Basic Details
Word: Construct
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To build or put something together from parts; also, to form an idea, a sentence or an argument.
Synonyms: build, assemble, erect, make
Antonyms: demolish, destroy, dismantle
How to Spell Construct
Syllables: con - struct
Tricky part: The middle has the cluster str, and the word ends in ct. Students drop the s (contruct) or the r (constuct).
Watch out for: contruct, constuct, construckt
Memory tip: Anything you construct has a structure, and structure is right there inside it: con + struct.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The engineers will construct a flyover above the busy junction.
Example 2: Can you construct a sentence with the word although in it?
Example 3: Weaver birds construct hanging nests from strips of grass.
Fun Fact
The Kallanai dam on the Kaveri river in Tamil Nadu, built under the Chola king Karikalan around the 2nd century, is often described as one of the oldest dams still in use.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
con_tru_t
a) s, k
b) c, c
c) z, c
d) s, c
Show answer
d) s, c. Think of structure: an s starts the str cluster and a c comes before the final t.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word construct as used in the sentence:
The panchayat plans to construct a new library near the bus stand.
a) erect
b) assemble
c) build
d) demolish
Show answer
d) demolish. Build, erect and assemble all mean putting something up; demolish means knocking it down.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
It took the villagers two summers to crostnctu a stone wall around the pond.
a) constrict
b) construct
c) conduct
d) instruct
Show answer
b) construct. Constrict needs an i, and instruct and conduct are too short for these nine letters.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. To construct an argument is to ____.
a) shout it as loudly as possible
b) forget it halfway through
c) build it up point by point
d) copy it from a friend
Show answer
c) build it up point by point
2. 'Constructive criticism' is criticism that ____.
a) comes in a letter
b) hurts your feelings
c) helps you improve
d) comes from a builder
Show answer
c) helps you improve
