Fun or Funny?

When do we use the words "fun" or "funny" when speaking English?


In teaching English language to students in many countries around the world I have found a series of mistakes that are made no matter where you are from.

One of those mistakes is when to use the word "fun" and "funny" when describing something.

Basically these are the general rules:

  • Fun = when you enjoy yourself and have a good time
  • Funny = it makes you laugh

In just about every class I do I always ask as an icebreaker: what did you do last weekend? My students are use to this and even though this may seem boring and routine, it does get the students thinking about what they did on the weekend and also the vocabulary they will need to tell me.

Almost every time my newer students will use the word "funny" to say they had a good time doing something on the weekend.

  • I went to the cinema it was fun - meaning i enjoyed it!
  • I went to the cinema, it was funny - meaning the movie I saw was funny and it made me laugh!

The examples above are both correct when seeing a movie or going to the cinema. But I often hear: we went to dinner and it was very funny. It's true dinner can be funny if you laughed but when the students are asked: do you mean it was funny and you laughed or do you mean mean it was fun and you enjoyed yourself? They always self correct and say... I mean it was fun.

So the question to ask yourself is this: did I enjoy myself - meaning I had "fun" or what we did made me laugh - meaning it was "funny"!

If you would like me to send you a copy of my Fun and Funny worksheet just send me a message.

Have a great day... Coach Brian
2018年7月5日
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Brian McCarthy

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Hi I’m Coach Brian, I am an experienced Business English language teacher and English language conversational coach. I offer 30 minute lessons and 60 minute lessons. For the 30 minute lessons, I provide you with a 50% discount coupon off the 60 minute lesson price and we then have an exciting 30 minute lesson! I have more than 30 years experience in business and business development and I have taught and coached many students in business communications in English and I have helped them to develop their business or career. I have a TESOL certificate for teaching English language and I am a certified business and life coach. I have been teaching business English and coaching business and career development for more than 10 years. I love working with all students no matter what your level is, from beginner to advanced. My pricing includes: * all lesson materials and pre-lesson work * pre-lesson material is sent to you 2 days before class * in class we review the lesson togethe...
Flag
英語
globe
美國
time
453
使用語言:
英語
母語
,
泰國語
B1
,
中文
A1
,
越南語
A1
Hi I’m Coach Brian, I am an experienced Business English language teacher and English language conversational coach. I offer 30 minute lessons and 60 minute lessons. For the 30 minute lessons, I provide you with a 50% discount coupon off the 60 minute lesson price and we then have an exciting 30 minute lesson! I have more than 30 years experience in business and business development and I have taught and coached many students in business communications in English and I have helped them to develop their business or career. I have a TESOL certificate for teaching English language and I am a certified business and life coach. I have been teaching business English and coaching business and career development for more than 10 years. I love working with all students no matter what your level is, from beginner to advanced. My pricing includes: * all lesson materials and pre-lesson work * pre-lesson material is sent to you 2 days before class * in class we review the lesson togethe...
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