This week we’re talking about rules.
I don’t like too many rules.
For example, here’s a list of activities banned on the beaches of Los Angeles:
- drinking a beer
- smoking a cigarette
- walking your dog
Good grief!
What a bunch of uptight party poopers.
But sometimes, rules can make life simpler.
THE FOUNDATION OF ENGLISH
My first rule for awesome… marvelous… stupendous English?
Build a strong foundation.
What is the foundation of English?
Words.
But more specifically, the Atomic Words (formerly known as “Power Words”).
Did you know, just 2,801 words are in every English sentence?
Sometimes they are 87% of the words in a sentence.
Sometimes they are 94% of the words in a sentence.
And sometimes, they are 100% of the words in a sentence.
English speakers are word recyclers.
We use the same words again and again and again.
Master this short list, and you will have built your English foundation on solid rock.
TOMORROW: Rule #2
I just wonder if other languages have the same number of atomic words. Is it possible that some languages have many more or far less atomic words. “Atomic” is very good. Everything in nature is made of atoms.
Good question!
Which form of the word should I learn first? A word can be a noun, verb or adjective, when you learn a new word, the word exists in several forms. That’s 2800 words x 3, right?
It can be overwhelming for the memory.
Another good question!
Amazing!