Topic Focus: Super English Words
Some English words are used so much that native speakers don't realize how often they say them.
Some, such as "stuff" and "thing," can refer to almost anything. Other words, such as "like," simply have many, many uses — which makes them very important for any learner to master.
We've written about these words several times on the Engoo blog, so we've decided to collect these articles in one convenient place. After reading each, practice using these words yourself in a lesson with an Engoo tutor!
How to Use “Like” …Like a Native Speaker
"I like this." "I don't like that."
These are only the most basic use of "like." In fact, you can also use it to make comparisons, introduce examples, talk about desires and a lot more.
What Does “Stuff” Mean and How Do You Use It?
As we mentioned in the introduction, almost anything can be "stuff" — it can refer to physical things like clothes or to abstract things like ideas. It can be a verb, a noun and another way to say "etc."
Although it's mostly an informal word, you definitely need to learn "stuff" if you want to become fluent!
The Many Ways to Use “Even”
"Even" can be an adjective describing something smooth or flat, it can describe a type of number, it's an adverb that can add emphasis, and it's very useful for making comparisons. And that's not even everything it can do!
How Many Different Ways Can You Use “Thing”?
What's a "thing"?
Well, it can be anything!
Just like "stuff," "thing" is a powerful word because of how it can represent items, ideas and much more. Read to find out just how much potential this simple word has.
How to Use “Mind” Like a Native Speaker
When you hear the word "mind," what do you think of?
The noun for the part of us that allows us to think and experience the world? The verb meaning "to care"? Or maybe you think of an idiom such as "mind over matter" or "have something in mind."
This simple word is used in various important ways, so make sure you're familiar with them all.
How to Use “You Know” Like a Native Speaker
The short phrase "You know?" appears often in everyday English. Although it might sound like a question, most of the time it isn't, which probably confuses many English learners.
Like everything else on this list, it has a surprising variety of uses, from friendly and casual to more serious and direct.
Wrap-up
Mastering the uses of some simple but powerful words can help you improve your English skills dramatically. Start with the ones we've included here, but keep your eye on this post — we'll update it as we share more articles in the future.
In the meantime, don't forget to practice in a lesson with an Engoo tutor!
