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New in the Glossary: Clearing out the Queue
1) What's the correct preposition?
...graduated secondary school vs ...graduated FROM secondary school
It is technically correct to use the preposition and say that someone "graduated from" their school. "I graduated from college in 2008."
In the U.S. you may hear people drop the preposition to say, "I graduated college in 2008." Those people are not using a slang expression - they would probably accept that sentence as equally grammatically correct. It even appears in some professional and academic writing.
One thing you would be unlikely to hear someone in the U.S. say, though, is "secondary school." The three basic levels of schooling for American children are elementary school, middle school (or junior high school) and high school.
Thank you of or Thank you for?
Thank you for.
"Thank you for the gift. It was exactly what I wanted!"
2) Word Pairs
Assessment vs Evaluation
In some fields, such as education, medicine or finance, there can be a technical difference between assessment and evaluation. For example, if your house were damaged, your insurance company would assess the damages, meaning they would provide a monetary estimate of the damages. In everyday speech, though, the words are pretty much synonyms.
See vs Watch
To see is to perceive with your eyes. To watch is to observe or to fix your attention on, usually over a length of time.
"Do you see that man? Watch him to make sure he doesn't move."
"I have been watching that house and I haven't seen anything suspicious."
"I was watching TV and saw that commercial you like."
3) More Definitions
SHOULD
"Should" implies obligation or desirability. It is typically used to describe something you have to do but have not yet done, or to give advice (or lament not taking advice).
"You should try that restaurant. It's good."
"I should go. I'm already late."
"I should have listened to my mother."
It can also express an expectation that something has happened, will happen or was supposed to have happened but did not.
"I should be at work by 9:00. Call me then."
"The plane should have landed by now. It must be delayed."
scarcity
When something is scarce, there is not much of it or not enough of it.
"There was a scarcity of food, so the children had to go hungry."
Okay, that's a lot of words, and that officially clears out our queue of Glossary submissions. Feel free to keep submitting words - we will bring the Glossary whenever our bloggers are on vacation. And if you submit a word specifically related to studying in the U.S., we'll define it anytime. Submit your words in the comments or using the form below.
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See all News Updates of the Day
Brown Joins Other Schools in Reinstating Standardized Tests
Brown University has joined Yale, Dartmouth and M.I.T. in reinstating standardized test scores for applicants.
Like many schools, Brown suspended the testing requirements during the pandemic, making standardized tests optional. The New York Times reports the school found that the tests were good indicators of future performance. (March 2024)
Ohio Public Colleges Told to End Race-based Scholarships
Ohio’s attorney general has ordered public colleges and universities to end merit scholarships that incorporate race-based criteria, saying they are unconstitutional.
The attorney general advised education officials that compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions extends to scholarships, according to the Columbus Dispatch. (March 2024)
Greek Parliament Approves Branches of Foreign Universities
The Greek parliament voted to allow foreign universities to establish and operate branch campuses in the country.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the move was made to encourage Greek students to stay in the country for advanced studies, instead of going abroad for an education. (March 2024)
Virginia Bans Legacy Admissions
The state of Virginia has banned legacy admissions to public colleges and universities.
The New York Times reports the state has outlawed the practice of giving preferential admissions status to students based on connections to alumni and donors. (March 2024)
New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices
A new Texas law prohibits public universities from having special programs supporting minority and LGBTQ students. Critics say these diversity, equity and inclusion programs are discriminatory and divisive. But many students say they are needed. Deana Mitchell has the story from the Texas capital.