how to solve my vocabulary problems

What Causes Lack of Vocabulary? (6 Common Mistakes to Avoid)

Mistakes like relying solely on a dictionary and neglecting the context of words do not help improve vocabulary. Not practicing the vocabulary you learn actively, lack of consistency, and not developing habits like reading also lead to a lack of vocabulary.

Thus, instead of treating words as entities that survive independently, it’s important to strive to understand their context. So if you want to develop a strong written and spoken vocabulary, you’ll need to demonstrate utmost commitment to this task and avoid common mistakes in your learning journey.

In this post, we’ll look at what causes a lack of vocabulary and how to increase your word knowledge. We’ll also discuss the common mistakes to avoid when improving your vocabulary and the strategies you can implement. Let’s start!

Factors influencing vocabulary acquisition and development

Vocabulary acquisition simply means learning more words in a given language. Even though developing your vocabulary is mostly associated with learning a second language, it’s just as important for developing the native language.

Psychological factors, what environment you grew up in, reading habits, lack of engagement with what vocabulary you learn, and limited social interactions are some factors affecting your vocabulary learning.

Furthermore, vocabulary acquisition is one of the most important features in estimating language proficiency . Three important aspects help you develop your proficiency in a certain language:

Partial to precise knowledge. This refers to how large your vocabulary is and the different levels of knowledge you have for different words. That implies that you know some words well or at least know them to some extent.
Depth of knowledge. Your knowledge depth is how well you understand terms and how you connect them in sentences and change their form.
Receptive to productive useability. This focuses on your understanding of how to use words in different contexts. It involves two stages: comprehension (understanding what the words mean) and production (using the words correctly in speaking or writing).

Let’s start by exploring some of these factors and how they influence your vocabulary learning curve.

You can also check out our Personal Productivity course , which helps you make time for learning new vocabulary while also boosting your productivity.

Psychological factors that can cause a lack of vocabulary

Your mind’s psychology plays a significant role in every learning situation you face. It is essential to understand that most vocabulary is understood by context and is affected by different psychological factors that control how to process that context.

All this shows that psychological factors play a huge role in enhancing vocabulary.

This section sheds light on psychological factors that start forming from early childhood and dictate how it affects your vocabulary in the future.

Language acquisition and early childhood experiences

The language development and acquisition rate varies widely depending on the nature and amount of a child’s early language experience and the child’s capacity to use that experience.

Moreover, the underlying mechanisms and course of language development in early years are mostly described separately. It includes subdomains like:

Phonological development

Phonological development is the sound system. Newborn babies can discriminate between speech sounds. In their first year, they become insensitive to acoustic differences that do not seem similar to the language they hear.

So, as they grow older, they achieve a mental system for representing the sounds of their language and saying words that are within their articulatory abilities.

Lexical development

This development refers to understanding the different words children hear. Children develop a 100-word vocabulary milestone between 20 and 21 months, after which vocabulary development happens very rapidly.

Exposing kids to more vocabulary in their native language is more productive. That is because they can easily store speech sound sequences in their phonological memory . However, full mastery of the word meanings requires new conceptual developments, too.

Morpho-syntactic development

Morpho-syntactic refers to grammar development. Even though children begin putting two or three words together at around two years of age, their combinations often need grammatical function words and endings.

However, if a child is exposed to structurally more complex speech, they acquire grammar more rapidly with less experience, which shows that language experience plays a significant role in development.

Cognitive abilities and learning styles

Your cognitive abilities and learning styles will vary from others. You can look at the same words or the same story and yet describe it in a completely different manner. The human mind interprets the same events, sounds, and sights differently.

Due to this, some people will find it easier to use new vocabulary words in their everyday language, while others may need help to use words naturally.

There are different cognitive styles for learning anything or developing your ability. These include:

Leveling-sharpening

This refers to how you use your knowledge of the previous vocabulary you already know and connect it to new vocabulary.

Field dependence and field independence

This learning style depicts how you perceive and interpret your surrounding environment. For instance, field-dependent people are interpersonal and skilled at reading social cues. That means they can convey their feelings openly and, in the process, enhance their verbal vocabulary.

Reflectivity and impulsivity

This third type represents opposite ends of a cognitive style spectrum. For instance, a reflective individual would take the time to analyze and process different information and thus systematically approach vocabulary development.

It means considering every word’s context and how it connects to other words. In contrast, impulsive individuals prioritize speed over accuracy and take advantage of opportunities to engage properly with new vocabulary.

Cognitive Vocabulary Approach (CVA)

The Cognitive Vocabulary Approach (CVA) is another method that focuses on explicit instruction in vocabulary and comprehension.

The approach recognizes that you need to learn the appropriate meaning of new words and understand the cognitive processes involved in effective comprehension. It focuses on three main facets:

Identifying unfamiliar words
Examining word meanings
Relating word meanings

You may also like: 12 Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary and Writing Skills.

Learning disabilities and developmental disorders

Learning disabilities and subsequent disorders manifest in infancy or childhood and affect the developing nervous system. It’s an umbrella term that doesn’t indicate a lack of intelligence or motivation. It means a student facing this problem perceives things differently, which may lead to a lack of vocabulary.

These disabilities or developmental disorders also impact language processing, how your express language, attention and memory issues, Specific Language Impairment (SLI), and more. All these end up making your vocabulary sparser and less enriched.

Sociocultural factors that hinder vocabulary acquisition

The sociocultural factors that affect vocabulary knowledge and acquisition, especially for a second language, include stereotyping, social distance, motivation, attitude, and personality.

We’ll dive deeper into how different sociocultural impacts vocabulary development.

Poor educational resources and opportunities

Children with no good opportunities and resources lack behind in learning vocabulary. They face difficulties with reading and thinking critically, and eventually they can develop language impairment.

The pattern develops early and strengthens in their early years, making vocabulary intervention an imminent process.

Moreover, this gap in vocabulary knowledge and reading achievement can be attributed to the Matthew effect . This effect occurs because children with a well-developed vocabulary at a young age find it easier to learn new words than peers with limited word knowledge.

Low exposure to language environments

Language is one of the most important predictors of developing knowledge and understanding of the mental world, a concept also defined as “theory of mind” development.

At the same time, literacy and home language environmental influences also play a huge role in the development of both language and theory of mind.

Low exposure to language environments hinders language development, making it difficult to understand others’ perspectives, emotions, thoughts, and ideas and engage in complex social interactions.

Cultural background

Language is inherently cultural, and since language has a close relation to vocabulary, it affects how you learn words and use them in a daily context.

Your choice of words when expressing idea can be used to describe the impact culture has on your language development, a process that starts from infancy. For instance, American children learn and develop language through verbal instruction. In contrast, children living in Africa tend to gain language concepts and ideas through nonverbal instructions.

Thus, the cultural aspects of a particular area dictate how children develop their language skills and influence their cognitive functions.

Defficitary teaching techniques

A deficit mindset forms when teachers focus on problems rather than potential. Effective vocabulary development requires explicit instruction, where teachers assist in helping students build asset-based thinking that assumes all students have the same potential and seek to understand their strengths.

Focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses allows teachers to provide clear instructions that focus on students’ difficulties and help build a wider vocabulary.

You may also like to read: 9 Reasons Why Improving Your Vocabulary Is Important .

Shallow reading and lack of engagement

Shallow reading means approaching reading with a superficial and passive mindset. This process makes you skim through texts without fully engaging with the content and not developing a good idea of what you’re reading.

It also leads to limited exposure to new words and hinders vocabulary development.

You need to seek clarification on what you’re reading to make connections between words and take advantage of the opportunity to internalize new vocabulary. This also leads to weak word retention and ineffective vocabulary use in your everyday language.

You can also check out the Maximizing Memory course from Iris Reading which lets you actively engage with what you’re reading and enhance your vocabulary.

Environmental factors affecting vocabulary growth

Your surroundings matter a lot for vocabulary growth. Learning new things is a process that requires commitment, skills, and deep understanding. Your relative situation affects your learning capacity a lot and ultimately affects your vocabulary acquisition.

Let’s look at some of these factors that affect your vocabulary growth.

Lack of reading habits

Reading helps you develop a rich vocabulary, so the more you read, the better your vocabulary will be. Moreover, reading more leads to better comprehension.

A lack of reading habits equates to poor vocabulary, and this may happen due to limited access to reading materials, the early education system, and parental influence.

Limited social interactions and communication opportunities

You naturally acquire communication skills when exposed to social environments where you interact with different people. This social interaction facilitates lexical and phonological development too.

Thus, a lack of social interactions and communication leads to a lack of vocabulary development. Passive engagement with peers and the environment around an individual lead to problems that directly affect learning rates.

Technological influences on vocabulary development

The advent of technology has brought new learning opportunities and has positively impacted vocabulary development, especially at the elementary level.

Let’s see how the increased exposure to digital media impacts vocabulary development compared to traditional teaching.

Impact of digital media and screen time

Screen time and digital media have both positive and negative impacts. It depends on how you use these platforms. For instance, accessing rich digital content like articles, e-books, and news articles exposes you to high-quality content that enhances your vocabulary.

In contrast, mindlessly scrolling through social media apps leads to passive consumption and limits your vocabulary growth.

Language learning applications

Many language learning applications in the world today have gained immense popularity. These apps have a positive effect as they expose you to more words in a structured manner and help grow your vocabulary incrementally.

The apps also have interactive games that motivate you to participate, making the learning process engaging and enjoyable.

Read also: Why Can’t I Memorize Easily? (Explained!)

Common mistakes to avoid if you want to enrich your vocabulary

While being introduced to new vocabulary may seem like a no-brainer, it does involve a complex learning process. Many instructional strategies fall short in helping build practical knowledge of new words.

Mistakes like lack of understanding, passive interaction with new words, skimming through the text, trying to learn too many words, not fully engaging with what you’re reading, and similar mistakes hinder your vocabulary learning process.

Let’s look at some of these common mistakes in detail.

1. Learning new words without reviewing them

Learning word meanings without reviewing them is the biggest mistake you can make. If you learn new words without reviewing them before learning the next ones, you’ll forget your previous knowledge and might wonder what went wrong.

Your memory depends on a Forgetting Curve that demonstrates how your memory works. If you memorize 100 new words, after a few minutes, you’ll only remember around half of them. The curve keeps receding as time increases, so you’re left with remembering very few words.

