Hi everyone!

Today we will learn vocabulary with the Dead Poet’s Society. This 1989 American drama film was a huge success and remains a classic.

Whether you have watched the film or not, the following scene is a favourite for inspiration.

1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the video

Text

Keating- O Captain, my Captain. Who knows where that comes from? Anybody? Not a clue? It’s from a poem by Walt Whitman about Mr. Abraham Lincoln. Now in this class you can either call me Mr. Keating. Or, if you’re slightly more daring, O Captain, My Captain. Now let me dispel a few rumours so they don’t fester into facts. Yes, I too attended Welton and survived. And no, at the time I was not the mental giant you see before you. I was the intellectual equivalent of a ninety-eight pound weakling. I would go to the beach and people would kick copies of Byron in my face. Now, Mr. Pitts? That’s a rather unfortunate name. Mr. Pitts, where are you? Mr. Pitts? Would you open your hymnal to page 542 and read the first stanza of the poem you find there?

Pitts – To the virgins, to make much of time?

Keating – Yes, that’s the one. Somewhat appropriate isn’t it.

Pitts – Gather ye rosebuds while ya may, old time is still a flying, and this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying.

Keating – Thank you Mr. Pitts. “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”. The Latin term for that sentiment is Carpe Diem. Now who knows what that means?

Meeks – Carpe Diem. That’s “seize the day”.

Keating – Very good, Mr. …

Meeks – Meeks.

Keating – Meeks. Another unusual name. Seize the day. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. Why does the writer use these lines?

Charlie – Because he’s in a hurry.

Keating  - No, ding! Thank you for playing anyway. Because we are food for worms, lads. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day going to stop breathing, turn cold, and die.
Now I would like you to step forward over here and peruse some of the faces from the past. You’ve walked past them many times. I don’t think you’ve really looked at them. They’re not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts, full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they’re destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see, gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Carpe. Hear it? Carpe. Carpe. Carpe Diem. Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.

Vocabulary

Daring - willing to do dangerous or difficult things.

Dispel - to make (something, such as a belief, feeling, or idea) go away or end.

Rumours - information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true.

Fester - to become painful and infected.

Equivalent - having the same value, use, meaning, etc.

Weakling – a weak person.

Byron – Lord Byron was a British poet and a leading figure of the Romantic movement.

Unfortunate – Having bad luck. Also, not appropriate or desirable.

Hymnal – a book of hymns. Hymns are religious songs.

Stanza - a group of lines in a poem.

Somewhat - in a small amount or degree : to some degree.

Worms - a long, thin animal that has a soft body with no legs or bones and that often lives in the ground.

Peruse - to look at or read (something) in an informal or relaxed way.

Invincible - impossible to defeat or overcome.

The world is their oyster - If the world is your oyster, your life is good and you have the ability to do whatever you want to do.

Iota - a very small amount, usually used in negative statements.

Fertilizing daffodils – To fertilize means to make the soil richer so more plants can grow. Daffodils are a type of white flower. The expression “fertilizing daffodils” means that when we die and decompose, we will make the soil richer.

Legacy - something (such as property or money) that is received from someone who has died.

Lean in – to move forward to look at something closer.

Gather ye rosebuds while ya may, old time is still a flying, and this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying  - It is the first line of the poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” and it advises people to take advantage of their life while they are young.

If you enjoy watching films, check out our Learn English with Movies post. It was great tips for you to make the most out of films to learn new vocabulary.

Finally: part 4 of Sentence Connectors.

Let’s remember what linking adverbs and transition words are. They connect two independent clauses or sentences. They provide transition between ideas. They can also be called conjunctive adverbs.

They can be used at the beginning of a sentence or mid-sentence with punctuation.

When do we use each connector?

Ok, we will now look at the most used transitional words. Yes, it’s quite a long list – don’t worry, just understand when we use each one and practice making sentences with them.

