4.2.9

Empty & Broken

Test yourself

Vac - Empty

Words beginning with 'vac' generally mean being empty.

Illustrative background for VacateIllustrative background for Vacate ?? "content

Vacate

  • To vacate means to leave somewhere so that it becomes empty (of people).
    • Example: When the fire alarm went off, the workers vacated the building immediately.
    • Alternative: When the fire alarm went off, the workers cleared out of the building immediately.
Illustrative background for VacuumIllustrative background for Vacuum ?? "content

Vacuum

  • A vacuum is a space with no matter in it. A vacuum also means a lack of something.
    • Example: Outer space is a vacuum.
    • Alternative: There is no matter in outer space.
Illustrative background for VacuousIllustrative background for Vacuous ?? "content

Vacuous

  • Vacuous means empty. When used to talk about people, vacuous can mean unintelligent ('empty' headed).
    • Example: My grandma had a vacuous expression on her face when I opened the door.
    • Alternative: My grandma had an empty expression on her face when I opened the door.

Frac - Breaking

Words beginning with 'frac' or 'frag' generally refer to breaking.

Illustrative background for FractureIllustrative background for Fracture ?? "content

Fracture

  • To fracture is to crack or break. A fracture is a crack or break in a hard object.
    • Example: Kenji fractured his clavicle playing rugby.
    • Alternative: Kenji broke his collarbone playing rugby.
Illustrative background for FractionIllustrative background for Fraction ?? "content

Fraction

  • A fraction is a small portion of the whole. Think of a fraction like a broken off bit of a broken whole!
  • In maths, a fraction is a broken up whole number.
    • Example: She closed her eyes for a fraction of a second but still missed seeing the bird.
    • Alternative: She closed her eyes for a split second but still missed seeing the bird.
    • Example: 12\frac{1}{2} is a fraction.
Illustrative background for FragmentIllustrative background for Fragment ?? "content

Fragment

  • To fragment is to break something up into pieces.
  • A fragment is a broken off piece of something.
    • Example: The shop floor was covered in fragments of glass.
    • Alternative: The shop floor was covered in pieces of glass.

Dur - Hard

Words beginning with 'dur' generally refer to something being hard or lasting.

Illustrative background for DurationIllustrative background for Duration ?? "content

Duration

  • Duration is the length of time something lasts.
    • Example: I slept for the duration of the maths class.
    • Alternative: I slept for the length of the maths class.
Illustrative background for DuringIllustrative background for During ?? "content

During

  • During either means from the start to finish of a specific time period (while a time period 'lasts') or at some point during a specific time period.
    • Example: During Ramadan, most Muslims fast.
    • Alternative: Throughout Ramadan, most Muslims fast.
    • Example: The police officer was shot during the raid.
    • Alternative: The police officer was shot at some point in the raid.
Illustrative background for DurableIllustrative background for Durable ?? "content

Durable

  • Something that's durable can last a long time.
    • Example: I'm glad I bought these boots - they're made of such durable leather!
    • Alternative: I'm glad I bought these boots - they're made of such long-lasting leather!
Illustrative background for DuressIllustrative background for Duress ?? "content

Duress

  • Duress are threats ('hard' actions) or other violent actions used to get people to do things against their will.
    • Example: The robber committed the crime under duress.
    • Alternative: The robber committed the crime under pressure.

Jump to other topics

1Spelling

2Punctuation

3Grammar

3.1Word Classes

3.2Conjunctions

3.3Writing Coherently

3.4Verbs

3.5Modal Verbs

3.6Phrasal Verbs

3.7Subjunctive Verbs

3.8Sentences

3.9Tenses

3.10Adverbials

3.11Language Techniques

4Decoding Words

5Reading & Writing

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium