Page 622 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

He wrote a wonderful book about his travels in the Himalayas. A journey is one 'piece' of travelling.
Did you have a good journey? (NOT Did)'6rt .'tave a g6ad tMvei?)
I met Jane on my last journey to England. (NOT ••• my last tMvei.)
A trip is a return journey together with the activity (business or pleasute) which is the reason for the journey.
I'm going on a business trip next week. (= I'm going on a journey and I'm going to do some business.)
Peter's school is organising a skiing trip to the Alps.
Compare:
How was your journey?- The train broke down. How was your trip?-Successful.
We do not so often use trip for expeditions which have a very serious purpose, are very hard and!or take a very long time.
In 1863 the President travelled to Dakota to make peace with the Indians.
(NOT ••• "tt.ftk a tri" t6 Dale8ta t8 make "em:e...) Amundsen made his journey to the South Pole in 1911.
(NOT >'~mrtlld$en "Iade his m" t6 the SartEn P8le ...) A long sea journey is often called a voyage.
Note the preposition: on a journeyltrip!voyage.
598 turning verbs into nouns 1 using nouns for actions
It is very common to refer to an action by using a noun instead of a verb. Nouns of this kind often have Lhe same form as the related verbs. The structure is especially common in an informal style.
There was a loud crash.
Did I hear a cough?
I need a wash.
Let's have a talk about your plans.
Let your sister have a go on the swing. (BrE)
2 common structures
Just take a look at yourself. Would you like a taste? What about a drink? Come on - one more try!
Nouns of this kind are often introduced by 'general-purpose' verbs such as have, take, give, make, go for.
I'll have a think and let you know what I decide. (informal BrE) I like to have!take a bath before I go to bed.
If it won't start, let's give it a push.
I don't know the answer, but I'm going to make a guess.
I try to go for a run every day.
We can use -ing forms in a similar way after do (see 160.3).
She does a bit of painting, but she doesn't like to show people.
These structures are very common when we talk about casual, unplanned or unsystematic recreational activity. Compare:
Let's have a swim. (More natural than Let's swim.) Do you do any sport?- Yes, I swim.
For details of 'action-nouns· with have. and a list of common expressions. see 236. For give. see 226. For go for. see 227. For go .. .ing. see 228.
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