Exploring the Word 'Spare': Multiple Meanings and Uses
1 Introduction
The word spare is fascinating because it can mean different things in different situations. It can be an adjective meaning ‘extra’ or ‘additional’, a verb meaning ‘to save from harm’ or ‘to give up’, and it appears in many common phrases that English speakers use every day.
Key Terms
- spare
- extra or additional; not being used
- to spare
- to give up something or save someone from harm
💬 Section 1: At the Office
A busy workday conversation about time management
2 Lexical Breakdown
Core meanings of spare:
1. As an adjective: spare parts are extra pieces kept for when needed
2. As a verb: to spare someone means to save them from something unpleasant
3. In time expressions: spare time means free time available
4. In requests: ‘Can you spare a minute?’ means ‘Do you have time available?’
Key Terms
- spare parts
- extra pieces kept as replacements
- spare time
- free time available for activities
💬 Section 2: Car Problems
Helping a colleague with car trouble
3 Word Family and Variants
The word has several forms:
– Sparingly: using very little of something
– Spared: saved from something bad
– Sparing: using or giving minimal amounts
Key Terms
- sparingly
- using very little of something
- spared
- saved from something unpleasant
- sparing
- using minimal amounts
4 Collocations and Combinations
Common phrases:
– Spare wheel: extra tire for emergencies
– Spare room: extra bedroom
– Spare key: extra key
– Spare me!: expression showing annoyance
– Spared from destruction: saved from damage
Key Terms
- spare wheel
- extra tire kept for emergencies
- spare room
- additional bedroom not regularly used
- spare key
- extra key kept as backup
- spare me
- expression used to show annoyance or disbelief
- spared from destruction
- saved from being destroyed