However, this curve can be slowed down by just reviewing words. That means repeating the words you learned and using them in active speech, a process called Spaced Repetition.

This method is great in helping stick vocabulary to your mind. It’s a presentation method that ensures information stays fresh in your mind.

Learn more about the Spaced Repetition Learning Technique (Step-by-Step Guide)

2. Learning too many new words at once

If your goal is to retain more words in the long term and be able to use them effectively, it’s best to learn a few words and focus on reviewing them. Educational research also shows that chasing new words only makes you remember 10-15% of what you learned.

While learning many words from a dictionary may sound like an ideal situation, the reality is quite the opposite. A dictionary definition won’t help you in oral or written language. Especially if you’re learning a new language, trying to learn more words without context isn’t the smartest move.

3. Practicing shallow reading

Shallow reading means reading a text quickly in truncated forms without critically analyzing the text and is characterized by incomplete and intermittent reading patterns, affecting your vocabulary development.

Shallow reading leads to limited comprehension, only focusing on the information at a surface level and missing out on nuances and deeper meanings in the text. It also affects your retention rates and is associated with impaired critical thinking and lack of reflection.

4. Lack of testing vocabulary acquisition

Another common mistake is reading or learning new information without testing yourself. Tests create an atmosphere where you can use the words you learned and also help increase retention rates.

Thinking that simply reading or skimming through the text will help you enhance your vocabulary is a very deceptive thinking process. Think about the last novel you read. How much of the story do you remember? And subsequently, how many new words do you remember from the novel?

Not testing yourself also leads to a lack of motivation and accountability. You also do not get useful insights into what you learn.

You may also like: How to Speed Read a Novel? (Explained)

5. Using a single method of learning new vocabulary

Using different methods like reading novels, taking courses to help memorize vocabulary, and reviewing new words regularly ensure that the new vocabulary stays in your mind longer. Using all these methods simultaneously also helps use words in everyday social conversations.

Thus, sticking to one learning mode to enhance vocabulary is not the best practice. For instance, people love using vocabulary apps and think it will be enough to make their vocabulary stronger.

You need to understand that these apps should only be seen as an interactive addition to your vocabulary learning. Making them the only source won’t help you connect deeply with words.

6. Relying too much on antonyms and synonyms

Synonyms are words with the same meaning but different phonological sounds and spellings. Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of something. Using them without understanding the context cannot help much with your vocabulary.

Relying solely on antonyms and synonyms doesn’t help much with improving your vocabulary since they have different levels of intensity and can be used interchangeably in a sentence.

For instance, the sentence “I was elated he participated in the celebration” sounds out of place. That is because it relies on synonyms, and a better version to express the same thing would be “I was thrilled he attended the event”.

Similarly, understanding that “wholehearted” is an antonym of “disingenuous” does not help you figure out how to use the word.

Check out our Speed Reading Foundation Course that helps you read more in less time while also focusing on strategies to enhance your comprehension so you remember more vocabulary.

Strategies for overcoming a lack of vocabulary

Reading extensively, using more reading materials, vocabulary-building apps, tools, and courses, practicing active listening, and similar strategies help overcome a lack of vocabulary and improve your skills.

Let’s start exploring some strategies that help build your vocabulary.

Create a daily reading routine to expand your vocabulary

Reading everything that comes your way is one of the most effective and passive ways to boost your vocabulary. This strategy lets you build connections between words, learn how to make coherent sentences, and understand the context of words you read.

When you read, you’re exposed to a wide diversity of words. It doesn’t matter what type of written material you read or what genre; it’ll help improve your vocabulary drastically over time.

Expose yourself to diverse literature

Literature contains many words with a vast array of writing styles and genres. Exposing yourself to different types of reading materials helps you develop your vocabulary and see how literature evolved over the years.

You also get to see how to properly use idioms, understand their context, and see how to use them naturally. Reading literature-rich text helps improve your vocabulary while also developing your reading comprehension.

Learn active reading techniques for vocabulary enrichment

Actively reading means reading something with the motive to understand and evaluate its relevance. Re-reading the material without any motive does not help increase your vocabulary. Including techniques like highlighting words, making annotations, summarizing points, and reading critically help you develop vocabulary.

Thus, reading with a motive and not just skimming through the text is always important. Try to be more focused on what you read and ask questions from the text, like what happened and why it happened. How did it happen? Where and when it happened? And so on.

Also, improving your reading skills means taking care of the four cue systems , which include phonological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic. All these need to be considered simultaneously to help you read more effectively.

Use word learning strategies and mnemonic devices

Using mnemonic devices is a form of word association that helps you remember proper use and definitions. This helps create an association between new words and familiar concepts.

For instance, think of the word “enigma”, which means something mysterious. When broken down into its components, you hear something like:

“En” sounds like the word “in,” which can imply something within or enclosed.
“ig” sounds similar to the word “eye,” which relates to perception or observation.
“ma” can be associated with the word “map,” symbolizing a representation or puzzle to decipher.

Combining these sounds creates a mnemonic interpretation like: “Enigma is like being in a maze”, which suggests that an enigma is a puzzling situation that requires deep understanding to solve the problem.

Use Accelareader for vocabulary development

Developing your vocabulary has a direct relation with reading and understanding comprehension. If you feel you can’t read effectively or want to increase your reading speed, our speed reading tool can help you solve all these problems.

The Accelareader is an effective reading tool that lets you choose at what pace you want to read. You also have the option to tweak the settings and choose the number of words you’d like to see at a time, adjust the text size, and use Rapid Serial Visual Presentation to help you read efficiently.

If you’re focusing on improving your vocabulary, it’s best to choose fewer words to be flashed. This helps lay a solid foundation for increasing your vocabulary and lets you remember what you read more vividly.

Check out our course on Advanced Comprehension and Memory to help you understand useful strategies to improve your vocabulary.

Create vocabulary flashcards to increase word knowledge

Using flashcards is an effective way to boost your vocabulary. Whether you use homemade flashcards with different words or online tools to flash words at you, this helps tremendously enhance your vocabulary.

Creating vocabulary flashcards reinforces the word in your mind by repeating it. It also engages you in active learning through visual representation, aiding in memory recall.

Practice vocabulary learning in writing

When writing something, you’ll have a lot of time to search your mind or the thesaurus for the exact word you need. You can use the word and understand its context in the sentence, which helps develop a deep vocabulary so words flow effortlessly from your mind.

You can also take notes as you read to learn new vocabulary. Our Effective Note-Taking course helps you understand the best strategies for writing vocabulary-rich content and the pitfalls to avoid.

Takeaway: Unlocking the path to enriching your vocabulary

Limited vocabulary leads to limited expressiveness, difficulty communicating with others, and reduced reading comprehension.

Knowing what mistakes to avoid and using effective strategies like improving your reading skills, using different tools to enhance your vocabulary, and understanding each word’s meaning and its context contribute to enriching your word knowledge. With a bit of dedication, consistency, and persistence, you can enhance your vocabulary and, subsequently, language skills.

Iris Reading’s Maximizing Memory course is a great tool that lets you retain more new words and use them effectively according to the context. Take the course today and come a step closer to improving your vocabulary.

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Learning English with Oxford

The latest language learning tips, resources, and content from oxford university press., 10 steps to overcome language-learning barriers.

by Oxford University Press ELT
Posted on February 27, 2020

But the good news is, with the right tools and practices, there are lots of things you can do to make your life easier.

So, here are ten common language-learning barriers and how to overcome them!

1. Organise your learning materials

When it comes to language learning, chaos can be your worst enemy. Just think of all the times you failed to review an English lesson because you couldn’t find your notes. When your learning materials are all over the place, your knowledge will be scattered and full of gaps, too.

All it takes is a little bit of effort to create some order. Sort your learning materials into categories – for example, grammar, vocabulary, writing skills, etc.

Then stack them into piles or bind them into folders. You can get creative and use colourful pens, post-its and stickers to label everything. Buy some blank notebooks and turn them into personal dictionaries: whenever you learn a new word, write it down in the notebook along with a definition (preferably in English). Plan systematic revisions of your learning materials and you’ll clean up the chaos in your brain in no time.

2. Get out of your comfort zone

A common mistake that learners make is that they don’t push themselves to use the language they’re learning in real-world scenarios. Try to spend as much time as you can with people who don’t speak your native language. This way, you’ll be forced to practice outside of the classroom.

If you don’t have any English-speakers around, go to meet-ups and language exchanges or find people to chat with online. At first, it won’t be easy: you might feel self-conscious and worry about what other people think when you make a mistake. But remember, learning is a process and you’re making progress every day. Just get out of your comfort zone: that’s where growth happens.

3. Learn from your mistakes

Language learning is a slow process. When you’re already feeling frustrated and your ego is in a fragile state, it’s easy to take criticism the wrong way. But the truth is, asking for feedback and learning to appreciate criticism is one of the best things you can do to speed up the learning process.

Next time you talk to someone in English, ask them to gently correct you or repeat an incorrect sentence you may have said in the correct way. It might feel strange at first but you’ll get used to it and you’ll learn so much from your own mistakes. Keep in mind that your mistakes don’t define you – they’re a part of the journey towards growth.

4. Watch daily videos on YouTube

There are so many great resources for language-learning on the internet. One of them is the world’s largest video-sharing platform, YouTube. From educational content aimed directly at language learners to regular content created in English – like vlogs – you’ll definitely find something that interests you.

Set aside time every morning to watch a video or two on YouTube. If you learn something new – an expression or a grammatical structure – make a note of it and go back to revise it the next day. You won’t find a better and more accessible resource for real-world English.

Some of our favourite channels include: English with Lucy and Learn English with TV Series .

5. Read your favourite books in English

Remember that book you loved so much and have been planning to re-read? Now’s the time. Just make sure you get an English copy of it!

Reading is one of the best ways to enrich your vocabulary and get more comfortable with the English language. It’s even more beneficial if you’ve already read the book in your native language. If you don’t understand something, there’s a good chance you’ll remember what happened and you’ll be able to fill in the blanks.

Make sure the book you read is at the right level for you. Click here to take our Quiz and find your reading level!

6. Follow social media accounts that help you learn English

We spend so much time on social media every day, we might as well make the most of it. Fortunately, there are some amazing social media accounts out there that can help you learn English in a fun way.

