Make Your Point > Archived Issues > LAGGARDLY

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

"LAGGARDLY" Pronunciation: LAG erd lee Part of speech: Both an adjective ("a laggardly pace") and an adverb ("walking laggardly.") Meaning: To lag is to move too slowly or fall behind, and a laggard is a person who does that. So, something laggardly is slow and sluggish, like a person who can't keep up. Other forms: lag, lagged, lagging, laggard, laggards, laggardness How to use it: For the adjective, talk about a laggardly habit or tendency; a laggardly pace, method, fashion, or attitude; a laggardly response; laggardly thoughts; and so on. Instead of placing the adjective before a noun, you can put it after a linking verb and say that something is laggardly, something becomes laggardly, something seems laggardly and so on, like when your comprehension turns laggardly as your pain medicine takes effect. You can also be more concrete and talk about a laggardly Internet connection, a laggardly child twenty paces behind her parents on the sidewalk, and so on. For the adverb, talk about doing something laggardly or something happening laggardly: "the lizard climbed laggardly up the wall," "the laggardly executed project," etc. I think of an artist's laggardly output as a good thing; it means he's been through years of experience and reflection that manifest themselves in a better creation than if he'd published continuously. I'd love to get work done late at night, but my mind turns laggardly after 11:00. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "laggardly” means when you can explain it without saying “lingering" or “lazy." Think of something that bothers you because it could (and should) move faster, and fill in the blanks: "It's hard to be patient (with/ during/ when/ while/ at/ on/ in) a laggardly _____." Example: "It's hard to be patient during a laggardly call to technical support; the technician is reading through a long, unnecessary script and won't budge from it." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words:   This month's game content is protected by a copyright, so I can't reprint the trivia questions here--but check out the thoughtful and thorough reference book that I got them from: Last Words of Notable People! A Point Well Made: Franz Kafka: “Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” 1. The opposite of LAGGARDLY is A. PRIOR B. PREENED C. PROMPT 2. As small business owners are well aware, laggardly responses to inquiries _____ A. take the most effort but are well worth it. B. will absolutely make you lose potential clients who want immediate gratification. C. remove the stress and frustration caused by continually answering the same questions, thanks to automation. Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.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. C 2. B