Saturday, April 19, 2025

Words Describe Smells

 


Acrid: Strong, harsh, and unpleasant, often referring to chemical-like odours.
    Example: The acrid smell of burning rubber filled the air.
Fragrant: Pleasant and sweet-smelling.
    Example: The garden was fragrant with blooming roses and jasmine.
Pungent: Sharp and strong, often overwhelming.
    Example: The pungent aroma of garlic wafted through the kitchen.
Musty: Damp, stale, and moldy, often associated with neglected spaces.
    Example: The attic smelled musty, filled with old books and forgotten furniture.
Earthy: Natural, reminiscent of soil or plants.
    Example: After the rain, the air carried an earthy scent of wet soil.
Sweet: Sugary and pleasant, like candy or flowers.
    Example: The bakery’s sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries drew people in.
Smoky: Resembling the smell of smoke or burning wood.
    Example: The smoky fragrance of the campfire lingered on their clothes.
Fetid: Foul, rotten, or decaying—highly unpleasant.
    Example: The fetid odor of garbage was unbearable near the alley.
Floral: Light and fragrant, reminiscent of flowers.
    Example: Her perfume had a delicate floral scent, like lilies in spring.
Medicinal: Resembling the smell of medicine or disinfectants.
    Example: The hospital corridor had a medicinal smell that reminded her of antiseptic.

N.SHANMUGAN

Assistant Professor of English 


Friday, April 18, 2025

Words describe Tastes

 

  1. Savory: Having a pleasant, salty, or spicy taste, often associated with umami flavors.
    Example: The freshly baked pizza had a savory aroma that made everyone's mouth water.

  2. Sweet: Tasting pleasant and sugary.
    Example: The dessert was a delightful mix of sweet mangoes and creamy custard.

  3. Bitter: Having a sharp, pungent taste, often associated with certain greens or coffee.
    Example: The black coffee was too bitter for her, so she added a spoonful of sugar.

  4. Sour: Having an acidic, tangy taste.
    Example: The lemon juice added a refreshing sour note to the drink.

  5. Salty: Tasting of or containing salt.
    Example: The chips were overly salty, leaving her thirsty afterward.

  6. Spicy: Having a strong, piquant flavor from spices or chili.
    Example: The spicy curry left a pleasant warmth lingering on his palate.

  7. Tangy: Having a sharp, zesty flavor, often described as a mix of sour and sweet.
    Example: The tangy barbecue sauce complemented the grilled chicken perfectly.

  8. Bland: Lacking strong flavors or tasting mild.
    Example: The soup tasted bland until a pinch of salt and pepper was added.

  9. Rich: Having a strong, full flavor, often due to fats or oils.
    Example: The chocolate cake was so rich that a small slice was enough to satisfy.

  10. Zesty: Having a lively or piquant flavor, often from citrus.
    Example: The zesty orange dressing brought the salad to life.



Words describe Climates

 



  1. Arid: Lacking sufficient rainfall to support vegetation; very dry.
    Example: The Sahara Desert is known for its arid landscape, where life struggles to sustain itself.

  2. Balmy: Pleasantly warm and mild.
    Example: We strolled along the beach, enjoying the balmy breeze of the summer evening.

  3. Chilly: Uncomfortably cool or cold.
    Example: The mornings were chilly in the mountains, requiring us to bundle up in warm layers.

  4. Damp: Slightly wet or moist.
    Example: The damp forest floor was covered with moss and fallen leaves.

  5. Extreme: Reaching the highest degree; severe or intense.
    Example: Polar regions often experience extreme weather conditions that can be life-threatening.

  6. Frigid: Extremely cold or freezing.
    Example: The frigid waters of the Antarctic Ocean are inhabited by only the hardiest marine species.

  7. Humid: Containing a high amount of water vapor in the air; muggy.
    Example: The humid climate of the Amazon rainforest supports a diverse range of plant and animal life.

  8. Mild: Moderate in intensity, not severe or extreme.
    Example: The region is known for its mild winters, making it an ideal destination for retirees.

  9. Pleasant: Agreeable, enjoyable, or giving a sense of satisfaction.
    Example: The pleasant weather made it perfect for an outdoor family gathering.

  10. Tropical: Characteristic of the tropics; warm and humid.
    Example: The lush tropical climate supports the growth of vibrant and exotic plants.

N.SHANMUGAN
Assistant Professor of English



Success Story

 

    Jack Ma—A Journey from Humble Beginnings to Global Success


Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, is a great example of how learning English can open doors to success. Growing up in China, Ma faced immense challenges, but his dedication to learning English set him apart. Every morning for nearly a decade, he cycled to a hotel near his hometown to guide foreign tourists for free, practicing English in the process. This effort not only improved his language skills but also broadened his worldview.

His proficiency in English became a crucial asset when he ventured into the world of international business. It allowed him to communicate confidently, build partnerships, and understand global markets—eventually leading Alibaba to become one of the most successful e-commerce platforms.

Jack Ma’s journey reminds us that even small daily efforts in language learning can lead to incredible opportunities. English, as the global language of business, can be the key to unlocking one's full potential.

Fascinating Facts about English Bocabulary

1. Largest Vocabulary in the World: English is believed to have the largest vocabulary of any language, with over 170,000 words currently in use, plus tens of thousands of obsolete ones.

2. The Shortest Words: Words like "I" and "a" hold the record as the shortest English words. Yet, they carry immense weight in communication!

3. Longest Word: The longest word in a major dictionary is "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis," a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silicate or quartz dust.

4. Frequent Borrowing: English has borrowed extensively from other languages, including French, Latin, Greek, German, and even Tamil (*curry* being a notable example).

5. Most Common Word: The most commonly used word in English is "the." It appears in nearly every sentence.

6. Palindromes: English includes fun palindromes—words or phrases that read the same backward as forward, like "radar" and "level."

7. Oldest Words: Ancient English words such as "I," "we," "two," and "three" are some of the oldest and have been used for thousands of years.

8. Homophones and Confusion: Homophones like "their," "there," and "they're" often cause confusion, even for native speakers!

9. Shakespeare’s Contributions: William Shakespeare coined over 1,700 words, including "eyeball," "lonely," and "bedroom."

10. Evolution of Spellings: English spelling and pronunciation have evolved drastically over centuries, resulting in quirky rules and silent letters like the "k" in "knife."

N.SHANMUGAN
Assistant Professor of English



Saturday, April 5, 2025

Food-Related English

Food-Related English Slang Words and Phrases

1. Top Banana – Leader, boss, the chief person in a group, the head of a project (The most important person).

2. Egghead – An intellectual person (A person, who is very clever and interested only in studying and other mental activities).

3. Snack Attack – Sudden desire to eat a snack.

4. Couch Potato – A person who is lazy (a lazy person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television).

5. Wolf Down – To eat something very quickly (When you wolf down something, you eat it very quickly. You gulp things down because you are in a hurry or you are hungry).

Workplace Phrases

Workplace Phrases Touch base Meaning: To briefly connect with someone to update or check in. Example: “Let’s touch base tomorrow aft...