*All definitions have been sourced from the Longman dictionary.
Here are some useful verbs to use when speaking or writing.
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rank (verb):
1. to have a particular position in a list of people or things
Examples: Seattle ranks as one of the best places to live in the United States.
Singapore ranks among the safest countries in the world.
Johnson and Johnson ranks among the ten largest drug companies
in the world.
Question: 1. Which countries rank among the safest in the world?
- to decide the position of someone or something on a list based on quality or importance
Examples: It’s not easy to rank the players in order of ability.
a person or thing can be ranked second/sixth/number two, etc.
Examples: Canada is ranked third in the world in terms of quality of life.
Spain is ranked fifth in the world for installed wind power.
Italy is ranked tenth in the world for overall GDP.
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issue (verb):
1. to officially publish or announce something
*A government, company, or organization can issue a statement, issue a warning, issue a
report, issue a press release, issue an apology, issue recommendations, or issue guidelines.
Examples: The government issued a statement regarding the new tax regulations.
The bank issued a warning about potential phishing scams.
The health department issued guidelines for safe food handling.
The government issued a travel advisory for specific regions in the country.
Question: 1. Should governments issue guidelines on ethical behavior for businesses to
follow?
- To give or produce something official
Examples: The Canadian government issued more than three million passports last year.
The City of Toronto issued permits for the construction project.
The Government of Canada issued new bonds to finance the national debt.
Mary and Joe were issued visas for their trip to China.
Question: 1. When was the last time you were issued a new credit card?
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refrain (verb) (formal):
to not do something that you want to do
refrain from doing something
Examples: Please refrain from smoking in this area.
The cake smelled so good, but I refrained from eating a second slice.
We refrained from talking until we knew we would not be overheard.
When we were hiking, I wanted to venture off the marked trail, but I refrained.
Question: 1. Is it hard for you to refrain from eating certain foods because they taste so
good? If so, which foods?
What is the difference between ‘abstain’ and ‘refrain’?
Both abstain and refrain relate to not doing something, but there are subtle differences.
Abstain often implies a longer-term choice to avoid something. For example, you might abstain
from smoking completely. Refrain, on the other hand, can be used for both temporary and
long-term situations. You could refrain from smoking during a performance. Refrain is more
commonly used for avoiding actions, while abstain can be used for avoiding both actions and
things (like food or substances). Abstain can suggest a stronger willpower or effort involved in
avoiding something.
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impose (verb):
1. to force someone to accept something, especially a rule, a tax, or a punishment
*A government or someone in authority imposes something on someone, for example,
a municipal government may impose a ban on riding e-scooters.
Examples: The government imposed a strict curfew on local residents.
The company imposed a dress code on all its employees.
Regulators imposed a two million dollar fine on the company for
violating anti-money laundering regulations
The city government is imposing a higher tax on homeowners.
Question: 1. Should parents ever impose a “screen time” limit on their children?
- to force someone to have the same ideas or beliefs as you
Examples: Some parents impose their career choices on their children.
Parents should not impose their dreams on their children.
He doesn’t want to impose his will on others.
(= He doesn’t want to force people to do what he wants)
She was worried that he would try to impose his religious beliefs on
her children.
Question: 1. Should parents impose their career choices on their children?
We hope you find these verbs useful when speaking or writing!