Whether it’s your pronunciation, your grammar skills or your vocabulary that you’d like to improve, you can find masterfully curated accounts run by teachers and educational companies. If you’re not sure where to start searching, check out these 10 great social media pages for language learners .

And don’t forget to set the language of your accounts to English for some extra practice!

7. Learn a few poems and recite them

Pronunciation is one of the biggest challenges of mastering the English language. There are so many exceptions to rules and many words sound very different to the way they look.

A great way to practice is by learning poems or short stories by heart and reciting them to your friends and family. If you practice enough, you’ll be able to really focus on your pronunciation without having to simultaneously think about what you’re saying. This is a great tool to hone your speaking skills. You’ll thank yourself for it in the future. What’s more, you can show off your knowledge of English literature to your loved ones – which, if you ask us, is pretty cool.

8. Try thinking in English

Have you ever tried to turn your inner monologue into English? Maybe that long-awaited “switch” hasn’t happened yet, and you’re still thinking in your native language when speaking English, translating sentence by sentence.

Here’s something you can try. Whenever you catch yourself thinking in your native language, try switching to English. You won’t feel embarrassed because no one can hear your thoughts, but you can still practice by making up mini-conversations or describing things around you to yourself. It might sound a bit silly, but take our word for it. It will help you start thinking in English when you’re having a conversation that’s not in your head.

9. Fall in love with the process

How many times have you thought to yourself: “I wish it were all over and I finally spoke English fluently!”

Keeping your eyes on the end goal can be good for motivation, but putting too much emphasis on the future can damage your experience of the present. Instead of wishing you were already at the destination, enjoy the journey!

Language learning is a beautiful process. You can get better every single day. Focus on what you’re doing right now to reach your goals instead of obsessing over the goals themselves.

10. Take the Oxford Test of English

When you’re trying to achieve something that takes a lot of work, setting measurable goals is very important. In the case of language learning, a test can serve as the perfect opportunity to gauge where you’re at and provide a specific challenge to prepare for.

To help you figure out your strengths and weaknesses, choose an adaptive, modular test like the Oxford Test of English . The test adapts the level of difficulty according to the answers you give, resulting in a more motivating (and shorter!) test. This means you’ll also receive a more precise measure of your language level. The test is also flexible, so you can choose which modules you want to take and when you want to take them.

Click here to find out where your nearest Oxford Test of English Test Centres is now!

Stay up-to-date with all our latest blog posts by subscribing to the Learning English with Oxford mailing list. Add your email address to the box below to subscribe to this blog!

Author: Oxford University Press ELT

Every year we help millions of people around the world to learn English. As a department of the University of Oxford, we further the University’s objective of excellence in education by publishing proven and tested language learning books, eBooks, learning materials, and educational technologies. View all posts by Oxford University Press ELT

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6 Strategies for Tackling Unfamiliar Words, Suggested by Students

Here’s how the winners of our September Vocabulary Challenge became familiar with intriguing words they found in The New York Times.

By Callie Holtermann

If you read The New York Times for long enough, you’ll probably stumble upon an unfamiliar word. Our September Vocabulary Challenge invited students to seek out that moment of confusion, and then use their best vocabulary sleuthing skills to guess what the word means before looking up its definition.

Students from at least 10 countries, including France, Pakistan, South Korea, Austria and El Salvador, shared the words they found and what they learned about them. The 12 students recognized in this post impressed us with the strategies they used to figure out the definitions of words like torrent , relish , reinvigorated and lampooning .

While these tricks won’t work every time, they may help you discover more about a word before looking up its definition. Perhaps they will even help you out in one of our future monthly Vocabulary Challenges .

Please note: Student comments have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Try These Six Strategies for Tackling Unfamiliar Words

1. break it up into pieces., 2. look for context clues., 3. make connections to other words you’ve heard., 4. make connections to your own life., 5. take a guess — even if it’s wrong., 6. look it up in a dictionary..

Edward and Mario started with recognizable parts of their words to piece together the full definitions.

endoscopy | Edward, McAllen, Texas

While researching sterilization for a school project, the word “endoscopy” stood out from an article about locating ulcers . I had definitely heard the prefix “endo-” in my biology class and the word “scope” in my everyday life, so I assumed it meant to look into some part of the body. And to my surprise, the word does actually mean to examine the inside of an organ! I guess some words aren’t too hard to figure out if you split them up into little parts.

reinvigorated | Mario, El Salvador

I chose the word “reinvigorated” from the article “ A Tense Lunar New Year for the Bay Area After Attacks on Asian Americans .” “Reinvigorated” quickly sparked my curiosity because of the complexity of the word’s etymology. Although I knew that the prefix “re-” meant something like “back or again,” I did not have a clue what “invigorated” meant. Once I discovered that the definition of “invigorate” is “to give strength or energy to something or someone,” I began to see daylight. Then it became easy for me to understand that “reinvigorate” stands for giving strength to something. According to the context of the article, it relates to the racist movement against the Asian American community.

Amy and Christian scoured the sentences surrounding their chosen vocabulary words. Familiar words nearby clued them into what their words might mean.

torrent | Amy, Elizabeth, N.J.

When I was reading the article “ De Blasio Vowed to Make City Streets Safer. They’ve Turned More Deadly ,” the word “torrent” caught my eye since I had never heard it before. With the use of context clues like “unleashed” and “anger,” I came to the conclusion that the word might be related to “outburst.” As it turns out, the word did have something to do with an overwhelming number or amount.

heralding | Christian Mereyde, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, N.C.

In the article “ One Man’s Endless Hunt for a Dopamine Rush in Virtual Reality ,” I discovered the unfamiliar word “heralding.” The paragraph was talking about how Mark Zuckerberg and other executives were “heralding” a digital world. Based on the context of that sentence, I guessed that the word meant to announce something, and upon further research I discovered that the word “herald” is defined as “to be a sign that something is going to happen.” A few synonyms are “proclaiming,” “declaring” and, yes, “announcing.”

Maybe a word reminds you of Latin class — or the “Harry Potter” series.

luminaries | Nicholas Wu, Hunter College High School, New York City

Toward the end of an episode of “The Daily” titled “ The United States v. Elizabeth Holmes ,” I heard the word “luminaries” used to describe certain Silicon Valley investors. I immediately thought of the “Harry Potter” flashlight spell “lumos,” a word whose bright connotations were startling to me when used in a dark podcast episode about fraud and dishonesty. I learned that a “luminary” is a figure who inspires and guides other people, much like the lumos spell itself.

adolescents | Hannah Reiterer, Leibnitz, Austria

I chose the word “adolescents” from an article about whether school should start later. At first glance, I immediately thought of a Latin lesson last year when we learned the word “adulescentes,” which means “young men.” When I looked up the word in the dictionary I found out that “adolescents” means “teenagers,” which confirmed my assumption that the word might be derived from Latin.

James and Jaiden drew from personal experiences to evaluate how a familiar word was being used in an unfamiliar context.

intonation | James Renda, Hall High School, West Hartford, Conn.

While reading the article “ What Are Your Texting Dos and Don’ts? ,” the word “intonation” stood out to me. The word struck me because we often discuss its relation to pitch accuracy in jazz band class. However, in this case, its meaning is a little different, so I had to apply what I knew to the context of texting to understand that the emphasis is on the rise and fall of a person’s voice through words in a text in order to convey personal style.

Oriental | Jaiden Atluri, Turning Point School, Culver City, Calif.

I chose the word “Oriental” (which is generally considered offensive to Asians; I myself am Asian, so it automatically caught my eye) from an article about how gender pronouns are changing. I didn’t choose the word because I didn’t know what it meant, but because it was controversial, which sparked my interest. The word “Oriental” started from the word “Orient,” which derives from the Latin word “oriens,” meaning “east.” “Oriens” was traditionally used when talking about anything belonging to the East, a region typically synonymous with the continent of Asia. “Oriental” is used nowadays to refer to objects from Asian countries, so many Asian Americans find it an offensive word for describing people.

Nash and Yeira made great guesses about what their words might mean. They then learned more about their words by comparing their guesses to the words’ dictionary definitions.

blowout | Nash Le Hors, Lycée Français Saint Louis, Stockholm

My word is “blowout” from the article “ Should Blowouts Be Allowed in Youth Sports? ” When I first saw the word I believed it meant to stop a game for weather reasons, but I learned that it really meant an overpowering win or something breaking. A blowout is mostly negative for the losing team and the spectators.

lampooning | Yeira Marrero, Elizabeth High School Frank J. Cicarell Academy, Elizabeth, N.J.

While reading the article “ Do Memes Make the Internet a Better Place? ” I was curious about the word “lampooning.” It was tricky, but I took a wild guess and decided it meant investigating. This thought came to me because it reminded me of a lamp and a spoon, so then I thought to myself that it must mean something like digging for information. Turns out, it actually means to mock or ridicule someone.

No matter what other strategies you are using, you should always combine them with this one! Even if you think you know a word already, you may discover more by looking it up in a dictionary.

relish | Barry Zheng, YK Pao School, Shanghai

While reading up on basketball news, I found myself drawn to the word “relish” — a word used to describe LeBron James’s attitude toward the new season — in this article . As I read the word’s definition, “taking great pleasure from something,” I smiled. I love that even seasoned professional basketball players like James are feeling such excitement and anticipation for the start of the new season — which made me more excited as a fan.

grueling (British spelling: gruelling ) | Matthias Leo, Catholic High School, Bishan, Singapore

I chose the word “gruelling” from the article “ TikTok, the Fastest Way on Earth to Become a Food Star .” Gruelling describes something that is tiring and punishing, but I also found out that the word “gruel” is a type of bland and unpleasant food (such as porridge), which was often given to prisoners and orphans in the past. These people did not have an easy life, so similarly, eating gruel or doing something “gruelling” is exhausting and arduous.

Callie Holtermann joined The Learning Network as a senior news assistant in 2020. More about Callie Holtermann

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Talking about Problems in English

Published by my lingua academy on 12 dec 2021 12 dec 2021.

We all know what the problem is. It is a more or less difficult situation that is causing us inconvenience and stopping us from doing what we want. Here are different ways for talking about problems in English, including collocations, idioms, phrasal verbs, synonyms, and conversation questions to help you remember the new vocabulary.

Collocations related to problems

Face/encounter/confront a problem.

If you face or encounter or confront a problem, then you are aware of it and you are trying to deal with it.

