Teach
What it means
To help another person acquire knowledge, judgment, or a skill.
Reach for it when describing instruction that enables understanding or independent performance
The workshop will teach residents how to test smoke alarms safely.
Words to choose between 8
| everyday |
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|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
show
Fits when a quick demonstration is enough
Careful Showing a process does not prove the learner can explain or repeat it.
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warm
coach
Fits when feedback improves an existing performance over time
Careful Coaching usually assumes an active performer rather than a beginner learning core knowledge.
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professional
instruct
Fits when structured directions or formal lessons are central
Careful One-way instruction can occur even when the learner gains no understanding.
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professional
Fits when guidance extends to judgment, confidence, and a longer relationship
Careful Mentoring is broader and more personal than teaching a defined lesson.
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professional
Fits when repeated practice develops reliable performance
Careful Training stresses execution and may omit the reasoning a teacher helps someone understand.
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formal
Fits when broad knowledge or intellectual development is intended
Careful Educate is too expansive for showing one practical technique.
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formal
Fits when individual or small-group instruction is meant
Careful Tutoring names a teaching arrangement, not every act of helping someone learn.
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literary
Fits when new understanding dispels a serious misconception
Careful Enlighten can sound patronizing and is unsuitable for routine instruction.
Opposites 3
- mislead
- confuse
- withhold
Common phrases 3
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teach a skill
Experienced volunteers teach a skill only after explaining its safety limits.
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teach children
The garden project will teach children how soil retains water.
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teach by example
Good supervisors teach by example when the schedule becomes difficult.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated