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Voice of America
09-03-2025
- General
- Voice of America
Green Means Spring and Other Things
Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories. Today we talk about a color found all throughout nature – green! Green is also very common in American English. Let's hear Warren Scheer read a story about these colorful expressions! Green is an important color in nature. It is the color of grass and the leaves on trees. It is also the color of most growing plants. Sometimes, the word green means young, fresh and growing. Sometimes, it describes something that is not yet ripe or finished. For example, a greenhorn is someone who has no experience, who is new to a situation. In the fifteenth century, a greenhorn was a young cow or ox whose horns had not yet developed. A century or so later, a greenhorn was a soldier who had not yet had any experience in battle. By the eighteenth century, a greenhorn had the meaning it has today - a person who is new in a job. About one hundred years ago, greenhorn was a popular expression in the American west. Old-timers used it to describe a man who had just arrived from one of the big cities back east. The greenhorn lacked the skills he would need to live in the hard, rough country. Someone who has the ability to grow plants well is said to have a green thumb. The expression comes from the early 1900s. A person with a green thumb seems to have a magic touch that makes plants grow quickly and well. You might say that the woman next door has a green thumb if her garden continues to grow long after your plants have died. The Green Revolution is the name given some years ago to the development of new kinds of rice and other grains. The new plants produced much larger crops. The Green Revolution was the result of hard work by agricultural scientists who had green thumbs. Green is also the color used to describe the powerful emotion, jealousy. The green-eyed monster is not a frightening creature from outer space. It is an expression used about four hundred years ago by British writer William Shakespeare in his play "Othello." It describes the unpleasant feeling a person has when someone has something he wants. A young man may suffer from the green-eyed monster if his girlfriend begins going out with someone else. Or, that green-eyed monster may affect your friend if you get a pay raise and she does not. In most places in the world, a green light is a sign to move ahead. A green light on a traffic signal means your car can continue on. In everyday speech, a green light means approval to continue with a project. We want you to know we have a green light to continue this series next week. And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Don't forget to tune in again for another story about American English expressions. Until next time! I'm Anna Matteo. Marilyn Christiano wrote this program. Warren Scheer and Anna Matteo narrated.
Voice of America
07-03-2025
- General
- Voice of America
Adverb and Adjective Choices in Conversation
From VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar. Imagine two American students are talking outside of their school. Let's listen to the imaginary conversation: A: Today is going slow . B: Yeah. I guess we should study for our grammar test. A: That sounds like a terrible idea. B: Yeah, but if we don't study, we won't do good on the test. A: Fine. Let's go study our notes quick . Then we can play video games. These bad students may hate grammar, but they just taught you some common grammatical structures in conversational American English. In today's report, we will study how conversational grammar differs from written and formal grammatical structures. We will show you how some Americans use adjectives and adverbs in casual conversation. Adjectives and Adverbs Adjectives are words that give information about nouns. They generally appear before nouns, although they also appear after linking verbs. Here are two examples: You are a good student. Learning English is fun. In the two example sentences, the words "good" and "fun" are adjectives. They are telling you something about a noun. Adverbs are often used to modify adjectives or verbs. They give information about reason, manner, time, and so on. For example, the adverb loudly appears in this sentence: We sang loudly. The adverb loudly modifies the past tense verb, sang. It tells about the way in which the subject, we, sang. Adverbs often have an –ly ending, but there are many that do not. You can read more about adverbs in past Everyday Grammar stories. Conversation: Let's think back to the conversation we heard at the beginning of the story: A: Today is going slow . B: Yeah. I guess we should study for our grammar test. A: That sounds like a terrible idea. B: Yeah, but if we don't study, we won't do good on the test. A: Fine. Let's go study our notes quick . Then we can play videogames. Notice that the words are used differently from what might be taught in an English class. In casual conversation, Americans often use adjective forms in place of adverbs. They may use adjective forms to modify verbs. For example, the students use good – a word that is normally an adjective - as an adverb. One student says "we won't do good on the test." In writing and in formal conversation, Americans generally do not use the word "good" this way. Instead, they use the word well. In formal writing or speaking, you would be more likely to see or hear the sentence "we won't do well on the test." Americans also may use an adverb but choose not to say an –ly ending. For example, the student says "today is going slow," instead of "today is going slowly." You would be more likely to read "slowly" in academic writing, write Susan Conrad and Douglas Biber, two English grammar experts. Not necessarily slang, not necessarily impolite These grammatical structures are not necessarily slang. They are not necessarily impolite, either. You might hear some of these structures in a restaurant, at a job fair, or even at work. For example, a boss might tell an employee "We need to do this quick," about a project that must be completed quickly. This is the same pattern that the students used in their conversation. Conrad and Biber say that in formal speech and writing, adjective forms are almost never used to modify verbs. In addition, adverbs with –ly endings are more common in writing – particularly in academic and news writing.