Language for Olympic Games: Host, Compete, Expect
2024-07-05
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1The Paris Olympic Games will begin later this month, with the Opening Ceremony set to take place on July 26.
2You are likely to see and hear discussions about the Olympic Games - the athletes, the events, and the results of the competitions.
3For today's lesson, we will explore this question: What are three important words to know when we talk about the Olympics?
4There are many possible answers.
5But we are going to take a close look at these three words: "host," "compete," and "expect."
6The Olympic Games are held every two years and take place over two to three weeks.
7Thousands of athletes take part.
8Thousands of workers, volunteers and others prepare for and run the event.
9Millions of people from around the world gather at the Olympic Games to watch the athletes perform.
10Cities around the world request to hold these huge events.
11They seek to "host" the games.
12Or, we can say that cities seek to be the "host" of the games.
13The word host can act as a noun or as a verb.
14When we talk about the Olympic Games, we use "host" (the noun) to mean the city that holds the event:
15Paris is the host of the 2024 Olympic Games.
16The verb form of "host" means to receive and serve guests:
17Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympic Games.
18Note that the verb form of "host" takes a direct object.
19Direct objects often answer the question "what?"
20Paris is hosting what?
21Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympic Games.
22So, we have the noun "host" and the verb "host."
23Which of the two is more commonly used, you might ask?
24Google's Ngram Viewer has data that comes from thousands of books.
25We can look at how common different words are and see how the usage numbers have changed over time.
26We should keep in mind that the data and results are not perfect.
27Still, we can take away general ideas that can help us.
28When we compare the noun and verb forms of host in Google's Ngram Viewer, we find that the noun form is more commonly used.
29And what is the most commonly used word after the noun "host?"
30It is the short word "of."
31Let's think back to our earlier example:
32Paris is the host of the 2024 Olympic Games.
33Our next important word is at the center of Olympic Games action: compete.
34"Compete" is a verb. It means to try to win something that someone else is also trying to win.
35We might use the verb "compete" to describe the athletes' purpose for going to the Olympics.
36So, we might say this:
37The athletes are competing for a medal.
38Note that we often use the verb "compete" without an object.
39In other words, we often use it in an intransitive sense.
40For example, we might say,
41Seven athletes are competing today.
42Still, we often use the verb "compete" with other short words.
43Google's Ngram Viewer suggests that "with" is the most commonly used word after "compete."
44So, you are likely to hear or see something like this:
45Athletes go to the Olympic Games to compete with other top athletes.
46However, we can find other short words commonly used after "compete," such as "for," "in," and "against."
47You might hear "Athletes are competing for gold medals," "That athlete is competing in the 100-meter dash," or "The athletes are competing against each other."
48Overall, the main idea is that the verb "compete" is central to discussions about the Olympics.
49"Compete" may be followed by a short word.
50"With" is the most common of these short words, but you should probably learn the other common short words as well - for, in, and against.
51Our final important word is expect.
52It is used to express our predictions.
53People might "expect" an athlete to do well.
54They watch the Olympic Games to see if the "expectation" is correct.
55This is part of what makes the Olympic Games exciting - and partly explains why people enjoy talking about the Olympic Games.
56We have "expect," a verb, and a related noun form "expectation."
57Google Ngram Viewer suggests "expect" is more commonly used than "expectation."
58We often use the verb "expect" with an object - in other words, in a transitive sense.
59The object could be a noun or noun phrase, as in:
60The trainers expect hard work.
61Or we might see a structure that acts like a noun or noun phrase in a sentence.
62The structure "to + verb" is one such structure, as in:
63The swimmer expects to win.
64Or we might use a more complex structure like this:
65Fans expect that runner to win gold.
66Today we explored a few words that connect to the Olympic Games.
67Of course, there are many other choices!
68We will end this lesson with a call to action.
69Write to us a short description of an Olympic Games - either in the past, present, or future.
70Be sure to use some of the words we have explored today.
71Send your writing in an email to learningenglish@voanews.com
72In a future lesson, we will give feedback on some of the messages that we receive.
73I'm John Russell.
