We are having a few "tips" on English in Gotoknow (currently or now) at the moment. I think it would be fun if I join the party and amuse readers too. ;-) I have a list of simple (English) constructs that people use in daily talks. These constructs are more or less phrases (or meanings) which are built up from 2 or more simple words. For examples:
We are in. = We join a group/party/activity/game.
We are out. = We leave/go out of a group/party/activity/game.
I am off. = I leave/go now.
I am on top/in front. = I can do/manage (my work/schedule).
I am under the water/behind. = I cannot do/manage (my work/schedule).
I am over the Moon. = I am very happy.
I was away. = I was not here/I went away.
She is top/She is number 1. = She is very good/the best.
He is on the ball. = He is playing the game/business/work now.
She is off the colour. = She looks sick.
Are you with me? = Are you on my side?
( Are you with me? = Do you read me? = Do you copy? = Do you understand me?
Yes, I'm with you. = Yes, I'm on the same page. = Yes, I read you. = Yes, I copy. = Ten Four. = Oki-doki. ;-)
...
There are more. Many, many more. So let us help build the list for everyone.
We can help help by giving more examples; more meanings and more use of these compound words. I will add a few more words below. But I'd like to see you help ;-) please.
have a go = take a turn/a chance to do something that others have done so
go on = continue
go in = ...
go into = ...
go up = ...
go down = ...
go after = ...
go before = ...
go over = ...
go under = ...
going, going, gone = ...
(More to come in the sequels ;-)
(Adding to the content above.)
We use simple phrases to talk about things in daily life. These phrases are made from 2 or more simple words. These phrases are what children learn when they learn to talk.
More examples:
It's over. = it ends/finishes. (sometimes, we say 'game over'.)
It's a pity. = It is not good enough. = It could have been better.
[Something] is hot. = people like that [something] a lot. = [something] is a hit.
I am green (with envy). = I wish I had that [something] too.
He is yellow. = He is afraid/scared (to do something). = He is chicken.
Many animals are used in saying what some people a like:
He is a fox. = He is cunning (or clever in selfish or evil ways).
He is a goat. = He is stubborn (or has one track mind).
He is as gentle as a lamb. = He is a lamb. = He is harmless.
More to come. Keep tuning in to this blog ;-)
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Let me give some examples of the phrases I listed above (in the content):
(Please/Do) Go on. = (Please/Do) Continue. = Keep on (doing). = Do more.
They go in ... = They enter...
She goes into a room. = She enters a room.
He goes into everything. = He tries (to do) many many things.
We can go up. = We can rise to a higher/better level.
It went down. = It lost its position = It got worse. = It sank (into a sea/a hole/...).
I go after [something/someone]. = I want to catch (up with) [something/someone].
He is going out with [someone]. = He is dating [someone]. = He has a girlfriend.
The fire went out. = The fire died out. The fire stopped burning.
[What/Who] goes before [something/someone] : 4 goes before 5. : John goes before Mary.
I will go over it again. = I will do it again. = I will reconsider.
The boat went under. = The boat sank.
He went under. = He was poor/broke. = He lost money.
"going, going, gone" : a common way to urge a decision. ; "Do it now before it ends."
As we can see English is Plain and Simple or not as difficult as we think it is.