Wordsmith collection

Intermediate English Learner

by Wordsmith @wordsmith

180 core B1-B2 words every intermediate learner needs — the connectors, verbs and adjectives that unlock fluent, natural English.

• determine To set the boundaries or limits of.
• due to Caused by; resulting from; because of.
• additionally By way of addition; in addition to; also.
• unless Except on a specified condition; if not.
• hence From here, from this place, away.
• progress Movement or advancement through a series of events, or points in time; development through time.
• related Standing in relation or connection.
• increase An amount by which a quantity is increased.
• frequently At frequent intervals.
• improve To make (something) better; to increase the value or productivity (of something).
• proper Suitable.
• analyze To subject to analysis.
• reliable Suitable or fit to be relied on; worthy of dependence, reliance or trust; dependable, trustworthy
• plan A drawing showing technical details of a building, machine, etc., with unwanted details omitted, and often using symbols rather than detailed drawing to represent doors, valves, etc.
• strategy The science and art of military command as applied to the overall planning and conduct of warfare.
• approach An act of drawing near in place or time; an advancing or coming near.
• mainly Chiefly; for the most part.
• fundamental Related to a foundation, base, or basis; serving as a foundation.
• especially In a special manner; specially.
• thus In this way or manner.
• evident Obviously true by simple observation.
• relatively In a relative manner; with reference to environment or competition; contextually or comparatively.
• adjust To modify.
• subsequently Following, afterwards in either time or place.
• permanent Without end, eternal.
• underline Passing under a railway line.
• avoid To try not to meet or communicate with (a person); to shun.
• aspect Any specific feature, part, or element of something.
• adapt Adapted; fit; suited; suitable; apt.
• preference The selection of one thing or person over others (with the main adposition being "for" in relation to the thing or person, but possibly also "of")
• maintain To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.).
• besides Also; in addition.
• cause Alternative form of 'cause; because
• eventually In the end; at some later time, especially after a long time, a series of problems, struggles, delays or setbacks.
• affordable Able to be afforded; inexpensive or reasonably priced.
• mostly Mainly or chiefly; for the most part; usually, generally, on the whole.
• literal Exactly as stated; read or understood without interpretation; according to the letter; not figurative or metaphorical; following the letter or exact words; not taking liberties; etymonic rather than idiomatic.
• contrast A difference in lightness, brightness or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable.
• ultimately Indicating the last item.
• offer A proposal that has been made.
• develop To discover, find out; to uncover.
• meanwhile During the time that something is happening, often specifically in a different place.
• decide To resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle.
• approximately Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.
• affect A subjective feeling experienced in response to a thought or other stimulus; mood, emotion, especially as demonstrated in external physical signs.
• involve To have (something) as a component or a related part; to comprise, to include.
• despite Disdain, contemptuous feelings, hatred.
• adequate Equal to or fulfilling some requirement.
• extend Misspelling of extent.
• basic Necessary, essential for life or some process.
• partially To a partial degree or extent, incompletely.
• otherwise Other than supposed; different.
• current Existing or occurring at the moment.
• contemplate To look at on all sides or in all its aspects; to view or consider with continued attention; to regard with deliberate care; to meditate on; to study, ponder, or consider.
• issue The action or an instance of flowing or coming out, an outflow
• broaden To make broad or broader.
• benefit An advantage; help or aid from something.
• conventional Pertaining to a convention, as in following generally accepted principles, methods and behaviour.
• previously First; beforehand, in advance.
• major Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.
• examine An act of examining.
• condition A state or quality.
• ensure To make sure or certain of something (usually some future event or condition).
• illustrate To clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison.
• exemplify To show or illustrate by example.
• represent To present again or anew; to present by means of something standing in the place of; to exhibit the counterpart or image of; to typify.
• minor Lesser, smaller in importance, size, degree, seriousness, or significance compared to another option, particularly
• allow To let one have as a suitable share of something.
• contain To hold inside.
• propose An objective or aim.
• solution A homogeneous mixture, which may be liquid, gas or solid, formed by dissolving one or more substances.
• scarce Uncommon, rare; difficult to find; insufficient to meet a demand.
• assist A helpful action or an act of giving.
• nevertheless In spite of what preceded; yet.
• extremely To an extreme degree.
• expensive Having a high price or cost.
• support Something which supports.
• prevent To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).
• instead In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative.
• essential Necessary.
• moreover In addition to what has been said.
• outcome That which is produced or occurs as a result of an event or process.
• lack A deficiency or need (of something desirable or necessary); an absence, want, dearth.
• tendency A likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction; a tending toward.
• largely In a widespread or large manner.
• method A process by which a task is completed; a way of doing something (followed by the adposition of, to or for before the purpose of the process).
• include A piece of source code or other content that is dynamically retrieved for inclusion in another item.
• provide To make a living; earn money for necessities.
• reduce To bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something; to diminish, to lower.
• reinforce To strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation.
• beforehand In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.
• consist A lineup or sequence of railroad carriages or cars, with or without a locomotive, that form a unit.
• achieve To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance.
• relevant Related, connected, or pertinent to a topic.
• primarily Of a primary or central nature, first and foremost.
• valid Well-grounded or justifiable, pertinent.
• decrease An amount by which a quantity decreases or is decreased.
• overall All-encompassing, all around.
• because On account, for sake [with of].
• alternative Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.

Definitions from Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0) and Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).