* What can you do? The good news is this: we are not asking you to memorize any of the patterns we have talked about today. What we hope to do is show you that the grammatical patterns in conversation do not always match the patterns used in formal writing or speech. There is more flexibility in casual speech. Understanding this idea will help you understand Americans when they speak, and it will help you sound more natural when you speak to Americans. You might also be pleased to know that Americans will not judge you severely if you use an adjective in place of an adverb. In fact, they probably would do the same! I'm Jill Robbins. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. *Please see Conrad and Biber "Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach to English" pgs. 73-75 ** If you would like to read more about adverbs, you might want to try these two resources: ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story conversation – n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing casual – adj. not formal modify – v. grammar: to limit or describe the meaning of (a word or group of words) manner – n. the way that something is done or happens academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education slang – n. words that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people impolite – adj. not polite pattern – n. the regular and repeated way in which something happens or is done memorize – v. to learn (something) so well that you are able to remember it perfectly flexibility – n. able to change or to do different things
Voice of America
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Voice of America
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the ‘Super Bowl' of Dog Shows
At America's 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize. The lively schnauzer beat six other finalists in New York City to become the first of his breed to win Westminster's 'best in show.' The prize is the most important and respected in the U.S. dog show world. While Monty came close to winning Westminster the past two years, he fell short of the big prize. In December 2024, the dog won another big prize, the huge American Kennel Club championship. But for dog show lovers, Westminster is considered the Super Bowl of all shows. This year the comparison is especially fitting. That is because the most respected U.S. dog competition opened on the same weekend as the Super Bowl -- the most important game in American professional football. This rare happening came after the dates of both competitions changed in recent years. At Westminster, dogs first compete against other members of their breed. Then, the winner of each breed goes up against other dogs within different competition 'groups.' Among the groups are sporting, working, toy, and herding. Group winners then compete in the final round. The best in show winner gets an award – a large, shiny cup called a trophy – and a place in dog-world history. The top prize, however, does not include money. In her report on the dog show, Learning English's Caty Weaver explains that the Westminster show dates back to 1877. It centers on the traditional purebred judging that leads to the best in show prize. But over the last few years, the organization has added agility and obedience events open to mixed-breed dogs. In 2024, Sage, a miniature poodle, won best in show at the 148th Westminster Kennel Club dog show. And in 2023, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, named Buddy Holly, won best in show at Westminster. The breed he represents is known for its rabbit-hunting abilities. I'm Anna Matteo. Writers for the Associated Press reported this story from New York. Anna Matteo adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Quiz - Top Dog Takes Westminster, the 'Super Bowl' of Dog Shows Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ________________________________________________________ Words in This Story giant –adj. something unusually large or powerful finalist –n. a contestant in a competition finals breed –n. a particular kind of dog, cat, horse, etc. fall short (of something) –phrase fail to meet an expectation or standard for something herd –v. to move animals or people in a group agility –n. the quality or state of being ability to move with quick easy grace obedience –n. an act or instance of taking commands miniature –adj. something small of its kind
Voice of America
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Voice of America
Visitors Laugh Away Troubles at the HaHaHouse Museum
