Understanding ‘Jeopardize’: Essential IELTS Vocabulary for Band 6.5+
Learn the meaning, usage, and importance of the word ‘jeopardize’ for IELTS success. This video covers pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, example sentences, and common errors to avoid when using this advanced vocabulary term.
Imagine you’re about to take an important exam, but you decide to stay up late watching your favorite TV show the night before.
This decision could jeopardize your chances of passing. Today, we’re going to learn about the word jeopardize, an important vocabulary item for IELTS learners aiming for a band score of six point five or higher.
Word type: Jeopardize is a verb. It’s pronounced jeh-puh-dahyz.
Meaning: To jeopardize means to put something valuable or important at risk of loss, harm, or failure.
It’s often used when talking about situations where someone’s actions might have negative consequences on their goals, relationships, or opportunities.
Word history: The word jeopardize comes from the old French word jeu parti, which literally meant a divided game.
It evolved to mean a risky situation where the outcome is uncertain.
Antonyms: Some opposites of jeopardize include protect, safeguard, and secure.
Synonyms: Words with similar meanings to jeopardize include endanger, threaten, imperil, and compromise.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how to use jeopardize in different contexts. One. His constant lateness might jeopardize his position at the company.
Two. The athlete’s injury could jeopardize her chances of competing in the Olympics. Three. Overfishing continues to jeopardize the survival of many marine species.
Four. The student’s poor time management skills jeopardized his academic performance. Common errors in use: Be careful not to confuse jeopardize with similar-sounding words like jettison or prioritize.
Also, remember that jeopardize is always followed by a noun or noun phrase representing what is being put at risk.
You wouldn’t say I jeopardize to fail, but rather I jeopardize my chances of passing. To use jeopardize effectively in your IELTS speaking and writing tasks, try to incorporate it when discussing risks, consequences, or potential negative outcomes.
For example, you could say Environmental pollution jeopardizes the health of future generations or Lack of investment in education can jeopardize a country’s economic growth.
Remember, using advanced vocabulary like jeopardize correctly can help boost your IELTS score. Practice using this word in your own sentences, and soon you’ll be able to incorporate it naturally in your language use.
