Welcome to Learning English, a daily 30-minute program from the Voice of America.

I'm Katie Weaver.

And I'm Mario Ritter Jr.

This program is designed for English learners, so we speak a little slower and we use words and phrases

especially written for people learning English. On this program, we answer a listener's question

about the terms coast, shore, and beach.

We explain usage of adjectives and adverbs in conversation.

Next, learn the health effects of daylight savings time.

Then hear the open boat on American stories.

But first,

This week on Ask a Teacher,

we answer a question from Doyen in Korea

about the usage of three similar words.

Here is the question. Hello. I want to know the differences between the beach, coast, and shore.

Thank you. You ask a useful question, Doyen. Beach, shore, and coast are related words but they have some important differences

beach the word beach is the most specific of the three words the Collins online dictionary defines beach as a nearly level stretch of pebbles and sand beside a sea lake etc often washed by high water.

Ocean beaches are popular places to visit.

We often use the phrase at the beach to express the idea of spending time in the general area of the beach,

as in the following example. They will vacation at the beach this summer.

We usually say on the beach when describing specific activities we do there.

She went for a walk on the beach.

I'm going to spend my afternoon on the beach.

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