Learn how to use the verb "Score"
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| Seventy-three points to you if you've watched all 73 episodes. |
| Hi, everybody. Welcome back to Know Your Verbs." My name is Alisha. And, in this episode, we're going to talk about the verb "score." Let's get started. |
| Let's start with the basic definition for this verb. The basic definition of "score" is to get a goal or points in a game or a sporting event. Examples: "Our team scored a goal!" "We scored twice in the first half!" Now, let's look at the conjugations for this verb. Present: "score, scores." Past: "scored." Past participle: "scored." Progressive: "scoring." |
| Now, let's talk about some additional meanings for this verb. The first additional meaning is to keep records of a game. Some examples: "Who's scoring the game?" "Scoring a game by hand is tough." So, this use of "score" doesn't mean you yourself or a player gets points in the game, or like gets a goal in the game. Actually, this means like keeping the records of the game. So, it's like when the team or when the player gets a point or something, it means making a mark or keeping track or following the game and recording the results of the game, that activity is called "scoring a game." So, we see that in the first example sentence, in the question, "Who's scoring the game?" So, that means who is the person keeping track of the points or keeping track of the goals in the game. |
| In the second example sentence, "Scoring a game by hand is tough." So, in the past, games like maybe baseball or bowling, for example, we recorded points by hand, like with a pencil and paper. So, "scoring a game by hand," might be tough today because we're used to having a machine score the game for us. So, this use of score means keeping track of the results of a game. |
| The next additional meaning of "score" is to mark with lines or scratches, usually in a row or a pattern of some kind. Examples: "The carpenter scored the wood before cutting," "This bathroom design features scored stone." So, "scores" like I said, there's some kind of line or some kind of pattern. So, this could be used like when building something or designing a material, designing something for use in a building or for use in construction. So, this means maybe like writing lines in the pattern, or it can mean cutting lines in a pattern. You might also see -- not necessarily in a row, but some kind of like cut lines that form a design as well. So, we refer to that drawing of lines or the cutting of lines with "score," the verb "score." |
| So, in the first example sentence, "The carpenter scored the wood before cutting it," could mean the carpenter drew a series of lines on the wood before cutting. In the second example sentence, it's about the stone that's used in a bathroom. So, that means the stone used to design a bathroom is "scored." So, the stone has been "scored." In other words, the stone has lines cut into it as part of the design. So, "score" when used to talk about like a material, like wood or stone perhaps, refers to lines, some kind of pattern. |
| The third additional meaning for the verb "score" is to get something. Usually, something you really want, you're really excited about. Let's look at some examples. "I scored a free dinner at the company party," "He scored tickets to tomorrow's Beyoncé concert." So, "score" here is used to refer to getting something. "I scored free dinner tickets." "Scored" sounds much more exciting than "got." So, "score," if you imagine "score," like when we "score" a goal or we "score" points in a game, we're really excited. It's like an achievement. We're happy about that thing. So, when we say, "I scored tickets to" something, or "I scored a free dinner" somewhere, it's like you won something, or it's like you got like a goal, or it's like it's a really good enthusiastic way to say, "I got something." So, it's very casual though, too. So, don't say like to your boss, you know, "Hey, I scored…" Well, I guess you could say it to your boss when I think about like -- you could use the phrase "score" in conversation with the boss, I think. However, it has to be about something kind of light, I think. You couldn't talk about like a business achievement with "score," like "I scored a great deal with the client!" That would not be appropriate. If you're talking about something maybe in your personal life like, "Yeah! I scored tickets to the Beyoncé concert!" Like in the second example sentence. It might feel a bit casual, but it wouldn't be necessarily impolite to say such a thing to your boss. It's not a rude word. But, it's just kind of used for casual, but exciting activities in your life. So, to "score" something, "to score Beyoncé tickets," "to score a free dinner." It's great! So, you got something and you're excited about it. |
| The fourth additional meaning for "score" is to achieve a goal or to succeed in something. Examples: "He scored with that presentation," "She's scoring on the deal with her new clients." Here, we're using "score," yes, for like a business situation. However, we're not really using it to talk to someone above us. We're not talking to a superior. We might use score in this way like when we're talking to our colleagues or our teammates. Like, "Wow! You scored on that presentation." So, it's like a congratulatory expression. A way to show, "I recognize your great achievement. You really succeeded with that presentation. You scored with that." In the second example sentence, "She's scoring on her deal with the new clients!" It sounds like she's really succeeding. She's doing something well in a new deal with her clients. So, we can use that yes, in these situations, where we're talking about the achievements of a colleague. But, we would not use the word to talk directly to the client. We would not use the word to talk to a superior. This is something we would only use like within our close group of colleagues or perhaps friends. Because again, it is kind of like a casual friendly word. But, we can use this to talk about achievements in this way. |
| Let's move on to some variations for this verb. The first variation is "to score points with" someone. "To score points with" someone means to gain favor with someone, to gain social favor with someone. Let's look at some examples. "I scored some points with my mom by surprising her with flowers," "You want to score some points with management? Give them some new ideas." So, here, "score points" means to gain social favor with someone. In the first example sentence, it's about surprising someone's mom with flowers. So, you give someone flowers in this case, and you "score points" with them. Meaning, they like you a little bit more. You're gaining social favor, essentially. So, that you do something and you get points. It's like you're getting social points for doing that thing. It sounds terrible. It sounds like your relationships are a game in that way. But, sometimes, we use this as a casual expression to mean that someone was really happy with you for something. "I scored some points with my mom." |
| In the second example sentence, we see a suggestion. Like, "Do you want to score some points with management?" In other words, do you want management to like you? If so, you should give them some new ideas. So, it's kind of giving a tip to the listener. Like, "What do you think I should do to get some points, or to get management to like me?" "Oh, give them some new ideas." So, "score points" refers to getting social favor. People like you a little bit more because of some action. So, we use "to score points with" someone, or "to score points with" management as we see in the second example. |
| Okay. Let's move on to the next variation which is just, "Score!" So, "score!" "Score!" as an interjection, means you're happy about something. You did something successfully. You achieved something successfully. We can use it at the end of a sentence, the beginning of a sentence, after an achievement, after a success. Examples, "I got the last cookie! Score!" "That girl agreed to go out with you? Score!" Here, we see "Score!" used to celebrate something. In the first example sentence, it's about getting a cookie like you go to the kitchen or your office break room, and there's one more cookie. And, you want to congratulate yourself for getting the cookie, you can say, "I got the last cookie score!" Like, yes! I'm happy about that. In the second example sentence, it's maybe a conversation. "That girl agreed to go out with you? Score!" Like, great! Congratulations to you. That's great news for you. It's a success! So, we can use "Score!" to casually celebrate small successes, very small successes, positive things we celebrate that. So, "Score!" is used in this way. |
| So, those are hopefully a few new ways for you to use the verb "score." I hope that you found something new. Of course, if you have any questions, or comments, or want to practice making a sentence with this verb, please feel free to do so in the comment section of this video. Thanks very much for watching this episode of "Know Your Verbs," and we'll see you again soon. Bye-bye. |
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