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cheryl,
This month we will focus on expanding vocabulary skills using homonyms and synonyms. In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, you will become familiar with some common Irish expressions. In addition, we continue to answer your questions in our "Question and Answer Corner".
| Epanding Your Vocabulary by Using Synonyms |
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When you speak, try expanding your vocabulary by using synonyms for common words. A synonym is a word that has the same or similar meaning as another word. Let's practice using using different words to say the same thing.
Let's look at the common word "pretty" in the sentence "She is a pretty girl.". If you think about what the word pretty means, you can come up with several words. It can mean beautiful, cute, gorgeous, good-looking, appealing, attractive, just to name a few. If we substitute the word "pretty" in the above sentence, we can say "She is a beautiful girl", "She is a gorgeous girl", "She is an attractive girl", and so on.
Try thinking of a different word for each of the following words and then make a point to use synonyms for each when you speak this week; fast, easy, good, happy.
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| Idioms Using the Color Green |
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On March 17th, we celebrate the Irish holiday St. Patrick's Day. Green in Ireland symbolizes hope; hopes for good events and outcomes. On March 17th Irish people wear green to support this holiday.
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, our idioms this month include the color green.
1. To give someone the green light means to give permission
2. To have a green thumb means that you have talent for growing plants
3. Green with envy means very jealous
4. To be green means to be inexperienced with something
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| Question and Answer Corner |
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When are payments for classes due?
Usually, the speech evaluation is paid for at the time of the evaluation. A deposit for class tuition is also due at that time. The remainder of the class tuition is due at the first class.
What if my computer doesn't support SightSpeed's video conferencing? Before you register for classes, your instructor will have you install SightSpeed and try it out with her to make sure your internet connection supports it. Occasionally, internet connections may too slow to support video conferencing using SightSpeed. When this happens, there may be other options: using the telephone for classes, using Windows Messenger, using Skype. Although Windows Messenger and Skype do not provide the same audio and video quality, some individuals have opted to use this medium for their classes.
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There, Their, They're |
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A homonym is a word that sounds just like another word, but is spelled differently and has a different meaning. The English language is full of them! In this article, we will take a look at some very common ones that can be confusing: there, their, they're.
The word "there" can mean several things. Let's look at just a few examples of how it can be used. When it is used as an adverb, it usually refers to a place. For example, "Please sit over there." When used as a noun, it can refer to a place, as when saying, "He comes from there, too." When used as an adjective, it is usually used for emphasis, as when saying, "Ask that girl there." It can also be used when expressing satisfaction or relief, for example:"There! I finished."
The word "their" is pronounced exactly the same as the word "there", although it's meaning is different. When we use the word "their", we usually refer to possession, as when saying, "Their car is blue."
The word "they're" is what we call a contraction, which means it is a shortened way to say a word. It means "they are", as in the sentences, "They're here," and "They are here". It is pronounced exactly the same as the words "there" and "their".
Choose the correct homonym to complete the following sentences.
1. I have (there/their/they're) coats.
2. (There/Their/They're) always on time.
3. He saw his friend over (there/their/they're) |
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