Calm / Choppy or rough water – The water of the ocean is calm when the weather is mild, and it is
choppy/rough when there are high winds.
Hard / Soft object – A mattress or pillow, for example, can be hard or soft.
Tender / Tough meat – Meat that is “tender” is easy to cut and chew, and meat that is “tough” is
difficult to cut and chew.
A Sharp / Dull blade or point – A knife or a pencil can be “sharp” – meaning it can cut – or “dull,”
meaning it has lost its ability to cut.
The verbs “soften” and “harden” describe the process of becoming soft and becoming hard. For
example, potatoes soften when you cook them in boiling water. And snow hardens if the temperature
decreases and the snow begins turning into ice.
We can also use “soften” and “harden” in a more metaphorical way – we can say a person’s voice softens when they begin speaking in a more friendly tone, and their voice hardens when they begin
speaking in a less friendly tone. A person’s attitude or views can also “soften” (become more
friendly/tolerant) or “harden” (become less friendly/less tolerant).
Texture words are often used when describing food:
creamy - describes a smooth and rich texture, like cream. Sauces, soups, puddings, and
chocolate can be creamy. crunchy/crispy – describe something that makes a noise when you chew it. Crackers, chips,
bacon, granola, and other “hard” foods can be crunchy or crispy. chewy – describes food that requires some effort to chew. Caramels and other types of candy
can be chewy. This word can have a negative connotation if the food is not supposed to be
chewy – for example, when you overcook meat, it becomes tough and chewy. greasy – describes food with a lot of oil. Hamburgers, French fries, and chicken wings can be
