Explanations
Sometimes longer explanations, rather than definitions, provide the context you need to understand a word or phrase. Explanations are not always preceded by a signal word or phrase, so be alert.
The manager was ignorant of the facts. The staff had not provided her with the necessary information.
The explanation that the staff had not given her information tells us that ignorant means "uninformed" or "unaware."
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
Now try the next two examples yourself. Write a definition of the italicized word in each of the following sentences, using the blank space provided.
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The machine operator was negligent. He did not pay attention to what he was doing.
negligent:
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A1:
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The explanation that the operator did not pay attention tells us that negligent means "inattentive" or "careless."
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The comments were irrelevant. They had nothing to do with the topic under discussion.
irrelevant:
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A2:
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In this example, irrelevant means "unrelated" or "not pertinent."
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