What is the Difference Between Active and Passive Vocabulary

The main difference between active and passive vocabulary is that active vocabulary is the words you understand and use, while passive vocabulary is the words you understand but don’t use.  

You encounter the concepts of active vocabulary and passive vocabulary in language learning. Both these refer to the words you know, but their difference is in their usage. In any language, passive vocabulary is larger than active vocabulary. This is true for both language learners and native speakers of a language.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Active Vocabulary  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Passive Vocabulary
     – Definition, Features 
3. Difference Between Active and Passive Vocabulary
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Active Vocabulary, Passive Vocabulary, Language Learning 

Difference Between Active and Passive Vocabulary - Comparison Summary

What is Active Vocabulary

Active vocabulary consists of the words you already know, understand, and use in a language. You know the correct words of these words and confidently use them in speaking and writing.

As you progress in your language learning, you will acquire more and more words into your active vocabulary. In order for you to consider words as active vocabulary, you have to

  • Use the right words in the right place
  • Pronounce and spell them correctly
  • Use them with grammatical accuracy (tense, word order, etc.)
  • Spontaneously recall the right word on the right occasion

Active and Passive Vocabulary - What's the Difference?

Advanced language learners have a larger active vocabulary than beginner learners. But those who consider that language as a mother tongue will have a more extensive active vocabulary than both types of learners.

What is Passive Vocabulary

Passive vocabulary refers to words whose meanings we can understand when they appear in writing or speech, but we do not confidently use them since we are not fully conversant with them. Since we don’t know the precise meaning of these words, we don’t usually use them in communication. But we might understand their general meaning depending on the context.

Most language learners have an extensive passive vocabulary. In fact, their passive vocabulary tends to be larger than their active vocabulary. However, the active and passive vocabulary of a learner changes all the time as he/she uses new words, learns new meanings for these words, revises words, and abandons certain word usages. Furthermore, the more we get exposed to language, the more we learn new words and build our vocabulary.

Active vs Passive Vocabulary

To develop your passive vocabulary, you have to keep on reading, writing, listening, and conversing in your target language as much as possible. When you come across a word you don’t understand, don’t rush to a dictionary. Try to define that word in words you already know.

Difference Between Active and Passive Vocabulary

Definition

Active vocabulary refers to the words we already know, understand, and use in a language, while passive vocabulary refers to words whose meanings we can understand when they appear in writing or speech, but we do not confidently use them since we are not fully conversant with them.

Familiarity with Words

In the active vocabulary, we know the precise meaning of the word, how to use that word in the right context, its spelling, and pronunciation, etc. However, in passive vocabulary, we might recognize a word and understand what it means, but we are not fully familiar with that word.

Use in Communication

We use active vocabulary in communication, but we don’t use passive vocabulary in communication.

Size

In any language, passive vocabulary is larger than active vocabulary. This is true for both language learners and native speakers of a language.

Conclusion

Active vocabulary refers to the words we already know, understand, and use in a language, while passive vocabulary refers to words whose meanings we can understand when they appear in writing or speech, but we do not confidently use them since we are not fully conversant with them. Therefore, this is the difference between active and passive vocabulary.

Reference:

1. Bite, Vishwanath. “Vocabulary: Active and Passive Vocabulary: Various Techniques of Teaching Vocabulary.” The Criterion: An International Journal in English, 1 Mar. 2015.
2. “Passive Vocabulary.” TeachingEnglish.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Words-letters-scrabble-text-design” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Book-read-woman-reading-glasses” (CC0) via Pixabay

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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