6 confusing words - small & little, big & large, tall & high
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- www.engvid.com 'Small' and 'little' are synonyms, but sometimes it's difficult to know which one to use. In this English lesson we will look at some situations where you should use 'small' or 'little', or either one. We will also look at when we use 'big' and 'large', and the differences between 'tall' and 'high'. www.engvid.com/6-confusing-wor...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi again. I'm Adam. Welcome back to www.engvid.com. Today's lesson is a little bit tricky. The reason I say it's tricky is because we're talking about specific words that are often interchangeable; that are often used in the same situations or same meanings. We're talking about "small" versus "little", "big" versus "large", "tall" versus "high". Some students asked: what's the difference between them? I'll do my best to explain the difference between these words. First thing and the most important thing that you need to remember about these words is that yes, they are synonyms -- means they have almost the same meaning. What makes the difference in how to use them is always going to be context. Okay? A lot of the difference in how to use these words depends on the context they are being used in. Some expressions take this word or that word, and not the other, for example. In some situations, the meaning is very different depending on which word you use. Okay?
So we're going to start with "small" and "little". Okay? The main thing to remember and in most cases the biggest difference: when we talk about "small", when we use "small", we talk about size, the size of something or its dimensions -- dimensions are length, width, height, depth, etcetera -- or intensity. Okay? When we talk about the intensity of something. So first of all, the thing to remember about this: we're talking about physical size. When we describe something as "small", generally we mean physically small, something physical is small. But again, sometimes we can use "little" to talk about the physical size of something. So for example: somebody has small hands or somebody has little hands. The nuance is a little bit different, and this is what you have to be careful about, nuance. If somebody has small hands, it means generally physical small but if somebody has little hands, it has more of the idea that he or she can do less with their hands. True, not true - I don't know; I'll leave that up to you. But just remember there's a slight nuance in difference. But, if you look at somebody, say: "Oh, he has such little hands." Or if you say: "Oh, that person has such small hands." Most people will get the same idea. But again, context might tell you it's a little bit different. Okay. When I talk about intensity, again, usually something physical like somebody has a small voice. If somebody has a small voice, sometimes it's a little bit hard to hear them. Did you hear that? Did you hear my small voice or do you hear my big voice now? But we'll get to that after.
Usually, we use "little" with uncountables; money, time. "I have a little money." Not "small money". Small money means like in Canada, we have a dime, 10 cents, it's a very small coin but that's not what we're talking about. "A little money", when we're talking about quantity. So usually when you talk about uncountables -- things you can't count and you're not talking about physical size because it's not something physical, physical things you can count -- uncountables, not physical things, you usually use "small". If we talk about someone's stature... Now, what does "stature" mean? It means more or less like how people view this person or this thing. So look at the example. For example: if I say "A small man" versus "A little man". A small man means usually physically small; maybe short, maybe skinny, whatever. A little man is something... we don't care about this person. Right? He's small, I can step on him because he's not... doesn't have stature. A big man has a bit more stature. A large man is a large man, but we'll get to that in a second.
When we talk about adjective of degree. When we want... we use "little" almost like an adverb. So: "I'm a little tired." Not small tired, a little tired. Or if you say... and that means just a little bit. Right? Not a great amount. But if I say: "I'm a little irritated." I'm a little irritated means like ugh, you know, somebody made me irritated. Again, context will usually tell you that "little irritated" means very irritated. "Ugh, I'm a little irritated." Means I'm pissed off, to be honest, but we use "little" to make it softer. Okay? But, and another thing, again this usually comes back to countables or uncountables. When we're talking about countables and we want to talk about the quantity, like how much we have, we say: "We have a small amount of something" or "We have a small number of somethings." Again, you usually use amount with uncountables, you'll use number with countables.
You are a great teacher, Adam. Even really tricky things are more understandable thanks to your explanations.
You're wonderful teacher! I listen you and I understand everything about you speak! Thank you for good English!
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I listen to you*..
Congratulations Adam, I'm live in Rio de janeiro and I've been learning a lot with your classes.
Hey Adam! I'm a teacher and I always find new things to teach my students about. Thanks for your useful lessons.
