Using metaphors to speak English more fluently
Do you know what a metaphor is? I'd like to show you how English speakers commonly use metaphors in everyday conversations. Metaphors make our language more interesting and beautiful. I'll give you many examples of metaphors and show you how they are used. I'll teach you some easy metaphors like "busy bee" and "melting pot", and even show you an extended metaphor written by Shakespeare. If you're learning about metaphors in school, it's also important to understand the difference between metaphors and similes and to know their definitions. Practice these expressions and use them when you're speaking to your friends and classmates. After the lesson, test your understanding of metaphors by taking the quiz at www.engvid.com/using-metaphors...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi. I'm Gill from www.engvid.com, and today in this lesson, we're going to look at metaphors, which are a different way of using language, really. But these metaphors are used a lot in everyday life. You could also call them idioms. They're a little bit like idioms. And there are a lot of them.
But I just want to mention that there are metaphors and similes, and they're similar in a way, but different. So, a metaphor says one thing is another thing. So, for example, in my first sentence, here: "Thanks for helping me - you're an angel!" Okay? An angel is supposed to be a good person who helps people, but you're talking here to an ordinary human being and calling them an angel because they've helped you. Okay. So, you're saying: "You are an angel." So, "you" equals "angel". So, in a metaphor, it's saying something is or somebody is something else. The other type of style of speaking is called a simile, and we'll have another lesson on that; a separate lesson. And with a simile, you don't say "A" is "B", you say "A" is like "B". So, with this one, you'd say: "You are like an angel." Or: "You are as good as an angel." But with the metaphor: "You are an angel." So that's the difference between metaphors and similes. So, please look at the other lesson about similes to see some examples of that. Okay?
Right, so concentrating on metaphors. "Thanks for helping me - you're an angel!" if someone helps you. You could say this to somebody if they help you. "Thank you - you're an angel." It's a nice compliment, a nice thing to say to somebody who's helped you.
Second example: "The people in that club are just a bunch of sheep!" Okay? "A bunch", that's just sort of casual, informal word. "A bunch", it means a group. A group. A group of people. You can have a bunch of flowers. That's the normal use for "bunch". Bunch of flowers, several flowers held together. But this is people who are being called sheep. They're not literally sheep. People are not sheep; sheep are animals, people are humans. But this is saying the people in that club are a bunch of sheep. They're behaving like sheep, because what sheep do, they all stick together, they all stay together, and they all follow each other. They all do the same thing. So this happens with people sometimes. They... They don't have their own independent ideas; they just copy what everybody else does. So that's the meaning of this... This one. The people in that club are just a bunch of sheep. Okay.
This one is probably more of a positive thing to say to somebody: "You're such a busy bee!" It maybe sounds a bit patronizing, perhaps. But if someone is really busy, you can say they're a busy bee. And the two b's is a sort of poetic thing, again. But busy bee. The thing about bees is... The bees that buzz around, they... They're always busy. They're collecting pollen from flowers, and going back to the hive, and they're making honey. So they seem to be busy all the time. So, to call a person a busy bee is that they are also running around and doing things, and being very busy and working a lot, and never stopping. Okay.
Here's another one: "London is a melting pot of people and cultures." Okay, so London is a melting pot. It's not literally a pot with food in it. It's a melting pot of people and cultures. The people and cultures aren't being thrown into a pot. London, the city, just contains a lot of people from different cultures and different countries. Okay.
Here's a good one from if you're... If you're working in an office or somewhere and you have some ideas, and you tell them to your boss: "I had some good ideas but my boss shot them down." Okay? So to shoot something is like with a gun, [shooting noises], all these good ideas that you've just produced, and your boss doesn't like them or he doesn't like you maybe. But he shoots down your... All your ideas, and they come falling to the floor. Not literally. Again, it's not literally true. Not literally true. It's just a picture in your mind, like your boss with a gun, shooting down your ideas. So he doesn't like any of your ideas, he just shoots them. Destroys them. So, you had some good ideas, but my boss shot them down. Okay?
