源の発音も入っているので、一気に非常に多くの数の単語の発音が聞けてしまうのも利点。 ただそれ故、キーワードはもとより、同意語等も他の色々な英検1級レベルを超えるような上級英語帳で紹介されているようなものがさらっとたくさん使われていて、説明文も含め難しい語のオンパレードであり、それなりに上級語彙を見たことがないと説明を読むのも大変だと思います。ただし、定義や類義語、反意語でやさし目な単語等も使われているので、英英で理解できる人にはある程度は読解も可能？ とは言え、個人的には、この手の語彙に挑戦したい人がいきなりこの本を使うとかなり大変だと思うので、英検1級向けないしそれ以上対応の語彙本をどれか1冊の半分くらいは分かるくらいまでやった経験がある方が、本書を使うのにはいいと思います。（もちろんそれを承知で辞書等で調べまくって一気に3500～語覚えてしまうのも、選択肢かとも思いますが、ある程度知っていても細部まで読むとまさに辞書を覚えるような情報量。） 普通の単語帳より読み物として楽しく、音声付きの難単語収録本ということで、個人的に洋書の語彙本では断トツにおススメです。 ちなみにWord Workoutという続編もあり、そちらも音声が入手可能になったので、この本が合う人は、さらなる語彙増強がシリーズで可能です。

I purchased probably 10 books on how to increase in your vocabulary. This was hands-down the best. The reason is the explanations are two or three paragraphs for each word. I think that really helps you retain the information.