Linguistic Strategies for Explaining Words in English

Linguistic Strategies for Explaining Words in English

In everyday conversations, we often need to explain things to help others understand unfamiliar concepts or items. One useful way to explain words is by categorizing them or comparing them to similar things. This is where expressions like “a kind of,” “kind of like,” “sort of,” and “such as” come in handy. These phrases are used to explain, describe, and give examples in a simple, clear way. Let’s explore these strategies in more detail to help you use them effectively in your daily communication.

Explaining Words with "Kind of" and "Sort of"

To explain a word or thing, you can use the expressions "a kind of" or "kind of like." Both are helpful when you want to talk about types or categories of things.

• A kind of: This means "a type of" or "a variety of something." It is used to classify things into groups. For example:
  • Lassi is a kind of drink. (Lassi belongs to the category of drinks.)
  • The kestrel is a kind of falcon. (The kestrel is a type of falcon.)

In formal English, "kind of" is used to indicate that something is an example of a larger category. For instance:

• The bald eagle is a kind of bird.

• Kind of like: This phrase is used to say that something is similar to, but not exactly the same as something else. It suggests a partial similarity. For example:

  • When you fall in love, it’s kind of like you go crazy. (Falling in love makes you behave in ways that might seem crazy, but it's not exactly the same as being crazy.)

In informal speech, "kind of" (often shortened to "kinda") is used to express uncertainty or to soften the impact of a statement. For example:

• Do you know Terry? Kind of. (This means, "I know him a little, but not very well.")
• I kinda feel like something’s missing. (I feel that something is missing, but I’m not sure exactly what it is.)

Similarly, the phrase sort of is used in British English, while kind of is more common in American English. Both serve the same purpose:

• She’s sort of lost interest in buying the car.
• He’s kind of jealous that they have become such good friends.

Using "Kind," "Sort," and "Type" to Categorize

The words kind, sort, and type all refer to categories or groups of things that share common characteristics. These words are often used in definitions and to describe things in general.

• Kind is often used in everyday conversation. For example:
  • There are many kinds of birds in my garden.
• Sort is used more in British English, but it is also used in casual speech. For example:
  • I don’t like that sort of music.
• Type is commonly used in more formal situations. For example:
  • A fastener is a type of metal button used to join clothes.

Sometimes, we use kind, sort, or type when we are unsure or don’t want to be too specific. This makes our statements more vague. For example:

• Karen made some sort of cake for the party. (We don’t know exactly what kind of cake it was.)
• There’s some type of hole in the road. (We aren’t sure exactly what kind of hole it is.)

Using "Like" to Compare and Give Examples

The word like is commonly used to show similarity between things. It can function both as a preposition and as a conjunction, and it is especially useful for comparisons.

• Like as a preposition: When you use like, it means "similar to." You often use it with verbs that describe the senses, such as look, sound, feel, taste, and seem. For example:

  • That looks like Marco’s car. (It seems similar to Marco’s car.)
  • This tastes like coconut. (It has a flavor similar to coconut.)

  You can also use words like a bit, just, very, or more to indicate the degree of similarity:

  • It’s a bit like skiing, but there’s no snow. (It’s somewhat similar to skiing.)
  • The car was more like a green than a blue color. (The car seemed closer to green than to blue.)

• Like as a conjunction: You can also use like to mean as or as if, even though some people think it is informal. For example:

  • I feel like I am a star. (It feels as though I am a star.)
  • They look like they’ve been having fun. (It seems as if they’ve been having fun.)

Giving Examples with "Like" and "Such As"

To give examples, you can use like or such as.

• Like is used to provide examples of similar things. For example:
  • You could try a team sport like football, basketball, or hockey. (These are examples of team sports.)
• Such as is used when giving more specific examples. For example:
  • You should take something soft, such as a towel, to lie on. (The towel is a specific example of something soft.)

Exercise: Helping a Friend Learn New Words

Imagine that a friend from Asia is visiting your country to improve their Spanish language skills. Their proficiency level is basic, and they need help understanding certain words that are specific to your country, such as slang or local expressions.

You can help by explaining these words using the strategies you’ve learned. For example:

• Tinto is a kind of coffee in Colombia. It’s similar to an espresso, but it’s usually served in a smaller cup.
• Arepa is a type of food. It’s like a small, round bread made from corn, often eaten with cheese or eggs.
• Chiva is a sort of colorful bus, which is common in rural areas and is used for transporting people in a festive, vibrant way.

Using these linguistic strategies, you can explain new words by categorizing them, making comparisons, or giving clear examples. This will help your friend understand and remember the words more effectively.

Conclusion

Understanding how to explain words is an important skill in learning a language. By using phrases like kind of, sort of, such as, and like, you can describe things clearly and make your communication more flexible. Whether you are categorizing something, comparing it to another thing, or giving examples, these strategies will help you sound more natural and confident in everyday conversations.

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References:

• British Council. (n.d.). Vocabulary: A kind of / Sort of. Retrieved from https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
• Oxford University Press. (2020). Oxford English Grammar Course: Intermediate. Oxford University Press.