Everyday Grammar - VOA Learning English It’s ‘Kind of Just’ Hedging - July 08, 2024
Jul 8, 2024
A short study of sentence structure and how to spot subject and verb. An explanation of sap as a verb and motivation as its object. A look at how phrase kind of softens statements to show uncertainty. Examples of why hedging preserves relationships. A note on how just changes meaning as a qualifier.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Student Reaction To Sudden College Closure
- The episode answers Kyosuke's question about I kind of just saps your motivation to do anything after a college closed suddenly.
- Jill Robbins explains the context: the University of the Arts in Philadelphia closed and a first-year student felt unsure where to start.
How Sap Works In That Sentence
- The sentence subject is it and the verb is sap, meaning the school closing reduces a student's energy or desire.
- Jill Robbins explains sap takes a direct object (motivation) using the example Waiting in the long line at the store sapped my energy.
Kind Of As A Hedge
- Kind of is a qualifier used to hedge, weakening a statement to show uncertainty or reduce force.
- Jill Robbins shows hedging preserves relationships by softening comments like I'm kind of tired to suggest leaving early.