English Grammar and Composition Classes Nine and Ten - Letters - Vocabulary | Free Course

Chapter: Letters

📚 Vocabulary

English Grammar and Composition Classes Nine and Ten

⭐ Most Important Exam Words

intimateinformalcolloquialcontractionsurroundingscongratulatenarrateadviserecoverprescribeformalobjectivedetacheddesignationrecipientsalutationsubscriptionalignmentapplicationscholarshipstudentshippermissioninstallfacilityseminargratefulcomplaintdefectivepurchasepersuaderefundcatalogueenclosereferenceappreciaterequestkindlyobligedsincerely

📃 Word Formation Rules

► Add the suffix “-tion” to verbs to form nouns: congratulate → congratulation, prescribe → prescription, apply → application.

► Add the suffix “-ment” to verbs to form nouns: align → alignment, arrange → arrangement, pay → payment.

► Add the suffix “-ful” to nouns to form adjectives meaning “full of”: grate → grateful, beauty → beautiful, care → careful.

► Add the suffix “-less” to nouns to form adjectives meaning “without”: care → careless, hope → hopeless, emotion → emotionless.

► Add the prefix “in-” or “im-” to form opposites: formal → informal, personal → impersonal, polite → impolite.

► Add the prefix “un-” to form opposites: grateful → ungrateful, official → unofficial, successful → unsuccessful.

► Add the suffix “-ly” to adjectives to form adverbs: sincere → sincerely, kind → kindly, gracious → graciously.

► Some words change their part of speech without changing form: request can be a noun or a verb; purchase can be a noun or a verb; complaint is a noun from complain.

1. Informal Letters: Personal Communication (8 words)

intimate[/ˈɪntɪmət/]adjmedium

Meaning: ঘনিষ্ঠ; অন্তরঙ্গ

Alt: ব্যক্তিগত সম্পর্কযুক্ত

Example: Informal letters are usually written to intimate friends and family members.

Syn: close, familiarAnt: distant, formal

💡 Exam tip: Use this word to describe a close personal relationship in informal letters.

informal[/ɪnˈfɔːrməl/]adjeasy

Meaning: অনানুষ্ঠানিক

Alt: বন্ধুত্বপূর্ণ ও কথোপকথনমূলক

Example: An informal letter may contain contractions and colloquial expressions.

Syn: casual, unofficialAnt: formal, official

💡 Exam tip: Remember that personal letters are generally informal.

colloquial[/kəˈləʊkwiəl/]adjhard

Meaning: কথ্য; প্রচলিত কথোপকথনের

Alt: অনানুষ্ঠানিক ভাষায় ব্যবহৃত

Example: Colloquial words are common in letters to close friends.

Syn: conversational, casualAnt: formal, literary

💡 Exam tip: Use colloquial to explain the language of an informal letter.

contraction[/kənˈtrækʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: সংক্ষিপ্ত রূপ

Alt: দুটি শব্দের সংক্ষিপ্ত একত্রিত রূপ

Example: Contractions such as “I’m” and “we’re” are used in informal letters.

Syn: shortening, abbreviationAnt: expansion, full form

💡 Exam tip: Examples include I’m, you’re, I’ve, I’d and we’re.

expression[/ɪkˈspreʃən/]nouneasy

Meaning: অভিব্যক্তি; প্রকাশভঙ্গি

Alt: কোনো ভাব প্রকাশের শব্দ বা বাক্য

Example: The expression “Lots of love” is suitable for a friendly letter.

Syn: phrase, utteranceAnt: silence, concealment

💡 Exam tip: Learn common letter expressions such as “With lots of love” and “Do write back.”

surroundings[/səˈraʊndɪŋz/]nounmedium

Meaning: পারিপার্শ্বিক পরিবেশ

Alt: কোনো স্থানের চারপাশের এলাকা

Example: The surroundings of the tea garden were beautiful.

Syn: environment, vicinityAnt: interior, isolation

💡 Exam tip: This plural noun is useful when describing a place in a personal letter.

marvelous[/ˈmɑːrvələs/]adjmedium

Meaning: চমৎকার; বিস্ময়কর

Alt: অত্যন্ত সুন্দর বা আনন্দদায়ক

Example: The countryside around the town was marvelous and green.

