The word "house" can be a noun or a verb, and it’s often used in forming compound words (two words joined together to form one word).
Valerie and Pat live in a three-bedroom house.
The house has two and a half bathrooms.*
The house sits on a quarter-acre lot.
When the word "house" is used as a verb, the sound of the "s" changes to a "z" sound: house. (s = /z/) To house means to provide a place to live.
The apartment building houses four families.
The prison houses over a thousand inmates.
The cage that houses the tigers needs to be cleaned today.
The word "housing" refers to the arrangements available for living in a place. This popular noun can describe a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a tent, etc.
Affordable housing is becoming an important issue in this area.
Subsidized housing is available through the government for people who need temporary help.
What are the housing choices like in the area where you live?
People needed safe housing following the earthquake.
You’ll often hear the word "house" in combination with other words to form compound words (two words joined together):
The housekeeper cleaned the house.
The housekeeping department of the hotel is hiring new workers.
People down the street are having a housewarming party. (a party for new occupants of a house or apartment)
There are seven people in their household. (the group of people who live in a place)
Christine doesn’t like to be called a housewife.
Houseplants provide fresh oxygen to your home.
Do you have your housekey?
*Note: When describing a house, it’s common to use the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the description. A full bathroom has a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub with a shower. A three-quarter bathroom has a toilet, a sink, and a shower; a half bathroom consists of a toilet and a sink.
