stuff

There are a few different ways of using the word "stuff." If it’s a noun, it means things or activities and it can be used for just about anything; if it’s a verb or an adjective, it means to fill or put things into something.

In the examples below, the word "stuff" is a noncount noun:

things

• Is this your stuff?
• Whose stuff is this?
• I have a lot of stuff in my house.
• How much stuff do you have in your car?
• Do you have a lot of stuff in your pocket?
• This stuff is bad for you. You shouldn’t drink it.

activities

• We had a lot of stuff that we needed to do after school.
• Sheila likes to do stuff with her friends.
• What kind of stuff does she like to do?
• The stuff that they’re doing in class is very interesting.

In the next set of examples, the word "stuff" is a verb and it means to fill:

• The children stuffed their mouths with candy.
• We stuffed our suitcases with our things and left the hotel.
• Many people stuff a turkey with stuffing (bread cubes, celery, spices, nuts) before it goes into the oven.
• Those who stuff themselves with junk food get no nutritional value from the food.

The word "stuff" can also be used as an adjective:

• I feel stuffed. (I ate too much.)
• There’s a stuffed turkey in the oven.
• Children love to play with stuffed animals.

stuffed animals

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January 3, 2013