Syn: wonderful, excellentAnt: terrible, ordinary

💡 Exam tip: Use marvelous as a descriptive adjective in a letter about travel.

homesick[/ˈhəʊmsɪk/]adjmedium

Meaning: বাড়ির জন্য মন কেমন করা

Alt: বাড়ি থেকে দূরে থাকার কারণে বিষণ্ণ

Example: I felt homesick during my first week at the hostel.

Syn: nostalgic, lonelyAnt: content, comfortable

💡 Exam tip: It is useful in letters describing life away from home.

2. Informal Letters: Common Activities and Feelings (8 words)

congratulate[/kənˈɡrætʃuleɪt/]verbeasy

Meaning: অভিনন্দন জানানো

Alt: সাফল্যের জন্য প্রশংসা করা

Example: I am writing to congratulate you on your brilliant success.

Syn: praise, commendAnt: criticize, blame

💡 Exam tip: Use “congratulate someone on something,” not “congratulate someone for something.”

success[/səkˈses/]nouneasy

Meaning: সাফল্য

Alt: কাঙ্ক্ষিত ফল অর্জন

Example: Your success in the examination has made us proud.

Syn: achievement, victoryAnt: failure, defeat

💡 Exam tip: The common phrase is “success in an examination.”

invite[/ɪnˈvaɪt/]verbeasy

Meaning: আমন্ত্রণ জানানো

Alt: কোনো অনুষ্ঠানে আসতে বলা

Example: I would like to invite you to my birthday party.

Syn: request, askAnt: exclude, ban

💡 Exam tip: Use “invite someone to an event” and “invite someone to stay.”

narrate[/nəˈreɪt/]verbmedium

Meaning: বর্ণনা করা

Alt: ঘটনা ধারাবাহিকভাবে বলা বা লেখা

Example: Please narrate your experience of seeing the new film.

Syn: describe, recountAnt: conceal, suppress

💡 Exam tip: Narrate is a frequent instruction word in letter-writing questions.

experience[/ɪkˈspɪəriəns/]nouneasy

Meaning: অভিজ্ঞতা

Alt: কোনো ঘটনা বা কাজ থেকে অর্জিত জ্ঞান

Example: The journey was an unforgettable experience for me.

Syn: event, adventureAnt: inexperience, ignorance

💡 Exam tip: The phrase “share your experience” is useful in informal letters.

advise[/ədˈvaɪz/]verbeasy

Meaning: পরামর্শ দেওয়া

Alt: করণীয় সম্পর্কে মতামত দেওয়া

Example: I advise you to follow a regular study routine.

Syn: counsel, recommendAnt: misguide, discourage

💡 Exam tip: Use “advise someone to do something.”

recover[/rɪˈkʌvər/]verbmedium

Meaning: সুস্থ হয়ে ওঠা

Alt: অসুস্থতা বা দুরবস্থা থেকে ফিরে আসা

Example: I have recovered from my cold after taking the prescribed medicine.

Syn: heal, improveAnt: worsen, decline

💡 Exam tip: Use “recover from an illness,” not “recover of an illness.”

prescribe[/prɪˈskraɪb/]verbhard

Meaning: ওষুধ লিখে দেওয়া

Alt: চিকিৎসার জন্য নির্দেশ দেওয়া

Example: The physician prescribed an antibiotic for my infection.

Syn: order, recommendAnt: prohibit, withdraw

💡 Exam tip: The passive form “prescribed by a physician” is common in health-related letters.

3. Formal Letters: Style and Structure (8 words)

formal[/ˈfɔːrməl/]adjeasy

Meaning: আনুষ্ঠানিক

Alt: নিয়ম ও প্রথা অনুসারী

Example: A formal letter uses an objective and respectful tone.

Syn: official, properAnt: informal, casual

💡 Exam tip: Formal letters do not normally use contractions, slang or conversational expressions.

objective[/əbˈdʒektɪv/]adjmedium

Meaning: নিরপেক্ষ; বস্তুনিষ্ঠ

Alt: ব্যক্তিগত আবেগমুক্ত

Example: The writer maintained an objective style in the complaint letter.

