Practice
English vocabulary practice: useful words beginning with T
Sign in to saveA word list is easier to remember when each word solves a small communication problem. These T words can help you discuss plans, problems, short-term situations, and changes around you.
Recognise and use six useful B1 English words beginning with T in short, clear contexts.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
temporary accommodation /ˈtempərəri əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən/
The short answer
Learn each word with a plain meaning and a sentence. Tackle means deal with a difficult task; a target is an aim; temporary means lasting for a short time; typical means usual; tolerate means accept something unpleasant; and a trend is a general direction of change.
The team set a target for the end of the month.
Why it works: Target is a countable noun here. The phrase set a target is useful when people agree on an aim.
5 more examples
-
We need to tackle the delay before it affects the delivery date.
Tackle means take action on a difficult problem. The delay is the problem the speakers plan to deal with.
Not this:We need to
discuss the delaybefore it affects the delivery date. What changes: Discuss means talk about the problem. Tackle suggests moving towards a solution. -
She found temporary accommodation while her flat was repaired.
Temporary describes something needed for a short period, not as a permanent arrangement.
Not this:She found
permanent accommodationnear her new job. What changes: Permanent accommodation is intended to continue, while temporary accommodation has a limited purpose or period. -
It is typical for the café to be busy at lunchtime.
Typical means usual or expected in this situation. It does not mean that every day is exactly the same.
Not this:It is
unusual forthe café to be busy at midnight. What changes: Unusual describes something that is not normally expected in that situation. -
I can tolerate the noise for an hour, but not all day.
Tolerate means accept or continue with something unpleasant, often for a limited time.
Not this:I
enjoy the musicfor an hour, and I would happily hear more. What changes: Enjoy expresses pleasure. Tolerate suggests that the experience is difficult or unwanted. -
Online orders show an upward trend this year.
A trend is a direction shown over time. Upward means that the number is generally increasing.
Not this:Online orders
rose sharplyon Saturday. What changes: One day's rise is an event. A trend needs a broader pattern over time.
Read the full guide
Read each sentence aloud and say why the chosen T word fits. Then cover the word and try to recall it from the situation. If two words seem similar, check the word class and the words that commonly come before or after it.
Meet the six T words in useful situations
Start with a situation, not a translation alone. Tackle belongs with a problem that needs action. A target gives a person or group an aim. Temporary describes something that will not continue for long. These meanings become clearer when you picture the situation.
We need to tackle the delay before it affects the delivery date.
The sentence is about taking action on a problem. Tackle is stronger than simply talking about the delay.
The team set a target for the end of the month.
The target is the result the team wants to reach, rather than the steps they will take.
Which word names an aim that a group wants to reach?
Use target. A team can set a target and later meet or miss it.
Use tackle with a problem or task
Tackle is a verb. Use it when someone begins to deal with a task that may be difficult, complicated, or urgent. You can tackle a problem, a question, a backlog, or a piece of work. It usually points towards action and a solution.
The support team tackled the most urgent requests first.
The team worked on the requests and tried to solve them. That action is the central idea of tackle.
We discussed the problem at the meeting.
Discussed tells us that people talked about the problem. It does not tell us that they started to solve it.
Complete the sentence: We need to ____ this technical problem today.
Use tackle when the group plans to deal with the technical problem.
Separate temporary from typical
Temporary and typical are both adjectives, but they answer different questions. Temporary answers how long something will last. Typical answers whether something is usual in that place, group, or situation. Check the noun and the intended meaning before you choose one.
The museum has a temporary entrance during the repairs.
The entrance is being used for a limited period. It will change when the repairs finish.
Long queues are typical during the school holidays.
The queues are usual at that time of year. Typical does not say how long each queue lasts.
Which word fits a job that lasts for three months only?
Use temporary because the job has a limited period.
Use tolerate for something difficult to accept
Tolerate means accept something that you find unpleasant, difficult, or inconvenient. The object can be a noun, such as noise or pain, or an -ing form, such as waiting. It often shows a limit: someone may tolerate a situation for a short time but not indefinitely.
Most passengers can tolerate a short wait for the next train.
The wait is not presented as enjoyable. The passengers can accept it for a short time.
Most passengers enjoy the view from the next train.
Enjoy means take pleasure in something. It is not a substitute for tolerate.
Which verb fits an uncomfortable chair that you can sit on for ten minutes?
Use tolerate if you can accept the discomfort for that short time.
Talk about a trend over time
A trend is a general pattern, especially in numbers, preferences, or behaviour. You can describe an upward, downward, or recent trend. Look for information from more than one point in time before calling a change a trend.
There is a growing trend towards online appointments.
The phrase describes a wider change in how people arrange appointments, not one person's choice.
Three customers booked online this morning.
This is one observation. It may contribute to a trend, but it does not show a pattern by itself.
What kind of evidence do you need before you describe a trend?
Look for a similar direction across more than one time or observation.
Before you go
Remember this
Use tackle for a difficult problem, target for an aim, temporary for a short period, typical for something usual, tolerate for accepting something unpleasant, and trend for a wider direction of change. Keep each word with a sentence so you can recall its grammar as well as its meaning.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "English vocabulary practice: useful words beginning with T"
What does tackle mean in English?
Tackle means begin to deal with a difficult problem, task, or issue. Use it when action is needed, as in tackle a delay or tackle a technical problem. It suggests more than simply talking about the situation.
We need to tackle the delay before it affects the delivery date.
How do I use target as a noun?
A target is an aim or result that someone hopes to reach. People often set a target, meet a target, or miss a target. Use it for a planned result, while a plan can include the steps used to reach that result.
We need to discuss the delay before it affects the delivery date.
What is the difference between temporary and typical?
Temporary describes something that lasts for a short or limited period, such as temporary accommodation. Typical describes something usual or expected in a situation, such as a busy café at lunchtime. The words describe different ideas.
The team set a target for the end of the month.
Does tolerate mean the same as enjoy?
No. Tolerate means accept something unpleasant, difficult, or inconvenient, often for a limited time. Enjoy means take pleasure in something. A person may tolerate noise even though they do not enjoy it.
The team made a plan for the end of the month.
When can I describe something as a trend?
Use trend for a general direction or pattern that appears over time, such as a growing use of online appointments. One event or one day's result is usually not enough evidence for a trend.
She found temporary accommodation while her flat was repaired.