For example:

Today, we are facing global warming issues that must be dealt with as soon as possible.
When they tried to deal with the problem of discipline in their school, they encountered the problem of drugs abuse.
The Johnsons have been confronted with many problems since they moved to another country.

Address/tackle the problem

If you address or tackle a problem, you are trying to solve it.

The member of the parliament addressed the problem of human rights in the last night’s TV programme.
The United Nations and governments of countries all around the world are trying to tackle environmental problems.

Deal with a problem

If you are dealing with a problem, you are taking concrete actions in order to solve it.

Right now, our company is dealing with a problem of safety at work.
The police have a strategy for dealing with the problem of street riots.

Discuss/debate a problem

To discuss or debate a problem means to exchange your opinions and ideas with another person or a group of people.

The residents of the building discussed littering in the neighbourhood.
One of the most debated problems nowadays is protection against the Coronavirus.

Overcome a problem

If you overcome a problem, you succeed in dealing with it.

He’ll get seriously ill unless he overcomes his problem of overeating.
A way to overcome problems associated with online bullying is to avoid contact with strangers.

The root of the problem

This expression refers to the basic cause of a problem.

I believe that the root of the problem lies in his shyness.
The government is supposed to fight against the root of the problem, not the consequences.

Problem-solving

A compound noun related to the process of finding a solution to a problem.

This course trains people in problem-solving in different situations.
For this position, they expect their new employee to possess good problem-solving skills.

Complication

when the situation becomes more difficult than it was.

The risk of complications occurring due to side effects is reduced.

when something stands in the way of achieving something.

There are so many administrative obstacles that prevent workers from doing their job effectively.

a problematic or distressful situation.

They had a lot of trouble with that Ikea cupboard. The parts just didn’t fit in.

a difficult task that may be interesting because it tests your skills and abilities.

The Olympic basketball team is ready to face the challenges of the competition.

Phrasal verbs related to problems

to take necessary action in order to solve a problem.

We must deal with this problem now before it becomes bigger.
You have to learn how to deal with all kinds of problems if you want to progress in life.

to experience a problem unexpectedly.

The company ran into some serious financial problems and bankrupted in a year.
if you run into difficulties while operating this machine, call the mechanic immediately.

Run up against

when you have to deal with an unexpected problem.

After they launched the new product, they ran up against some unexpected problems.
When Lorna tried to talk to her husband about the problem she ran up against silence.

Knuckle down

to begin to work on something in order to solve a problem.

The police knuckled down to the task of investigating the details of the robbery.
If we knuckle down really hard, we’ll have this presentation ready by the end of next week.

Wrestle with ( a problem)

to try hard to deal with a problem or reach a difficult decision.

Sam had a hard time wrestling with the problems in her marriage – should she divorce or not?
Sara spent most of the afternoon wrestling with her Math homework.

Talk something over

to discuss a problem with someone before making a final decision.

First I need to talk it over with my husband and if we decide to buy a house, we’ll contact you.
If you have digestion problems, you should talk it over with your doctor.

Idioms about problems

Be in dire straits.

a very difficult financial situation.

They met after the war when the country was in serious financial dire straits.
The company is facing dire straits so they’re going to borrow some money from a bank.

Vicious circle

when one problem causes another, which creates even more difficulties.

People on reduction diets often fall into a vicious circle of losing and then gaining weight again.
I wish the vicious circle of poverty and stagnation ends in the world.

Put your foot in it

to say something accidentally so that it causes embarrassment and distress.

I don’t like her at all. Oh sorry, did I put my foot in it? She’s your friend, isn’t she?
Paul was quick to end the conversation before he put his foot in it even more.

Come up against a (brick) wall

to get to a point when you can not go on because something is preventing you from progressing.

Many students come up against a brick wall when they apply for scholarships.
Fiona was working long hours all last week. She’d stopped only when she felt that she came up against a brick wall and couldn’t think clearly.

Fall into place

when things happen without much difficulty.

Once I organized my work well, everything fell into place so I had plenty of time for my leisure activities.
After an extremely complicated plot, everything fell into place at the end of the film.

The light at the end of the tunnel

a ray of hope after a period of worry and difficulties.

When the vaccine against the Coronavirus was invented, humankind could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We managed to solve some really serious problems within the company and now we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Conversation questions for talking about problems in English

The best way to remember new vocabulary is to use it immediately. Therefore, try to discuss these questions with your English speaking partner:

What is the greatest challenge/problem you have faced at school or work so far? How did you overcome it?
Have you ever come up against a brick wall? When and what happened?
Do you deal with your problems by yourself or do you discuss them with someone? Who?
Have you ever got embarrassed by putting your foot in it?
Who do you usually discuss your problems with? Asking for advice?
Have you ever helped anyone solve their problem? Did they take your advice?
Do you think the problem of global warming will be solved in this century?
Do you think the problem of discrimination will stop existing in this century? Why/Why not?
Do you think the problem of poverty and financial difficulties will be solved in this century? Why? Why not?
How can social issues affect society?

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Words to talk about problems and difficulties in English

By Admin 1 Comment

In this English lesson you will learn some of the main words and expressions we use in English to talk about problems and difficulties. This lesson is aimed at people studying B2 level English or above.

A snag is a problem that you might have with a project. It means there has been a setback for the completion time of the project.

For everything to work smoothly you have to overcome many hurdles and obstacles that might get in your way.

Sometimes you don’t see the potential pitfalls and your project hits a stumbling block .

Hardships and adversities are things that we all have to overcome at some stage in our lives.

You might lose you job or have an accident that stops you from leading a normal life.

Maybe you were born in a country with little opportunity and your day-to-day life is an ordeal .

Problem idioms

That same project that I mentioned earlier may have had teething problems when it first started.

You may be in over your head financially.

It might be an uphill battle to stay afloat.

Hopefully you won’t be in a fix for too long and you start to see some green shoots.

If all does go badly and you find yourself up a creek without a paddle , don’t worry. Everything will work its way out.

You will find your way out of the woods .

Watch the video for even more words to talk about problems and difficulties in English.

Here’s another vocabulary lesson for you to look at.

I also have some English courses on curious.com. Please take a look.

Reader Interactions

March 4, 2022 at 4:55 am

As a new teacher, this is handy, thank you!

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

Problem solving.

Level: Upper-intermediate (B2-C1)

Type of English: Business English

Tags: problems at work problems and solutions declaring and diagnosing a problem making suggestions Situation based

Publication date: 09/09/2011

In this lesson, students learn useful language for handling and solving problems at work. Vocabulary for describing different types of problems and solutions is studied. Students then listen to several dialogues and study the expressions used by the speakers to declare and diagnose a problem as well as make suggestions and take action. At the end of the lesson, there is a role play activity in which the language from the lesson is put into practice. There are two animated videos which can be played instead of the dialogue or given to the student(s) as material to take away.

Problem-solving-Ex3

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925 English Lesson 33 – Explaining a Problem

In today’s 925 English video lesson, we’re going to learn how to explain a problem in English.

Much of your work probably involves solving problems. And sometimes we can’t do it alone. But cooperating with someone to solve a problem means explaining it clearly.

Before you explain the problem however, you’ll need to ask for help. Two really useful words in this situation are “would” and “could.” These words help you make polite requests. For example, you might say “could you help me?” or “would you help me with this?” And we can add to these expressions to get longer, even more polite expressions.

925 English is a new series of English video lessons for beginners (CEFR level A2). With 925 English you can learn business English phrases for work.

Related Lessons:

925 English Lesson 38 - Making Arrangements in English

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Adjectives for Problems: Examples & Describing Words

Hey there! Have you ever struggled to find the right words to describe a problem? Well, fret no more! In this article, I’ll be sharing a comprehensive list of adjectives that you can use to describe different types of problems. Whether you’re writing an essay, crafting a story, or simply looking to expand your vocabulary, these descriptive words will help you convey the essence of any problem with precision and flair.

From minor annoyances to major challenges, problems come in all shapes and sizes. And finding the perfect adjective to capture their essence can make all the difference in your writing. So, whether you’re dealing with a daunting dilemma, a perplexing puzzle, or a frustrating setback, I’ve got you covered. Get ready to dive into a world of descriptive words that will take your problem-solving skills to the next level.

Table of Contents

How to Describe problems? – Different Scenarios

When it comes to describing problems, finding the right words is essential. How we describe a problem can greatly impact how others perceive it and, in turn, the solutions we come up with. Here are some different scenarios where descriptive words can play a crucial role in conveying the essence of the problems we encounter:

Everyday Annoyances: We all face minor annoyances in our daily lives. Whether it’s a noisy neighbor or a slow internet connection, using descriptive words can help us express the frustrations we feel. For example, instead of simply saying “my neighbor is loud,” we can add detail with phrases like “my neighbor is excessively loud” or “my neighbor’s noise is incessant .”
Challenging Situations: In some cases, problems can be more significant challenges that require careful consideration and problem-solving skills. When faced with such situations, descriptive words can help us articulate the complexities involved. For instance, saying “I have a difficult project at work” can be enhanced by using words like “I have a demanding project at work” or “I have a project that poses formidable challenges.”
Critical Issues: Occasionally, we encounter problems that have far-reaching consequences and require immediate attention. These critical issues demand that we choose our words carefully to convey the urgency and gravity of the situation. Instead of saying “we have a problem with our system,” we can emphasize the severity by saying “we have a critical problem with our system” or “we are facing a dire issue with our system.”

Remember, the choice of adjectives is crucial when describing problems. It allows us to clearly communicate the nature, intensity, and impact of the issues we face. By using descriptive words effectively, we can enhance our problem-solving skills and foster better understanding and collaboration with others.

Now that we’ve explored different scenarios where descriptive words are essential in describing problems, let’s delve into a comprehensive list of adjectives that can be used to articulate various types of problems.

Describing Words for problems in English

When it comes to describing problems, having the right words is crucial. As a writer and problem solver, I understand the importance of choosing the perfect adjectives to articulate different types of problems. In this section, I will provide you with a diverse range of descriptive words that you can use to enhance your problem-solving skills.

Let’s start with everyday annoyances. These are the minor problems that we encounter on a daily basis. They may be frustrating but are usually manageable. Here are some adjectives you can use to describe these types of problems:

Irritating: a problem that causes annoyance or vexation.
Inconvenient: a problem that causes difficulty or inconvenience.
Pesky: a problem that is bothersome or annoying.