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He was the first man on earth that's why he knows many things
I found your lesson suddenly Adam. You're a great teacher so I prefer you than other teachers I've been had. Keep working as you know. Best regards from Mexico
Thanks Mr Adam. You are the best teacher I ever saw
Best teacher ever
Rusli Irawan '
Rusli Irawan "'
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The Legend ui
Hahaha I died when he got to the tall/high part. This guy is something else.
One of my favourite channels because
Clear voice teaching techniques are absolutely different from others
I've often confused to use between "tall" and "high" for building. But now it's clear. Thank you very much.
You're the most awesome English teacher in the whole universe ,thank you very much
Thank you very much for your videos. They are helping me a lot to improve my english and to prepare myself to the TOEFL exam. Regards from Brazil!!
I can't thank u enough Teacher Adam. God bless u
Good
Thanks! Context is the most important thing everywhere :D
Hi Adam, I really appreciate all your lessons. Thanks a lot!
hi Adam I have been following your video since when i was a volunteer in Africa until I finished volunteer I'm thankful to learn English from your video it is extremely helpful me a lot to learn although my English is not perfect but i'm keeping to practice English.
Hi, Adam! I very like your lessons, thanks. I am studying English and German.You help to learn English to me. I like it! Thank you.
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I'm from Saudi Arabia and this teacher is one of the best teachers I have ever seen thanks a lot.
I'm a trainer of spoken English. I find your videos a godsend. Thanks a zillion, Adam.
You're my favorite English teacher Adam.
Thanks Adam. I was a little confused with tha words tall and high, but after watching your explaination i think that´s been cleared up.
great, you make me think that learning english is not so hard.
thank you Adam
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Thanks to you i've improved my english!!!
I love EngVid team.
Great work for English learners.
Thanks, Adam. Your explanation is perfect.(Portugues:Obrigado, Adam. Sua explicação é pefeita).
No one but you can explain this topic so clearly.
your teaching style is very impressive :). Good men
Hello! thank you for your lessons!! they are very very useful for us foreign students who want to perfect our English!! Could you please do a video about the difference between using the verb to be as an infinitive or with ing. For instance, "This tool helps you to do your homework" "this tool helps you to doing your homework"... Maybe this is not the right example but I think you will get what I'm asking about. Thank you once again! looking forward to solving this English issue.
Thank you! I love your lessons and they help me so much! You're a skilled teacher.
Aaand a sense of good humour :D ! I prepare to my exam with your videos daily.
Great lessons! Watching other teachers always inspires me and gives me some new ideas:)
"I have the high ground" Obi-Wan
'Who's High?' Jimmy Kimmel
Little also has the connotation of being cute for example, Little bird, little house, little baby. "Small" with those words carries no emotional content.
All your lessons are excellent. You are always to the point and you are enthusiastic about teaching and that`s what makes learning easy. I`m a nonnative teacher of English and I`m learning from you. Thank you and God bless you!
HI I just wanna say thank you're great.
You seem to have very good videos, and explain the connotations attached with words rather well. It takes native speakers a long time to develop the same imagery/connotations you ascribe to the words, and theirs is developed for years of historical use reinforcing the imagery involved with the words. I know I personally, relate little hands, as meaning more childlike versus a persons small hands meaning small for their size. Just to show emphasis on context.
Hi, Adam. You're really excellent. However this time I missed that you didn' mention ''great'', and the difference between "little" vs. "a little, and "few" vs. a "few". Perhaps in another video...
That might be really hard to explain, but you did a great effort! :D THANK YOU
Perfect explanation! Thx a lot, Adam!
Thank you very much for your explanation. You are one of the best teacher!
adam you are best teacher
Thanks teacher! Your lessions are very useful.
Thank you so much for your lesson Adam!
thank you so much you have a unique ways for teaching
Thank you very much for your very clear speaking and easy to understand even for a beginner English speaker like me.
Adam, you are an extraordinary teacher. I´m writing from Caracas.
You are a great teacher 😭😃😃😃
Great teacher for me,A lot of confuse of vocabulary in my brain have got clearly solution from this channel,thank you so much
Thank you very much! I understand allmost everything what you explain! My English is more better now!
