When you read a book, do you stop yourself and look up for meanings of unknown w

1. 79

   sriparnaposted 11 years ago

   When you read a book, do you stop yourself and look up for meanings of unknown words?
   
   When you read a book, do you stop yourself and look up for meanings of unknown words in the dictionary or finish the book by relating the words in context or note down the new words, whose meanings you look up later. Which one do you think is better when you don't want to lose the joy of continued reading and also want to understand all the vocabulary?

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2. 80

   dghbrhposted 11 years ago

   Some times, yes i do prefer to check a dictionary for unknown words. But many times I just prefer to check on the dictionary in the Mobile phone as well as online when I am online for that matter. Though it may not sound very advisable but being always in short of time does not allow me the luxury of checking the dictionary which i prefer as it gives a complete knowledge of the word.
   Thank you...its a good question to answer.

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   Garifaliaposted 11 years ago

   Never, and I always have unknown words. Depending on how good a writer is, the meaning usually unfolds from the context.

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   Keith Hamposted 11 years ago

   Not usually, I'm actually okay with words. However, if its something I don't know I will... I guess that is a yes? confusing.

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   Rebecca2904posted 11 years ago

   Normally it's possible to work out from context, but when it isn't then I will look it up. It's always great to know more words! I usually check the meanings of English words online as a quick google search is a lot easier to do than to trawl through a dictionary, and it's much easier for me to tell if I'm getting an accurate definition in my mother tongue. With German words I'll normally look the word up in a good dictionary as I prefer to get the true meaning from an authoritative source.

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   Matthew Weeseposted 11 years ago

   Yes, it go's with being a poet, if there is a word i do not know I have to know what it means, maybe later on i will incorporate it into one of my poems.

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, all of you. Nice to know what you'll do, I do feel the same, it's important to know new words but sometimes I feel pausing takes away the fun of continued reading, so I ignore until later.

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   sassydeeposted 11 years ago

   yes when I read a text book or if I am reading a novel I will look it up at the end of the chapter if I have no clue what the meaning is!

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   Gamerelatedposted 11 years ago

   I typically read books in front of my computer with an online dictionary page open just in case I need to look up words.  I like to look up words quickly and them move on.  I find that having an online dictionary open minimizes the disruption of having to look up words.  Minimizing the disruption helps me maintain a flow in my reading.

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   edhanposted 11 years ago

   Yes. I normally will write down those words and check out on dictionary for its meaning. It is always great to learn new words and its meanings.

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      sassydeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      a great way to build up your vocabulary

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    Ciel Clarkposted 11 years ago

    If I am reading in English and find a word I don't know, I am intrigued.  I would say it happens rarely.  (One recent exception was reading "The Singularity is Near").
    Even if I can guess the general meaning, I turn a tiny corner down on that page-- and then look up the word when I'm done with the book. 
    
    (and then of course smooth out that corner so the next reader has smooth pages:)
    
    If I'm reading in a different language, I usually just look up unknown words if they are  repeated.

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    WritingPromptsposted 11 years ago

    No.  Neither.  I always mean to start this habit, but I usually get caught up in what I'm reading and just guess at new words as I go.  I just got a Kindle and that built-in dictionary is so cool.  But to be honest, I don't use it when I'm reading either - only when I'm playing around with the dictionary feature (which involves skimming pages for unfamiliar words rather than actual reading.)
    
    I suppose the best way, if I really wanted to get that habit of learning new words would be to do the skimming and looking up part first, then read for information or enjoyment after I've learned the unfamiliar words.

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    Claudia Marieposted 11 years ago

    Yes, it helps me understand what I am reading and it expands my vocabulary.

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    taazakhabarposted 11 years ago

    No the truth is that I have rarely stopped midway and tried to look up the meaning of a word. Invariably most people try to guess the meaning or the context in which the word has been used and then later when they get the time consult the dictionary.  But in case you are online it is a different ball game as you can simultaneously look up the meaning in a new tab

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    GoodWorldposted 11 years ago

    Yep, both. When I am reading a study book, e.g. "21st Century Science and Health," I stop and look up words on the spot. I even create a vocabulary list. However, when I am reading a book for entertainment, I relate words in context.

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    movielardatadareposted 11 years ago

    When I read a book I stop myself and look up meanings for the unknown words.  I either use a dictionary or wikipedia or some other online dictionary.  The reason I don't keep reading is because I know that word will keep on bugging me where I keep trying to figure it out.  I think it's better to stop and look up the word so that you know what the writer is trying to convey.

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    Mazzy Boleroposted 11 years ago

    Sometimes I don't bother but it's better if you do. Not only do you understand what you are reading better, but as if by magic that word starts cropping up all over the place and you realize you must have been ignoring it for years.

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    umbertoobrianposted 11 years ago

    I can usually discern meaning from context but when unable to do so, I stop and look up the word. Always.  Reading should be a vocabulary building exercise.

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    garage-remotesposted 11 years ago

    I only stop to look up words when I'm reading my Kindle. I'll jot down unknown words I come across in print and keep them in a journal to review later.

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    Hector Rosalesposted 11 years ago

    Absolutely. Although it happens rarely but when it does I stop reading and look up the word. I need to know what I'm reading. My daughter is in the 4th grade and every now and then she brings home a different book - whatever her teacher assigned the class. I try to read with her as much as I can and she's an excellent reader but sometimes I become suspicious of certain words so I stop her and ask her if she knows what they mean. If she doesn't I make her look them up.

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       sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Excellent to see so many answers and to learn about your ways of building vocabulary without losing the flow of reading. Thanks a lot!

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    Alex Longswordposted 11 years ago

    What I've done is that I write down unknown words and figure out the meaning by context, then after reading the book look up all the unknown words in the dictionary with examples, this way would be difficult to forget the meaning of the word.

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