The hidden superpower of verbs, with Sarah L. Kaufman

About this episode

This episode discusses the significance of verbs in language and their impact on communication and memory.

1181. This week, we talk to Sarah L. Kaufman about verbs. We look at why English is a "manner verb" superpower and why babies often learn prepositions before actions. Then, we look at how choosing strong, dynamic verbs can actually save lives during a disaster and how specific words like "smash" can physically alter a witness's memory. Find Sarah L. Kaufman at sarahlkaufman.com Get Sarah’s books, “Verb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Art of Grace” 🔗  Join the Grammar Girl Patreon. 🔗  Share your familect recording in  Speakpipe  or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) 🔗  Watch my  LinkedIn Learning writing courses . 🔗  Subscribe to the  newsletter . 🔗  Take  our advertising survey . 🔗  Get the edited  transcript here . 🔗  Get  Grammar Girl books . | HOST: Mignon Fogarty | Grammar Girl is part of  the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network . Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend Director of Podcast: Holly Hutchings Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian Podcast Associate: Maram Elnagheeb | Theme music by  Catherine Rannus . |…

People in this episode

Host: Mignon Fogarty

Guest: Sarah L. Kaufman

Topics covered

• verbs
• language
• communication
• cognitive science
• disaster response

Keywords

• verbs
• language learning
• cognitive effects
• disaster communication
• memory alteration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: QuickAndDirtyTips.com

Books & works: Verb Your Enthusiasm, The Art of Grace

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