Thinking & Reasoning
Words for mental processes, logic, and problem-solving
Overview
25 A2 words for describing how we think, reason, and understand the world.
Words
although /ɔːlˈðəʊ/
conjunction — A2
Meaning: despite the fact that
Examples:
- Although it was raining, we went out.
- She passed, although she didn’t study much.
Collocations: although… still, even although
apart /əˈpɑːt/
adverb — A2
Meaning: separated by a distance or time
Examples:
- The cities are 100 km apart.
- We’ve been living apart for a year.
Collocations: apart from, fall apart, take apart
basic /ˈbeɪsɪk/
adjective — A2
Meaning: forming the simplest or most essential part
Examples:
- She has basic knowledge of French.
- These are the basic rules.
Word Family: basic (adj.) → basically (adv.)
claim /kleɪm/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to say something is true; a statement
Examples:
- He claims to be an expert.
- Her claim was hard to believe.
Collocations: claim that, make a claim
conclude /kənˈkluːd/
verb — A2
Meaning: to decide after thinking; to end
Examples:
- I concluded she was right.
- The meeting concluded at 5 p.m.
Word Family: conclude (v.) → conclusion (n.)
condition /kənˈdɪʃn/
noun — A2
Meaning: the state of something; a requirement
Examples:
- The car is in good condition.
- You can go, on one condition.
Collocations: in good condition, on condition that
contrast /ˈkɒntrɑːst/
noun — A2
Meaning: a noticeable difference
Examples:
- There’s a big contrast between the two cities.
- In contrast, she’s very quiet.
Collocations: in contrast, sharp contrast
despite /dɪˈspaɪt/
preposition — A2
Meaning: without being affected by
Examples:
- Despite the rain, we had fun.
- She succeeded despite difficulties.
effect /ɪˈfekt/
noun — A2
Meaning: a result produced by an action
Examples:
- Pollution has a bad effect on health.
- The law took effect yesterday.
Word Family: effect (n.) → effective (adj.)
evidence /ˈevɪdəns/
noun — A2
Meaning: facts showing something is true
Examples:
- There’s no evidence he was there.
- The evidence suggests she’s innocent.
Collocations: scientific evidence, strong evidence
exactly /ɪɡˈzæktli/
adverb — A2
Meaning: precisely; completely accurate
Examples:
- That’s exactly what I mean.
- The meeting starts at exactly 3.
Word Family: exactly (adv.) → exact (adj.)
however /haʊˈevər/
adverb — A2
Meaning: used to show contrast
Examples:
- I love the city. However, it’s noisy.
- However hard he tried, he couldn’t pass.
include /ɪnˈkluːd/
verb — A2
Meaning: to have as part of a group
Examples:
- The price includes breakfast.
- Does the tour include the museum?
Word Family: include (v.) → including (prep.)
introduce /ˌɪntrəˈdjuːs/
verb — A2
Meaning: to present someone; bring something new
Examples:
- Let me introduce myself.
- The company introduced a new product.
Word Family: introduce (v.) → introduction (n.)
main /meɪn/
adjective — A2
Meaning: most important
Examples:
- The main reason is cost.
- What’s the main idea?
Word Family: main (adj.) → mainly (adv.)
matter /ˈmætər/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: a subject; to be important
Examples:
- What’s the matter?
- It doesn’t matter.
Collocations: no matter, as a matter of fact
point /pɔɪnt/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: an idea; the purpose; to direct
Examples:
- That’s a good point.
- She pointed at the map.
Collocations: point of view, make a point
prove /pruːv/
verb — A2
Meaning: to show that something is true
Examples:
- Can you prove it?
- The theory was proved correct.
Word Family: prove (v.) → proof (n.)
reason /ˈriːzn/
noun — A2
Meaning: a cause or explanation
Examples:
- What’s the reason for the delay?
- For this reason, we cancelled.
Word Family: reason (n.) → reasonable (adj.)
result /rɪˈzʌlt/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: an outcome; to happen because of
Examples:
- The exam results come out tomorrow.
- The accident resulted in injuries.
Collocations: as a result, end result
situation /ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃn/
noun — A2
Meaning: the conditions at a particular time
Examples:
- It’s a difficult situation.
- The situation is improving.
therefore /ˈðeəfɔːr/
adverb — A2
Meaning: for that reason
Examples:
- He was ill and therefore couldn’t come.
- Therefore, everything is on sale.
whether /ˈweðər/
conjunction — A2
Meaning: used to express a choice or doubt
Examples:
- I don’t know whether to go.
- Whether or not you agree, it’s happening.
within /wɪˈðɪn/
preposition — A2
Meaning: inside; not beyond
Examples:
- The school is within walking distance.
- Please reply within 24 hours.
Collocations: within reach, within the law
worth /wɜːθ/
adjective, noun — A2
Meaning: having a particular value; deserving
Examples:
- The painting is worth millions.
- It’s worth a try.
Collocations: worth it, worth doing, net worth
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| although | conj. | despite that |
| apart | adv. | separated |
| basic | adj. | essential |
| claim | v./n. | assert |
| conclude | v. | decide; end |
| condition | n. | state; requirement |
| contrast | n. | difference |
| despite | prep. | in spite of |
| effect | n. | result |
| evidence | n. | proof |
| exactly | adv. | precisely |
| however | adv. | but |
| include | v. | contain |
| introduce | v. | present |
| main | adj. | most important |
| matter | n./v. | subject; importance |
| point | n./v. | idea; direct |
| prove | v. | show true |
| reason | n. | cause |
| result | n./v. | outcome |
| situation | n. | circumstances |
| therefore | adv. | so |
| whether | conj. | if (choice) |
| within | prep. | inside |
| worth | adj./n. | value |