Moving on to challenging situations. These are the problems that require more effort and thought to address. They can be more complex and may take time to resolve. Here are some adjectives you can use to describe these types of problems:

Complicated: a problem that is intricate or difficult to understand.
Puzzling: a problem that is perplexing or confusing.
Tricky: a problem that is challenging or difficult to solve.

Lastly, let’s explore critical issues. These are the problems that have a significant impact and require immediate attention. They can be serious and may have far-reaching consequences. Here are some adjectives you can use to describe these types of problems:

Urgent: a problem that requires immediate action or attention.
Severe: a problem that is serious or intense.
Grave: a problem that is important or significant.

Remember, choosing the right adjectives is essential in accurately communicating the nature, intensity, and impact of a problem. These descriptive words will help you clearly convey the essence of any problem you encounter.

Take a look at the table below for a summary of the adjectives mentioned:

By incorporating these adjectives into your writing, you’ll be able to effectively describe a wide range of problems.

Adjectives for problems

When it comes to describing problems, choosing the right adjectives is crucial. The words we use can convey the nature, intensity, and impact of a problem. In this section, I’ll provide you with a list of adjectives that can be used to describe problems. Let’s dive in!

Positive Adjectives for Problems

While problems may not always have a positive connotation, there are situations where we can use positive adjectives to describe them. Here are twelve examples of positive adjectives that can be used to describe problems:

Negative Adjectives for Problems

On the other hand, there are times when problems are just plain negative. Use these five examples of negative adjectives to describe such problems:

So, the next time you need to describe a problem, consider using these adjectives to accurately convey the nature and impact of the situation. Remember, the words we choose can make a difference in how problems are understood.

Synonyms and Antonyms with Example Sentences

Synonyms for problems.

When it comes to describing problems, it’s important to choose the right words to accurately convey their nature and impact. Here are some synonyms for problems that can help you express different aspects of challenging situations:

Antonyms for problems

In addition to synonyms, antonyms can also be used to describe problems, providing a contrasting perspective. Here are some antonyms for problems that can help convey a sense of ease or resolution:

Remember, choosing the right adjectives to describe problems can help accurately convey their nature and impact. It allows for a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the challenges at hand.

By providing a variety of synonyms and antonyms, we can expand our vocabulary and give a richer description of the problems we encounter. This enables us to communicate more effectively and with clarity.

Choosing the right words to describe problems is essential in effectively conveying their nature and impact. Throughout this article, we have explored a comprehensive list of adjectives that can be used to describe different types of problems. By utilizing synonyms such as difficult, challenging, troublesome, complicated, and daunting, we can paint a vivid picture of the obstacles we face. On the other hand, antonyms like solution, easy, smooth, simple, and effortless provide a contrasting perspective, highlighting the potential for resolution.

By carefully selecting adjectives, we can provide a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the problems we encounter. This allows us to communicate with clarity and precision, ensuring that our message resonates with our audience. Whether it’s in written or spoken form, the power of adjectives cannot be underestimated.

Remember, the words we choose have the ability to shape perceptions and influence the way problems are perceived. So, next time you’re faced with a challenge, take a moment to consider the adjectives you use. It could make all the difference in effectively conveying the true essence of the problem at hand.

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English Vocabulary related to Problems and Advice

Post author: Harry
Post last modified: 06/07/2021
Post category: English Vocabulary
Reading time: 6 mins read

Here you will learn useful English vocabulary phrases related to problems and advice .

Unsure what to say when someone’s facing problems in life? These expressions will help you in English conversations when you’re offering a piece of advice.

By the way, how many words do you know for ‘problem’ in English? Learn 8 other words to say ‘problem’ in English .

Sometimes life throws up problems for us. We lose our job. We get divorced, a family member dies or sometimes it’s not so dramatic but nevertheless it still tests our resolve and our ability to recover.

That got me thinking about English vocabulary related to problems and advice. What are the phrases to use in English to show we can adjust and we can start again?

Intermediate to Advanced English Marathon

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

What you'll learn:
better understanding of more complex grammar structures
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British & American slang
perfect your listening skills through practing different accents
This marathon is for you if you're:
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Meaning: to leave the past behind you and look to the future. Or somebody is leaving a company to get a new job.

This can be both physical or mental.

Moving on in your mind means forgetting the problem and think positive.

You can also physically move towns or cities or even countries.

I have had enough of this job time to move on to something bigger.

Get over it

Meaning: to forget about the problem, accept it and leave it in the past.

Often a phrase a friend will use when giving advice. “Ok, so she left you for another guy.”

Get over it and find another girl. There are plenty out there!

Meaning: to forget about something.

Often a problem stays with us for a long time because we will not let go. Stop the problem letting worry you and make that new start.

If you really want to make a new start you have to let it go.

“Let it go, let it go Can’t hold it back anymore” – sings Elsa from “Frozen”

Leave it all behind

Meaning: to forget about your problem. Something we all would like to do at some time in our lives.

Oh, why don’t we sell up and move away leave it all behind us , for a while anyway!

Make a new start

Meaning: exactly what it says. Start afresh a whole new beginning.

Making a new start is not always easy but it can also be fun.

More Information

For more information on English Expressions, Phrasal Verbs and new Vocabulary Words, check out the following links:

How to Negotiate Price in English

English Fitness Vocabulary

Free learning materials for intermediate and advanced English are always available at Learning English with the BBC

Phrasal Verbs about Crime and Scam

Here you will learn phrasal verbs about crime and scam. We have already reviewed crime and punishment vocabulary, English idioms

Learn common adjectives for size and shape. Advanced English lessons on Zoom and Skype. #learnenglishnglish

Food Phrases and Idioms

Here are some English Food Phrases and Idioms for advanced English learners. We all love food. We love eating it of

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16 problem solving phrases with example + video.

Understanding problem solving phrasal verbs is more than just a language skill; it’s a valuable asset in navigating life’s challenges. According to a recent study conducted by educational experts, individuals who are adept at using problem-solving phrases exhibit a 30% increase in collaborative success. This statistic highlights the importance of effective communication in achieving common goals, whether in group projects at school or collaborative efforts in the workplace.

Furthermore, research shows that students who actively incorporate problem-solving phrasal verbs into their communication demonstrate a 25% improvement in critical thinking skills. These skills are essential for tackling complex problems, as demonstrated by a 2021 analysis of academic performance and problem-solving abilities in various age groups. The ability to articulate and implement solutions becomes a crucial factor in both academic success and future professional endeavors.

In addition, a survey of successful professionals across different industries indicates that 80% attribute their problem-solving prowess, in part, to their effective use of language, including phrasal verbs. This underscores the practical impact of mastering these linguistic tools in real-world scenarios. Learning problem-solving phrasal verbs is not just about linguistic proficiency; it’s a strategic investment in one’s ability to collaborate, think critically, and excel in various aspects of life.

Imagine you break up with your girlfriend or you start a new business and you fail or you want to learn a new language but you can’t. What do you do when you have a problem?

We deal with problems every day, and it goes without saying that solutions are the way to deal with problems. Therefore, learning problem solving phrases can be very useful for your English speaking skill, too.

Phrasal verbs are an inseparable and challenging part of English vocabulary. The best way of learning English phrasal verbs is to learn them in a topic-based approach. In this article, we are going to talk about problem solving phrases , and learn some problem solution phrasal verbs that you can use to talk about this topic.

What is a phrasal verb?

Well, a phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition.

Let’s look at an example:

The price of gas went up.

In this example, “ go up ” is the phrasal verb because it has a part which is the main verb (go) and a part which is a preposition (up).

Now, in this lesson, we are going to learn the most common problem solving phrasal verbs and phrases that you can use to talk about problems and solutions.

Read more: How to improve English vocabulary ?

To work out

Imagine you have a puzzle, and you’re trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together. When we say “work out,” it’s like saying, “Let’s figure out how to make this puzzle complete.”

In everyday life, “work out” is a phrase we use when we’re trying to find a solution to a problem or plan something. For example, if you have a problem with a friend, you might say, “Let’s talk and work out our differences,” meaning let’s find a way to make things better.

So, “work out” is like saying, “Let’s think about it, try different things, and find the best solution or plan for what we’re dealing with.”

To talk something over: Of problem solving phrasal verbs

“ to talk something over ” means to talk about a problem with another person in order to know their opinion or ask for advice about that problem. For example:

“ If I have a problem at work, I would tell my boss that I’d like to talk it over with my wife first. ”

This means first I want to discuss this problem with my wife to know her opinion and ask for her advice, and then I will let you know. Look at this other example.

“Employees had two weeks to talk the proposal over with their families before making a decision.”

This means before making their final decision, they had two weeks to go home, talk to their families about the proposal they were offered at work and then, make their final decision.

To sort something out

This item is also of problem solving phrasal verbs . When you say “ sort something out ” you mean to successfully solve a problem. For example:

“my laptop has a problem and I have to sort it out .”

It means, I have to try to solve my laptop’s problem. Or look at this example:

“We had a productive meeting, I felt we sorted out a lot of problems.”

It means, the meeting was so good that during the meeting we sorted out (we solved) the problems and we found good solutions.

To deal with something or somebody

We use “to deal with something or to deal with somebody “ when we have a problem with somebody or something and we want to solve a problem .

Imagine you are in a very difficult situation, but you have to deal with it . It means, the situation is really difficult , but you have to try hard and solve the problem . You can also use it to talk about people with whom you have an issue. For Example:

“Don’t worry about Jake. I will deal with him myself.”

It means, maybe Jake is going to get angry over what you are going to tell him. But don’t worry, I will deal with him.

Read more: Learn about the most common argument phrasal verbs in English

To iron out

Imagine you have a wrinkled shirt, and you want to make it smooth and nice. When we say “iron out,” it’s like saying, “Let’s fix the wrinkles and make things nice and straight.”

In everyday life, “iron out” is a phrase we use when we want to fix or make something better. It’s like smoothing out problems or difficulties, just like you would smooth out the wrinkles in a shirt with an iron.

For example, if there are disagreements or issues in a plan, you might say, “Let’s talk and iron out the details,” meaning let’s fix any problems or make things clearer.

So, “iron out” is like saying, “Let’s make things smoother and better by working together and fixing any bumps in the road.” It’s a bit like being a problem-solving superhero, making everything nice and tidy!

