Learn English Online Multi-Function Words

Learn English Online Multi-Function Words ESOL Learners: Daily English Lessons in Words with Multiple Meanings ChaptersBefore and AfterNouns as AdjectivesDouble Function VerbsThe Ultimate Function-Changing Word: UpThe Debate: Is This Depth of Knowledge Necessary?Dear ESL student;We all know how tricky English grammar can be. English vocabulary is at times even more treacherous!That is why we offer our second instalment of daily English learning on the subject of words that serve dual purposes.As diligent as you are about learning English, we are sure you already know all about homographs â€" words that are written the same but are pronounced differently.This article does not address homographs, homonyms or homophones. However, you can refer to this sheet should there be any confusion over which is which.So, what do we mean by double-function words? Read on to find out!no hyphen.However, hand and picked have equal importance in giving meaning, therefore they are joined by a hyphen.As though nouns acting as adjectives were not tricky enough, there are rules for when to write these compound word phrases separately, with a hyphen or together, as one word. See the sentence below:You should be present for every school day during every school year, but your schoolmates and schoolteacher might miss a day here and there. Nevertheless, everyone completes their schoolwork.This example uses the noun-turned-adjective five different  times, but only twice is school written separately from its partner noun.Adjectives as NounsIf nouns can describe other nouns, then adjectives can also serve as nouns.Students of English as a second language participated in feeding the homeless. Homeless is traditionally used as an adjective to describe someone who has no home but, in this case, that word names everyone who has no home.The general rule is that, if you can put an article in front of an adjective, it can serve as a noun, like so:The English are proud of their writing skills.It is understood that expressions using adjectives as nouns are plural. Therefore the verb tense is usually third per son plural.Find out more about English language style and form in our dedicated blog.The list of verbs that can be either linking or action include:tastelikeappearbecomefeelgrowlooktastesmellturnCan you write a linking and an action sentence for each one?When speaking English, it hardly matters that the verb is either linking or action, only that you use it correctly. However, this next set of verbs is critical to understand.Transitive and Intransitive VerbsYour early English lessons taught you that the standard sentence format is: subject-verb-object. What was perhaps not mentioned is that those verbs are all transitive â€" meaning: they can have a direct object.The difference between these two types of verbs are their ability to act on objects. Alan practises his English language skills every day.Practise is a transitive verb because it has a direct object: language skills.Sheila slept through her spoken English class.Slept is an intransitive verb because it has no object.The best way to find out if a verb is transitive is to ask what? or who? after the subject-verb portion of the sentence. Sheila slept what? - as this sentence is not correct, we find that slept must be intransitive.Be aware that some verbs can be transitive or intransitive, depending on usage. Tony demonstrated his proficiency in English for Business.Cathy demonstrated at the protest.Which one is transitive? The Oxford English Dictionary provides a partial list of verb that can/cannot have a direct object.Perhaps you have another source to help you determine which verbs can be both transitive and intransitive.The Ultimate Function-Changing Word: UpAt a meeting, why does a topic come UP?Why do we speak UP, stand UP, and put UP or shut UP?Why are politicians  UP for election?Why is it UP to the secretary to write UP  the meeting minutes?We ring UP our friends, brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.We lock UP the house and fix UP the old car.T his two-letter word has more meanings and functions than most other English words.Up is listed in the dictionary as an adverb, adjective, a preposition and a verb.To be knowledgeable about the many uses of this word, you should look the word UP in your dictionary.The Debate: Is This Depth of Knowledge Necessary?Native English speakers learn their language by copying their adults' mouth movements and sounds. Little to no thought is given to the intricacies of grammar until the student is well-entrenched into his/her academic career.You do not need to know every engine part in order to drive a car. Source: Pixabay Credit: KrzysiekIn early education, the emphasis is placed on proper pronunciation, and reading and writing skills; language learning itself happens as a matter of course.By contrast, non native English speakers delve deeply into grammar rules. In some parts of the world, students are given little opportunity to exercise their English grammar  skills.Listening skills are, fo r the most part, developed independently through students' sheer determination and hard work.One does not need to understand how an engine functions in order to operate a motor vehicle.Just as you don't need to know the function of a spark plug or piston in order to qualify for a driving licence; you probably don't need to know whether a verb is transitive or intransitive in order to conjugate it and use it correctly.To make our point, we expand on  last article's introductory quote: if the vocabulary  is the building blocks of the English language, then grammar must surely be the mortar that holds it together.Maybe it is not necessary to know why some words serve more than one function in order to speak English properly, but if you want a strong foundation for your English language skills, then you must improve your English by knowing every nut and bolt that holds it together.Learn how English grammar has changed over the years here.