Speaking & Messages — B1 Essential Words

gossip /ˈɡɒsɪp/ noun / verb B1 Communication

Meaning: Talk or stories about other people's private lives, often unkind or not proven true.

Example: Office gossip spreads fast.

Another example: Don't gossip about your friends.

Collocations: office gossip · gossip about · a piece of gossip

Synonyms: rumor, chatter, talk

Word family: gossips (n pl) · gossip (v) · gossipy (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Gossip is talk ABOUT people who aren't there; a rumor is one unproven story. Both travel faster than truth.

🗣 In spoken American English: Hairdressers and break rooms are its historic headquarters.

Register: Neutral — social talk essential.

rumor /ˈruːmər/ noun B1 Communication

Meaning: A story or piece of information that many people talk about but that may not be true.

Example: There's a rumor the store will close.

Another example: Rumors spread across the school in a day.

Collocations: a rumor that · rumor has it · spread a rumor

Synonyms: gossip, report (unproven), whisper

Antonyms: fact, confirmation

Word family: rumors (n pl) · rumored (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: 'Rumor has it…' is how English introduces one. Companies deny them; celebrities endure them.

🗣 In spoken American English: The internet turned its speed from days to minutes.

Register: Neutral — talk essential.

persuade /pərˈsweɪd/ verb B1 Communication

Meaning: To make someone agree to do or believe something by giving them good reasons.

Example: She persuaded him to apply for the job.

Another example: Advertisements persuade us to buy.

Collocations: persuade someone to · persuade that · try to persuade

Synonyms: convince, talk into, influence

Antonyms: discourage, dissuade

Word family: persuasion (n) · persuasive (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Persuade someone TO DO something; convince someone THAT something is true — the classic usage pair.

🗣 In spoken American English: Sales, politics, and parents all practice it professionally.

Register: Neutral — communication essential.

whisper /ˈwɪspər/ verb / noun B1 Communication

Meaning: To speak very quietly, using breath but not the full voice, so only someone close can hear.

Example: She whispered the answer in my ear.

Another example: They spoke in whispers.

Collocations: whisper to · in a whisper · whisper the secret

Synonyms: murmur, breathe (speech), mutter

Antonyms: shout, yell

Word family: whispers (n pl) · whisper (v)

⚠ Common mistake: Whisper is quiet speech; murmur is low and unclear; mutter is low and complaining. The library demands the first.

🗣 In spoken American English: Secrets travel by it even in loud rooms.

Register: Neutral — speech essential.

shout /ʃaʊt/ verb / noun B1 Communication

Meaning: To speak or cry out very loudly, because of anger, excitement, or distance.

Example: Don't shout at your brother.

Another example: The fans shouted with joy.

Collocations: shout at · shout for help · a shout of joy

Synonyms: yell, scream (fear/pain), call out

Antonyms: whisper, murmur

Word family: shouts (n pl) · shouting (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Shout AT someone (angry) vs shout FOR something (help, your team). Scream is higher — fear or pain.

🗣 In spoken American English: Stadiums license it; libraries ban it; parents ration it.

Register: Neutral — speech essential.

promise /ˈprɒmɪs/ noun / verb B1 Communication

Meaning: A statement that you will definitely do something (or that something will happen).

Example: She made a promise to call every week.

Another example: I promise I'll help you move.

Collocations: make a promise · keep a promise · promise to

Synonyms: vow, pledge, guarantee

Word family: promises (n pl) · promising (adj — showing future success)

⚠ Common mistake: You MAKE and KEEP promises — breaking one is the famous third verb. 'Promising' describes young talent: a promising singer.

🗣 In spoken American English: Pinky promises are childhood's binding contracts.

Register: Neutral — talk essential.

text /tekst/ verb / noun B1 Communication

Meaning: To send a written message by phone; the message itself. Also the written words of a book or page.

Example: Text me when you land.

Another example: I sent her a text about dinner.

Collocations: text me · send a text · text message

Synonyms: message, SMS, write (phone sense)

Word family: texts (n pl) · texting (n)

⚠ Common mistake: Texting is the default verb of phone talk now — 'I'll text you' replaced 'I'll call you' for a generation.

🗣 In spoken American English: '?' alone is a complete text in modern friendship.

Register: Neutral — modern communication essential.

reply /rɪˈplaɪ/ verb / noun B1 Communication

Meaning: To answer someone in words or writing; an answer.

Example: She replied to my email quickly.

Another example: His reply surprised everyone.

Collocations: reply to · reply that · a quick reply

Synonyms: answer, respond, write back

Antonyms: ignore

Word family: replies (n pl) · reply (v)

⚠ Common mistake: Reply TO an email/message; answer a question or a door. Formal letters say 'in reply to your letter…'.

🗣 In spoken American English: 'No reply' buttons and read receipts made it a modern anxiety.

Register: Neutral — communication essential.

contact /ˈkɒntækt/ noun / verb B1 Communication

Meaning: Communication with someone; a person you know who can help; to communicate with someone.

Example: We stayed in contact after college.

Another example: Contact me by email.

Collocations: in contact · contact me · contact information

Synonyms: touch, connection, reach

Word family: contacts (n pl) · contact (v)

⚠ Common mistake: 'Stay in touch' is the warmer twin of 'stay in contact'. Phone 'Contacts' made the noun everyone's address book.

🗣 In spoken American English: Every form asks for it: 'Emergency contact' is the most serious one.

Register: Neutral — communication essential.

inform /ɪnˈfɔːrm/ verb B1 Communication

Meaning: To tell someone something formally or officially.

Example: Please inform us of any changes.

Another example: The school informed parents about the trip.

Collocations: inform us of · inform parents · be informed

Synonyms: tell, notify, let know

Antonyms: hide, withhold

Word family: information (n) · informed (adj)

⚠ Common mistake: Inform is the formal sibling of tell: inform someone OF something. Letters and offices prefer it.

🗣 In spoken American English: Voicemail's oldest line survives in it: 'Please inform the office…'

Register: Formal — communication essential.