GRE Vocab Capacity - 2017 Edition - Powerful Memory Tricks and Mnemonics to Learn

Sep 14, 2026

GRE Vocab Capacity (2017 Edition) presents mnemonic-based strategies for memorizing GRE vocabulary through unusual, memorable associations. The book explains how mnemonics strengthen recall by linking a new word to familiar sounds, visuals, emotions, rhymes, and patterns, with concrete examples for both standalone words and word roots. It also provides practical study guidance, including flashcard construction, review scheduling, and additional methods like personalized definitions, sample sentences, and movement-based association to improve retention.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages357

Reading Time15 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Why This Book Is Different

Mnemonic Examples

Word Root Examples

How To Use This Book

Other Tips

The Mnemonics

Appendix: Word Roots

Index

Acknowledgments

GRE Vocab Capacity 2017 Edition Powerful Memory Tricks and Mnemonics to Learn GRE Vocabulary Words Now with more than 1,300 mnemonics! By Brian McElroy and Vince Kotchian Contents Why This Book Is Different Mnemonic Examples Word Root Examples How To Use This Book Other Tips The Mnemonics Appendix: Word Roots Index Acknowledgments Why This Book Is Different There are tons of books, apps, and websites designed to help you learn GREwords. However, if you’ve tried typical vocabulary study methods, they might not have worked very well for you. The problem with most vocabulary products is that the sentences in the books are boring! Your brain might not naturally form connections to the meanings of words if they’re not presented to you in a memorable, creative way. GRE Vocab Capacity is different. We’ve not only clearly defined the words but we’ve also created sentences designed to help you remember the words through a variety of unusual associations-using mnemonics. Mnemonic Examples A mnemonic is just a memory device. It works by creating a link in your brain to something else, so that recall of one thing helps recall of the other. This can be done in many ways – but the strongest links are through senses, emotions, rhymes, and patterns. Consider this example: quash (verb): to completely stop from happening. Think: squash. The best way to quash an invasion of ants in your kitchen is simple: squash them. Now your brain has a link from the word quash (which it may not have known) to the word squash (which it probably knows) . Both words sound and look the same, so it’s easy to create a visual and aural link. If you picture someone squashing ants (and maybe get grossed out) , you have another visual link as well as an emotional link. Here’s another example: eschew (verb): to avoid. Think: ah-choo! Eschew people who say "ah-choo!" unless you want to catch their colds. The word eschew sounds similar to a sneeze (ah-choo!) , so your brain will now link the two sounds. If you picture yourself avoiding someone who isabout to sneeze in your face, even better! Again, the more connections you make in your brain to the new word, the easier it will be for you to recall it. Word Root Examples Word roots are parts of words that often mean the same thing. For example, the root chron pretty much always has something to do with time: synchronize, chronological, etc. So knowing what word roots mean can be useful in helping you learn words. They can also provide a hint for the meaning of words that you don’t know. However, English is a funny language, and roots don’t always have the same meaning-it can depend on what word they’re in. So what you shouldn’t expect from roots is that they’ll be reliable to help you determine the definition of a word you don’t know. Keep in mind that knowing your word roots is not a substitute for knowing the actual definitions of words. We’ve included an appendix with this book that lists many common word roots along with their usual definitions, and an easy example word that uses the root. For example: chron: time. Think: chronological: arranged in order of time. We recommend learning all the word roots if you have time. It may be helpful to learn all the word roots first and then begin learning words you don’t know, looking for instances ofthe roots to help you learn the new words. Word Root Tip: the more letters you can match from the beginning of a word you do know to a word you don’t know, the more likely it is they have similar meanings. Matching five or more letters is a good benchmark. For example, if you know that pacifist has to do with being peaceful, you’dbe right in guessing that pacific has a similar meaning since they both start with pacifi. How To Use This Book One tool we recommend is periodic review of flashcards. The "tactile learning" (in other words, learning by doing) aspect of making your own cards is very ef

FAQs

What makes GRE Vocab Capacity different from other GRE vocabulary resources?

It focuses on memorable, creative sentences that use mnemonics, rather than relying on typical study methods that may not build strong connections to word meanings.

How do mnemonics help with recalling GRE vocabulary words?

Mnemonics work by creating a link in the brain so recall of one thing helps recall of the other, especially through senses, emotions, rhymes, and patterns.

What study method does the book recommend for learning words effectively?

It recommends creating custom flashcards with pronunciation, definitions, mnemonics, sample sentences, and synonyms, then using a structured review order for daily study.

Sep 14, 2026

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