How to Improve Your Vocabulary?

You can start by learning the distinction between common words that are often confused. A quick perusal through a nearby Borders or Barnes & Noble (or nearby independent bookstore) will reveal at least one, and probably several books that list pairs of commonly used words that are difficult to keep straight. There'll contain all sorts of other useful English Grammar and usage tips too that you can delve into after you have mastered the words, pair by pair. In addition, there are some books that are strictly about Vocabulary improvement. They'll contain most of the words that get to confuse easily and many more to enjoy after that.

There's more than one way in order to improve your Vocabulary. You don't have to spend hours pouring over a dictionary. You don't have to learn all sorts of fancy or unusual words like "Oneiromancy" -- Divination by means of dreams; Dollybird -- A pretty and young woman; and Troposphere -- A portion of the atmosphere below the stratosphere. You really don't have to return to College and major in English.

So, let's begin now with below 6 examples that will help you decide if this is where you need to begin to improve your Vocabulary, read below:

Do you know the difference between "Alter" and "Altar"?

Alter is a Verb, and it means "To change". Altar is a Noun, and it's a place of Worships.

How about "Stationery" and "Stationary"? Which one means writing material?

If you answered "Stationery", you are correct. Where "Stationary" means fixed or not moving.

Next, what about "Talisman" and "Talesman"? Which one has something to do with our Judicial System?

Correct again if you have said "Talesman", who is a person summoned to make up the required number of Jurors, where "Talisman" is a Charm.

Which one of these is correct? "All right" or "Alright"?

If you picked "All right", you are right! There is no such word as "Alright".

What about "Afterward" and "Afterwards"?

You might have been tricked by me here. Both words are correct.

Here's a Trio that confuses many: "Credulous", "Credible" and "Creditable". What are their different meanings?

"Credulous" -- Means ready to believe when the evidence is uncertain.
"Credible" -- Describes something that is worthy of acceptance.
"Creditable" -- It is a synonym for praiseworthy.

Now, if you have known all of these already, you're way beyond the beginner stage. You'll need more advanced guidance to improve your Vocabulary. Even the most advanced among us probably have to look up many a word in graduate-level College texts. That's one method of Vocabulary improvement, looking up words in difficult texts, but those words certainly are not the sort that will trip you up in everyday communication. For that purpose, the Grammar and Vocabulary improvement guides at the local or online Bookstore are a great place to begin.