Syn: impartial, unbiasedAnt: subjective, emotional

💡 Exam tip: Objective and detached style are important features of formal writing.

detached[/dɪˈtætʃt/]adjhard

Meaning: নির্লিপ্ত; আবেগমুক্ত

Alt: ব্যক্তিগত অনুভূতি থেকে পৃথক

Example: A formal application should have a detached tone.

Syn: impersonal, unemotionalAnt: emotional, personal

💡 Exam tip: Use detached to distinguish formal writing from intimate personal writing.

designation[/ˌdezɪɡˈneɪʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: পদবি; পদমর্যাদা

Alt: কোনো ব্যক্তির সরকারি পদ

Example: Write the recipient’s designation before the official address.

Syn: title, positionAnt: anonymity, insignificance

💡 Exam tip: Examples include The Head Teacher, The Manager and The Editor.

recipient[/rɪˈsɪpiənt/]nounmedium

Meaning: প্রাপক

Alt: যিনি চিঠি পান

Example: The recipient’s address should be written clearly.

Syn: addressee, receiverAnt: sender, writer

💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse recipient with writer or sender.

salutation[/ˌsæljʊˈteɪʃən/]nounhard

Meaning: সম্বোধন

Alt: চিঠির শুরুতে ব্যবহৃত সম্ভাষণ

Example: “Dear Sir” is a suitable salutation in an application.

Syn: greeting, addressAnt: farewell, closing

💡 Exam tip: Common salutations are Dear Sir, Dear Madam and Dear Sir or Madam.

subscription[/səbˈskrɪpʃən/]nounhard

Meaning: বিদায় সম্ভাষণ

Alt: চিঠির শেষে ব্যবহৃত সমাপ্তি বাক্য

Example: “Yours obediently” is an appropriate subscription to the Head Teacher.

Syn: closing, valedictionAnt: salutation, opening

💡 Exam tip: Subscription appears before the writer’s name or signature.

alignment[/əˈlaɪnmənt/]nounhard

Meaning: সারিবদ্ধতা; বিন্যাস

Alt: লেখার অংশগুলোর অবস্থান

Example: In full-block style, every part of the letter has left alignment.

Syn: arrangement, positioningAnt: disorder, misalignment

💡 Exam tip: Semi-block style uses different alignments, while full-block style is entirely left aligned.

4. Formal Letters: Applications and Requests (8 words)

application[/ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/]nouneasy

Meaning: আবেদনপত্র

Alt: কোনো সুবিধা বা অনুমতির জন্য লিখিত অনুরোধ

Example: I submitted an application for a seat in the school hostel.

Syn: request, petitionAnt: refusal, rejection

💡 Exam tip: Mention the purpose of the application in the subject line.

scholarship[/ˈskɒlərʃɪp/]nounmedium

Meaning: বৃত্তি

Alt: শিক্ষার জন্য আর্থিক সহায়তা

Example: The poor but meritorious student applied for a scholarship.

Syn: grant, fellowshipAnt: penalty, expense

💡 Exam tip: A scholarship may be awarded for merit or financial need.

studentship[/ˈstjuːdəntʃɪp/]nounhard

Meaning: ছাত্রত্ব; শিক্ষাবৃত্তি

Alt: শিক্ষার্থীর মর্যাদা বা বিনামূল্যে পড়ার সুযোগ

Example: He applied for full free studentship because his father could not bear the expenses.

Syn: student status, free scholarshipAnt: expulsion, dropout

💡 Exam tip: “Full free studentship” is a common examination-letter topic in Bangladesh.

permission[/pəˈmɪʃən/]nouneasy

Meaning: অনুমতি

Alt: কোনো কাজ করার অনুমোদন

Example: We requested permission to publish a literary journal.

Syn: approval, consentAnt: prohibition, refusal

💡 Exam tip: Use “ask for permission to do something.”

install[/ɪnˈstɔːl/]verbmedium

Meaning: স্থাপন করা

Alt: কোনো যন্ত্র বা ব্যবস্থা বসানো

Example: The villagers requested the chairman to install a tube-well.

Syn: set up, establishAnt: remove, dismantle

💡 Exam tip: Use install for tube-wells, machines, equipment and facilities.

facility[/fəˈsɪləti/]nounmedium

Meaning: সুবিধা; পরিষেবা

Alt: কোনো প্রয়োজনীয় ব্যবস্থা বা উপকরণ

Example: The new tube-well will provide a useful facility for the villagers.

