ניוזלטר אנגלית #8 – קניית פריטים משומשים והמילה “Used”

In this month’s edition, we’ll talk about second hand goods (=products). We’ll also learn about the word used.

New is “Out” – Second Hand is “In”!

If you had to choose between buying only new clothes or only second hand clothes, which option would you choose?
Let’s pretend money is not an issue. Would you prefer buying new furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, beds, etc.) or second hand furniture?
What about cars, electronic gadgets (computers, cellphones, etc.) and household appliances (refrigerators, ovens, etc.)?
For many people today, the choice between new and second hand products is not only a financial one. Sure, we all like the feeling of buying something new that nobody else has ever touched before, but isn’t it also fun to purchase something that has its own history and “personality”?

Think about the experience of buying something new out of a box from a sales person in a store and compare that to the feeling of buying something second hand from a private person. What’s more fun in your opinion? What gives you more satisfaction?
There’s an environmental advantage to buying used goods. Instead of throwing things away and producing new things that will also eventually be thrown away, we reuse and recycle existing things.
Another added value is that this form of consumption (=buying and using products) actually educates youngsters to appreciate what they have more and take better care of their things. In fact, it educates adults as well!

Before you go, let’s talk about the word “used”

You may have noticed that “used” is another way of saying “second hand”.
Let’s take a closer look at this word.
The word “used” comes from the verb “to use”.

• In the present simple: I use my car every day to get to work.

• In the present progressive: I am using my computer at the moment.

• In the past simple: I used his cellphone, because I couldn’t find mine.

We can also use the word use to describe an action that happened a lot in the past, but doesn’t happen anymore:

• I used to go to the gym every day, but now I just stay home and watch TV.

• She used to smoke a lot when she was young. Now she hardly ever smokes at all.

Finally, we can use the word use to describe our habits and routines:

• I’m used to going to bed late. I hardly ever go to bed before midnight.

• She’s used to getting compliments. She’s very popular and successful.

That’s it for now!
Thanks for taking the time to read this Newsletter. We hope you found it useful and interesting.
See you next time!

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