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Unit 3: English In A Minute
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Session 28

Welcome to English In A Minute. Give us a minute and we'll give you a hot tip about English vocabulary... there's so much to learn! And all taught by your favourite BBC Learning English staff!

Activity 1

Different meanings of 'individual'

Learn some different meanings of 'individual'

Watch the video and complete the activity

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Phil

Let’s learn individual!

It can be a noun, or an adjective.

As a noun, it means a person. We use the word individual because we want to compare a person to a group – or  the person is a bit different to everyone else.

Almost everyone passed – there is just one individual who let us down!

She’s quite an individual – she has her own style.

Individual used as an adjective  can mean distinctive or different.

Her style is very individual – she’s easy to recognise.

Your taste is very individual – I never know what you'll like.

Individual as an adjective can also describe things that relate to each person within a group.

We make sure that we deal with your individual needs.

Each student in the class has an individual tablet.

So, the word individual is all about things that relate to a single person – maybe they’re different, or maybe we just want to look at them differently. Whatever your interests as an individual, we can help you learn English.

Individual

Individual can be a noun, or an adjective. 

As a noun, it means a person. We use the word individual because we want to compare a person to a group – or  the person is a bit different to everyone else. 

  • Almost everyone passed – there is just one individual who let us down!
  • She’s quite an individual – she has her own style.

Individual used as an adjective  can mean distinctive or different. 

  • Her style is very individual – she’s easy to recognise.
  • Your taste is very individual – I never know what you'll like. 

Individual as an adjective can also describe things that relate to each person within a group. 

  • We make sure that we deal with your individual needs.
  • Each student in the class has an individual tablet. 

So, the word individual is all about things that relate to a single person – maybe they’re different, or maybe we just want to look at them differently. Whatever your interests as an individual, we can help you learn English. 

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