To face up to something

“To face up to something” is a very common and useful phrasal verb. Attention, this phrasal verb has two prepositions:

When you say “to face up to a problem” or a problematic situation, you mean to accept that there is a problem . You know, most of the time when there is a problem with us or in our lives, we tend to ignore it to say that there is not a big problem.

We try to ignore and avoid problems. But sometimes at some point, we have to face up to the problem, which means we have to accept that there is something wrong . For example:

“She has to face up to the fact that her husband is guilty.”

Now, imagine a wife whose husband is guilty, and she doesn’t want to accept the fact that he’s guilty.

At some point, the police might say “listen ma’am, you have to face up to the fact that your husband is guilty” . It means, you have to accept it. Or let’s take a look at another example:

“They will never offer you another job. You might as well face up to it.”

It means, you have to accept the fact that they are not going to offer you a new job.

To come up with something: Of problem solving phrasal verbs

“To come up with something “ is another handy phrasal verb to talk about problems and solutions. Now listen up, this phrasal verb has two prepositions:

To come up with an idea or to come up with a solution means to think of an idea or to think of a solution . For example:

“We have been asked to come up with some new ideas.”

It means they have asked us to think of something new and to propose the new ideas to them. Or let’s take a look at another example:

“Is that the best you can do? You have to come up with a better solution.”

It means, I’m sure you can do something better. Now, your solution is terrible! You have to come up with a new solution.

To hammer out

Imagine you have a big block of clay, and you and your friend want to turn it into something cool, like a sculpture. When we say “hammer out,” it’s like saying, “Let’s shape and mold this clay by working on it together.”

In everyday life, “hammer out” is a phrase we use when people need to work together to figure things out or make decisions. It’s like using a tool, like a hammer, to shape and create something. Instead of a real hammer, we use talking and discussions to shape ideas and plans.

For example, if a group of people has different opinions and needs to agree on something, they might say, “Let’s sit down and hammer out a solution,” meaning let’s talk and work together until we find an answer everyone is happy with.

So, “hammer out” is like saying, “Let’s work together, talk it through, and shape our ideas until we come up with a good plan or decision.” It’s a bit like being a teamwork artist, creating something awesome together!

To narrow something down

Sometimes, when you are trying to deal with a problem, you might take a piece of paper, grab a pen and start writing down the solutions that come to mind.

There may be hundreds of solutions on your list and you don’t know which one is better than the other one. Confusing. Right?

You cannot solve the problem unless you start narrowing down the solutions.

But what does it mean when you say “to narrow something down”?

It means to try to make the list of things smaller and smaller by crossing out the unnecessary or the worst options on the list. You start narrowing the list down to a few very good solutions.

Imagine your boss has asked you to come up with a couple of possible solutions to a problem. You make a list of 20 solutions, you go to your boss’s office and say: “I have a list of 20 possible solutions.” Your boss says: “20? That’s a lot. You have to narrow the list down to less than five.”

It means you have to cross out 15 possible solutions and give me five very good ones. Or let’s take a look at another example:

“That is quite a long list, you have to narrow it down .”

So far, we’ve learned six English phrasal verbs that you can use to talk about problems or solutions.

How to use problem solving phrases and phrasal verbs?

“Yesterday my boss asked me to move to a new department which was in another city. Well, as a married man, I had to talk it over with my wife to see if we could sort it out somehow. When I told my wife about it, she said that “ You have to deal with it yourself! I don’t want to move to a new city. I have a job here. I have friends and I have a family. I can’t leave them all behind. “ So, I came up with a long list of possible things we could do, and started crossing out the bad ones. In the end, I narrowed it down to two options; either to quit my job or leave without my wife! I had two terrible options. Fortunately, my wife realized that I was also her family, and she faced up to this issue and agreed to come with me!”

In this story, I have used all six problem and solution phrasal verbs.

Let’s learn about more problem solving phrases.

To move on: Of problem solving phrases

Let’s imagine that you’re friend is going through a breakup with his ‎girlfriend. What would you suggest him to do?‎ You can advise him to move on! “To move on” means to go ahead and leave the past behind you and focus on the future . For example:

Hey, what’s the matter?
I saw Jessica with another guy!
Well, you broke up with her, didn’t you?
Yeah, I did, but…..
There’s no but! You need to move on!

To nail down

Imagine you have a bunch of colorful balloons, and you want to tie them down to a weight so they don’t fly away. When we say “nail down,” it’s like saying, “Let’s make sure something is secure and won’t move.”

In everyday life, “nail down” is a phrase we use when we want to make something definite or certain, just like tying balloons so they won’t float away. It’s like saying, “Let’s figure out exactly what we mean or what needs to be done.”

For example, if you and your friends are planning a party and you’re deciding on the date, you might say, “Let’s nail down the date,” meaning let’s decide on a specific date so everyone knows when the party will be.

So, “nail down” is like saying, “Let’s make it clear and certain, like nailing something in place so it doesn’t move around.” It’s a bit like being a planner, making sure everything is set and secure!

To get over something: Of problem solving phrases

Another thing you can ask him to do is to get over it! “To get over something” means to forget about something, to accept it and leave it in the past. For instance:

I can’t believe I saw Jessica with another guy!
Come on! Get over it, she’s not your girlfriend anymore!

Talking about problems in English: To let it go

Another thing you can ask your friend to do is to let it go! “To let go of something” means to leave something go, to forget about it and make a new start.

You know what? It was Jessica’s fault that we broke up!
Oh, for crying out loud, would you let it go?!

To patch up

Imagine you have a favorite stuffed animal, and it gets a little tear. When we say “patch up,” it’s like saying, “Let’s fix and mend that tear so it’s as good as new.”

In everyday life, “patch up” is a phrase we use when we want to repair or mend something, like a friendship or a relationship. It’s like saying, “Let’s work together to make things right again.”

For example, if you and a friend had an argument, you might say, “Let’s talk and patch up our friendship,” meaning let’s have a conversation to fix any problems and make things good between us again.

So, “patch up” is like saying, “Let’s mend and fix things, like patching up a torn favorite toy or making up after a disagreement.” It’s a bit like being a repair person for feelings and relationships!

To leave it all behind: Of problem solving phrases

Another thing you can ask your friend who is dealing with a problem to do is to leave it all behind. It means to start from scratch, to go back to square one, and to create a whole fresh start.

I still can’t believe it! I mean what does Jessica see in that guy anyway?

Oh, God! You have to leave it all behind and focus on your future!

Talking about problems in English: To make a new start

The last thing you can ask your friend to do is to make a new start. “To make a new” start means to start from scratch, to go back to square one, and to create a whole fresh start.

I don’t know what to do after Jessica!
You need to forget about her and make a new start!

Watch this video about problem solving phrases in English

Summery of the lesson: Problem solving phrases and phrasal verbs

✅ work out → To successfully resolve or find a solution to a problem or challenge

✅ talk it over → To talk about a problem with another person to know their opinions

✅ sort it out → To successfully solve a problem

✅ deal with it → To try to solve a problem

✅ iron out → To resolve or smooth out difficulties or disagreements in order to achieve a more harmonious or clear outcome.

✅ come up with → T o accept that there is a problem

✅ hammer out with → To discuss and negotiate in order to reach a final agreement or solution

✅ narrow the list down → T o think of an idea / a solution

✅ face up to → T o make the list of things smaller and smaller by crossing out the unnecessary options

✅ To move on → To go ahead and leave the past behind you and focus on the ‎future

✅ To nail down → To finalize or specify something with precision, making sure all the details are clear and agreed upon

✅ To get over something → To forget about something, to accept it and leave it in the past.

✅ To let it go → To leave something go, to forget about it and make a new start. ‎

✅ To patch up → To mend or repair a relationship or situation after a disagreement or problem.

✅ To leave it all behind → To start from scratch, to go back to square one, and to create a ‎whole fresh start.‎

✅ To make a new start → To start from scratch, to go back to square one, and to create a ‎whole fresh start.‎

Don’t forget to practice all the six problem and solution phrasal verbs! See you in the next lesson!

If you want to learn about more phrasal verbs in English and generally improve your English level, join my online English course .Take this course and level up your speaking, writing, and reading skills.

Looking to improve your IELTS scores? The POC English online IELTS course can help you prepare for the exam with convenience and flexibility. Take this course and get a great score with the help of teacher Maddy.

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The Top 5 Pronunciation Problems and How to Fix Them

pronunciation problems - how to fix them

1. Stressing individual words incorrectly If you usually speak with native English speakers, this will be the number one reason why they misunderstand you. It’s very hard for native English speakers to ‘translate’ a word spoken as ‘caLENdar’ to the way they would pronounce it, ‘CALendar’.

Non-native English speakers don’t have as much of a problem with this, and will probably still understand what you’re trying to say.

Quick fix: Listen carefully to the way people around you pronounce their words. If you hear a pronunciation that is different from yours, check the dictionary (even if it’s a common word) to be sure that you’re stressing it correctly. Some commonly mis-stressed words that I hear (with proper stress in capitals) include: PURchase, COLleague, phoTOGraphy and ecoNOMic. You will also find a number of commonly mispronounced words listed in the ‘How to Pronounce…’ section of this blog.

2. Stressing the wrong words in a sentence. Remember that you can completely change the meaning of a sentence by stressing different words in that sentence. For example, you could say this sentence in a number of different ways:

“I didn’t say we should drive this way.”

If you stress I , you emphasize that taking that route wasn’t your idea. On the other hand, if you stress drive , you emphasize the mode of transport.

If you don’t pay close attention to the words that you stress, you could end up sending a completely different message than the one you intended.

Quick fix: Think about placing added emphasis on the word that is most important to your meaning. You can add emphasis by lengthening the word, saying it slightly louder and/or changing the pitch of your voice slightly. Listen to Part 8 of the Pronunciation Short Course for further discussion.

3. Pronouncing certain consonant sounds incorrectly If people are misunderstanding you, it could very well be due to you confusing what we call ‘voiced’ and ‘unvoiced’ sounds. You might substitute ‘p’ for ‘b’ or ‘t’ for ‘d’, for example. These sounds are so easily confused because their only difference is whether or not you use your voice to produce them. If you aren’t careful, you could be making mistakes like saying ‘tuck’ for ‘duck’ or ‘pay’ for ‘bay’.

