[Unit 1][Vague language] Flashcards
Add suffixes to the words to make them vague/inexact:
Do you remember this guy.. whatsisname.. The forty years old guy in a plastick hat?
Do you remember this guy.. whatsisname.. The fortyish years old guy in a plasticky hat?
A: Are you hungry yet?
B: ___. [= a ‘vague’ suffix that’s sometimes used on its own] I could eat, if you’re hungry.
A: Are you hungry yet?
B: Ish. I could eat, if you’re hungry.
Add suffixes to the words to make them vague/inexact:
I’ll be there at 5. I’ll be wearing a blue-pink jacket and a brown skirt.
I’ll be there at 5. I’ll be wearing a bluey-pink jacket and a brownish skirt.
He’s very quiet and b______ [= the sort of person who reads a lot].
He’s very quiet and bookish.
He’s very quiet and b______ [= the sort of person who reads a lot].
He’s very quiet and bookish.
Replace ‘type’ with a suffix:
This nylon-type material is too hot for this weather.
This nylony material is too hot for this weather.
Replace ‘around’ with a suffix:
The party starts at eight but I think we should get there at around 9 o’clock.
The party starts at eight but I think we should get there at 9 o’clock-ish.
Replace ‘around’ with a suffix:
The party starts at eight but I think we should get there at around 9 o’clock.
The party starts at eight but I think we should get there at 9 o’clock-ish.
[pronunciation] vague
/veɪɡ/
Reformulate, adding a suffix to ‘grey’:
What color’s his hair? – Well, it’s got a bit of grey.
What color’s his hair? – Well, it’s grey-ish.
In what four situations do people often use ‘ish’?
- with numbers/periods/time (Five minutes-ish)
- with adjectives (This blue-ish colour)
- with names/styles/regions (This song is, like, a little bit David Bowie-ish).
- stand-alone, especially in replies (Are you tired? - Yeah, ish).
