Do You Know 3,000 Words?
Most native English speakers know tens of thousands of words but use only a few thousand in daily life. This isn’t due to laziness; it’s by design. This is because the number of words you actually use throughout the day — your active vocabulary — is quite different from words
you understand but rarely use, aka your passive vocabulary. While this balance varies from person to person, researchers have found clear patterns behind it. Also known as your working vocabulary, your active vocabulary comprises the words you recognize and use correctly and confidently in conversations, emails, and presentations without hesitation....