Quick fix: Pay attention to how you use your voice when you speak. You should be able to feel the vibration of your vocal cords when you make voiced sounds (b, d, g, v, z, r, l, m, n, ng, dge, zh, and voiced th). You can also try to make lists of pairs of words that use the sounds you find challenging and practice repeating those. Record yourself so you can hear whether you’re making any progress.

4. Mixing up short and long vowel sounds Vowel sounds , like consonant sounds, can also be confused easily. The main problem with vowels happens when you mix up long and short vowel sounds. For example, the long ‘ee’ sound in ‘seat’ with the short ‘i’ sound in ‘sit.’ If you confuse these sounds, you end up saying completely different words. This can get confusing in conversation and forces people to draw much more from the context of your speech than the speech itself.

Quick fix: Make practice word lists like the ones you made for the consonant sounds and practice the sounds that are difficult for you.

5. Forgetting to finish your words Do you have a tendency to let your word endings drop? I often hear people drop the ‘ed’ ending off of words in the past tense, for example. This is a dangerous mistake because not only is your pronunciation wrong, but it also sounds like you’re making a grammatical mistake. People could judge you based on this type of error.

Quick fix: Do everything you can to articulate your word endings. One exercise that might help is to move the word ending onto the front of the following word. This will only work if the following word begins with a vowel sound. For example, try saying ‘talk tuh lot’ instead of ‘talked a lot’. Check out Part 5 of the FREE, 8-part Pronunciation Short Course at http://bit.ly/free8-partproncourse for more information on linking.

SHARE this article with your friends!

SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/heatherhansen

FOLLOW me on Twitter too! http://www.twitter.com/heatherhansen

AND most importantly, REGISTER for the FREE, 8-part Pronunciation Short Course at

http://bit.ly/free8-partproncourse

Please also visit:

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Reader Interactions

March 15, 2011 at 12:25 am

Spot on Heather! If we paid more attention to to the last stop in our communication process, we’d have a lot more clarity and confidence in our representation of the ideas that we’re getting across to other people. I especially like your point (3) about ‘voiced’ and ‘unvoiced’ sounds! I had a ball going through the letters! Oooh … I also like your blog – I’ve been meaning to do one up as well. Perhaps I can ‘bribe’ you with lunch and you bring along your laptop and show me how? 🙂

March 16, 2011 at 1:17 am

Hey Ricky! Thanks for your comments! Glad you enjoyed the voiced and unvoiced sounds! I’ll get back to you over email regarding lunch. 😉

August 10, 2012 at 9:59 pm

This is a great summary of the important points that foreign speakers get stuck on. I am a TESOL graduate student specialising in L2 pronunciation, it’s an emotionally charged issue in addition to be a difficult part of language learning. I see so many students beat themselves up over their pronunciation problems. Thank you for sharing this information.

September 1, 2012 at 2:11 pm

So many people mispronounce Australia. You should have a sixty second guide on how to pronounce Australia.

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6 Common Problems in Learning English and How to Improve Them

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6 common problems in learning english and how to improve them.

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How to improve english vocabulary, 2. confusing spelling, 3. no interaction, or lack thereof, with native speakers, 4. difficult grammar, 5. feeling embarrassed, 6. confusion colloquialisms and slang, 7. pronunciation, how to improve pronunciation, fluent, spoken english is not that difficult of a goal to achieve (conclusion), find top tutors in your area.

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Vocabulary to describe computer problems exercise

Information Technology (IT) now dominate our lives. Both at home and at work we use computers, the internet, printers and mobile phones to make our lives a lot easier. But sometimes they actually make our life worse. There is nothing more frustrating than when a computer isn't working properly (e.g. when you can't move the cursor (the arrow) on the screen) or isn't working at all.

In this online exercise on computers, we will look at the vocabulary in English connected to computers and laptops (portable computers) when they have problems and ways to solve/fix them.

Click here to see more online exercises on English computer vocabulary

Exercise: Technical problems before a meeting

Read the following conversation between Juan and Peter. Peter is having problems with his laptop before giving a short Power Point presentation in a meeting.

From the context, try to guess what the meaning of the words/phrases in bold are. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.

Juan: 'What's happening Peter, you look frustrated?'

Peter: 'My laptop won't turn on . It was working before, I don't know what's wrong!'

Juan: 'Is it plugged in ?'

Peter: 'Yeah, I have connected it to the mains electricity, but that shouldn't be important because the laptop's battery still has charge or power.'

Juan: 'Are you sure that the socket in the wall has power? Try to plug it into another socket.'

Peter: 'I've tried that already and the socket has power. I thought that there may be a problem with the power cable , but it's working fine with the other laptop here.'

Juan: 'I had a problem with my desktop computer last year where the wires had come loose in the power cable. So I had to replace the power cable. You can use my laptop to show it.'

Peter: 'Thanks Juan, but I only saved the presentation to my hard drive . So I can't show the presentation on your laptop.'

Juan: 'Can you remember when I had that problem with my laptop in July. When suddenly the screen froze and the laptop wouldn't respond when I pressed any of the keys on the keyboard or when I moved my finger on the touch pad . Sometimes it recovered and I could continue to use the application, but other times it crashed and stopped working completely. So, I had to reboot the laptop. It was so frustrating, because I sometimes lost all of the work I'd been doing. Then the application didn't load at all, so I couldn't even use it then. The IT Engineer told me it was a software fault with the application. So she just reinstalled the application and it's been working fine.'

Peter: 'I'm happy for you, but I don't have any power to the laptop, so it's not a software fault. It seems like a hardware fault.'

Below is a definition/description of each of the words/phrases in bold from the above text. Now fill in the blanks with one of these words/phrases in bold . Only use one word/phrase once and write it as it is in the text. Click on the "Check Answers" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.

Now that you understand the new vocabulary, practise it by creating your own sentences with the new words/phrases.

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This is me, Chris Clayton, the owner and main writer for Blair English. I'm also a part-time English teacher in sunny Spain. I have a love of history and the web. I hope you find the website useful.

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How to Talk to an Employee Who Isn’t Meeting Expectations

Jenny Fernandez

It’s an opportunity to address the gap between the work they’re delivering and the company’s goals.

Approaching a conversation about improving an employee’s performance requires preparation, empathy, and a focus on collaboration. Even though hearing the truth about their current performance will be tough and potentially hurtful, it’s a teaching moment managers must embrace to help them become more resilient and adept at problem-solving and developing professional relationships. The author offers several strategies for treating difficult performance conversations not as fault-finding missions, but instead as opportunities to work collaboratively to define a shared commitment to growth and development.

As a leadership and team coach, I frequently encounter situations where managers feel ill-equipped to give their team members negative performance feedback. These conversations can be particularly challenging because the stakes are high for both sides. Unfavorable performance reviews and ratings come with tangible consequences for an employee’s compensation and career progression. Further, if the negative feedback is a surprise to them, it might prompt them to start looking for a new job.

Jenny Fernandez , MBA, is an executive and team coach, Columbia and NYU faculty, and future of work and brand strategist. She works with senior leaders and their teams to become more collaborative, innovative, and resilient. Her work spans Fortune 500 companies, startups, and higher education. Jenny has been recognized by LinkedIn as a “Top Voice in Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, and Personal Branding” and was invited to join the prestigious Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches community. She is a Gen Z advocate. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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The most common iPhone 15 problems and how to solve them

Y ou rely on your iPhone 15 for everything. That includes music, movie, and TV show streaming, banking, smart home controls, calendars, reminders, and timers — which is only scratching the surface. Apple’s iOS namesake is faster, more durable, and packed with plenty of power, but that doesn’t mean it can’t run into trouble now and then. Not to worry though: for when a smartphone presents an issue, there’s usually a way to fix it.

And fortunately, a lot of these glitches are shared amongst iPhone owners. There’s a good chance that whatever’s causing your device to work incorrectly has happened to someone else, so today, we’re bringing you this roundup of the five most common iPhone problems, and what you can do to fix them.

iPhone 15 overheating issues

One of the biggest issues with the iPhone 15 has been overheating . However, this problem was originally reported around the release of the phone, when a lot of people were receiving their new iPhones and setting them up — that’s when most of the overheating issues occurred.

It’s pretty typical for a new phone to heat up more than usual when you’re getting everything set up and transferred over. When I got my iPhone 15 Pro and began the restoration process, which involves over 300GB of data, my device got very hot and was still getting warm over the next few days as everything was indexing.

However, the fix for this is pretty easy. Rebooting is the default solution for a lot of technical issues, and it usually works. Another quick fix involves enabling auto-brightness so it’s not always on maximum brightness and instead adjusts to ambient light. Other things that could help are turning off Bluetooth unless you need it, quitting apps that use location services, turning off Wi-Fi and AirDrop, or turning on airplane or Low Power mode.

You might also be using a case on your phone, which can trap excess heat. Removing it temporarily may help it cool down.

I also experienced my iPhone 15 Pro getting very hot in my hand while using it in direct sunlight. If you are outside often in sunny conditions, try to keep the iPhone out of direct sunlight, which would increase the air temperature and, as a result, the heat generated by your phone from normal processes.

Lastly, make sure you’re running the latest version of iOS. Apple was aware of the overheating issue and released a software update with iOS 17.0.3 , which “addresses an issue that may cause iPhone to run warmer than expected.”

If all of that still doesn’t help with the overheating issue, you might just want to give your phone (and yourself) a short break.

Titanium durability concerns

For the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple made a change to the material used in the frame, going from stainless steel to brushed titanium. This change, along with a much more rounded design on the edges, means the iPhone 15 Pro is more lightweight and ergonomic.

However, as it turns out, the titanium design is actually not as durable as the previous stainless steel, as demonstrated in various drop tests over YouTube and elsewhere on the internet.

According to 9to5Mac , the flat design of the stainless steel frame on the iPhone 14 Pro could absorb the impact from a drop, which is a trait of the material. Titanium, however, is more rigid, so any impact needs to be dispersed to other areas on the device, which in this case would mean the front and back glass via spiderweb cracking.

Another issue with the titanium frame that people have noted is what appears to be “discoloration” from fingers touching the frame. This goes away with a simple wipe, though, so it’s not as big of an issue as many people made it appear to be.

Still, if you’re concerned about the durability of the titanium frame, the best fix is to put your iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case. We have recommendations on the best cases for both the regular iPhone 15 Pro and the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max .

Another option is to get AppleCare+, which can cover unlimited incidents of accidental damage, as well as up to two incidents of theft or loss coverage, every 12 months depending on the plan you choose. There’s a cost for each incident, but if you don’t like to use cases, this is your best bet.

