RUN, RUN !!!!!

The word run requires special attention in the English langauge, as it has so many uses as a single word, in phrases and as the verb part of a phrasal verb also sometimes as a noun and a noun phrasal verb.  The etymology of the word comes, originally, from the Germanic langauge renwanan.  We can see an interesting link with the Rhine river in Germany.  For more details about the etymology of the word visit http://www.etymonline.com.


Back to the word run some say that it has more than 150 uses in the language, so I hope you find these definitions fun and useful.

Run is an irregular verb the past is ran and the past participle is run.  Its most common meaning is to move quickly with at least one foot off the ground.  Within this idea you can combine the word run with some prepositions:
run after someone or something when you want to catch it,
run for something, when you want to catch it, for example, a bus,
run into something when you hit it,
run on the spot, when you don't move.

We can also use the verb run when we talk about the operation and functioning of something.  For example:

my car is running well at the moment,
the buses run every 15 minutes,
run a business,
run a tight ship - a colloquial expression which means the business, house, school etc is properly organised and functions well.

It can be used to show when something will appear either in a newspaper or the TV:

The BBC have been running a documentary on the Artic.

Another way we can use this versitile verb is when we consider the flow of liquids.  Some examples are as follows:

you have to separate your whites from your colours in case the the colours run,
don't leave the tap running!
tears are running down her cheeks,
my nose is running.  Do you have a tissue?

We can also use the word run to illustrate the degree or quantity of something:

She is running a high temperature,
We are running low on fuel.  We need to stop for petrol,
The bad feeling between them runs deep.

There are many phrases and collocations with the verb run, perhaps too many to mention here, but here are my top ten verb uses :
to run for President,
to be running late,
to run a bath,
to run in the family,
to run a risk,
to run your fingers through your hair,
to be on the run,
to run for it,
to run something into the ground,
Ok 9 uese!

Some noun uses in phrases and collocations:
run of the mill,
in the long run,
to be out of the running,
to give someone the runaround.

The last four examples show the word run as a noun.  Here are a few more examples:

go for a run,
a run in my tights or stockings,
a chicken run,

The next section of this blog entry will skim the surface of the word run combined with a preposition to form a phrasal verb:

to run away from someone or something,
to run up a bill,
to run over someone with a vehicle,
to run down someone by criticising them,
to run out of something when it is finished,
to run through something with someone,
to run something by someone,
to run into someone on the street,

Please note that you can also use run away as a noun.  For example, a runaway.  Also, you can use run down as an adjective, as in a run down old building.
And finally, for this blog, it can be used like an adverb:

for six weeks running.

If I have missed any out please leave them in the comments.

Enjoy the song i have chosen to celebrate this word.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FrSsF7SJm4

South American Journey

http://www.videobb.com/video/Wpxwo2NaAEuK

 

Series two ...... Colombia and Venezuala.

Interesting Word of the Week

In this section of the blog I will be examining an interesting word in English.  A versitile word that can be used in many different ways. 

This week the word is "TIP".  A small little word with so many uses:

As a verb:

To tip - to leave a small amount of money to a person for their services.  easy peasy.
To tip something in the bin - The movement of slanting something in the bin.  As in: "The truck tipped the rubbish into the landfill".
To tip your hat - tilt your hat towards someone.

Combined with prepositions:
to tip over - spill
to tip away - throw away liquids.  As in, "Shall I tip this old water away?"
tip back - incline backwards \.
tip forward - incline forwards /.

Phrasal Verb:
To tip off - To advise someone, usually the police, about something.

As a noun:
a tip - a usueful piece of information
the tip  - a place where discard things you don´t want anymore
a tip - when something is very untidy and messy you can refer to it as a tip.  As in: This room is a tip.
the tip of something - The point of something.  As in:  finger tips; tip of your nose, tongue.

on tiptoes - walk or stand on the point of your toes
it´s on the tip of my tongue - I can almost remember the name or something or someone.

tiptop- When something or someone is in very good condition.  As in:  She works out a lot she is in tiptop condition.

tipsy - to feel a little drunk.

Blog is back

Hi Guys,

Have been really out of touch with my blog for the last couple of months, so much has been been going on combined with having problems with my computer.  Anyway, back now and ready to blog on, so(le) to speak.   

So watch this space.

News Update

Hi Guys,
A quick update to let you know how my holiday has been so far. 

Apart from the lousy weather, English summers can be a little temperamental at times, my trip back has been fabulous. A great time to catch up with family members and friends and enjoy England in all her glory. 

