How to learn English: Describing things

describing things in english there are many ways to describe things in english in this video we will look at general to specific features using adjectives using prepositional phrases using relative clauses component parts functions and passive phrases objects don't usually describe themselves as a human you may need to describe things and tell how they work one way to do this is to start generally then move to specific features you can look at the process in this way an item fits generally into a category or a group of similar items what does it have in common with other items compare the item is unique in some way how is it different from other items in the same category contrast for example how would you describe an alligator first start generally it's a reptile that's a category or classification a type of animal it's like a lizard narrow down the category or group focus on similarities but it an alligator is much bigger has rough skin and lives in the water that is how it is different from other lizards describing things general to specific see what we did we started with the category animals and reptiles the group we are helping the listener focus on our topic the listener thinks of the category then the items within the category the category is the group for example the group might include reptiles which are turtles snakes and lizards then we think of items within the category we're comparing it to other items for example types of lizards this is how it is similar then we contrast it with the other items in the group the alligator is much larger than other lizards and it has rough skin and big teeth so the first step in describing things is to help people see category similarities and differences for example it's a book it's a funny book it's a funny book about a cow on a couch it's a funny book that tells a story about a cow on a couch let's look at some ways to do this number two add adjectives in english we put adjectives before a noun or an object a blue book a small book a big blue book here we have two adjectives sometimes we can have more than that to make full sentences we can connect the noun and adjective with a b verb which serves as an equal sign for example we can say the book equals blue to make a sentence we say the book is blue so to describe objects we can add an adjective or adjectives before the object a large book or tell a characteristic or feature of the object using a full sentence with the pattern subject verb adjective the book is large three we can also use prepositional phrases for example a book about a cow on the couch in english prepositional phrases usually come after the noun not before we do not say an about a cow on the couch book that is incorrect in full sentences prepositional phrases like adjectives come after the equal sign the book equals about a cow on the couch sentence the book is about a cow on the couch four use relative clauses a book that children love like prepositional phrases relative clauses come after the objects they describe for example a book that children love is jump on the bump an animal that lives in the water is an alligator we will not go into detail about relative clauses here we'll save that for another video some related questions a can we use verbs other than b in these types of sentences yes there are a few other linking verbs that function as equal signs it seems nice subject equals the adjective it feels smooth subject linking verb adjective the linking verb serves as an equal sign they smell sweet subject linking verb adjective it looks like a lizard subject linking verb prepositional phrase another question can we combine elements to make other sentences yes nouns can be surrounded by adjectives prepositional phrases or relative clauses in full sentences for example the blue pen is on the table the pen on the table is blue the pen that i use is on the table one more question can we use these to make other kinds of sentences as well yes just remember to keep the adjectives prepositional phrases and relative clauses nearby the nails they are describing tom has a small store near the bank lena lives in a house that has a large line five component parts another way to describe an object is to mention its component parts the most common way to do this is to use the verb has or have for example that bicycle has two tires a frame handlebars and a small seat elephants have trunks big ears thick skin and short tails can you name the parts of these objects a robot has head arms and legs razors have handles and blades a handbag has a strap a flap and a pouch let's go back to our first example an alligator is a reptile that lives in the water it looks like a big lizard and it has rough skin a long tail and huge teeth can you see how these elements are put together to describe something number six tell how the object works most objects do not work by themselves they need a person to operate them for this example let's say that the person is you a hammer is a very useful tool tool you can pound nails with it what can you do with these items you can with it you can with it or them you can make some sentences of your own about these objects for example you can cut your fingernails with the fingernail clippers you can write on the whiteboard with the marker you can cook things in the microwave you can put papers together with the stapler focusing on the object itself if you want to focus on the object instead of the user you can use passive phrases such as these it is used by people for pounding nails it is called a hammer by people they are made of cotton they are composed of four parts we will save the passive voice for another video for now let's just learn a few common phrases to describe objects some common phrases that enable us to focus on the objects instead of the people using them are it is called name of the object it is used for purpose or function it is made of material it is composed of component parts can you make sentences about this object here are some details an hourglass measuring time wood glass and sand frame top and bottom chambers this is called an hourglass it is used for measuring time it is made of wood glass and sand it is composed of a frame top and bottom chambers try a few of these phrases to describe some objects for example what is this called it's called a hammer what is it made of it's made of wood and metal what is it used for it is used for building things what is it composed of it is composed of three parts a handle head and claw guessing game i'm thinking of an object can you guess what this object is it's a type of tool general category it's thin and long these are adjectives it is from the classroom prepositional phrase it is an object that the teacher uses relative clause it has lines and numbers component parts you can use it to measure things function it is used for measuring things passive phrase telling about function it is made of wood or plastic passive phrase telling about material what is it can you guess it's a ruler now you try it think of an object help your classmates guess what that object is describe it generally what category is it in how is it different from other items in that category use adjectives use prepositional phrases use relative clauses tell about its parts tell what you can do with it use passive phrases you don't have to use all of these but use some of them take as much time as you'd like to practice these you can use any or all of the language elements to describe objects practice describing other things in english use your own items or talk about some of these feel free to stop the video and talk about different items keep talking and keep practicing remember what you learned in this lesson pause the video and take as much time as you need hope that was helpful if you like this please give it a thumbs up in the comment section below and don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos like 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