Mastering the Art of Concession: A Key Vocabulary Lesson for the GRE
This video explores the important vocabulary term ‘concede’ and its usage, meaning, and significance for the GRE exam. Learn how to effectively acknowledge valid points and yield to others, while avoiding common errors in using this crucial word.
Imagine you’re in a heated debate with a friend. As the discussion progresses, you realize your friend has made a valid point that contradicts your argument.
What do you do? In this moment, you might choose to concede. The word concede is an important vocabulary term to master for the GRE, as it frequently appears in both verbal and analytical writing sections.
Let’s explore this word in depth to enhance your understanding and improve your test performance.
Word type:
Concede is primarily used as a verb in the English language.
Meaning: To concede means to admit or acknowledge something as true, valid, or correct, often reluctantly.
It can also mean to surrender or yield something to another person or group.
Word history: The word concede has its roots in Latin.
It comes from the Latin word concedere, which is formed by combining con meaning with or together, and cedere meaning to yield or give way.
This etymology reflects the core idea of giving in or yielding to someone else’s point or demand.
Antonyms:
Some antonyms of concede include deny, dispute, reject, and refuse. These words represent the opposite action of admitting or acknowledging something.
Synonyms: Synonyms for concede include admit, acknowledge, grant, allow, and yield. These words all convey the idea of accepting or giving in to something, often after some resistance.
Examples use in sentences: After reviewing the evidence, the prosecutor had to concede that the defendant had a strong alibi.
The challenger conceded the election to the incumbent after the final votes were tallied. Though he didn’t want to, John had to concede that his sister’s recipe was better than his own.
Common errors in use: One common error when using concede is confusing it with conceit. While concede means to admit or yield, conceit refers to an excessively high opinion of oneself.
Another mistake is using concede when recede is meant. Recede means to move back or retreat, which is different from conceding or admitting something.
Understanding and correctly using the word concede can significantly boost your verbal skills for the GRE.
Remember, it’s about acknowledging or yielding, often reluctantly. Practice using this word in your everyday conversations and writing to solidify your grasp of its meaning and usage.
By mastering words like concede, you’re not just preparing for a test, but also enhancing your overall communication skills.
