What Is Popular in Different Countries?
2024-02-23
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1In a recent lesson, we asked our readers and listeners to write to us about what is popular in their country.
2In today's lesson, we will explore some of what was written to us.
3Our audience will be the guides of our imaginative tour of cultures around the world.
4We will learn about English grammar on the way.
5Let's start with a message from a friend in Turkey.
6Greetings from Turkey, I am Furkan.
7I think, Kıvanc Tatlıtug is a popular in Turkey.
8Because the whole country knows him.
9Furkan wrote a very clear message.
10Our main suggestion is to remove a couple of words and add a little more explanation.
11We can take out the words "I think."
12We can also remove the part about the "whole country knows him."
13When we say someone is popular, we can assume that many or most people in a place know about the person.
14You could also explain a little more deeply why Kivanc Tatlitug is popular.
15For example, you might say he is handsome, talented, and so on.
16So, you might update the message to something like this:
17Kıvanc Tatlıtug is popular in Turkey because he is handsome, talented, and wealthy.
18Now let's examine part of a message from Gorka in Venezuela.
19Gorka says this about baseball, a popular sport in the country:
20... this sport is practiced by people of all ages and in all the states of the country.
21There are many baseball schools, some of them sponsored by American baseball organizations.
22Every year more that one hundred Venezuelan baseball players go to USA to play in the MLB or other related leagues.
23Not surprisingly these players inspire younger baseball players to follow their steps.
24Gorka wrote an excellent description. Our main suggestion is to pay careful attention to short words.
25Instead of "that" we can use "than," as in "more than one hundred Venezuelan baseball players."
26And we want to add "the" in front of "USA" like this:
27Every year, more than one hundred Venezuelan baseball players go to the USA to play in the MLB or other related leagues.
28A final word about the last sentence from Gorka.
29While it is correct to say "follow their steps," in this situation, we often say "follow in their footsteps."
30We use "follow in their footsteps" when someone does something before us and we follow what they did. For example:
31If your father is a doctor and you become a doctor, you could say that you are following in your father's footsteps.
32Now let's turn to Japan.
33An unnamed reader sent us this note about a popular food.
34Most popular food in Japan is RAMEN.
35I think because Ramen has huge kinds of taste.
36The message is clear and to the point.
37Once again, we need to pay special attention to short words and remove a few other words.
38We need to include the word "the" at the beginning of the message, as in:
39The most popular food in Japan is ramen.
40While the meaning of "huge kinds of taste" is understandable, we might instead use different structures to express the same idea.
41For example, English speakers might say that the taste is complex, bold, or rich.
42We might update the entire message to something like this:
43The most popular food in Japan is ramen because it has a rich, complex taste.
44Finally, Rafael from Spain writes to us.
45He notes that he does not like the most popular sport, soccer.
46Rafael ends his message with the following:
47... Since I don't like soccer, I feel a little weirdo.
48But not as much as you, John, who are in love with grammar!
49Thank you very much for your teaching, John,
50See you soon!
51Rafael wrote a very light-hearted, humorous message.
52The main correction needed is to add the word "like" after the verb "feel" and remove the word "little."
53So, the statement could become:
54Since I don't like soccer, I feel like a weirdo.
55A quick note about the term "weirdo."
56We often use it in a negative, or disapproving, way.
57So, you should be careful about using it.
58If you choose to use the term, make sure that the person it is directed at understands that you are not being serious.
59Rafael's message, for example, clearly used the word in a joking manner.
60Still, his point is correct:
61I am a grammar weirdo.
62And that's Everyday Grammar.
63I'm John Russell.
1In a recent lesson, we asked our readers and listeners to write to us about what is popular in their country. 2In today's lesson, we will explore some of what was written to us. Our audience will be the guides of our imaginative tour of cultures around the world. We will learn about English grammar on the way. 3Turkey 4Let's start with a message from a friend in Turkey. 5Greetings from Turkey, I am Furkan. 6I think, Kıvanc Tatlıtug is a popular in Turkey. Because the whole country knows him. 7Furkan wrote a very clear message. Our main suggestion is to remove a couple of words and add a little more explanation. 8We can take out the words "I think." We can also remove the part about the "whole country knows him." 9When we say someone is popular, we can assume that many or most people in a place know about the person. 10You could also explain a little more deeply why Kivanc Tatlitug is popular. For example, you might say he is handsome, talented, and so on. 11So, you might update the message to something like this: 12Kıvanc Tatlıtug is popular in Turkey because he is handsome, talented, and wealthy. 13Venezuela 14Now let's examine part of a message from Gorka in Venezuela. Gorka says this about baseball, a popular sport in the country: 15... this sport is practiced by people of all ages and in all the states of the country. There are many baseball schools, some of them sponsored by American baseball organizations. 16Every year more that one hundred Venezuelan baseball players go to USA to play in the MLB or other related leagues. 17Not surprisingly these players inspire younger baseball players to follow their steps. 18Gorka wrote an excellent description. Our main suggestion is to pay careful attention to short words. 19Instead of "that" we can use "than," as in "more than one hundred Venezuelan baseball players." And we want to add "the" in front of "USA" like this: 20Every year, more than one hundred Venezuelan baseball players go to the USA to play in the MLB or other related leagues. 21A final word about the last sentence from Gorka. While it is correct to say "follow their steps," in this situation, we often say "follow in their footsteps." We use "follow in their footsteps" when someone does something before us and we follow what they did. For example: 22If your father is a doctor and you become a doctor, you could say that you are following in your father's footsteps. 23Japan 24Now let's turn to Japan. An unnamed reader sent us this note about a popular food. 25Most popular food in Japan is RAMEN. I think because Ramen has huge kinds of taste. 26The message is clear and to the point. Once again, we need to pay special attention to short words and remove a few other words. We need to include the word "the" at the beginning of the message, as in: 27The most popular food in Japan is ramen. 28While the meaning of "huge kinds of taste" is understandable, we might instead use different structures to express the same idea. For example, English speakers might say that the taste is complex, bold, or rich. We might update the entire message to something like this: 29The most popular food in Japan is ramen because it has a rich, complex taste. 30Spain 31Finally, Rafael from Spain writes to us. He notes that he does not like the most popular sport, soccer. Rafael ends his message with the following: 32... Since I don't like soccer, I feel a little weirdo. But not as much as you, John, who are in love with grammar! 33Thank you very much for your teaching, John, 34See you soon! 35Rafael wrote a very light-hearted, humorous message. The main correction needed is to add the word "like" after the verb "feel" and remove the word "little." So, the statement could become: 36Since I don't like soccer, I feel like a weirdo. 37A quick note about the term "weirdo." We often use it in a negative, or disapproving, way. So, you should be careful about using it. If you choose to use the term, make sure that the person it is directed at understands that you are not being serious. 38Rafael's message, for example, clearly used the word in a joking manner. Still, his point is correct: 39I am a grammar weirdo. 40And that's Everyday Grammar. 41I'm John Russell. 42John Russell wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 43______________________________________________ 44Words in This Story 45assume - v. to think that something is true or probably true 46sponsor - v. to give money to an athlete for training, clothes, equipment, etc.,