Look at these words and yawn (= open your mouth, like when you want to sleep or when you are very bored) : they are so simple and familiar! You know them all!
What you might not know is that these words have secret potential : they have other meanings that can help you express a lot of phrases and ideas!
MEET YOUR EASY WORDS
Enjoy their powerful simplicity: discover all their possibilities!
| kind | drive | hand | meet | head | fit |
| match | draw | run | way | switch | tie |
| mind | deal | fine | track | leader | touch |
You know them, right? This is what you may think. Now look at how these people use these words in a different context. Also, you will see that these words can be transformed from objects into actions/characteristics and vice versa.
For the phrases below, see if you understand how the words are used, try to guess their meaning and see if they are used as objects, actions or characteristics.
Tom, a programmer and a geek, says: “There are many kinds of different video games that exist today.”
Liz, a blogger on the best deals in shopping, says : “if you buy new cell phones, they are are kind of expensive”.
kind (object, aka “noun”) = a type, a variety
kind of = this expression means “a little” and can be used in front of any word. Example : “This movie is kind of scary”. (not extremely scary, but a little scary”) NOTE: this is an informal expression – it’s not used in written English, only in spoken English or on chats or blogs. It’s often pronounced “kinda”. Example: “John is kinda my friend, but in fact I don’t know him that well.’
Sam, an activist, says : “We need to drive change by helping people who need it most.”
Megan, a singer, says : “I need a lot of drive and courage to perform better and better every day.
drive (action) = to motivate, to stimulate
drive (idea) = motivation, determination
The word “hand” doesn’t need explaining, but it is at the origin of the words “handy” and “handle”
Liz, a blogger on the best deals in shopping, says: “You will find my online guide on where to find the best furniture very handy.”
Liz also says : “My recommendations help people find good products and save money, so they are great for people who don’t know how to handle their finances very well.
handy (characteristic) = easy to use, practical
handle (action) = to organize, to manage, to control
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