Burn-in issues with the iPhone 15 Pro Max

This issue has been popping up, mostly specific to owners of the most expensive iPhone 15 Pro Max model. The problem is OLED burn-in, which is not just an iPhone-specific problem since it can occur on any device with an OLED screen. However, it has become a concern for iPhone 15 Pro Max users.

What is OLED burn-in? It’s basically a ghosting effect, where remnants of whatever was on the screen remain on-screen even after you go to something else. For iPhone users, the burn-in problem shows remnants of keyboards, wallpaper images, app icons, videos, and other static visuals.

But what causes it? The primary cause for this is leaving a fixed image on the screen for an extended period of time, and this is only made worse if the display brightness goes higher. So unless you just constantly leave a static image on your iPhone 15 Pro Max screen for hours at a time, this should be a rare occurrence.

However, sometimes it’s just a defect in the display or a quality control issue. If you are experiencing burn-in issues on your iPhone 15 display, the only real fix is to take it to an Apple Store and get it repaired or replaced.

To make sure that this doesn’t happen to you, don’t leave an image on your screen for too long, especially when you’re outside and the brightness can go to max setting.

Poor battery life

This seems to happen every year, but the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have definitely had slightly poorer battery life than their predecessors.

If you’re experiencing not-so-great battery life on your iPhone 15, you could try a few things. Enabling auto-brightness can help, as this setting adjusts your screen brightness depending on ambient lighting, so you don’t need to have it on max brightness all the time, which would drain the battery faster. Having dark mode also helps reduce battery drain.

Other settings that can help extend battery life throughout the day are disabling background app refresh, turning off location services unless it’s absolutely necessary (Maps, for example), and disabling/limiting notifications. It’s also beneficial to use Wi-Fi as much as possible over cellular data since searching for a good cellular signal takes a toll on battery life.

If all else fails, you can also try restarting your iPhone 15 — a reboot usually helps for a lot of various situations. Lastly, there’s Low Power mode, which disables things like the always-on display and limits the display refresh rate to 60Hz on ProMotion devices to save battery power for essential tasks.

It’s also recommended to check your iPhone 15’s battery health by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging . This will let you know what your battery’s maximum capacity is; a lower capacity can result in reduced battery life between charges. If it’s below 80% within the first year, then it’s most likely a defective battery, and Apple should replace it.

Camera launching with a black screen

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have the new Action button , which replaced the silent/ring toggle. Though the default action for the button is still silent/ring, you can change it to something else if you prefer, and one of those actions is launching the Camera app. Of course, those who have the regular iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus don’t have the Action button, but you can still quickly launch the Camera app from the lock screen shortcut.

But have you ever encountered a black screen once your camera launched? I have my Action button set to the Camera, and I’ve gotten that annoying black screen more than once in my time with the iPhone 15 Pro.

The only way to fix it is to quit the Camera app or lock the device and try again, unfortunately. It’s unclear why this happens in the first place, as it seems to be random. While the fix is easy enough, it is annoying to deal with as that moment you were trying to capture may be gone by the time you get the camera working again.

Wi-Fi connectivity issues

Many users have reported Wi-Fi connection issues with the iPhone 15. Cases range from slow internet performance to dropped connections, which is par for the course with many smartphones. Luckily, there’s a few things you can try to remedy your Wi-Fi woes.

First, simply try restarting your iPhone to see if a hard reset clears out the cobwebs. If your network issues persist, the next thing you should do (if you’re not using public Wi-Fi) is to reset your internet hardware. In most cases, this is just a modem/router combo. Once you’re back online, try using your iPhone again to see if it performs any better.

We’ve also heard a lot of talk about the iCloud Private Relay feature causing poor network performance. When enabled, Private Relay splits and encrypts your internet traffic, as a means of safeguarding your network. iCloud+ subscribers have this function toggled on by default, and it’s pretty easy to shut it down. Just go to Settings > iCloud > iCloud+ , then slide the toggle next to Private Relay to the off position.

The iPhone 15 series is great but not perfect

There’s always hype surrounding Apple’s new iPhone releases, and the iPhone 15 series is no exception. It seems to be a commercial success, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. As you can see, there have been several issues with the devices already, and it’s only been out for several months.

The good news is that most of the problems are pretty easy fixes that you can remedy yourself. The only one that we mentioned that requires a trip to the Apple Store is the burn-in issue, but that one should not be one to really worry about unless your display is defective.

Does the iPhone 15 come with a warranty?

Even if you didn’t purchase AppleCare+, and are having persistent issues with your iPhone 15, you may still be able to have the phone service under its manufacturer warranty. And whether you’re buying the base model or the iPhone 15 Pro Max, each model comes with a one-year limited warranty for hardware coverage, and 90 days of free technical support.

The most common iPhone 15 problems and how to solve them

NYT Connections Answers And Hints - May 23, 2024 Solution #347

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Category hints, today's answers.

It's a new day and that means a new puzzle wall to solve in the New York Times's Connections game. If you're looking to save your streak and only want to nail down that last pesky category, don't worry - we have all the hints you could need.

10 Best Indie Puzzle Games

If you like some innovative and original puzzle-solving games, you can't go wrong with our selection of indie titles.

You'll find everything you need below, from vague hints as to what you should be looking for to the outright answers. Whether you're looking for a nudge in the right direction or a sneaky way to preserve your blemish-free record, you've come to the right place.

If you're here by mistake and instead need the answers for May 22 , click here .

Today's puzzle is on the easier side.

We'll present these hints from the easiest category to the hardest , as prescribed by the puzzle itself - Yellow, Green, Blue, then Purple.

If you want today's category hints, click below ! These will not spoil the actual names of the categories but will nudge you in the right direction.

Today's yellow category relates to actions that might screw someone over. Think 'opportunists'.

Today's green category relates to completion.

Today's blue category deals with journalism and typical journalistic departments.

Today's purple category has words that have a particular type of hidden word within them.

Herring Watch : Clubs and Dairy are not categories to look out for.

This one was a rough one - we ended up losing with only two categories complete.

If you want today's answers, click below !

Today's answers are listed below:

Yellow Category : Take Advantage Of

Exploit, Leverage, Milk, Use

Green Category : Finished, As Time

Done, Over, Through, Up

Blue Category : Newspaper Desks

City, Copy, Culture, Sports

Purple Category : Words Beginning With Greetings

Heyday, Hijinks, Supper, Yogurt

Mobile Games That Can Improve Your Vocabulary

These mobile word games can help you learn new words and expand your vocabulary.

Indie Games

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Publication date: 09/09/2011. In this lesson, students learn useful language for handling and solving problems at work. Vocabulary for describing different types of problems and solutions is studied. Students then listen to several dialogues and study the expressions used by the speakers to declare and diagnose a problem as well as make ...
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Everyday Problems
Now try to remember the words and phrases that describe the everyday problems in the lesson. For questions 1 to 10, you will see a phrase to describe each problem and you need to write one missing word. The problems are in the same order as the lesson, and you will see a picture to help you. You can also click 'Hint' to see what sort of ...
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This lesson asks students to use the math skills they are learning and applying them by creating word problems for their peers to solve. Objectives. Students will: —Select one more more math operations to use in a word problem; —Produce multi-step word problems that their classmates can solve; —Solve word problems created by their classmates.
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English Vocabulary related to Problems and Advice
Let it go. Meaning: to forget about something. Often a problem stays with us for a long time because we will not let go. Stop the problem letting worry you and make that new start. If you really want to make a new start you have to let it go. "Let it go, let it go. Can't hold it back anymore" - sings Elsa from "Frozen".
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Summery of the lesson: Problem solving phrases and phrasal verbs. work out → To successfully resolve or find a solution to a problem or challenge. talk it over → To talk about a problem with another person to know their opinions. sort it out → To successfully solve a problem.
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What Causes Lack of Vocabulary? (6 Common Mistakes to Avoid)

Factors influencing vocabulary acquisition and development

Psychological factors that can cause a lack of vocabulary

Language acquisition and early childhood experiences

Phonological development

Lexical development

Morpho-syntactic development

Cognitive abilities and learning styles

Leveling-sharpening

Field dependence and field independence

Reflectivity and impulsivity

Cognitive Vocabulary Approach (CVA)

Learning disabilities and developmental disorders

Sociocultural factors that hinder vocabulary acquisition

Poor educational resources and opportunities

Low exposure to language environments

Cultural background

Defficitary teaching techniques

Shallow reading and lack of engagement

Environmental factors affecting vocabulary growth

Lack of reading habits

Limited social interactions and communication opportunities

Technological influences on vocabulary development

Impact of digital media and screen time

Language learning applications

Common mistakes to avoid if you want to enrich your vocabulary

1. Learning new words without reviewing them

2. Learning too many new words at once

3. Practicing shallow reading

4. Lack of testing vocabulary acquisition

5. Using a single method of learning new vocabulary

6. Relying too much on antonyms and synonyms

Strategies for overcoming a lack of vocabulary

Create a daily reading routine to expand your vocabulary

Expose yourself to diverse literature

Learn active reading techniques for vocabulary enrichment

Use word learning strategies and mnemonic devices

Use Accelareader for vocabulary development

Create vocabulary flashcards to increase word knowledge

Practice vocabulary learning in writing

Takeaway: Unlocking the path to enriching your vocabulary

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Learning English with Oxford

1. Organise your learning materials

2. Get out of your comfort zone

3. Learn from your mistakes

4. Watch daily videos on YouTube

5. Read your favourite books in English

6. Follow social media accounts that help you learn English

7. Learn a few poems and recite them

8. Try thinking in English

9. Fall in love with the process

10. Take the Oxford Test of English

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Author: Oxford University Press ELT

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6 Strategies for Tackling Unfamiliar Words, Suggested by Students

Try These Six Strategies for Tackling Unfamiliar Words

Talking about Problems in English

Collocations related to problems

Address/tackle the problem

Deal with a problem

Discuss/debate a problem

Overcome a problem

The root of the problem

Problem-solving

Other ways to talk about a problem

Complication

Phrasal verbs related to problems

Run up against

Knuckle down

Wrestle with ( a problem)

Talk something over

Idioms about problems

Vicious circle

Put your foot in it

Come up against a (brick) wall

Fall into place

The light at the end of the tunnel

Conversation questions for talking about problems in English