Make Your Point > Archived Issues > OSCILLATE

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explore the archives: To oscillate is to move back and forth, so you oscillate between (not among) two different things. The synonym ___illate is more flexible: you can do that between two things or among three or more things. (Compared to oscillation, ___illation often implies wavering: an unwillingness to make a choice.) make your point with... "OSCILLATE" To oscillate is to swing to and fro between two points, or to move back and forth between two things. Pronunciation: OSS uh late Part of speech: Verb. It's usually intransitive: someone oscillates, or something oscillates. Other forms: oscillated, oscillating, oscillation How to use it: In scientific contexts, you might talk about a wave, a magnetic needle, or a pendulum that oscillates: "a wave that oscillates in this direction," "a needle that oscillates in an arc," "a pendulum that oscillates quickly." But we'll focus on the more abstract usage. A person might oscillate between two rooms or two countries, or oscillate between two feelings or emotions or moods, or oscillate between two desires or goals.  And your mood, tone, speech, language, and opinions can oscillate, too: "Her tone oscillated between angry and uplifting." What else can oscillate? Temperatures, prices, policies, markets...anything that goes back and forth between two endpoints, concrete or abstract. It's rare, but you can use "oscillate" as a transitive verb, too: "this button oscillates the mirror," "he's oscillating the question in his mind." examples: The songs on the album oscillate between upbeat and slow. Grief can be dizzying: a constant oscillation between "I can't go on" and "I'm almost okay." study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "oscillate" means when you can explain it without saying "go back and forth" or "vary between extremes." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "When it comes to _____, I oscillate between _____ and _____." Example: "When it comes to preparing dinners, I oscillate between excitement and apathy."  before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Our game this month is "What's the Difference?" I’ll give you two terms. Without using Google or a dictionary, explain how they’re different. Go beyond saying, "well, I know the difference, but I can’t explain it," or "show me an example and I'll tell you which it is." In your explanations, try to focus on features, not comparisons. For example, what's the difference between climate and weather? A good explanation focuses on features: "climate is what’s going on in the atmosphere over long periods of time, and weather is what’s going on in the atmosphere at a particular place and time." A weaker explanation focuses on comparisons: "climate is more concerning than weather." The game will get harder as the month goes on: we’ll start with objects—natural first, then man-made—then switch to concepts. Let’s do this! From yesterday: What's the difference between a casket and a coffin? Answer: A casket is rectangular; a coffin has six sides and is tapered near one end. Try this today: What's the difference between a cellar and a basement? review today's word: 1. One opposite of OSCILLATE is A. STABILIZE  B. APPEAR C. SEESAW 2. The genus of bacteria called Oscillatoria is made up of filaments that _____. A. overlap each other B. dart in all directions C. glide back and forth Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. C