How to Describe Things Colorfully in English | Amazing, Terrible, Huge & More! | English Podcast

Summary

In this episode of Everyday English Academy, Sarah and Mike teach listeners how to use extreme adjectives to make their English more vivid and expressive. Instead of relying on overused words like 'good' and 'bad,' they introduce powerful alternatives like 'amazing,' 'terrible,' 'huge,' and 'tiny' to describe things with more emotion and clarity. The lesson also highlights the importance of avoiding 'very' with extreme adjectives and offers tips on how to use them naturally in conversation. Listeners are encouraged to practice these new words daily to sound more fluent and colorful in English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Use extreme adjectives to make your descriptions more vivid and colorful. Instead of saying 'good' or 'bad', use words like 'amazing', 'incredible', 'terrible', or 'horrible'.
• 😀 Extreme adjectives are strong words that express powerful emotions and create clear images in your listener's mind.
• 😀 Avoid using 'very' with extreme adjectives. For example, don’t say 'very amazing', just say 'amazing'.
• 😀 To emphasize extreme adjectives even more, you can use words like 'absolutely' or 'completely'. For example, 'absolutely amazing' or 'completely exhausted'.
• 😀 For things that are really good, use words like 'amazing', 'incredible', 'fantastic', 'wonderful', 'outstanding', and 'brilliant'.
• 😀 For things that are really bad, use words like 'terrible', 'awful', 'horrible', and 'dreadful'.
• 😀 When describing size, instead of saying 'very big', use words like 'huge', 'enormous', or 'massive'. For small things, use 'tiny' or 'minuscule'.
• 😀 In casual conversation, exaggeration is often used to make stories more interesting, like saying 'I’m starving' when you're just really hungry.
• 😀 Food descriptions can be more interesting when you use words like 'delicious', 'mouthwatering', 'disgusting', or 'gross'.
• 😀 For emotions, instead of just saying 'happy' or 'sad', use words like 'thrilled', 'delighted', 'exhausted', 'furious', 'astonished', or 'shocked'.
• 😀 Practice using extreme adjectives daily to make your language sound more fluent and natural. This will make you sound more like a native speaker.

Q & A

What are extreme adjectives, and why are they important in English?

Extreme adjectives are strong, powerful words used to describe things vividly and express emotions more clearly. They are important because they help paint a mental picture and make conversations more exciting and expressive, instead of relying on boring, vague words like 'good' or 'bad'.

How does the word 'amazing' differ from 'good'?

'Amazing' means something is so good that it surprises you or leaves a strong positive impression. In contrast, 'good' is a much more general and neutral word. Using 'amazing' conveys much stronger feelings and excitement.

What should you avoid when using extreme adjectives?

You should avoid using the word 'very' with extreme adjectives. For example, you should not say 'very amazing' or 'very huge' because these adjectives already carry the meaning of 'very' within them.

What does the term 'paint a picture' mean in the context of this lesson?

In this context, 'paint a picture' means describing something so clearly and vividly that the listener can easily imagine it in their mind. Extreme adjectives help achieve this effect by adding intensity and clarity to the description.

Can you give an example of exaggeration in everyday speech?

An example of exaggeration would be saying, 'I'm starving,' when you’re just very hungry, or 'I’ve told you a million times,' even though you’ve only mentioned something a few times. Exaggeration helps make stories more engaging and reflects strong emotions.

What’s the difference between 'terrible' and 'awful'?

'Terrible' and 'awful' are both used to describe something extremely bad or unpleasant, but 'terrible' might sound a bit more intense or dramatic, while 'awful' can sometimes feel slightly less extreme. However, both words are strong and convey negative emotions effectively.

Why is it important to use words like 'outstanding' or 'brilliant' instead of just saying 'good'?

Using words like 'outstanding' or 'brilliant' makes your speech more specific and impactful. These words carry more emotion and give a clearer sense of how you feel about something, making your description more colorful and engaging.

What is the effect of using extreme adjectives in daily life?

Using extreme adjectives in daily life makes your language more vivid, expressive, and natural. It allows you to convey emotions and experiences more strongly, helping others understand how you truly feel about something, whether it's something positive or negative.

What should you say instead of 'very big'?

Instead of saying 'very big,' you can use words like 'huge,' 'enormous,' or 'massive.' These extreme adjectives convey the idea of something being exceptionally large, without needing the word 'very.'

What does 'exaggerate' mean, and why is it used in casual conversation?

'Exaggerate' means to make something seem bigger, better, or worse than it really is. It’s used in casual conversation to make stories more interesting and to express emotions in a stronger way. For example, saying 'I’m exhausted' after a long day might be an exaggeration if you’re just tired, but it helps show how tired you feel.