THE USE OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: FUNCTIONS, FEATURES, AND LEARNING CHALLENGES

Аннотация

This article examines the usage and functional role of phraseological units— commonly known as idioms—in the English language. Phraseological expressions are essential components of natural speech, often carrying meanings that go beyond the literal interpretations of their individual elements. The study explores the semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic features of English idioms, highlighting their stylistic richness and communicative efficiency. It also discusses the challenges faced by non-native learners in mastering these expressions due to cultural references, figurative language, and context-dependent meanings. Emphasis is placed on effective teaching methods and the importance of incorporating idiomatic language in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) curricula to enhance learners’ fluency, comprehension, andcultural competence. Keywords:idioms, phraseological units, English language, figurative meaning, non-literal expressions, EFL learners, communicative competence, cultural context, language acquisition, stylisticdevices