Make Your Point > Archived Issues > RECIPROCATE

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explore the archives: Notice how reciprocate has roots meaning "back" (re) and "forward" (pro). Reciprocal things are given and received mutually, or back and forth, between people. A synonym for reciprocal with a more mechanical flavor is bi______ional: allowing movement in two opposite ways at the same time.  make your point with... "RECIPROCATE" To reciprocate someone's action toward you is to do that same thing back to that person. And to reciprocate someone's feelings toward you is to feel the same way toward that person. In other words, to reciprocate something is to mirror it: to return it in kind or respond in the same way. Pronunciation: ruh SIP ruh kate (or "ree SIP ruh kate") Part of speech: Verb. It’s most often transitive (you reciprocate something)  but can also be intransitive (you reciprocate). Other forms: Tons, but here are the common ones: Reciprocal, reciprocally; reciprocated, reciprocating, and reciprocation/reciprocity ("reh sip ROSS ih tee"). How to use it: When you reciprocate kind gestures, help and favors, loyalty and support, compliments, invitations, gifts, and so on, that's a very proper social behavior: someone gives you something, so eventually you give something similar back. In fact, we often complain about the person who fails to reciprocate: the one who always takes but never gives. You can also reciprocate negative things, like accusations, insults, ridicule, dislike, hatred, and physical attacks. Often, we talk about whether or not someone reciprocates someone else's adoration, affection, crush, liking, or love, sometimes in a friendly way ("I adore this student, and her eager smiles and hugs suggest that she reciprocates") but more often in a romantic way: "For years he's had that crush, which she's never reciprocated." Finally, note that you can reciprocate an action, reciprocate with an action, reciprocate by doing something, reciprocate one thing for another ("reciprocate story for story"), or just plain reciprocate. examples: If you're always texting someone to ask them to hang out and they never reciprocate, it may be best to quit trying. I cautioned my teenage student to refuse the man's extravagant gifts. How would she be expected to reciprocate? study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "reciprocate" means when you can explain it without saying "pay it back" or "feel the same way in return." try it out: Think of a time you returned a compliment, a favor, or a kind gesture. Fill in the blanks: "After (someone did something nice for me), I reciprocated by (doing something nice in return)." Example: "After he looked over my thesis for any mistakes or confusing spots, I reciprocated by checking some of his reports for grammar errors." 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. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. A decorative pillowcase, often with cording or a flange on all four sides, is a… 2. A break from a game, so that players can talk or ads can be shown, is a… 3. Inspirational goddesses, or any people who provide creative inspiration, are… review today's word: 1. A close opposite of RECIPROCATE is A. PRETEND B. IGNORE C. STIPULATE 2. Because _____, I couldn't reciprocate her enthusiasm. A. she'd believed for years that math was hard and painful B. she was hopping up and down, excited to reveal the secret C. I had no interest in the products she was selling Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, 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. B 2. C Answers to game questions: 1. sham or pillow sham 2. timeout 3. muses