oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

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288 Nationality words
The stress can make a difference to the vowel sounds. For example, progress as a
verb is and as a noun
Some words of this kind are conflict, contest, contrast, decrease, discount, export,
import, increase, insult, permit, produce, progress, protest, rebel, record, refund,
suspect, transfer, transport.
NOTE For nouns formed from phrasal verbs, e.g. hold-up, •231(7).
Some concrete nouns can also be verbs.
He pocketed the money. (= put it in his pocket)
We've wallpapered this room. (= put wallpaper on it)
The man was gunned down. (= shot with a gun)
The goods were shipped to America. (= taken by ship)
Some others are bottle (wine), box, brake, butter (bread), garage (a car), glue,
hammer, mail, oil, parcel, (tele)phone.
Some adjectives can also be verbs.
This wind will soon dry the clothes. (= make them dry)
The clothes will soon dry. (= become dry)
Some words of this kind are calm, cool, dry, empty, narrow, smooth, warm, wet.
NOTE Some adjectives with similar meanings take en as verbs, e.g. widen. • 285(4b)
288 Nationality words
1 We form nationality words from the name of a country: Italy Italian,
France French, Japan Japanese. We can use them in different ways.
NOTE Some of these words do not refer to a political nation, e.g. European, Jewish.
a
b
c
d
As an adjective
Italian food a French town Japanese technology a Russian novel
As the name of a language
I learnt Italian at evening classes.
Do you speak Russian?
I don't know any Greek.
Referring to a specific person or group of people
Debbie is married to an Italian.
There are some Russians staying at the hotel.
The Japanese were looking round the cathedral.
Referring to a whole people
Italians are passionate about football.
The French are proud of their language.
These expressions take a plural verb.
We can also say e.g. Italian people, Russian people.