Syn: amenity, serviceAnt: hindrance, difficulty

💡 Exam tip: Facilities may include water supply, hostel accommodation and transport.

seminar[/ˈsemɪnɑːr/]nouneasy

Meaning: আলোচনা সভা; সেমিনার

Alt: কোনো বিষয়ে শিক্ষামূলক সভা

Example: The school will organize a seminar on the importance of learning English.

Syn: conference, workshopAnt: silence, inactivity

💡 Exam tip: Use “a seminar on” followed by the topic.

grateful[/ˈɡreɪtfəl/]adjeasy

Meaning: কৃতজ্ঞ

Alt: উপকারের জন্য আন্তরিকভাবে ধন্য

Example: I shall be grateful if you kindly grant my request.

Syn: thankful, obligedAnt: ungrateful, thankless

💡 Exam tip: A polite closing phrase is “I shall be grateful if you kindly…”

5. Formal Letters: Complaints and Business Correspondence (8 words)

complaint[/kəmˈpleɪnt/]nouneasy

Meaning: অভিযোগ

Alt: অসন্তোষের আনুষ্ঠানিক প্রকাশ

Example: I am writing to make a complaint about the defective jacket.

Syn: grievance, objectionAnt: praise, compliment

💡 Exam tip: Begin a complaint letter with a clear statement of the problem.

defective[/dɪˈfektɪv/]adjmedium

Meaning: ত্রুটিপূর্ণ

Alt: যার মধ্যে কোনো দোষ আছে

Example: The customer returned the defective leather jacket.

Syn: faulty, flawedAnt: perfect, sound

💡 Exam tip: Defective goods are products that do not meet the expected standard.

purchase[/ˈpɜːrtʃəs/]verbeasy

Meaning: ক্রয় করা

Alt: টাকা দিয়ে কোনো জিনিস কেনা

Example: I purchased the jacket from your store three weeks ago.

Syn: buy, acquireAnt: sell, return

💡 Exam tip: Purchase is more formal than buy and is suitable for business letters.

package[/ˈpækɪdʒ/]verbmedium

Meaning: মোড়কজাত করা

Alt: প্যাকেটে ভরা

Example: The assistant gave me a packaged jacket.

Syn: wrap, packAnt: unwrap, open

💡 Exam tip: The related noun is package and the adjective is packaged.

persuade[/pəˈsweɪd/]verbmedium

Meaning: রাজি করানো

Alt: যুক্তি দিয়ে কাউকে কিছু করতে সম্মত করানো

Example: The sales assistant persuaded me to buy the packaged jacket.

Syn: convince, induceAnt: dissuade, discourage

💡 Exam tip: Use “persuade someone to do something.”

refund[/ˈriːfʌnd/]nounmedium

Meaning: অর্থ ফেরত

Alt: ফেরত দেওয়া ক্রয়মূল্য

Example: I request a full refund for the damaged product.

Syn: repayment, reimbursementAnt: payment, charge

💡 Exam tip: A complaint letter may ask for a replacement or a refund.

catalogue[/ˈkætəlɒɡ/]nouneasy

Meaning: পণ্যের তালিকা; ক্যাটালগ

Alt: পণ্য বা বিষয়ের সাজানো বিবরণ

Example: Please send me your latest catalogue of winter jackets.

Syn: list, directoryAnt: omission, disorder

💡 Exam tip: In British English, catalogue is commonly used in textbook letters.

enclose[/ɪnˈkləʊz/]verbmedium

Meaning: সংযুক্ত করে পাঠানো

Alt: চিঠির সঙ্গে কোনো কাগজ বা অর্থ পাঠানো

Example: A cheque for the total amount is enclosed with this letter.

Syn: attach, includeAnt: detach, exclude

💡 Exam tip: Use “I enclose” or “enclosed please find” in formal correspondence.

6. Letter-Writing Collocations and Polite Expressions (8 words)

reference[/ˈrefrəns/]nounmedium

Meaning: উল্লেখ; প্রসঙ্গ

Alt: আগের চিঠি বা বিজ্ঞাপনের প্রতি নির্দেশ

Example: With reference to your advertisement, I would like to order a jacket.

