Navigating Debt: Understanding the Meaning of ‘Incur’
Explore the important GRE vocabulary word ‘incur’ and learn how to use it correctly. Discover the meaning, etymology, and examples of this verb that often describes unwelcome situations or liabilities one has brought upon themselves, such as debt, costs, or consequences.
Imagine you’re a recent college graduate. You’ve just moved into your first apartment, bought some furniture, and treated yourself to a new laptop.
Suddenly, you realize you’ve incurred quite a bit of debt. But what does it mean to incur something? Let’s explore this important GRE vocabulary word.
Word type: Incur is a verb.
Meaning: To incur means to become subject to or to bring upon oneself, especially something unwelcome or unpleasant.
It often refers to debts, costs, or responsibilities that one becomes liable for.
Word history: The word incur has an interesting etymology.
It comes from the Latin word incurrere, which means to run into or to rush upon. This Latin word is formed from in, meaning into, and currere, meaning to run.
Over time, the meaning evolved from physically running into something to metaphorically bringing something upon oneself.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for incur include acquire, attract, bring on, draw, invite, and provoke.
Antonyms: Antonyms for incur include avoid, dodge, elude, and escape.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples of how to use incur in sentences. The company incurred significant losses due to the economic downturn.
By speeding on the highway, Sarah incurred a hefty fine from the police. The general’s reckless decision incurred the wrath of his superiors.
Scientists warn that continued pollution will incur severe environmental consequences. Common errors in use: One common mistake when using incur is confusing it with ensure or insure.
Remember, incur means to bring upon oneself, while ensure means to make certain, and insure means to protect against risk.
Another error is using incur with positive outcomes. Typically, we incur negative or neutral things, not positive ones.
To wrap up, incur is a powerful word that often appears in financial, legal, and academic contexts. It describes the act of bringing something, usually negative, upon oneself or becoming subject to it.
Whether it’s debt, responsibilities, or consequences, understanding and using incur correctly can help you express complex ideas more precisely in your GRE essays and beyond.
So the next time you face an unwelcome situation you’ve brought upon yourself, remember you’ve just incurred a perfect opportunity to use this word.