I really like your way of teaching - you catch the attention and explain everything clearly and simple.. I want to ask you is it right to use "older" brother? As I know we should use ELDER in the family
Yes that's right. "He's my OLDER bother." also fine to say "BIG Brother"
"He's my YOUNGER brother." Fine to say "LITTLE bother"
They are both used often.
Thank you Adam you explain clearly this confusing adjectives!
Thank you Mr. Adam for excellent classes
I WISH YOU HAPPINESS FOREVER,
YOU MAKE THIS SO EASY, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
+YOUR HIGHNESS God bless all the Good people in this world !
Adam you are amazing (high) teacher...greetings from Aguascalientes Mexico😘😘
Hi Adam. I write you from Spain. Thanks a lot for your lessons. You're the best.
Thank you so much, the best explanation so far, totally agree with your point of view!
I really like all your lessons.
could you make a video about "a little/ a bit/ a little bit"? Thank you.
These are all the same thing. Any difference is probably from the person's ethnic origin ('wee' from the Irish).
Very useful tips. Thank you, Adam.
Thanks you! You make me interesting when i learn english.
Thanks adam for these amazing lectures you are such a great teacher. could you please tell us that where we can use may/might and would/will and could/can....???
Very appreciate for your teaching, I learned a lot from your lesson. Thanks a lot again.
Engvid teachers are all very good. I love this site. Canada can be a great place to learn English.
Thank you, Mr Adam, love your lessons
Great teacher! Your classes help me a lot! Thanks for that.
Thank you,Adam, it's very useful!
hello Adam, you are doing great job. I really appreciate your teaching method and it's helpful a lot for us as foreign students. thank you so much....
Good topic to talk about and a good explanation, thank you!
Thank you Adam, this lesson really helped me
Terrific lesson! Thanks for the reminders to this English speaker. :)
I love your videos. Very clear, simply beautiful. I hope you don't mind me showing them in my lessons at school- I am na English teacher from Poland.
I'm simply a student, and I like very much your way to teach. many compliments.
You're the best teacher I ever seen!
Love your teaching. Great teacher
you 're the best teacher I 've ever listened
These words have been confuesing me since i started learning English but now they are so clear.
Thank you so much but i have an additional question whish is:
When do we use ( few)? and when do we use (afew) ? For example what is the difference between (few people) and (afew people) it is a little bit tricky.
The best teacher I can understand. thank you very much for your service
Thanks for your useful lessons
What about tall and long? What are the differences?
Thank you so much, I like your all videos! Good luck to you
I don't learning too long time in English, but I very like your videos. Thanks these are minutes.
HI Adam, your lessons are very interesting, I am French, perhaps you know like it is difficult for a french student to learn English, but with you it s very easy. thanks a lot.
+ines jl Salut! I started studying french about 3 weeks ago, so it is good to know a french person. Je suis mexicain!
There was somethings that I coudn't understand because english is not my first language, but I understood almost evrything, thanks dude.
thnk you adam sir you know when i saw your lecture trust me i little speak english i know that you can understand sir my feeling so once again thank you very much you are really so good teacher of english thank adam sit
As always, great class teacher!
Hello Adam,it's a helpfull lesson,thank you
congratulations for the lessons. great presenter!
Sir ur way of explanation is amazing...and goes in a flow..!!
Thanks Adam! :) for such nice lesson.
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the best english teacher on youtube
Great lesson explaining the subtleties!!
A great teacher. Good explanation. Clear.
Thank you so much, Adam.
awesome teacher! Thank you!
IT'S AMAZING LESSON. HOWEVER I AM LOOKING FOR A OVERVIEW OF DETERMINER- DEFINITION OF DETERMINER AND THE USAGE OF ALL DETERMINERS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE. ONE BY ONE DOES NOT HELP US AT ALL. BIG THANK MR ADAM.
I can understand everything that he says. I'm very happy.
Thank you Adam! I love your videos ;)
dude you are amazing, no doubt about it......
Excellent lesson. Very clear. Thanks.