Пікірлер: 1 100
This lady reminds me of my English teacher. She's very calm and she knows exactly what she is talking about.❤
@elgiyoutubechannel1747
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your explanation about the metaphor, it's so amazing!
I can literally go on for hours, non stop listening. Thank you Gill, you're indeed an angel. I'm trying to improve my English and your videos are my favourite way of learning.
Gill, thanks for helping us...you are an angel!
@giovanniarioli3021
5 жыл бұрын
The exmple of a busy been, is absolut amazing
@isimbulamadmobenibulsun660
4 жыл бұрын
herşei öğrendik mecaz anlam kaldı :D
@sophybarnett
4 жыл бұрын
Metaphor 😆😆😆
@froobidoo
3 жыл бұрын
@@giovanniarioli3021 busy 🐝
@rajodumaify
3 жыл бұрын
An archangel!
I am 74 years of age and I am leaning this stuff for the first time...sort of...Love it..Love my language..and love your language...
@user-db4mz9bq8d
4 жыл бұрын
And say: I love you grandpa😉
@pasangtsering8876
3 жыл бұрын
Learning at age 74 is good encouragement to many lazy youths.
@mirjanamilosavljevic4261
3 жыл бұрын
Keep learning ,it’s so good to be young in your hart,my mother was teacher of French and Latin language,was fluent in Russian, and she started learning English at the age of 80 ,she was so young at her hart and mind,always eager to learn new things,don’t stop learning ❤️
@anthonykot
3 жыл бұрын
@@dts8009 I was dyslexic ...and just gave-up ...
@OC-bj5de
3 жыл бұрын
What's you language Mr. Anthony?
Such a lovely teacher....!!! Love you Gill
Love the way you teach. Live long our angel.
My respect for you, you're one of the best instructor ever.
You are just wonderful madam.
As an ESL teacher myself, I adore you, your way of explanation, your manner of teaching, and your positive attitude.
you're an angel .your way of speaking is so good and it is very useful to us
I'am a person from South tyrol in italy and this teacher lady are my favorite from all the other videos in the internet. I'm very very happy with learning english. I have 75 years on my back, but to be happy... also do something. Greetings from Toblach. I speak italian, ladin, german and a little english. Thanks at the teacher. 🌅👍💪🥰🍀
What a wonderful, old classic style, "nowhere hastening" lesson.
It is so relaxing to listen to the calming voice of this gracious lady. Rich and knowledge-laden lectures about the peculiarities of the English language! I have learned more from this lovely lady than my English language teachers combined. God bless you Gill! Lots of love from the Philippines! ❤️
I've never seen such an interesting and motivated teacher! Thank you so much, lovely Gill!
Thank you so much for your lovely teaching. This is absolutely gorgeous.
Simply loved it, best teacher on EngVid!
Thanks so much for presenting your precious time and experience to us. I really miss having such experienced teachers. Thank you for bringing back those fun days of learning English.❤
Thanks for the illustration. I love your quote of Shakespeare.
I really appreciate your effort in helping us to understand metaphors. I must admit that your explanation is as clear as mud and also you're such an angel with a golden heart.
Native English speaker here, but I love watching Gill's lessons; wonderful teacher, seemingly a great woman, and I learn much from her even with English as my first language. The world is lucky to have you!
Absolutely love Gill. She is such an adorable person, it is so relaxing and enjoyable to experience her method of teaching. That is a skill and ability not matched by the majority of teachers. May God Bless you Gill.
Love the way you explain all topics and the examples you give🥰 you’re so kind☺️
Thanks, Gill! I love to hear your voice! You're an angel! Definitely!
Every time I recieve a new English lesson of you it's wonderful, I can't stop having a good a time about this. I really thank you my Dear Lady, receive my hug with all the respect you deserve. You're the most easy - understandable English coach I have ever met before.
