🔁 Opposites 1: Verbs and Adjectives
📘 Introduction
Understanding and using opposites is essential for developing rich, fluent English. Opposites help you clarify meaning, make comparisons, and express contrast effectively in both written and spoken communication.
🧠 Key Vocabulary
| Word | Opposite | Example |
|---|---|---|
| fail | succeed | The project failed due to poor planning. / It succeeded beyond expectations. |
| solid | liquid | Ice is solid, water is liquid. |
| temporary | permanent | He got a temporary job. / She has a permanent contract. |
| blunt | sharp | The knife is blunt. / Be careful, it’s sharp! |
| reward | punish | They rewarded him for honesty. / He was punished for lying. |
| private | public | This is a private conversation. / It was announced publicly. |
✍️ Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences with Opposites
Use the correct opposite of the word in bold to complete each sentence:
- A project can fail or it can ________.
- An object can be solid or it can be ________.
- A job can be temporary or it can be ________.
- A knife can be blunt or it can be ________.
- You can reward someone or ________ them.
- Some things should remain private, others should be made ________.
- A surface may be rough or ________.
- Calculations might be exact or ________.
- You can lend something or ________ it.
- A person can be innocent or ________.
- You can postpone a meeting or ________ it.
- A major injury or a ________ one.
- Deep water vs. ________ water.
- Professional athletes vs. ________ players.
- Students absent vs. ________.
- Natural flavors vs. ________ ones.
- Accept an offer vs. ________ it.
- Create something vs. ________ it.
- Admit wrongdoing vs. ________ it.
📚 Tips for Learners
- Practice writing sentences with both the word and its opposite.
- Use flashcards to test your memory of opposites.
- Group words by category: actions, qualities, people, etc.
- Pair new words with their antonyms while reading or watching English videos.
