Commonly Used Expressions

Worksheet Description

This worksheet presents an enjoyable challenge designed to deepen students’ understanding of anthimeria, a figure of speech in which a word is used in a new grammatical form, typically turning a noun into a verb or an adjective. Each sentence provided on the worksheet contains a common anthimeria that students are tasked with identifying. These sentences cleverly incorporate everyday expressions, such as “hogging the covers” or “squirreling away money,” which exemplify how nouns can take on verb forms to convey actions in a colorful and familiar manner. By underlining the transformed words, students practice recognizing and understanding the flexibility and dynamic nature of language.

The activity not only reinforces grammatical concepts but also encourages students to appreciate the playful side of English vocabulary. They engage with phrases where animals or famous figures are repurposed into verbs, such as “lion tried to fox me” or “Babe Ruthed his hit,” promoting creative thought in language use. Completing this worksheet helps to cultivate an awareness of linguistic creativity and encourages students to think about the multiple ways words can be used beyond their traditional roles, enhancing their ability to craft engaging and imaginative prose.