Technical English: Vocabulary and Grammar

Posted on Mar 9, 2025 in Mathematics

Prepositions with Nouns

Dependant Prepositions (Preposition + Noun)

In theory, in practice, in advance, on purpose, by heart, at the latest, by chance, on the news (referring to a specific item), in the news (these days, generally), in a very bad mood, in the end (at last, finally), by mistake, for nothing, on good terms, on principle, in principle, in debt, against the law, as a rule.

Dimensional Accuracy

Key concepts: precision and tolerance, size, shaft, bolt.

  • Allowed/Permissible: Acceptable variations.
  • Exact/Accurate/Precise: Correct dimensions.
  • Differ/Vary/Deviate: To change from a specified dimension.
  • Inaccuracy: Not exact.
  • Variation/Range: The difference between maximum and minimum values.
  • Within Tolerance: An acceptable deviation.
  • Outside Tolerance: An unacceptable deviation.
  • Tight Tolerance: A small deviation is allowed.
  • Loose Tolerance: A large deviation is allowed.

Example Sentences and Corrections:

  • It’ll bind – the bolt won’t be able to turn.
  • It’ll contract – the shaft will shorten.
  • It’ll expand – the hole will widen.
  • There’ll be too much clearance – the bolt won’t fit. It needs a clearance fit.
  • It needs an interference fit. The bolt will have to be forced in.

Fill in the Blanks: 1. Variation, 2. Precise, 3. Tolerances, 4. Plus, 5. Minus, 6. Within, 7. Permissible, 8. Range, 9. Fit, 10. Clearances.

Numbers and Calculations

Decimals and Fractions:

  • 0.25 = 1/4 (one-quarter)
  • 0.6368 ≈ 0.64 (rounded up to *two* decimal places)
  • 7.5278 ≈ 7.5 (rounded down to one decimal place)

Whole Numbers: 8, 26, 154

Mathematical Operations:

  • 14 + 8: Fourteen *plus* eight.
  • 100 x 20: One hundred *times* twenty.
  • 7 x 11: Seven *multiplied by* eleven.
  • 400 : 8: Four hundred *divided by* eight.
  • 95 + 2: Ninety-five plus two. (The *sum* of 95 and 2).
  • 82: Eight *squared*.
  • 50-30: Fifty *less* thirty
  • √121: The *square root* of one hundred twenty-one.
  • 48 – 12: Forty-eight *minus* twelve.

Current, Voltage, and Resistance

Word Puzzle Solutions:

  1. Current: Measured in amperes (amps).
  2. Supply: Provided by a battery.
  3. Power: Measured in watts.
  4. Conductor: Allows current to flow.
  5. Insulator: Has very high resistance.
  6. Charge: Carried by moving electrons.
  7. Appliance: Another term for a device that uses electricity.
  8. Shock: The consequence of touching a live wire.

Fill in the Blanks (Electrical Calculations):

In electrical calculations, the 1. current flowing in a 2. circuit is measured in 3. amps. The 4. voltage of the 5. supply is measured in 6. volts. The 7. resistance of 8. components is measured in 9. ohms. The power consumed by a 10. conductor is measured in 11. watts. 12. Wattage is another term for power.

Mechanical Fasteners

Bolts, Preload, and Washers

Corrected Sentences:

  • Bolts are *often* used to join materials.
  • In most cases, nuts are screwed onto bolts by turning them clockwise.
  • The threaded part of a bolt is the *shank*.
  • Threads are cut to form a *helix*.
  • Spanners are designed to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts.

Fill in the Blanks:

In structural applications, it is essential to 1. tighten bolts correctly to achieve the correct 2. preload. If bolts are not tight enough, they may 3. work loose. If excessive force is used, this can 4. over-tighten the bolts, exceeding the specified 5. torque. This can cause excessive 6. tension in the bolt, and may also cause 7. shear forces. Vibrations can also cause bolts to 8. loosen.

True or False (Washers):

  • The purpose of all washers is to prevent damage to surfaces. (False)
  • Plain washers are flat. (True)
  • Spring washers change shape when tightened. (True)
  • Spring washers ensure that, no matter how much a bolt is tightened, it will not work loose. (False)
  • In situations where components are likely to vibrate, spring washers are always used. (False)

Horizontal and Vertical Measurement (Airbus A380)

True or False:

  • The height of the towers is measured horizontally. (False – *vertically*)
  • The overall span is measured as a width. (True – *span* refers to width)
  • The tops of the towers are level. (True)
  • The highest point of the structure is at the top of one of the towers. (True)
  • The thickness of each cable is measured out of plumb. (False – *thickness is a direct measurement*)
  • The greatest distance between the towers is measured externally. (True)

Choose the Correct Word:

  1. Span
  2. Plumb
  3. Inclined
  4. Out of plumb
  5. Length
  6. Height

Dictionary

Eagle: Bird, Famine: *Gosea* (Hunger), Grater: *Rallador* (Shredder), Jury: *Jurado* (Jury), Knuckle: *Eskumuturra* (Wrist – *more accurately, the knuckles are the joints in the fingers*), Ladybird: *Mariquita* (Ladybug), Mean: *Tacaño* (Stingy), Necklace: *Collar* (Necklace), Peckish: *Gosea* (Hungry), Quilt: *Edredón* (Quilt), Treason: *Traición* (Treason), Widower: *Viudo* (Widower), Yawning: *Bostezo* (Yawn).

Engineering

Materials Processing

Match the Verbs:

  • Anneal (Templar): 4
  • Anodize: 9
  • Electroplate: 7
  • Forge: 3
  • Found: 1
  • Galvanize: 8
  • Grind: 10
  • Roll: 2
  • Plate: 11
  • Soften: 5
  • Temper: 6

Complete the Sentences:

  1. Chemical chemists.
  2. Industrial engineers.
  3. Mechanical engineers.
  4. Structural engineers.
  5. To harden steel.
  6. Mining engineers.
  7. Miners extract minerals.

Engineering Disciplines:

a) Physics, b) Chemical, c) Civil, d) Highway, e) Electrical, f) Electronic, g) Mechanical, h) Development, i) Product.

Work

Vocabulary:

1) Vacancies, 2) Applicant, 3) Post, 4) Application, 5) CV (Curriculum Vitae), 6) Employer, 7) Experience, 8) Personnel Manager, 9) Interview, 10) Promotion, 11) Training, 12) Salary.

Matching:

  1. Surgeon: B
  2. 2: E
  3. 3: F
  4. 4: C
  5. 5: H
  6. 6: Not listed
  7. 7: Not listed
  8. 8: A