Accordingly - in a proper or appropriate way : in a way that suits the facts, needs, or requirements of a situation.
Example: “Susan is an intern and she is paid accordingly”

Besides – synonym of also; in addition to what has already been said.
Example: “I really want to go to the party, and besides, it’s close to my house”

Consequently - happening as a result of a particular action or set of conditions.
Example: “The price of real estate has gone up. Consequently people have to move outside the city”

Finally - at the end of a period of time.
Example: “After years of arguing, Tim and Tina finally got divorced”

Furthermore - in addition to what has been said.
Example: “Bruno always makes amazing art. Furthermore, he’s such a nice man!”

Hence – for this reason.
Example: “The company lost a lot of money. Hence, the manager was asked to resign”

However- used when you are saying something that is different from or contrasts with a previous statement.
Example: “Mary should stay at home and study. However, she decided to go camping”

In fact - in truth — used to stress that a statement is true although it may be surprising or unlikely.
Example: “He looks young, but in fact, he’s in his 40′s”

Instead - used to say that one thing is done or that one thing or person is chosen when another is not chosen, cannot be done, etc.
Example: “I don’t have any coffee, would you mind tea instead?”

Likewise - in the same way.
Example: “Everyone in class studies 3 hours a day, we should do likewise”

Meanwhile - at or during the same time : in the meantime.
Example: “Please make something to eat. Meanwhile, I’ll clean”

Moreover - in addition to what has been said. This word is quite formal.
Example: “I’d love to come over for coffee. Moreover, I’ll bring a cake!”

Namely - used when giving exact information about something you have already mentioned.
Example: “Malaria can be prevented, namely by taking malaria tablets and using a moskito net”

Nevertheless - in spite of what has just been said.
Example: “Joy doesn’t like avocados, nevertheless she ate them for her husband”

Nonetheless - in spite of what has just been said.
Example: “We’re always arguing, she’s my best friend nonetheless”

Otherwise – in a different way or manner.
Example: “After the fire, all the books had been burnt or otherwise destroyed”

Similarly - in a similar way : in almost the same way.
Example: “My sister’s and my house are decorated similarly: we love minimalism”

Thereafter - after that.
Example: “Thereafter, the companies merged together”

Therefore – for that reason : because of that.
Example: “The mobile phone is light to carry, therefore it’s very conveniant”

Thus - in this way or manner : like this. This word is also very formal.
Example: “The detergent is highly concentrated, thus you will have to dilute it”

Wow, good job everyone! You should now have a clearer understanding of sentence connectors.

Do you have any questions? Let us know!

Hello everyone! How are you doing?

Today’s news story is all about creating cities in the sea. It’s a great idea to allow people to live in different societies or set up research platforms where they will not depend on any governments.

What are your thoughts before watching the video?

1. First read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the video

Text

“California’s Seasteading Institute believes countries of the future will be built on the ocean. These nations will be fully sustainable, self-governing floating cities designed as havens for research and innovation.

The institute’s president Michael Keenan, says the most successful will become thriving new societies. It’s an idea he says, whose time has come.

- There is no one kind of government for everyone. There is no one ideology for everyone and so if there was a new space to start governments we would see an ideal society for everyone. But there is no more land, however, seventy percent of the world’s surface is covered by ocean and it is unclaimed, it’s international waters. So the Seasteading Institute strives to create new countries floating in international waters.

Keenan says this is no idealistic pipedream. Paypal’s billionaire founder Peter Theil has donated more than 1.5 million dollars to the Institute and other wealthy donors are following suit. The design of these off shore communities is led by Institute engineer in George Petrie. He says much of the technology to build floating cities already exists.

- Why don’t we just utilise what is so readily available to us by colonising the surface of the sea and positioning ourselves to intelligently take advantage of the resources that the open oceans, the bounty of the open oceans offer us.

Petrie says the first floating cities will be modelled after semi-submersible oil platforms.

- So even in very inhospitable, even in very stormy sea conditions, the platform will remain very stable, very minimal motion. One would hardly know that they are on a floating body.

He says the cities will be able to expand by linking on new, modular parts – much like Lego pieces. Petrie says solar power, wind turbines, and other cutting edge technology will supply the floating cities with power.

- In a decade you will start to see custom built semisubmersible platforms resembling oil rigs and in a few decades – huge cities the size of Hong Kong with millions of people living in very diverse, very effective and efficient societies on the ocean.