I am a private English as a second language teacher. I enjoy very much this professor's lessons and I have been learning a lot from her. I can see that she is very passionate about teaching. She is a real example of what a teachers must be. All my blessings to her!
Thanks a lot to share your knowledge with us! You are an Angel! This class was wonderful!
Unfortunately nowadays we are lacking these type of professional, hardworking and honest teachers.she is so lovely.
this is definitely one of the best and most useful channels on youtube i have started following. in many senses: entertainment, knowledge, linguistics, english learning/teaching, language aprehension and acquasition, pragmatics_as a realm of linguistics_ it's just awesome! regards from a Brazilian linguist! thank you so much for so much "handyness" it is just so handy for foreigner english as a foreign language teachers!
Nice one Gill! I just started learning this stuff only last week aged 48! I may check out some of your other tutorials . . .
Thank you for amazing lesson. Using as an example a part of verse from Shakespeare is just adorably!!
I think I can safely say that my grasp of the English language both verbal and written is very good. But the way Ms. Jill carries on with these lessons, it's as if I'm hypnotized and can't stop viewing these videos!!
Precisely, she is the kind of teacher I would have loved to be taught. I felt an instant connect. Thank you ma'am for your endearing service. 🌻🙏
Thank you very much! I absolutely agree with those who say that you're an angel!
Thank you so much for this lesson
- Thank you ever so much Gill. May I suggest a hint to get more efficiently into English learning : those who lack motivation to learn lessons, do just like I do, go to bed with Gill's voice and wait for sleep to come after having done that.
I just literally found Gill and I am in love with the way she explains things. She makes things so interesting.
Gill, you are fabulous!
British accent! Sounds good :)
@bouchtaab8281
4 жыл бұрын
Sounds musical...
@slayer123fred
4 жыл бұрын
-_-
@w01fk
3 жыл бұрын
My accent too I am British. thanks😂
@w01fk
3 жыл бұрын
Where's my British gang at
@shio9517
3 жыл бұрын
@@w01fk lad lad lad
What a lovely teacher you’re . I was looking for easy description of Metaphors and you’ve explained so beautifully. Thank you!
Thank you Gill , your lessons are so informative and you are easy to listen to with very nice and quiet manners.
Wonderful class from an excellent teacher, thank you!
Really love this kind of women. It makes me feel comfortable and peaceful
This teacher sounds like my school teacher from USSR! She is calm, intelligent and knows how to present the topic! Thank you dear Gill :)
Gill I have never seen a teacher like you,you are an angel .
Gill you are very sweet,you have helped me a lot.
I'm new to your channel and I'm enjoying every single one of your videos. Thank you for your hard work. You are brilliant! :)
You are an amazing teacher Mrs Gil.... Thanks for your time you spend to teach us!!!You are an angel 🙏
Gill ,you are so productive and successful all the time.You broaden our horizone during your lessons .
Thanks . You're an angel ☺
@magosiaprzybycien7592
8 жыл бұрын
Yeah, she's great
@siv1994
8 жыл бұрын
+Małgosia Przybycień wiadomo xD
@ghitalah3218
6 жыл бұрын
Very useful thank you
@mr.jackson3260
6 жыл бұрын
Yeah!
@HoaNguyen-bl5xh
5 жыл бұрын
Lol😂
Gill I saw one of your videos talking about phrasal verbs and finally I could understand the deep meaning of this part of English grammar. Thank you for your patience. You're a great player in this stage.
What a wonderful English teacher and equally wonderful Human being. Helping people learn a language for free.
You are among the best teachers, Gill. Thank you!
Thank you ' Mother' for being teach us with great topics .
Thanks a bunch for such good lessons...much appreciated
Gill, your fabulous accent is absolutely impressive. I just wanna shout out a big THANK YOU to you.
Gill , thank u so much ..its really really help me much...i just came back from Uk ( visit Edenburgh/london ) for two weeks where I can comunicate and understand their accent...Ur an angel..
