Types of humour
Humor based on words that have multiple meanings or similar sounds.
Wordplay
She is as busy as a bee.
similes
If I __________ (study) harder, I __________ (pass) the test.
had studied, would have passed
I (was/were) going to clean my room, but I (make/made) bigger mess
I was going to clean my room, but I made bigger mess
Physical comedy involving exaggerated actions, accidents, or clumsy behavior.
Slapstick
Her voice is music to my ears.
metaphor
If she __________ (wake up) earlier, she __________ (catch) the bus.
had woken up, would have caught
Find the mistake:
I was going to walking his dog, but his dog took him for a squirrel chase instead.
I was going to walk his dog, but his dog took him for a squirrel chase instead.
"I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down!"
Wordplay
Making jokes about yourself, usually your own flaws, mistakes, or weaknesses.
Self-deprecating
The old house stood like a forgotten memory on the hill.
simile
If they __________ (bring) an umbrella, they __________ (not/get) wet in the rain.
had brought, would not have gotten/got
They (was/were) going to (had/have) a quiet night in, until a neighbor (decide/decided) to throw a karaoke party.
They were going to have a quiet night in, until a neighbor decided to throw a karaoke party.
When a student forgets their homework: "Excellent preparation!"
sarcasm
Humor that involves tricking someone in a harmless way for amusement.
practical joke
Her determination was as steady as a lighthouse during a storm
simile
We __________ (leave) home earlier, If we __________ (know) about the traffic,
would have left, had known
Find the mistake:
We are going to try climbing, but we ending up hanging upside down
We were going to try climbing, but we ended up hanging upside down
A group of friends laughs whenever someone says "Wednesday" because of a funny event that happened on a Wednesday.
Inside joke
Humor used to criticize or expose problems in society, politics, or human behavior.
Satire
Life is a winding river carving its path through time.
metaphor
It __________ (develop) a more successful product, If the company __________ (invest) more money in research.
would have developed, had invested.
Find the mistake:
She is go to paint a masterpiece, but she spill the paint, and the rug became a new work of art!
She was going to paint a masterpiece, but she spilled the paint, and the rug became a new work of art!
A cartoon showing politicians arguing about who is responsible for a problem while ignoring the actual issue.
Satire