Syn: mention, allusionAnt: disregard, omission

💡 Exam tip: The phrase “With reference to…” introduces the reason for writing.

appreciate[/əˈpriːʃieɪt/]verbmedium

Meaning: কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশ করা

Alt: কোনো কাজের মূল্য বা গুরুত্ব স্বীকার করা

Example: I would appreciate it if you published the report in your newspaper.

Syn: value, acknowledgeAnt: disregard, undervalue

💡 Exam tip: Use “I would appreciate it if you would…” for polite requests.

request[/rɪˈkwest/]nouneasy

Meaning: অনুরোধ

Alt: ভদ্রভাবে কিছু চাওয়া

Example: I am writing to make a request for a hostel seat.

Syn: appeal, petitionAnt: demand, refusal

💡 Exam tip: Request can be used as both a noun and a verb.

kindly[/ˈkaɪndli/]adveasy

Meaning: অনুগ্রহ করে

Alt: ভদ্র অনুরোধ প্রকাশকারী শব্দ

Example: Kindly grant me permission to publish the journal.

Syn: graciously, politelyAnt: rudely, harshly

💡 Exam tip: Kindly is frequently used before the main verb in formal applications.

appreciated[/əˈpriːʃieɪtɪd/]adjmedium

Meaning: প্রশংসিত; কৃতজ্ঞতার সঙ্গে গৃহীত

Alt: মূল্যবান বলে বিবেচিত

Example: Your sending the catalogue by the specified date will be appreciated.

Syn: valued, welcomedAnt: ignored, disregarded

💡 Exam tip: The passive expression “will be appreciated” makes a request polite.

graciously[/ˈɡreɪʃəsli/]advhard

Meaning: সদয়ভাবে

Alt: অনুগ্রহ ও সৌজন্যের সঙ্গে

Example: I hope you will graciously consider my application.

Syn: kindly, generouslyAnt: rudely, unkindly

💡 Exam tip: Use this adverb in highly polite formal requests.

obliged[/əˈblaɪdʒd/]adjmedium

Meaning: কৃতজ্ঞ; বাধিত

Alt: উপকারের জন্য ঋণী

Example: I shall remain obliged to you for your kind assistance.

Syn: grateful, thankfulAnt: ungrateful, indebted

💡 Exam tip: “I shall be obliged if you…” is a standard formal expression.

sincerely[/sɪnˈsɪərli/]adveasy

Meaning: আন্তরিকভাবে

Alt: সত্যনিষ্ঠভাবে

Example: Yours sincerely is an appropriate closing when the recipient’s name is known.

Syn: genuinely, honestlyAnt: insincerely, dishonestly

💡 Exam tip: Use “Yours sincerely” after addressing a person by name.

💡 Exam Tips

• Identify whether the prompt requires an informal personal letter or a formal official letter.

• In an informal letter, use a friendly conversational tone, but avoid excessive slang in letters to parents or elders.

• In a formal letter, avoid contractions such as I’m, we’re and can’t; write I am, we are and cannot.

• Write the sender’s address and date first, followed by the recipient’s designation and official address.

• Include a clear subject line in formal applications, complaint letters and business letters.

• Use the correct salutation: Dear Sir or Madam for an unknown recipient, and Dear Sir or Dear Madam when appropriate.

• Use “Yours obediently” when writing to a Head Teacher or another respected authority as a student.

• Use “Yours sincerely” when the recipient’s name is known, and “Yours faithfully” after “Dear Sir or Madam.”

• State the purpose of a formal letter in the opening paragraph, explain details in the middle, and make a polite request in the conclusion.

• Remember common patterns: congratulate someone on something, advise someone to do something, recover from an illness, ask for permission to do something.

• For an order letter, mention the item, colour, catalogue number, price, total amount, delivery date and method of payment.

• For a complaint letter, describe the purchase, explain the defect, state the inconvenience and request a suitable solution such as replacement or refund.

• Use full-block style when all parts are aligned to the left; semi-block style may place the writer’s address and date on the right.

• Check tense, punctuation, paragraphing, spelling of addresses and the correct closing before submitting the answer.

English Grammar and Composition Classes Nine and Ten - Letters - Vocabulary

Chapter: Letters

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