Improve your Vocabulary: Stop saying VERY!

Summary

In this engaging lesson, James from engVid teaches viewers how to replace the word 'very' with more descriptive alternatives, enhancing their English vocabulary. Through humorous examples and practical suggestions, he encourages learners to use words like 'destitute' for 'very poor' and 'superb' for 'very good', aiming to make their language richer and more expressive. By the end, students are challenged to identify their own 'very' collocations, promoting a community of shared learning and improved communication skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Using 'very' repetitively can make your speech monotonous and boring.
• 🔥 Instead of saying 'very hot', use 'scorching' or 'scalding' for more vivid descriptions.
• ❄️ Replace 'very cold' with 'freezing' to convey a stronger sense of temperature.
• 👎 Using words like 'vulgar' can elevate your vocabulary from 'very rude'.
• 👌 'Superb' is a more impactful substitute for 'very good'.
• 😴 Use 'exhausted' instead of 'very tired' to express extreme fatigue.
• 💰 'Wealthy' is a more sophisticated term than 'very rich'.
• 🥴 'Ravenous' conveys intense hunger better than 'very hungry'.
• 📚 Learning advanced vocabulary makes your communication sound more natural and fluent.
• 📈 Expanding your vocabulary with synonyms can greatly enhance your writing and speaking skills.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the lesson?

The main topic is how to replace the word 'very' with more descriptive words to enhance vocabulary and make language sound richer.

Why does the speaker suggest avoiding the word 'very'?

The speaker suggests avoiding 'very' because it can make speech and writing monotonous and less engaging. Instead, using more specific adjectives makes communication more interesting.

What does the speaker mean by 'monotonous'?

'Monotonous' refers to something that is repetitive and lacks variation, which can be boring for the listener.

Can you name a few alternatives to 'very rude'?

An alternative to 'very rude' is 'vulgar', which conveys a stronger meaning of rudeness.

What does 'ravenous' mean?

'Ravenous' means extremely hungry, indicating a strong desire for food.

What is the difference between 'scalding' and 'scorching'?

'Scalding' usually refers to hot liquids that can burn, while 'scorching' describes hot temperatures, often related to the weather.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate 'very tired'?

The speaker suggests replacing 'very tired' with 'exhausted' to convey a stronger sense of fatigue.

What does the word 'destitute' imply?

'Destitute' implies being extremely poor, to the point of lacking basic necessities.

How does the speaker encourage students to practice their vocabulary?

The speaker encourages students to think of five other 'very' collocations they commonly use and share them with the community on engVid.

What is a 'level two' word according to the speaker?

A 'level two' word is a more sophisticated term that is not commonly used by many native speakers, such as 'jubilant', which means very happy.