Vicki said:
An adverb tells "how", while descriptive verbs tell both "what" and "how". Descriptive verbs also have nuances of meaning that make them more difficult to master.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion. However, not only have I studied three different languages other than English, as I said, I'm a veteran language teacher (26 years at the job so far) and have thus witnessed first hand the trials and tribulations of thousands of students. And I stand by what I said. Words are words. It is no more difficult to learn that "bavarder" means "to chat" than it is to learn "causer avec quelqu'un de choses et d'autres." (Thanks to
le Petit Robert for the definition. As far as the statement that descriptive verbs have "nuances of meaning" -- of course they do, as do adverbs and adjectives. And if one wants to develop proficiency in a language, whether one's own or a second one, learning the words beyond the basic 1500 word vocabulary is what it's all about. I stand by what I said: words are words. And one can choose to learn them in all their richness and variations, or one can choose to limit one's experience.
P.S. As for the word "behemoth," I must admit I'm astounded that any native English speakers think it's an unusual word. I distinctly recall running across it on numerous occasions reading picture books about dinosaurs and other large animals such as whales to my children fifteen years ago.
Schoolmarm ( who is willing to concede that many students seem to have an inherent fear of verbs for some unknown reason )