And the institute’s ideas are already taking off. A company called Blueseed is converting an ocean liner into what it says will be a floating version of Silicon Valley. With no visa requirement, it’s designed to attract foreign talent to develop new technologies.

The ship is is scheduled for launch late next year, the first of what Michael Keenan hopes will be hundreds of seasteads created over the next several decades. Keenan admits it’s an ambitious idea…but one that will eventually offer millions of people the opportunity to choose a country that suits them best.

Vocabulary

Nations - a large area of land that is controlled by its own government.

Self-governing - controlled or ruled by its own members : having self-government.

Sustainable - able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed.

Floating - continually moving or changing position.

Havens - a place where you are protected from danger, trouble, etc.

Thriving - to grow or develop successfully : to flourish or succeed.

Unclaimed - not asked for or taken by an owner : not claimed.

Strive - to try very hard to do or achieve something.

Pipedream - a hope, wish, or dream that is impossible to achieve or not practical.

Wealthy - having a lot of money and possessions.

Follow suit - to do the same thing that someone else has just done.

Shore - the land along the edge of an area of water (such as an ocean, lake, etc.)

Modelled - o design (something) so that it is similar to something else.

Semi-submersible - able to be used partially underwater.

Oil platform - a usually raised structure that has a flat surface where people or machines do work.

Modular - having parts that can be connected or combined in different ways.

Talent - a special ability that allows someone to do something well.

Scheduled - to plan (something) at a certain time.

Seasteads - concept of creating permanent homes at sea.

Intensive Verbs

We use intensive verbs to describe the subject. Intensive verbs are also called copular verbs, are usually followed by a noun or a noun phrase, an adjective or a prepositional phrase.

Intensive means to focus on one thing; in this case, the subject. The words or phrases following an intensive verb work as the subject complement. This means they apply to the subject, not the verb.

Examples:

“Rose is a student” – The focus of this sentence is Rose and what she is.
“Tomas looks very young for his age” - The focus of this sentence is Tomas and what he looks like.

Extensive Verbs

We use extensive verbs to say what the subject is doing. Extensive verbs are most other verbs, they do not have a subject complement.

Extensive means to cover a wider area, it takes information away from the subject. Words or phrases following an extensive verb work as the verb’s object. They apply to the verb, not the subject.

Examples:

“John runs very fast” – The focus of this sentence is run, and how he does that.
“Mary paints quite badly” – The focus of this sentence is paints, and how she does that.

Exercise

Which of the following verbs are intensive, and which are extensive?

1. I’m angry because Helen ate my breakfast.
2. George and his brothers seemed too tired to go out.
3. The kitchen is downstairs, next to living room
4. At 9pm, the sun vanished below the horizon

Hello again! Ready for part 3: Subordinating Conjuctions?

If you want to check out past posts:

- Introduction to Sentence Connectors
- Coordinating Conjunctions
- Correlating Conjunctions

Subordinating Conjunctions connect a dependent clause and an independent clause and establish a relationship between them. They happen at the beginning of a sentences (with a comma in the middle separating the clauses) or in the middle of a sentence with no comma.

So, basically, a subordinate conjunction will connect a main clause and a subordinate one. If the main clause comes first in the sentence it won’t be separated from the subordinate clause by a comma. If the subordinate clause comes first, then we will separate the clauses with a comma.

The most common subordinating conjunctions are:

After - later than the time that : later than when.
Example: “Call me after you arrive at work”

Although - despite the fact that : used to introduce a fact that makes another fact unusual or surprising.
Example: “Although she was tired, she couldn’t sleep”

As - used to introduce a statement which indicates that something being mentioned was known, expected, etc.
Example: “As we explained last class, coordinating conjunctions are sentence connectors”

Because - for the reason that.
Example: “I painted the house because it was a horrible colour”

Before - earlier than the time that : earlier than when.
Example: “Come and visit me before you leave”

How - in what manner or way.
Example: “Let me show you how to knit”

If -used to talk about the result or effect of something that may happen or be true.
Example: “It would be fantastic if you could come to the party”

