WORDS with MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES (part 2)

Yes, English Users, last post we broke the news that some words in the English language are affected with multiple personalities.

Looking back, we're truly sorry if we've broken the heart of those who thought that a simple word like "move" only had one meaning.

Today, we'll prove the same holds true for the word "break".

But hey, it doesn't mean that every time you see a new word, you should break out in tears because you have to break the code to break through to the "other" meaning.


So let's break this down in simple terms.

1. Whatever you read, try to understand and infer the general meaning (or topic) of the text first.
   
2. Then and only then, use a dictionary to find words that are unclear.
   
3. Remember: words that describe basic ideas, attributes, objects and actions are used in a denotative and connotative ways.
4. When they are used in a denotative way, the sentence will usually have a simple linear structure. (He broke the glass. Get the report! Where did I put my keys? The box is heavy.)
   
5. Beware: often they can also form part of an idiom, so the entire expression gives a connotative meaning to the original word.
6. There are usually clues in such sentences that will determine if it has a simple denotative meaning or if it's something more complex or connotative. (Remember step 1)
7. In English - and really in any language - you shouldn't search for the meaning of a word out of context.
   

Suggested answers from last post:

• Cool (adj): A temperature approximating cold (denotative) / Something is style or fashionable (connotative)
  
• Sharp (adj): A pointed object like a knife (denotative) / A very intelligent person (connotative)
  
• Soft (adj): Something that is not hard (denotative) / Lacking strength or courage (connotative)
  
• Drive (noun): A trip in a vehicle (denotative) / Inner strength and determination (connotative)

Now try making sentences.

For more meanings of idioms with the word break or any word, check out this link.

And speaking of "break", we now invite you to take a break from all this and have a little fun watching the following video. It's The Simpsons - a show with "multiple personalities" making fun of yet another TV show: the prison drama Prison Break.

WORDS with MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES (Part 1)

Words in English - just like in most other languages - often have more than one meaning. That`s right, English Users, they have... multiple personalities.

But before calling the word psychiatrist, let`s take a closer look at how this works.

The meaning of a word is either denotative or connotative.

The denotative meaning or the denotation of the word is basically its basic literal meaning, the one that normally appears first in the dictionary.

The connotative meaning on the other hand is a meaning that comes from an emotional or cultural association of the word. This meaning is usually not obvious and sometimes generates confusion when we first learn it.

Let`s take the word “move” for example.

Denotative Meaning
move (v.intr.) to change in position from one point to another.
Ex. Bill moved to Florida last week. (He literally changed his position from where he was before)

Connotative Meaning
move (v.intr.) to generate emotion
Ex. I was moved by Sally`s graduation speech. (The speech generated emotion in me, but I did not literally “move” anywhere).

“Moving Pictures” - The cover of Canadian rock band RUSH`s 1981 album Moving Pictures intentionally depicts a situation where both the denotative and the connotative meaning of the word “move” are true.
In the picture, we see a group of movers moving pictures from a museum to a different location. At the same time, we see a family, and especially an older woman who is so “moved” by the pictures (or the fact that they`re being moved) that she drops her grocery bags.

Interestingly enough, the compound term “moving pictures” is synonymous of “motion pictures” or movies, as the scene looks like it might be part of a movie.

So remember, English Users, words don`t usually have just one meaning.

For a better idea of this, see if you can find denotative and connotative meanings for the following words:

Cool (adj)
Sharp (adj)
Soft (adj)
Drive (noun)

Next post, we`ll provide our suggested answers. Good luck!

TURNED ON by Phrasals - part 2... (No TURNING BACK!)

Hey, English Users, there's no turning back (returning) because we're back with the second part of Phrasal Verbs with "TURN".

We just hope, you're still turned on!






to turn against (change opinion from positive to negative)

* Althought they were traditional allies, they have now turned against each other.
* After the scandal, many fans turned against her.

to turn someone away (refuse entry to a place to someone)

* The store manager turned away a man who was behaving very strangely.
* Don't turn me away just because you don't like what I have to say!

to turn back (to return to where you were before)

* You passed the point of no return. There's no turning back now.
* I forgot my keys at home, so I had to turn back.

to turn down (refuse something or someone)

* Management turned down Bill's proposal.
* Although she was confident when she applied for the job, they turned down her application.

to turn down (lower the volume or the intensity of a device)

* Hey, man. Could you turn it down a little? Your radio is killing my ears!
* It's really chilly here. Could you turn down the air conditioner, please?


to turn in (to surrender to authorities)
* After a 13 hour standoff with police, the kidnappers turned themselves in.
* Despite commiting a terrible crime, he took advantage of his celebrity status and didn't turn himself in right away.

So once again, we truly encourage you review these sentences and try to come up with samples of your own. And if you'd like, share them in the comments section below!

And for a memorable use of "No Turning Back...", we encourage you to WATCH the classic "Blue Pill / Red Pill Scene" from THE MATRIX. Can you spot it?















It's got optional subtitles in English (CC), but embedding is disabled, so please click HERE to watch. Enjoy!