Everyday Grammar TV: The Grammar of Halloween

Dr. J: I hear we’re having a Halloween party next week. What are you going to be for Halloween, John?
JR: I don’t know - but do you think we should explain some things about Halloween for our friends in places that don’t celebrate it?
Dr. J: Sure! One big thing is wearing costumes - dressing in clothing or wearing things to make you look like someone - or something - else.
JR: I think the most popular are imaginary characters like vampires, witches, and ghosts.
Dr. J: Or superheroes like Spiderman, Wonder Woman, and the Batman.
JR: And some other funny things like Minions. But Halloween really reminds me of adjectives.
Dr. J: Of course, since you are always thinking of grammar. Which adjectives?
JR: I can think of a couple: spooky and scary, which both mean causing fear.
These are both adjectives we make by adding the suffix - y to a verb. So:
The verb, scare means to frighten. When you add y, it becomes the adjective scary, which describes something that causes a feeling of fear.
Dr. J: At Halloween people put up scary decorations.
JR: The noun, spook, can mean a ghost. The verb, spook, means to frighten, so when you add y, spook becomes the adjective, spooky.
Dr.J: A spooky decoration might be a ghost or a witch.
Dr. J: Hey, I have an idea for your costume for the office party. Remember when you said Minions are funny? Funny is another adjective we make by adding -y! Why not dress as one of them? Just wear a yellow shirt and blue pants. And big round glasses.
JR: That’s a great idea, Dr. Jill. How about you? What are you going to be?
Dr. J: That’s easy. I’m going to be a witch. I’ll just make my face green and wear a black hat!
JR: And that’s Everyday Grammar TV!
---------
Learning English is Voice of America’s multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide. We help you build vocabulary, strengthen your speaking skills and improve your ability to communicate for work, school and everyday life.
EXPLORE OUR PLAYLISTS:
» Learning English Podcast: • Learning English Podcast
» Let's Learn English with Anna! (For children 8-12) • Let's Learn English wi...
» Let's Learn English Level 1 • Let's Learn English
» Let's Learn English Level 2 • Let's Learn English Le...
» VISIT OUR WEBSITE: learningenglis...
» LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: / voalearningenglish
» FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: / voalearningenglish
» FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: / voalearnenglish
» SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST ON ITUNES: itunes.apple.c...
Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 326 million people.