Lesson 286--New Words with the Prefix "less"

 

Most students get exposed to words like worthless and priceless, but there are other words that end in  "less" that are not as well known, but are equally useful.  I would like to introduce a handful of them.

speechless--it is used to describe someone who cannot speak, usually through shock, or the presence of beauty.

When Dan saw his wife in her new dress he was speechless.

After watching his son make a fantastic play, Carl was completely speechless.

timeless--it is used to describe something that is a classic.  Things like designs, music and movies can be described this way.

 

The movie Miracle on 34th Street is timeless. 

ageless--it is often used to describe people who do not seem to age.

Dick Clark has hardly changed in fifty years.  He appears ageless.

painless--it is used to describe something without pain.

The doctor assured Kelly that the procedure would be painless.

Lesson 245--point

Point a gun at someone

We looked at point out and making a point in lessons 162 and 163.  In today's lesson we will also be looking at some other uses of the word point.

point at vs. point to

For the most part, there is little difference between the two.

He's pointing at you.

I pointed to Jane.

I pointed at Jane.

Without any context, the meanings are similar.  However, when more anger or violence is suggested, we prefer at.

I pointed angrily at Jane.

I pointed a gun at Jane.

"Stop pointing at me!" exclaimed Jane.

 

Pointless

Meaning:  There is no point.

examples

Your argument is pointless.

It was pointless to wait any longer, so Melanie went home.

Lesson 163--Point (part two)

 

There's no point.

There's no point in doing that.

I don't see any point in that.

It is pointless.

This is used when the situation is futile or useless, or when any action you take will have no effect.

To point out something.

To point something out.

This means to indicate something the person might not have seen, or that you would like them to focus on.  This can be visual, or can be an idea.

Examples: I would like to point out that there are 163 lessons in this blog so far.

                  Jane pointed out that it was too late for lunch, but too early for supper.

                  Bob's hobby was pointing out mistakes in movies.