I am going to explain the meaning of gab to Chinese children. Is it correct to use this example:
"The kids gab."
"The kids gab."
The kids gab.
- Thread starter ting123456
- Start date
"The kids gab" does not carry any information about what the children are doing, so it is not a very good example. NB "to gab" is very informal and somewhat old-fashioned; it is the sort of word that you might remember but not the sort of word that you would use.
If you mean they talk a lot, then it's correct but not particularly natural. Keep it simple and just say they talk a lot.
Why?
This is very unnatural. The word "gab" is mostly used as a personal criticism. "Oh stop gabbing on - you are so boring"
The best known phrase is "gift of the gab", which means that someone has the ability to talk a lot. Depending on the context, this phrase can be somewhat complimentary or it can be sarcastic.
I only ever hear 'gab' used in the expression '(someone having) the gift of the gab.'
the gift of the gab
Cross-posted (again)
the gift of the gab
Cross-posted (again)
Thank you for your help!
The details are as follows: I am teaching Chinese preschool children to learn English cvc words.
In order to make it easier for Chinese preschool children to understand the meaning of the word, I designed a simple sentence for each cvc word (suitable for Chinese children to understand) and a picture for the word.
For example, the word "gab", the sentence I intend to use is: the kids gab.
I want to use this sentence to express the meaning: the two children are chatting.
The picture is:
The details are as follows: I am teaching Chinese preschool children to learn English cvc words.
In order to make it easier for Chinese preschool children to understand the meaning of the word, I designed a simple sentence for each cvc word (suitable for Chinese children to understand) and a picture for the word.
For example, the word "gab", the sentence I intend to use is: the kids gab.
I want to use this sentence to express the meaning: the two children are chatting.
The picture is:
Attachments
There are many other cvc words you can use that are widespread in everyday speech and easily illustratable.
dog, cat, bug, rat, man, bag, pig, rag, van, bus, nut, pen, hat, bat, pan, fat, pot, top, mop, map, cap, cop, red, …
Get rid of “gab.”
dog, cat, bug, rat, man, bag, pig, rag, van, bus, nut, pen, hat, bat, pan, fat, pot, top, mop, map, cap, cop, red, …
Get rid of “gab.”
thanks! but the "gab" is in the ab word family(cab lab tab gab) , the ab family has only 4 words, so I didn't want to remove it.
But according to the suggestion , I decided to use "the gift of the gab" as the sentence:
The kid has the gift of the gab.
What about dab, fab, jab, and nab?
You could replace it with “dab” or “jab.”
No Chinese child needs to learn “the gift of the gab.”
No Chinese child needs to learn “the gift of the gab.”
Sorry, Ting, but this is daft. You say "the ab word family(cab lab tab gab) has only 4 words, so I didn't want to remove it."
In fact it has nine words (bab, cab, dab, fab, gab, jab, lab, nab, tab) and the ones I've put in bold are far more useful than gab. (There's also Queen Mab, which is a phrase I probably use more often than gift of the gab.)
Why waste children's time teaching words that they will almost never use, just to comply with a formula?
[Cross-posted.]
In fact it has nine words (bab, cab, dab, fab, gab, jab, lab, nab, tab) and the ones I've put in bold are far more useful than gab. (There's also Queen Mab, which is a phrase I probably use more often than gift of the gab.)
Why waste children's time teaching words that they will almost never use, just to comply with a formula?
[Cross-posted.]
Thank you so much! Now I understand. I'll take your advice!
These words are not a family in any meaningful way. Also, if you want to stay with one syllable there are more.
_________________________________
* Note that "swab" has a different pronunciation from all the others - it sounds like "swob".
4-letter words that end in ab
Words that end in ab | Words ending in ab_________________________________
* Note that "swab" has a different pronunciation from all the others - it sounds like "swob".
Last edited:
What is a cvc word? What does 'cvc' stand for?
I wondered too. Then a flash of inspiration struck. It must be consonant-vowel-consonant.
None of which are cvc.
I suppose it depends which definition of consonant you use. One possibility is that it is a letter of the English alphabet. Another is that it is a speech sound that is not a vowel. Consonant - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
In Non-rhotic British English, the words "drab", grab", and "crab" fit this definition I think. This could provoke an extended off-topic debate I suppose.
However, I must admit that I missed the cvc requirement as it appeared part way through the thread. I stand corrected.
The question I ask comes from some of my experience and insights in Phonics teaching.
It is very difficult for Chinese preschool children to master the meaning of words. So I plan to match a picture for each word, so that the children can understand the meaning of the word when they see the picture.
However, some words are difficult to express in pictures. For example, this word: jig.
Many of the words in the original Phonics textbooks also come with simple photos, but the grading system of these textbooks is not suitable for Chinese children. That's why I plan to redesign a simpler set of learning materials for my students. This is a very huge and time-consuming project. Fortunately, I found this place, which made me more confident to do it.
Thanks !
It is very difficult for Chinese preschool children to master the meaning of words. So I plan to match a picture for each word, so that the children can understand the meaning of the word when they see the picture.
However, some words are difficult to express in pictures. For example, this word: jig.
Many of the words in the original Phonics textbooks also come with simple photos, but the grading system of these textbooks is not suitable for Chinese children. That's why I plan to redesign a simpler set of learning materials for my students. This is a very huge and time-consuming project. Fortunately, I found this place, which made me more confident to do it.
Thanks !
Another word you need to ditch.
I want to try my best to avoid "Chinglish" in my class. This is a good place to learn a language. It's very good.
Thank you very much! I consider listing the cvc words I plan to use in teaching. Teachers can help me eliminate some words that are not commonly used. This can prevent children from wasting time learning words that they don't need.
What do you have against dancing?
