Grade 3 English Opposites – Use Of Opposites In Sentenses Notes
English — Opposites
Subtopic: Use of Opposites in Sentences (for age 8)
Opposites (also called antonyms) are words that have very different meanings. We can use opposites in sentences to show contrast or to explain that two things are not the same.
1. What are opposites?
Big 🔴 / Small 🔵
Example: The lion is big. The mouse is small.
Hot 🔥 / Cold ❄️
Example: The tea is hot. The soda is cold.
Full 🍽️ / Empty 🫧
Example: The cup is full. The bottle is empty.
Fast 🏃♂️ / Slow 🐢
Example: The car is fast. The bicycle is slow.
2. How to use opposites in sentences
- Use "but" to show a contrast:
The mango is sweet, but the lemon is sour. 🍋
- Use "not" to make the opposite:
The glass is not full. It is empty.
- Use two short sentences to show both sides:
The classroom is noisy. The library is quiet. 📚
3. Simple grammar tips
- Adjective (describing word) comes before the noun: a big elephant, a small rock.
- Use the correct verb with the noun: The cat is small. not The cat are small.
- If you use "but" between two parts, put a comma before "but": The sky is blue, but the sea is dark.
4. Examples you might see in Kenya
The matatu is full, but the boda-boda has only one rider.
The mango on the tree is ripe and sweet, but the one on the ground is rotten.
The sun is hot in the afternoon, but the evening is cool.
5. Try these (write your answers):
- Match the opposites:
a) day — ? b) tall — ? c) clean — ?
- Fill the blank with an opposite word:
The water is __________ (hot / cold).
- Make one sentence with "but" using opposites (example: The tea is hot, but the milk is cold).
- Change to an opposite using "not": The bag is full. → The bag is ________.
Answers:
1) a) night b) short c) dirty
2) cold (or hot if you choose the opposite in context) — correct answer: cold
3) Example answer: The road is long, but the path is short.
4) The bag is not full → The bag is empty.
2) cold (or hot if you choose the opposite in context) — correct answer: cold
3) Example answer: The road is long, but the path is short.
4) The bag is not full → The bag is empty.
Keep practicing by finding opposites around you — at home, school or in town. Use "but" or "not" to show the opposite in a sentence. Great work!