FREE DAILY ENGLISH LESSONS!
In time, these lessons and "stubs" will be migrated to the Buzzwords site.
Until then, consider them historical.


Talking about Ooze


GET READY:

What's the difference between a noun and a verb? Can you think of some words that are both nouns AND verbs?

READ THIS:

James: Hey, Danny.
Danny: Oh, hi, James. I'm glad I ran into you. I have a grammar question.
James: Shoot.
Danny: Is "ooze" a noun or a verb?
James: Both!
Danny: Really?
James: Sure. You could say "Something is oozing out of the ground" or "There's some ooze coming out of the ground."
Danny: Thanks, James.
James: No problem!

NOTES:

a. to run into somebody: to meet someone you didn't plan to meet. "I was outside for lunch and ran into my boss."
b. Shoot: "Go ahead," in this case, "Ask your question."
c. a noun or a verb: A noun names a person (mother, Mr. Jones), place (home, New York), thing (bird, water), or idea (peace, love). A verb shows action (run) or the condition of something (is, seems). As James points out, some words can be both.
d. No problem!: a casual way to say "You're welcome."

PRACTICE:

Choose the best answer. See correct answers below.

1. Danny asks James a question about:
a. something oozing from the ground
b. grammar
c. shooting

2. "Walk" is:
a. a noun
b. a verb
c. both a noun and a verb
d. neither a noun nor a verb

3. Which of these is probably able to ooze?
a. stone
b. oil
c. wood

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

Set a clock. In one minute, name as many nouns as you can.

If you do this with a friend, have the friend time you. Your friend must stop you if you say something that is not a noun.

If you do this in writing, stop yourself after one minute and check the words you wrote, making sure each one is a noun.

How many did you get?

Do it again, but this time with verbs.

Now try to use ALL the words you wrote in sentences.

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1b 2c (as in "take a walk") 3b (stone and wood are usually solid)

This lesson is ©2011 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave me a message; I can't wait to hear from you!