3 Words That Drive English Language Learners Bonkers
by Kimberly Joki • November 13, 2014
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3 Words That Drive English Language Learners Bonkers
English language is a confusing language because so many different languages (from different language families) have played a role in what we speak today. Here are three words and phrases that aren’t consistent or are just plain strange that can drive people learning the language to madness.
1. Teachers taught, but preachers don’t “praught.”
The past simple of teach is taught, but the past simple of preach is preached.
2. Feet smell. Noses run.
To smell in English has two meanings. One is the act of detecting a smell, and the other is the act of producing an unpleasant smell. “Feet smell” is using the second definition and is a common collocation. A runny nose is a nose that is stuffed up and is producing a lot of mucus, usually during a cold or allergies. Feet can also run, but in that case it means to literally run.
3. An alarm goes off by going on.
This one is strange because, like many phrasal verbs, the combination of the verb go and the preposition completely changes the meaning of the written phrase. In this case “to go off” means to start working or go into action. It is often used when describing a sound, e.g. “The timer is going off. The food is done!”
Which funny examples can you think of? Please share with us in the comments!
3 Words That Drive English Language Learners Bonkersby Kimberly Joki • November 13, 2014english_is_weird_alarm_clockShare on Facebook 14913 Words That Drive English Language Learners BonkersEnglish language is a confusing language because so many different languages (from different language families) have played a role in what we speak today. Here are three words and phrases that aren’t consistent or are just plain strange that can drive people learning the language to madness.1. Teachers taught, but preachers don’t “praught.”The past simple of teach is taught, but the past simple of preach is preached.2. Feet smell. Noses run.To smell in English has two meanings. One is the act of detecting a smell, and the other is the act of producing an unpleasant smell. “Feet smell” is using the second definition and is a common collocation. A runny nose is a nose that is stuffed up and is producing a lot of mucus, usually during a cold or allergies. Feet can also run, but in that case it means to literally run.3. An alarm goes off by going on.This one is strange because, like many phrasal verbs, the combination of the verb go and the preposition completely changes the meaning of the written phrase. In this case “to go off” means to start working or go into action. It is often used when describing a sound, e.g. “The timer is going off. The food is done!”Which funny examples can you think of? Please share with us in the comments!
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