Once - at the moment when : as soon as.
Example: “Once you’ve learnt how to cycle, it’s very easy”

Since - used to introduce a statement that explains the reason for another statement.
Example: “Since you’ve studied so well, you can go outside and play”

Than - used to introduce the second or last of two or more things or people that are being compared — used with the comparative form of an adjective or adverb.
Example: “My sister is older than I am”

That - used to introduce a clause that states a reason or purpose.
Example: “Olivia is so happy that it’s summer again”

When - at or during the time that something happened.
Example: “A teacher is good when he inspires his students”

Where - at or in the place that something happened.
Example: “We went to the bar where there most shade”

Whether -used to indicate choices or possibilities.
Example: “Bruno wasn’t sure whether to go to India or Thailand”

While - during the time that something happened”
Example: “While we were in Paris, it snowed”

Until - up to the time or point that something happened”
Example: “We stayed up talking until the sun came up”

How to Motivate your students:

Want to know how to motivate and inspire your students to want to learn English (or another subject)? Watch out presentation.

With over 30 years experience, ABA English knows how important it is for students to be happy and willing to learn.

Please let us know what your tips are to staying motivated, or if you’re a teacher, tell us how you inspire your students. We’d love to know!

Hello,

How are you today?

What kind of person are you?

Are you one of those people who find it easy to get used to new situations?

As usual, I have included the new words in blue and you can check them at the bottom of the page.

Usually English teachers like ourselves live in a foreign country and because of this we have had to get used to different ways of living. For example, Ella, who was born in the Philippines but grew up in the United States, now lives in Barcelona, Spain. It’s complicated, isn’t it? When she was in the United States, she used to have dinner at around 7 o’clock in the evening. However, here in Barcelona, people have a very different schedule and eat dinner at around 10 p.m. and she had to get used to eating that late.

As for me, I also grew up in the United States and it took me a while to get used to the schedule here in Spain but I can say that now I am used to eating dinner late.

Vocabulary

Foreign: Adjective that describes something that is from or characteristic of a country different to yours.

Grew up: Past tense of the verb to grow up, the process of becoming an adult.

Schedule: Noun, a synonym of timetable.

Talking about “used to”, “be used to” and “get used to”… Thanks you so much for all your comments regarding my previous post!

There are some very good answers so WELL DONE! Some of you understand their different uses very well and for those of you who still have doubts please see my explanation in the video below.

Don´t worry if you cannot understand it completely. You can also read it in you native language:

English // French // Italian // Portuguese // Spanish

One more thing: I am very glad you like the song, “Some things you never get used to” by The Supremes.

I have also created a listening exercise so that you can revise the vocabulary from my previous post.

Listening Exercise //Correct Answers

I hope you find it fun!

Take care,

Written by: Victoria, Teacher from ABA English

Good day!

A couple of days ago, Mony Amer asked us for more idioms that we can use in conversation. Some of the most common idioms come from colours, so here is a list with examples that you can learn:

Black and white - involving a simple choice between things that are clearly opposite and especially between good and bad or right and wrong.
Example: “You should not have lied: it’s black and white. What you did was wrong”

Black out - to suddenly become unconscious.
Example: “Maria blacked out this afternoon; they think she’s anemic”

Black sheep - someone who does not fit in with the rest of a group and is often considered to be a troublemaker or an embarrassment.
Example: “Toby was the black sheep of the family: everyone loved travelling except for him”

Black mood – to be in a bad mood, to have negative or depressive thoughts.
Example: “I have had a horrible day, I’m in such a black mood”

Black market – a system through which things are bought and sold illegally.
Example: “In the city it’s very easy to buy drugs on the black market”

Catch red-handed - catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
Example: “When we got home we caught a thief red handed! He was trying to rob our TV”

Golden handshake - a large amount of money that a company gives to an employee who is leaving the company.
Example: “When my father retired from his job he got a golden handshake. He used the money to buy a new car!”

