IELTS Vocabulary: Understanding and Using ‘Weekend’
Learn how to correctly use the word ‘weekend’ for your IELTS exam. This video covers its meaning, usage, common mistakes, and example sentences to help you achieve a band score of 5.5 or higher.
Are you preparing for the IELTS exam and aiming for a band score of 5.5? Today, we’re going to learn about a common English word that you’ll definitely encounter in both everyday life and on the IELTS test: weekend.
Word type: Weekend is a noun. It’s a word we use to name a specific period of time.
Meaning: A weekend refers to the period of leisure time between the end of one working or school week and the start of the next.
In most Western countries, this typically means Saturday and Sunday.
Word history: The term weekend comes from combining two simple words: week and end.
It literally means the end of the week. This term became popular in the early 20th century as the concept of having days off work at the end of the week became more common.
Antonyms: While weekend doesn’t have direct antonyms, we can consider weekday as an opposite concept.
Weekdays are the days of the week that are not part of the weekend, usually Monday through Friday.
Synonyms:
There aren’t many true synonyms for weekend, but some related terms include days off, free time, or leisure time.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how we can use weekend in sentences: I love to relax and read books on the weekend.
What are your plans for this weekend? The museum is usually crowded on weekends. She works part-time on weekends to earn extra money.
Common errors in use: Some common mistakes when using the word weekend include: Forgetting that weekend is a single word.
It’s not correct to write it as week end or week-end. Using it in plural form when talking about a single weekend.
We say This weekend is busy, not This weekends is busy. Confusing on the weekend with at the weekend.
Both are correct, but on the weekend is more common in American English, while at the weekend is more common in British English.
Now you know how to use the word weekend correctly in your IELTS speaking and writing tasks. Remember to practice using it in different contexts to become more comfortable with this essential vocabulary item.
Keep learning and improving your English skills, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your target IELTS band score.
