things

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   objects, items, or possessions that are not named specifically.

   Grammar: Always plural in this sense; the singular 'thing' names one object.

   Patterns

   • things like something
   • a lot of things
   • buy things

   We packed our things and left early in the morning.

   There are too many things on this table; please clear some space.

   She keeps her things in a small blue box.

2. 2nounplural

   facts, events, or situations in general.

   Grammar: Used to talk about life or a situation without naming details; often with 'how', 'what', or 'the way'.

   Patterns

   • things are getting better
   • how things work
   • the way things are

   Things have been difficult since he changed jobs.

   Let me explain how things work in this office.

   I hope things get easier for you soon.

3. 3nounplural

   used after an adjective to mean activities or matters of that kind.

   Grammar: Follows an adjective, as in 'fun things' or 'important things'; the adjective describes the type.

   Patterns

   • fun things
   • important things
   • new things

   We did some fun things at the weekend.

   There are more important things to worry about.

   He enjoys learning new things.

Word forms

Common combinations

all things considered

All things considered, the trip went well.

things like that

She likes jazz, blues, and things like that.

get things done

He is good at getting things done quickly.

make things worse

Shouting will only make things worse.

the way things are

We have to accept the way things are.

Synonyms and how they differ

stuff

'Stuff' is informal and uncountable, so say 'a lot of stuff', not 'a lot of stuffs'.

items

'Items' is more formal and suggests separate listed objects.

matters

'Matters' fits serious subjects or issues, not everyday objects.

Word family

thing noun

one object, fact, or situation

thingamajig noun

informal word for an object whose name you have forgotten

Commonly confused: things or think?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “things”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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