Grass is always greener on the other side - used to say that the things you do not have always seem more appealing than the things you do have.
Example: ”

Green light – to give permission for someone to do something or for something to happen.
Example: “Finally! My boss has given me the green light to work on that project”

Green around the gills - looking sick.
Example: “After being on the boat all day, he was a little green around the gills”

Green with envy - appearing jealous; appearing envious.
Example: “I’m green with envy; I love your new dress!”

Have a green thumb - an extraordinary ability to make plants grow well.
Example: “My mum’s garden looks like paradise, she definitely has a green thumb”

Have the blues - to feel sad.
Example: “A lot of people have the blues on Monday”

In the red - losing money.
Example: “Now that I lost my job, my bank account it in the red”

Once in a blue moon - very seldom.
Example: “Tina loves cooking, she only goes to restaurants once in a blue moon”

Out of the blue - if something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly and you are not expecting it.
Example: “I was swimming in the sea and suddenly a bank of fish appeared out of the blue”

Red tape - attention to the wording and details of rules and regulations, especially by government workers.
Example: “My boss is all about the red tape; creativity is crushed”

Roll out the red carpet - to give someone treatment befitting royalty.
Example: “My husband’s mother is coming, so we’re rolling out the red carpet”

Rose tinted glasses – unrealistic, utopic view on reality or a situation.
Example: “You’re being too optimistic, take off those rose tinted glasses”

Scream blue murder -  to make an outcry.
Example: “When Helen found out how much the dress cost, she screamed blue murder”

See red - to be angry.
Example: “Lilly had a huge fight with her mum, she just saw red”

Tickled pink - very much pleased or entertained.
Example: “When I got home and saw my husband had decorated the whole house, I was tickled pink”

True colours - real self.
Example: “John showed his true colours the other day by lying to everyone”

White lie - an often trivial, diplomatic or well-intentioned untruth.
Example: “We told Grandma that her cake was delicious, which was actually a white lie, it was horrible”

With flying colours – with complete or outstanding success.
Example: “Lidia passed her exam with flying colours: 10 out of 10″

Minoura Minou, one of our Facebook friends, asked us the following question:

“hi guys, my topic about ” marriage between different countries” can you help me please? How do you think of the marriage between two different countries,ideal or not,would you show me your opinion ?”

So we decided to help. Here is a list of vocabulary words related to marriage between different countries:

Alimony - money that a court orders someone to pay regularly to a former wife or husband after a divorce.
Example: “James is very angry: his wife won’t pay him the correct alimony”

Alien – from another country.
Example: “A lot of alien residents live downtown”

Assimilate – to cause (a person or group) to become part of a different society, country, etc.
Example: “Schools work hard to assimilate the children of immigrants”

Asylum - protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmed.
Example: “After the war, the citizens were provided with asylum”

Deport - to force (a person who is not a citizen) to leave a country.
Example: “After the new immigration laws, people attempting to enter the country will be deported”

Detainee - a person who is being kept in a prison especially for political reasons : a person who is being detained.
Example: “The detainee was a young boy of 17″

Divorce - the ending of a marriage by a legal process.
Example: “Kyle and Pauline got divorced last month”

Dowry - money or property that a wife or wife’s family gives to her husband when the wife and husband marry in some cultures.
Example: “Her family were very poor and could not afford a dowry; this made it hard for her to find a husband”

Elope - to run away secretly to get married.
Example: “Her parents didn’t want her to get married, so they eloped to Scotland”

Emigrate - to leave a country or region to live elsewhere.
Example: “If I can’t find a good job here, I’ll emigrate to Asia”

Émigré - a person who is forced to leave a country for political reasons.
Example: “Trotsky was one of the Soviet émigrés”

Ethnic group – group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, such as language or religion.
Example: “All the Spaniards living in London formed an ethnic group”

Green card - a card indicating that a person from a foreign country can live and work in the U.S.
Example: “If you want to live in the US, you need a green card”

Fiancé - a man that a woman is engaged to be married to.
Example: “Her fiancé was of German origin so we’re going to Berlin next summer to visit”

Fiancée - a woman that a man is engaged to be married to.
Example: “His fiancée was from Nigeria, so we’re going to Lagos next winter to visit”

Immigrate - to come to a country to live there.
Example: “My grandparents immigrated here from Bulgaria”