I love your accent
@kaysokla1421
3 жыл бұрын
Meh to
I think this is very common in all languages, especially in Italian. it is interesting to understand how it is used by English people
Standard of British pronunciation she speaks ......so clear...and easy to catch up.....appreciated this lesson....many thanks for your lesson
Gill congratulations, your accent is England definitively. Thanks for the the subject metaphors it in fact improve our learning the english as a second language.
Thanks ma'amfor your great efforts! I also passed the quiz with 100% degree.
Thank you, you are a real angel! I love your lessons very much, it's a real pleasure to listen to you. I wish all people spoke British English. One more phylosophic metaphor is that all these men and women have their births and deaths, i.e. endless rebirth in the wheel of samsara (exits and entrances) All the best, with love from Russia.
One thing I like most about your Vid is you have such a legibly clear handwriting which I believe is tremendously encouraging others to keep listening to what you are saying. Thank U for sharing.
Thanks Jill . I really enjoy watching your lessons . Actually I start my day with your posts every single day .
GILL, You are just great.
Thank you, Gill! Special thanks for Shakespeare.
Gill teaches English effectively, she represents the analysis that is best with the language.
You can't imagine how grateful I am for your videos. They are amazing!
Hi, Gill! Excellent lesson about metaphors! Thank you very much. Filomena
It´s been very helpful. That´s for sure.
You sold me. Maam, I preety much like your teaching methods. Your gesture are quite explanatory in itself.🤘🤘🤘
Teacher joe you are fantastic i do not remember enough words that deserves to compliment you for the nice way you theach and explain english properely
thank you for the lesson!!!
Gill you are such a busy bee 🐝⚘ thank you
Dear Gill, thanks for a channel!!!! Estou amando aprender inglês com a senhora!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💐
I love the way how you explain the lesson. You are amazing, smart, and creative.
Thank you, great lessons.
thanks alot you really amazing teacher
You have got a talent to present seriously jokes or maybe, to say it correctly, joking with seriousness for such a measure, as if you not even realising it. I appreciate such a method of approach.
a good teacher is a spiritual gift .
Thanks ! Your videos are very useful and interesting !
Thanks for the lesson
Gill,I love how you are eplaining the lesson, You are a big angel!
English was taught to me as a very tough languages since childhood but you have made it easier than I thought. I am in India and helping my 7 year old daughter to be good in English. You have made my life easier. Thanks a lot.☺️☺️☺️☺️
Thanks for tutorial.🌷
You're so cute!. My respects. Very much thanks. God bless you.
Thank you Gill for your wonderful work. I'm from Cuba, just found your channel a few days ago and your videos are helping me a lot.
Thx, T.Gill you make me understand more!❤️
Thank you so much! Great knowledge! God Bless!
@chrisnorman336
3 жыл бұрын
Gill deserves some accolade for work well done.
AT LAST I FOUND A GOOD TEACHER
Thank you, Gill. Awesome and useful lesson. You're like an angel!
I adore this lady. Her english is so clear...
I appreciate you, you are a reference . I' interesting with your lesson more
@viktorostein6065
8 жыл бұрын
Just to correct you there friend. I'm interested in your lesson, or I find your lesson interesting are the things you could that could be said to replace what you've written, have a good day Khalid.
@mikami9921
5 жыл бұрын
@@viktorostein6065 are the things that could you could?!?!?! Let me correct you we said are the things that could... without the you . Have a good day Viktor
extremely lovely and pretty teacher you're really great . ❤❤😗😗😍
You re such a wonderful and gracious teacher. My greeting to you from the All loving and all wise Africa.
i'have never seen such an interesting and motivated teacher.
You are Wonderful
Thanks you’re my angle 🌹🌹
I’m from Greece 🇬🇷,but for the moment i live London.And i watch all your videos. You are perfect 👌 teacher. Thanks a lot what are you for us. I wish all the best for you....🙏
Your way of speaking and teaching is wonderful. You are a blessing to the World.