What to Say After a Sneeze

 

When people sneeze, it can sometimes surprise everyone. In many cultures, there are special words we say after someone sneezes. These words are polite and show we care. Let’s look at what people say in English.

• In English-speaking countries, the most common phrase is “Bless you!”
• Another phrase you may hear is “Gesundheit!” (This comes from German. It means “health.”)

After sneezing, a person may say:

• “Excuse me.”
• “Sorry.” (especially if it was loud or repeated).

These short words show good manners and make people feel comfortable.

Itch and Scratch

Do you know the two English words in this sentence? 

🦟 A mosquito bit me last night, and now my arm itches! I try not to scratch it… but it’s so hard!

👉 Itch = When your skin feels uncomfortable and you want to touch or rub it.
👉 Scratch = What you do with your fingers or nails to stop the itch.

✅ Itch

• Verb: My arm itches.
• Noun: I have an itch on my back.

👉 Itch = the feeling.

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✅ Scratch

• Verb: I scratch my arm.
• Noun: There’s a scratch on the table.

👉 Scratch = the action (or the mark from it).

USA Culture: College Greek Life

If you visit an American college or university, you might hear about Greek life. This has nothing to do with the country of Greece. In the USA, “Greek life” means fraternities (for men) and sororities (for women). These are social clubs for students.

Fraternities and sororities use Greek letters for their names, like Alpha Beta Gamma or Delta Sigma Theta. That is why people call them “Greek” organizations.

What do fraternities and sororities do?

•   Members live together in a big house on or near campus.
•  They help each other with studying, social life, and networking for jobs.
•  They plan parties, charity events, sports competitions, and group trips.
•  They often have ceremonies or traditions that are secret for their members.

How do you join?

Joining is called “pledging” or “rush.” There are interviews, parties, and activities to see if you fit in. If they accept you, you become a “member” or “brother/sister.”

Is Greek life for everyone?

Not all American students join. Some people think Greek life is fun and helps you make friends. Others think it is too expensive or too focused on parties.

Why learn about Greek life?

You might hear people talk about “my frat” or “my sorority” in conversations, movies, or on social media. Understanding these words will help you follow American college culture.

Useless (Not Unuseful)

Many English learners make the mistake of saying “unuseful” when they really mean “useless.”

But “unuseful” is not a common or natural word in English. 

✅ Correct: This tool is useless.

❌ Wrong: This tool is unuseful.

“Useless” means something does not help you. It has no use.

Use + less = useless (no use)

Here are more examples with “-less” words (not “un-”):

❌ Don’t Say ✅ Say       Meaning

unpowerful --> powerless =  no power or strength

unhopeful -->   hopeless =          no hope

uncareful -->       careless =         not careful

unthankful -->  thankless  =        no thanks or reward

Tip: If you are not sure, try using a “-less” word instead of adding “un-.” Many times, it will sound more natural.

Now you know—don’t say unuseful. Say useless!

Funny-Sounding English Words That Make Us Laugh

 

English has many words that sound funny when we say them. Some are old, some are new, but all of them can make us smile. Here are a few examples:

• Bamboozle – This word means to trick someone. (Ex: The clever salesman tried to bamboozle me into buying something I didn’t need.)

• Lollygag – If you lollygag, you are moving slowly or wasting time. (Ex: Don’t lollygag on the way to school—you’ll be late!)

• Wobble – When something moves side to side, like jelly, it wobbles.  (Ex: The chair began to wobble, so I tightened the screws.)

• Kerfuffle – A small argument or fuss. (Ex: There was a little kerfuffle at the store when two people grabbed the same shirt.)

• Flabbergasted – Very surprised or shocked. (Ex: I was flabbergasted when I saw how much the puppy had grown!)
  
  

Funny words like these make English more interesting. They may sound strange, but that’s part of the fun of learning a new language!

What funny English word have you heard lately?

The Difference Between “Fall” and “Fall Down”

Do you ever wonder when to use “fall” and “fall down” in English? These words can be confusing, but don’t worry! Here’s a quick guide.

Fall

The word “fall” means to move downward. You can use it when something drops or goes down, but it does not always hit the ground.

• Example: The leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
• Example: If you’re not careful, you might fall.
  

Fall Down

The phrase “fall down” means to move downward and hit the ground. It often happens when someone loses their balance.

• Example: He tripped and fell down the stairs.
• Example: The old building fell down during the storm.

Remember:

• Use “fall” when something drops or moves down.
• Use “fall down” when something hits the ground.

Now you know the difference! Try using these words in your own sentences to practice.

*Photo by Guillermo Latorre on Unsplash

Fluency Trick - Try the One-Two-Three Punch (Guest Lesson)

I’m excited to share a special guest lesson on the blog today! This lesson was created by Todd Beuckens, who has been an ESL teacher for 25 years. He created the website elllo.org to provide free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.

Todd offers a fresh approach to listening, fluency, and pronunciation with this engaging activity, and I hope you find it useful. Enjoy the lesson (click the link below), and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Fluency Trick -- Try the One-Two-Three Punch!