English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook Vocabulary Reference and Practice 3rd Edition

Other useful words for talking about language
Many words in English are 
polysemous. 
[they have a number of different meanings]
The meaning will 
usually be clear from its 
context. 
[the language or situation around it]
Words are often used in a 
metaphorical way – a way that is not literal, e.g. 
to see the light
, meaning 
‘to understand something’ rather than literally to see a light.
Language 
usage inevitably changes with time. 
[the way words are used]
Some words become 
obsolete 
while new words are 
coined. 
[fall out of use]
[of words, created]
Any language has a number of different 
registers. 
[style of language used in a particular situation, e.g. 
formal, informal]
Jargon is used to describe a specific type of language that is used by a particular 
group of people sharing a job or interest, e.g. 
military jargon, computer jargon.
Using language well or badly
Someone who uses language well can be described as 
articulate 
[able to express their ideas clearly in 
words]
or 
eloquent. 
[able to express ideas or opinions clearly, in a way that may influence others]
They may 
express something in a 
succinct way 
[clearly and using few words]
, and they may always be able to 
think of the 
mot juste. 
[French for ‘correct word’ – exactly the right word or phrase for a particular situation]
Someone who does not use language well can be described as 
inarticulate. 
[unable to express their 
ideas clearly in words]
If you are 
speechless or lost for words, you are so surprised that you are 
unable to say anything. If you