1The Paris Olympic Games will begin later this month, with the Opening Ceremony set to take place on July 26. 2You are likely to see and hear discussions about the Olympic Games - the athletes, the events, and the results of the competitions. 3For today's lesson, we will explore this question: What are three important words to know when we talk about the Olympics? 4There are many possible answers. But we are going to take a close look at these three words: "host," "compete," and "expect." 5Host 6The Olympic Games are held every two years and take place over two to three weeks. Thousands of athletes take part. Thousands of workers, volunteers and others prepare for and run the event. Millions of people from around the world gather at the Olympic Games to watch the athletes perform. 7Cities around the world request to hold these huge events. They seek to "host" the games. Or, we can say that cities seek to be the "host" of the games. The word host can act as a noun or as a verb. 8When we talk about the Olympic Games, we use "host" (the noun) to mean the city that holds the event: 9Paris is the host of the 2024 Olympic Games. 10The verb form of "host" means to receive and serve guests: 11Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympic Games. 12Note that the verb form of "host" takes a direct object. Direct objects often answer the question "what?" 13Paris is hosting what? 14Paris is hosting the 2024 Olympic Games. 15So, we have the noun "host" and the verb "host." 16Which of the two is more commonly used, you might ask? 17Google's Ngram Viewer has data that comes from thousands of books. We can look at how common different words are and see how the usage numbers have changed over time. 18We should keep in mind that the data and results are not perfect. Still, we can take away general ideas that can help us. 19When we compare the noun and verb forms of host in Google's Ngram Viewer, we find that the noun form is more commonly used. 20And what is the most commonly used word after the noun "host?" 21It is the short word "of." 22Let's think back to our earlier example: 23Paris is the host of the 2024 Olympic Games. 24Compete 25Our next important word is at the center of Olympic Games action: compete. 26"Compete" is a verb. It means to try to win something that someone else is also trying to win. 27We might use the verb "compete" to describe the athletes' purpose for going to the Olympics. So, we might say this: 28The athletes are competing for a medal. 29Note that we often use the verb "compete" without an object. In other words, we often use it in an intransitive sense. 30For example, we might say, 31Seven athletes are competing today. 32Still, we often use the verb "compete" with other short words. 33Google's Ngram Viewer suggests that "with" is the most commonly used word after "compete." 34So, you are likely to hear or see something like this: 35Athletes go to the Olympic Games to compete with other top athletes. 36However, we can find other short words commonly used after "compete," such as "for," "in," and "against." 37You might hear "Athletes are competing for gold medals," "That athlete is competing in the 100-meter dash," or "The athletes are competing against each other." 38Overall, the main idea is that the verb "compete" is central to discussions about the Olympics. "Compete" may be followed by a short word. "With" is the most common of these short words, but you should probably learn the other common short words as well - for, in, and against. 39Expect 40Our final important word is expect. It is used to express our predictions. 41People might "expect" an athlete to do well. They watch the Olympic Games to see if the "expectation" is correct. 42This is part of what makes the Olympic Games exciting - and partly explains why people enjoy talking about the Olympic Games. 43We have "expect," a verb, and a related noun form "expectation." 44Google Ngram Viewer suggests "expect" is more commonly used than "expectation." 45We often use the verb "expect" with an object - in other words, in a transitive sense. 46The object could be a noun or noun phrase, as in: 47The trainers expect hard work. 48Or we might see a structure that acts like a noun or noun phrase in a sentence. The structure "to + verb" is one such structure, as in: 49The swimmer expects to win. 50Or we might use a more complex structure like this: 51Fans expect that runner to win gold. 52Closing 53Today we explored a few words that connect to the Olympic Games. Of course, there are many other choices! 54We will end this lesson with a call to action. Write to us a short description of an Olympic Games - either in the past, present, or future. 55Be sure to use some of the words we have explored today. Send your writing in an email to learningenglish@voanews.com 56In a future lesson, we will give feedback on some of the messages that we receive. 57I'm John Russell. 58John Russell wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 59______________________________________________ 60Words in This Story 61intransitive - adj. not taking or having a direct object 62transitive - adj. having or taking a direct object