One Word, Two Jobs: More Nouns That Become Verbs

Did you know that many English words can be both nouns and verbs? Learning to recognize these words is an easy way to expand your vocabulary.

Here are five more examples:

• plan – We have a plan. / We need to plan our vacation.

• answer – I know the answer. / Please answer my question.

• call – I received a call. / I'll call you tonight.

• paint – The paint is wet. / They paint houses.

• dance – That was a beautiful dance. / They dance every Friday.

The noun names a person, thing, or idea, while the verb describes an action.

Try it yourself --->

Is the bold word a noun or a verb?

• I need to change my plans.

• She has a lovely smile.

• Please reply to my email.

• We received an answer yesterday.

Answers: 1. Verb 2. Noun 3. Verb 4. Noun

The next time you learn a new English word, ask yourself: Can this word do two jobs? 

Johnny Appleseed: An American Folk Hero

 

A folk hero is a person who becomes famous through stories and legends. The stories may be based on a real person, but they often become bigger and more exciting over time.

One famous American folk hero is Johnny Appleseed. His real name was John Chapman, and he was born in Massachusetts in 1774.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Chapman traveled across the American frontier, the area at the edge of the country where new towns and farms were being built. He planted apple trees and gave seeds and young trees to settlers. He lived a simple life and was known for being kind and helpful.

Over time, people created many stories about him. They said he walked hundreds of miles, planted apple trees everywhere, and sometimes even walked barefoot. The real John Chapman was also a businessman who owned land and apple orchards.

Today, Johnny Appleseed is remembered as a symbol of kindness, independence, and life on the American frontier. His story shows how a real person can become a legend.

What Does "Savory" Mean?

In English, we often divide foods into two general categories:

• Sweet foods
• Savory foods

Most English learners understand sweet, but savory can be confusing.

Savory describes foods that have a rich, flavorful taste that is not sweet. Savory foods may be salty, spicy, herby, smoky, buttery, cheesy, or meaty. Most foods we eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner are savory.

Examples of savory foods include pizza, pasta, chicken, steak, sandwiches, salad, soup, eggs, and cheese.

Many English learners say, "I like salty food." Sometimes this is correct, but often the better word is savory.

Salty is one type of savory food.  For example: pretzels, French fries, bacon, salted popcorn, salted nuts, and potato chips have a strong taste of salt, so they are salty. However, foods like pasta, chicken, rice, vegetables, and pizza are usually described as savory, not salty.

Remember

• Sweet = sugary foods
• Savory = flavorful, but not sweet
• Salty = savory foods with a strong salt taste

So when someone asks, "Do you prefer sweet or savory foods?" they are asking whether you prefer desserts and sugary foods or regular meals and non-sweet foods.

One Word, Two Jobs: English Words That Are Both Nouns and Verbs

One of the things that surprises many English learners is that the same word can often be both a noun and a verb. Instead of learning two different words, you simply learn two different ways to use the same one.

For example:

• comb – I need a comb. / I comb my hair every morning.
• brush – Where's my brush? / Brush your teeth.
• phone – My phone is ringing. / I'll phone you tonight.
• water – The water is cold. / Please water the plants.
• email – I received your email. / I'll email you tomorrow.

This happens because English easily turns many nouns into verbs without changing the spelling or pronunciation. If something is an object, English often allows you to use that word for the action involving the object.

Think about these examples:

• hammer → Use a hammer. → Hammer the nail.
• bottle → A bottle of juice. → They bottle fresh apple juice.
• chair → Sit in the chair. → She chairs the meeting.

Once you notice this pattern, you'll start seeing it everywhere.

Why is this useful?

Learning these word pairs can help you expand your vocabulary much faster. Instead of memorizing two separate words, you're simply learning an additional use for a word you already know.

Try it yourself!

Can you identify whether the bold word is a noun or a verb?

1. Please text me when you arrive.
2. I got your text this morning.
3. We went for a walk after dinner.
4. We walk to work every day.

Answers:

1. Verb
2. Noun
3. Noun
4. Verb

The next time you're reading or listening to English, pay attention to familiar words. You may discover that one small word is doing two completely different jobs.

A World Tour on Michigan Avenue - Chicago

 

If you visit Chicago, be sure to walk along Michigan Avenue, one of the city's most famous streets. There you will find the beautiful Tribune Tower. Built in the 1920s as the headquarters of the famous Chicago Tribune newspaper, the tower is known for its Gothic Revival architecture. Its pointed arches, stone decorations, and castle-like appearance make it one of Chicago's most recognizable buildings. The building is known not only for its impressive architecture, but also for a very unusual collection of rocks and historical objects built into its walls.

The collection began when reporters, editors, and travelers connected with the newspaper visited places around the world. They brought back small pieces of famous landmarks and historic sites. These items were placed in the outside walls of the building (at street-level) so that people in Chicago could see them.

Today, visitors can find stones from many well-known landmarks. Some came from the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and the Parthenon. Other pieces came from the Berlin Wall, the Colosseum, and the Pyramids of Giza. Walking around the building is like taking a short trip through world history.

Not every item is a rock. The collection also includes pieces connected to important events and famous places. One of the most popular items is a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. There are also fragments from historic buildings, battlefields, and other locations that played important roles in history.

Each item has a small label that explains where it came from. Visitors can spend a long time examining the walls and discovering pieces of history from around the world. The Tribune Tower is more than just an old newspaper building—it is also a small museum of world history in the heart of Chicago.

Using “enough” After Adjectives

We use “enough” after an adjective to say that something meets a need or requirement.

It means: sufficient, acceptable, or not too little.

Word Order

adjective + enough  

(Not: enough good, enough fast, etc.)

Examples

good enough – The quality is OK.

This chair is good enough to use.

fast enough – The speed is OK.

She is running fast enough to win.

smart enough – The intelligence is OK.

He is smart enough to solve the problem.

Negative Form

Use not + adjective + enough to say something is not sufficient.

This bag is not big enough.

I am not warm enough in this jacket.

Why it matters

Using “enough” correctly helps you sound more natural in English.

It also helps you express ability, quality, and limits clearly.

USA Culture: Supper Clubs

 

If you visit parts of the United States, especially the Midwest, you may hear about going to a “supper club.” A supper club is not a private club. It is a traditional, independent restaurant known for a relaxed atmosphere and a strong sense of community.

In American English, supper usually means the evening meal. Many people use dinner and supper in the same way. However, in some regions, dinner is the main meal of the day (sometimes at lunchtime), while supper refers to a lighter meal in the evening. The meaning depends on family and regional tradition.

At a supper club, guests often arrive early, enjoy a cocktail, and sit at the bar before eating. The meal is slow and unhurried. The menu typically features classic American dishes such as steak, prime rib, or fried fish, usually served with soup or salad, bread, and dessert.

Many supper clubs are family-owned and have loyal customers who return for years. For many Americans, a supper club is more than a restaurant — it is a place for tradition, celebration, and connection.

*Photo by Valeria Boltneva