Corners represent the meeting points of edges or the action of navigating or trapping within those spaces.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Points where two lines or surfaces meet.
- The intersection of two streets or roads.
- To trap someone or maneuver a vehicle through a turn.
Overview
'Corners' is the plural form of the noun 'corner' and the third-person singular form of the verb 'to corner.' As a noun, it describes the physical intersection of two edges, such as the corners of a room, a page, or a street. As a verb, it describes the action of forcing a person or animal into a place from which they cannot escape, or the way a vehicle handles turns. 2) Usage Patterns: In its noun form, it is frequently used with prepositions like 'at,' 'on,' or 'around.' For example, 'The shop is on the corner.' As a verb, it is often used in automotive contexts, such as 'The sports car corners with great precision.' 3) Common Contexts: It is used in geometry to describe vertices, in urban navigation to describe street intersections, and in sports like soccer (football) to describe 'corner kicks.' It also appears in idiomatic English, such as 'cutting corners,' which means to do something in the easiest or cheapest way rather than the right way. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'edges' refers to the lines that bound a surface, 'corners' refers specifically to the points where those lines meet. 'Intersections' is a more formal synonym for street corners, typically used in technical or traffic-related discussions.
Examples
He placed the chairs in the corners of the room.
everydayHe placed the chairs in the corners of the room.
The report examines all corners of the global economy.
formalThe report examines all corners of the global economy.
Watch out! That guy corners like a maniac when he drives.
informalWatch out! That guy corners like a maniac when he drives.
The geometric proof requires identifying the four corners of the rectangle.
academicThe geometric proof requires identifying the four corners of the rectangle.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
tight corners
difficult situations
from all corners of the world
from everywhere
Often Confused With
Edges are the lines or boundaries of an object, while corners are the specific points where those lines meet.
An angle is the space between two intersecting lines, while a corner is the physical point of that intersection.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is generally neutral. However, the idiomatic 'cutting corners' is almost always negative, implying laziness or dishonesty. In driving contexts, 'corners' as a verb is technical and describes handling.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'in the corner' when they mean 'at the corner.' Use 'in the corner' for the inside of a room and 'at/on the corner' for the outside intersection of streets.
Tips
Use 'around the corner' for time
This phrase is commonly used to mean that an event is happening very soon, such as 'The holidays are just around the corner.'
Don't confuse corners with edges
Remember that edges are the long sides, whereas corners are the sharp points where those sides meet.
The 'Corner Shop' in British Culture
In the UK, a 'corner shop' is a small local grocery store, often seen as a vital part of the neighborhood community.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'cornier,' which comes from the Latin 'cornu,' meaning 'horn' or 'point.'
Cultural Context
In many Western cities, 'street corners' are historically significant as places for social gathering, newsstands, or public speaking.
Memory Tip
Think of the four 'corners' of a square as the 'points' where the lines stop and change direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions'At the corner' usually refers to the general location of an intersection, while 'on the corner' often refers to a specific building or person located exactly at that point.
It means to skip certain steps or do a job poorly in order to save time or money, often resulting in lower quality.
It means to trap someone so they cannot escape, or it describes how well a car handles when driving around bends.
Yes, in soccer, a 'corner' (short for corner kick) is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, touched last by a defender.
Test Yourself
The cat ___ the mouse in the kitchen, leaving it no way to escape.
In this context, 'corners' is the third-person singular verb form describing the cat's current action.
'Cutting corners' is an idiom for sacrificing quality to save resources.
corners / the / car / smoothly / very / .
This follows the Subject + Verb + Adverbial phrase structure.
Score: /3
Summary
Corners represent the meeting points of edges or the action of navigating or trapping within those spaces.
- Points where two lines or surfaces meet.
- The intersection of two streets or roads.
- To trap someone or maneuver a vehicle through a turn.
Use 'around the corner' for time
This phrase is commonly used to mean that an event is happening very soon, such as 'The holidays are just around the corner.'
Don't confuse corners with edges
Remember that edges are the long sides, whereas corners are the sharp points where those sides meet.
The 'Corner Shop' in British Culture
In the UK, a 'corner shop' is a small local grocery store, often seen as a vital part of the neighborhood community.
Examples
4 of 4He placed the chairs in the corners of the room.
He placed the chairs in the corners of the room.
The report examines all corners of the global economy.
The report examines all corners of the global economy.
Watch out! That guy corners like a maniac when he drives.
Watch out! That guy corners like a maniac when he drives.
The geometric proof requires identifying the four corners of the rectangle.
The geometric proof requires identifying the four corners of the rectangle.
