Jane and Dave Willis argued that the most frequent words express the language's most frequent meanings. This supports a focus on what?

Jane and Dave Willis argued that the most frequent words express the language's most frequent meanings. This supports a focus on what?

• A. Frequent words express the language's meanings
• B. Frequent words are the smallest grammar
• C. Grammar is more important than vocabulary
• D. Collocations are irrelevant

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the words we use most often carry the messages people express most frequently. If the most common words embody the language’s typical meanings, then focusing on those high‑frequency words lets you see what people are usually talking about and how they convey core ideas. This view aligns with how language use concentrates semantic weight in a relatively small set of words, so studying that high‑frequency vocabulary provides the clearest window into everyday meaning. The other options miss this link between frequency and meaning: they either shift focus to grammar in a way that isn’t what the statement claims, or dismiss the role of frequency in signaling meaning.

The main idea is that the words we use most often carry the messages people express most frequently. If the most common words embody the language’s typical meanings, then focusing on those high‑frequency words lets you see what people are usually talking about and how they convey core ideas. This view aligns with how language use concentrates semantic weight in a relatively small set of words, so studying that high‑frequency vocabulary provides the clearest window into everyday meaning. The other options miss this link between frequency and meaning: they either shift focus to grammar in a way that isn’t what the statement claims, or dismiss the role of frequency in signaling meaning.