Monogamy - the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time.
Example: “I believe in monogamy: two individuals per marriage”

Naturalization - to allow (someone who was born in a different country) to become a new citizen.
Example: “My husband got naturalised after living here for 6 years”

Polygamy –  the state or practice of being married to more than one person at the same time.
Example: “Some cultures accept polygamy… I don’t understand”

Refugee - shelter or protection from danger or trouble.
Example: “Our organization helps refugees find jobs and a place to work”

Stereotype - an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic.
Example: “The Spanish stereotype is of someone who eats paella and sleeps the siesta”

Transplant - to move (a person or animal) to a new home.
Example: “She is a New Yorker who recently transplanted to China”

Visa - an official mark or stamp on a passport that allows someone to enter or leave a country usually for a particular reason.
Example: “My friend is moving to Russia; it took her 3 months to get a visa”

As for our opinion: getting married is a very beautiful thing to do. It shouldn’t matter what nationality, background or sex the person is, marriage is the union of two people who are in love. Due to immigration it can be more difficult to marry someone from another country, but it’s worth it, right?

If you have a question about the English language or want us to help with vocabulary on a specific topic, let us know in the comment section!

Hi everyone!

Ready to sing along with us? We chose a fantastic classic for today: It’s Friday I’m in Love!

This song is by The Cure, a British rock band. It was supposed to be a slow, romantic song but ended up being up-beat and fast. Ok, ready?

1. Read the lyrics
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Listen to the song – and sing along! (this will help your pronunciation, and it’s a lot of fun!!)

Text

I don’t care if Monday’s blue
Tuesday’s gray and Wednesday too
Thursday I don’t care about you
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Monday you can fall apart
Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart
Oh, Thursday doesn’t even start
It’s Friday I’m in love

Saturday, wait
And Sunday always comes too late
But Friday, never hesitate…

I don’t care if Mondays black
Tuesday, Wednesday – heart attack
Thursday, never looking back
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Monday, you can hold your head
Tuesday, Wednesday stay in bed
Or Thursday – watch the walls instead
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Saturday, wait
And Sunday always comes too late
But Friday, never hesitate…

Dressed up to the eyes
It’s a wonderful surprise
To see your shoes and your spirits rise
Throwing out your frown
And just smiling at the sound
And as sleek as a sheik
Spinning round and round
Always take a big bite
It’s such a gorgeous sight
To see you eat in the middle of the night
You can never get enough
Enough of this stuff
It’s Friday, I’m in love

I don’t care if Monday’s blue
Tuesday’s gray and Wednesday too
Thursday I don’t care about you
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Monday you can fall apart
Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart
Thursday doesn’t even start
It’s Friday I’m in love

Vocabulary

Care - to feel interest in something : to be interested in or concerned about something.
Example: “He said he didn’t care if she got the job or not”

Blue - sad or unhappy.
Example: “I hate rainy days, they make me feel blue”

Fall apart - to become unable to live in a normal way because you are experiencing a lot of confusion or emotional pain.
Example: “After getting divorced, she fell apart; she still loved her husband”

Hesitate - to stop briefly before you do something.
Example: “Do not hesitate to ask us any questions”

Black - very tragic or unhappy.
Example: “Blair has very black humour”

Looking back - to think about something in the past.
Example: “Julia tries to never look back: the past is forgotten”

Instead -used to say that one thing is done or that one thing or person is chosen when another is not chosen, cannot be done, etc.
Example: “Sometimes, people say cheers instead of thank you”

Dressed up to the eyes – to put formal or fancy clothes on.
Example: “On New Year’s Eve my friends and I get dressed up to the eyes, it’s a lot of fun”

Throw out – to put (something that is no longer useful or wanted) in a trash can, garbage can, rubbish bin, etc. In this case, the frown.
Example: “If you have a moment, throw out those old boxes please”

Frown - a serious facial expression that usually shows anger, displeasure, or concentration.
Example: “Today’s Friday, don’t frow; be happy!”

Stuff - synonym of “things”: objects, materials…
Example: “Minimalist living is about throwing out all the stuff you don’t need”