So far, I have been to the south coast of Sussex and Kent two wonderful counties with picturesque countryside and quaint little beach towns.  I've hiked 10 miles in the Essex countryside rambling through the woods and meadows with a couple of stops in the quintessential English pub.  A few times to London to shop for all the funky bargins in the Sales.  Yes, all is well here.

Hope to see you all soon.

Kisses

In and Around the UK

Being back in London has its advantages for you the student, as it means that I, your teacher, is back in the thick of her mother tongue.  

Today listening to the Radio i heard the word rave being used and it got me thinking.

The word was used to talk about how people spoke enthusiastically about a movie:

"Everybody raves about that film"

As a noun:
"the film received raves"

As a adjective:
The flim received rave reviews"

Other uses include:

"She kept raving on about the shop keeper"
In this sentence the person is speaking wildly and irrationally about the shop keeper.

"They raved all night at the rave"
The verb in this sentence is the action of dancing and the noun is a type of party with electronic music.

"That bloke is a raving idiot"
A complete idiot

Thanks for following xx

Arrival in London, UK

Hi all,

Sorry about the delay in posts, but I have been busily catching up with all my relatives. 

Those of you who already know, My grandfather's 90th birthday bash was a real success with lots of food and plenty of wine. 

Just to let you know my computer is up and running and skype is on.  my address is lara.sole1.

Keep in touch,

Kisses.

Tongue Twister

Start your Monday off by exercising your tongue with these twisters:

She sells seashells by the sea shore;
The shells she sells are seashells, I'm sure

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck,
if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper;
Where's the peck of picked pepper Peter Piper picked?

Thanks for everything

Hi guys,

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help and support this semester, i hope we can reconvene our classes when i return from my vacation in July. 

Big kisses and hugs to you all,

lara xxxxxxxxxxxx

Farewell Teacher

As you have all heard by now I'm going on holiday on Monday, so I thought I would depart by teaching you some cool phrases related to saying goodbye.

When you don't expect to see someone for a while you can say: 
So long (then),
Farewell

If you expect to see them in the near future you can say:
Catch you later (catchya later), 
See ya, or see you soon,
Bye for now,
See you later, or see you later aligator, followed by the response in a while crocodile
Ta-ta,
Ta-ra,
Cheerio
laters

Other ways to depart from company are:
I'd better be off then
Gotta go
Must dash 
I think I need to head off

As I'll be seeing you all soon, I'm going to say ..........

"CHEERIO"

Kisses

Weekly Phrase

Day in and day out ............... Doing something day in and day out means you do it everyday.

For example:

I sit in traffic day in and day out in Sao Paulo.

Facebook Page

If you haven"t started following Sole to Speak on facebook then what are you waiting for. 

Come on be a fan!!

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Sole-to-Speak/126786684067112

Surprise Surprise - language tip

The other day I was planning a surprise for someone and some interesting phrases came up for keeping a secret.  That's right, in English we keep secrets from people when we don't want them to find out, and we keep secrets for people when they don't want you to share information.  Anyway, back to the phrases you can ask someone to keep a secret for you by saying:

Mum's the word
For example:
I'm planning a surprise party for Rene, so mum's the word. 

(If you would like to see the origin of the phrase then follow the link below).

And they can respond by saying:

My lips are sealed
For example:
Don't worry my lips are sealed

To be sealed means to be closed or shut tightly.

Enjoy your new phrases!!

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/mums-the-word.html

Sole to Speak on Facebbok

Hi guys, 
Just want to let you all know that Sole to Speak is now operating on Facebook.  To access please enter the  link below and click on the button "Like" or "Curtir".  Come on be a fan!


Oi pessoal,
Sole to Speak agora tem uma página no Facebook. Para acessar, entre no link abaixo e clique no botão "Curtir" ou "Like". Seja um fã!


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sole-to-Speak/126786684067112

Tongue Twister

Start off your Monday with a tongue twister that will get you off to roaring start..........

1. Six slim slender saplings
2. The stinking steamer sank
3. A proper copper coffee pot
4. Freddy Thrush flies through thick fog
5. There´s no need to light a night-light, On a light night like tonight

Welcome to Sole to Speak Blog Spot

To all current, previous and potential students, 

I`d like to cordially invite you to the Sole to Speak blog spot.

This blog exists to assist you with your English Studies and, hopefully, will become an interesting and exciting forum for conversations, questions, queries and new discoveries about the English Language.  Also, Sole to Speak has a facebook page, where you can check out videos, songs and much more each selected with you in mind to help learn in a fun and easy way.

If you would like to follow this blog you will need a Twitter or Google acccount, or you can go to www.soletospeak.blogspot.com and leave a message.