Verbs

Show by means of sentences whether these verbs can be used both in active and also in passive constructions.

In the sentence ‘John repairs clocks’ John is the cause of the repairs; we say that this sentence is in the active voice. But in the sentence ‘The clock has been repaired’ the clock is not the cause of the repair; we call this a passive sentence. For each verb below, try to write one active sentence and one passive sentence. For which verbs is this awkward or not possible?

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Show that each of these words can be used as a noun and also as a verb.

Many words can serve as noun or verb depending on context: see if you can prove this with the examples below. Nouns go well with words such as the/a, or his/her; verbs go well after I/you/he etc..

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Make up sentences to show the subtle shades of meaning in words such as slither, soar and stampede.

The verbs below all indicate movement in some way. Use each one in a sentence, in such a way as to make its meaning clear, and distinguish it from the other words in the list.

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Use your own sentences to distinguish glance from gaze, or peer from perceive.

The verbs below all indicate some use of the eyes. Use each one in a sentence, in such a way as to make its meaning clear and distinguish it from the other words in the list. Some topics have been suggested underneath.

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Compose sentences to bring out the difference between whispering and whining.

The words below are all commonly used to refer to speaking, and especially the manner of speaking — whether speech is gentle or soft, loud or quiet, with anger or tenderness. Use each word in a sentence, in such a way as to make its meaning clear.

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Show that you know the difference between glint, twinkle and flash.

Use each word below in a sentence, in such a way as to make its meaning clear and distinguish it from the other words in the list. Some topics have been suggested underneath, though ‘eyes’ will work in almost every case.

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