The usage of new vocabulary.

Question

Hello there,I am a newbie here. Because English is not my mother tongue, I'm trying my best to learn it so I can gain more knowledge as I continue to live my life. Please help me verify if I fully understand what I'm talking about. 1. State of MineI have heard this phrase for very long time, but I have never been able to understand how to use it. Would it be correct to say that the state of mine is sorrow if I happen to watch heavy drama movie. 2. PreposterousI learned this word from one of the online blogs. If there is a movie which happen to be extremely popular, I personally think that this movie is not better than average. Can I say that this movie is preposterous because it should not gain this much popularity? 3. DemoteIf I have ranked that "A" book is listed on the top of my favourite book, but I found out that I like "F" book a lot better several weeks later. Would it be correct to say that I demote "A" book from the most favourite book to the second most favourite book? 4. NotoriousIf I know one of my colleages to be unpleasant to hang out around with, is it right to say that that notorious colleage of mine is not my friend, but somebody who I am forced to work with.There should be more to come as I happen to find new words almost everyday. Thank you!

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

bongbong1. State of Mine
I have heard this phrase for very long time, but I have never been able to understand how to use it. Would it be correct to say that the state of mind is sorrow if I happen to watch heavy drama movie.

The phrase is "state of mind."
It means how you are thinking and feeling in general. It is often in the context of mental health.

He was in such a bad state of mind, that his mother put him in a mental hospital for a few days.

A sad movie can put me in a sorrowful state of mind for a few hours.
You can often tell an artist's state of mind by looking at their art.

bongbong2. Preposterous
I learned this word from one of the online blogs. If there is a movie which happen to be extremely popular, I personally think that this movie is not better than average. Can I say that this movie is preposterous because it should not gain this much popularity?

No. A synonym of preposterous is ridiculous.
He just lost his job and now he says he is going to spend all of his money on a vacation in a five-star hotel with a casino. He thinks he will pay for it all by winnings from the slot machines. That's preposterous!

bongbong3. Demote
If I have ranked that "A" book is listed on the top of my favourite book, but I found out that I like "F" book a lot better several weeks later. Would it be correct to say that I demote "A" book from the most favourite book to the second most favourite book?

Yes. But more often "demote" is used when someone makes a major mistake and is forced to take a lower-ranking job.

He used to be the supervisor of our division, but he made so many customers angry that the company demoted him. Now he is one of the ordinary workers.

bongbong4. Notorious
If I know one of my colleagues to be unpleasant to hang out around with, is it right to say that that notorious colleague of mine is not my friend, but somebody who I am forced to work with.

Not really. A person is notorious when they do things in public that are radical and unacceptable, and that makes them famous or infamous. Sometimes an entertainer is wildly successful because of their notoriety.

Jack the Ripper was a notorious serial killer.

The bankers who caused the recent financial crisis are notorious. Many of them are still employed, earning preposterously high salaries and benefits.

Mrs. Wallis Simpson is notorious in England. They hold her responsible for King Edward VIII's abdictation.

Bongbong · Answer

I wish I were able to understand how to use State of mind because I have heard the phrase for so long and it is irritating that I do not know how to use it.

Is it correct to say "with me being unemployed and having to stay with my parents, it had put me in a depressing state of mind."

For preposterous, I don't mean to argue with you, but I am somewhat right.

If I were to say that the fact that this movie has gained this much popularity is preposterous, would it be correct?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

bongbongIs it correct to say "with me being unemployed and having to stay with my parents, it had put me in a depressing state of mind."

Yes, but I would use "depressed." A situation can be depressing; a person can be depressed.

bongbongFor preposterous, I don't mean to argue with you, but I am somewhat right.
If I were to say that the fact that this movie has gained this much popularity is preposterous, would it be correct?

Yes! That's much better.
It is preposterous that this movie should be so popular!

The movie itself is not preposterous.

The usage of new vocabulary.

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