A new museum of laughter in Croatia is offering to help people deal with the negativity of modern life. Visitors to the HaHaHouse in the Croatian capital Zagreb walk into a little cloud of white smoke when they step inside. Its purpose is to blow away their worries before they climb into a "giant washing machine". Then they move down a twisting slide into a space filled with little white balls where their trip to a happier place starts. Forty-three-year-old Andrea Golubic is the museum's creator. Golubic said she got the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, many people were feeling down, depressed and alone: "I realized that I had a mission -- to heal people with laughter." The idea "came straight from the heart", Golubic told the French News Agency (AFP). She had ideas for many of the museum elements in one day: 'that's how the HaHaHouse began." Golubic said a picture of her when she was seven-year-old inspired her. 'I was constantly joking as a kid," she added. Visitors press a button to be "disinfected from negativity" as soon as they step inside the museum, which has eight interactive zones, or areas. One has rubber chickens singing cheerfully. They sing songs like ABBA's "Dancing Queen." There is a karaoke room with distorted voices and a "Sumo Arena" for wrestling in puffed up clothes. There is also some serious history of humor from ancient to modern times told through theatre, film or the internet. The museum also explains different kinds of humor. These include word play, slapstick, dark humor and satire. Inner child Golubic said the HaHaHouse is popular with everyone from small children to older people. Adults say it is a good excuse to act like a child. "All those who still feel a bit of childish joy and embrace their inner child, will recharge themselves," she said. Retiree Bruno Dadic told AFP he was pleased by his visit "as there is never enough humor in life. "Laughter is a medicine for the soul," he said. Aleksandar Suka celebrated his fifth birthday with a visit. Visiting with his mother, the little boy said he liked lying on the "Bed of Nails" since they tickled him. Singer Zorica Bucic, from the coastal town of Split, said the museum was just right for our times. "Entering here is like entering childhood, being relieved of all problems,' she said. Bucic added that if you could come to museum often, you would not need to visit a psychologist. Psychologist Petar Kraljevic told AFP that laughter is a kind of weapon which gives people strength to face their problems. He said that if doctors could advise their patients to have "three hours of laughter' a day, people would feel much better. I'm John Russell. Lajla Veselica reported this story for Agence-France Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story museum –n. a building that holds many exhibits showing things related to a subject such as history, art or any other subject people are interested in negativity – n. an attitude in which someone considers only the bad qualities of someone or something twist – v. to curve or change direction suddenly inspire – v. to make (someone) want to do something; to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create interactive – adj. designed to respond to the actions or commands of a user karaoke –n. a pastime in which people sing along with music of popular songs slapstick – n. comedy that involves physical action (such as falling down or hitting people satire – n. a way of using humor to show that someone or something is foolish, weak, or bad; humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, society, etc. embrace – v. to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly recharge – v. to rest and relax in order to regain your energy and strength tickle – v. to make (someone) laugh by lightly touching a very sensitive part of the body with fingers, a feather, or the like psychologist –n. a health specialist who is not usually a doctor but aims to treat people with mental or behavioral problems What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.
Voice of America
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
George Washington
George Washington was the first president of the United States. He served from 1789 to 1797. He was a famous general who led the American colonists to freedom from British rule and he presided over the convention that created the U.S. Constitution. He wanted to retire from public service and return home. But the country's founders wanted him to move to New York and serve as the American president. Washington accepted the job as his duty. Washington was sworn in as president in 1789. He had to invent the job of being president for all future presidents. He established a group of advisors — called the cabinet—as well as the nation's official money. He appointed a six-member Supreme Court. And he created the Department of Foreign Affairs, now called the State Department. He hoped to act in such a way that future presidents could continue to build on what he began. From the beginning, George Washington was careful to establish a good working relationship with Congress. By his actions, he confirmed the separation of powers of the three branches of the government, as described in the Constitution. Historian Joseph Ellis says one of the best things about George Washington was his ability to give up power. At the end of the Revolutionary War, General Washington returned his sword. And at the end of his second term, President Washington simply returned home. Like many plantation owners, Washington was a slave holder. By the end of his life, Washington opposed slavery. He left a will ordering his survivors to free his slaves after his wife's death. Three years after he finished his second term as president, Washington fell ill. On December 14, 1799, he died in his bed, surrounded by his wife, enslaved maids, and friends. He was 67. I'm Jill Robbins. Kelly Jean Kelly and Steve Ember reported this story for VOA Learning English. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Quiz - George Washington – First President Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________ Words in This Story preside – v. to formally oversee a meeting or office branch –n. a major part of a government with powers and responsibilities that are different from other parts will – n. a legal document in which a person states who should receive his or her possessions after he or she dies What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.
