2018 January (Written) Flashcards
You’re giving a talk at a conference. You’ve finished your presentation, and now you want the people in the audience to ask you questions.
We have a few more minutes, so I’d be happy to take some questions from the audience.
a few (of something)
“A few” is a number that’s not specific, but it usually means somewhere between 3-10. It’s a little less formal than “several” and also sounds like a slightly lower number. Here are some examples:
│ You may want to consider hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions.
│ That’s a very generous offer. Um, let me think it over for a few days and get back to you.
(someone) has (some time)
“We have some time” means that there’s more time to do something. For example:
│ We should get going soon, don’t you think? We don’t want to be late.
│ No, it’s OK. We have some time.
I’d be happy to (do something)
Use this phrase to politely offer to do something.
For example, you can say this to someone who’s visiting your company from another country:
│ I’d be happy to show you around, if you’d like.
You can also offer to do something with “I’ll be happy to___”. This version is more appropriate after “if”:
│ If this one doesn’t work for you, I’ll be happy to bring you a new one.
These phrases are polite, so you can use them with people you don’t know very well.
take questions (from a audience) When someone gives a speech or presentation, they often "take questions from the audience". This means that they allow people in the audience to ask questions.
You can use this phrase like this:
│ I’ll take questions at the end.
│ Each talk is about 20 minutes long, after which the presenter will be able to take questions from the audience.
You’re walking to lunch with a coworker who you’re friends with. you pass by a woman who works with you. You say hello to each other but your friend and the woman act strangely. You wonder if they’re secretly dating each other. You ask him about it.
It there anything going on between you two?
there’s something going on between (two people)
When you think that two people are dating each other, flirting with each other, or romantically interested in each other, you can say that “there’s something going on between” them.
Of course, the phrase “there’s something going on” can mean a lot of different things, but when you use it to talk about a possible couple, people know that you mean romance, attraction, or sex.
you two
You can group two people together with the phrase “you two”. For example:
│ Hey, can you two help me carry these?
│ I haven’t seen you two in forever! How’ve you been?
You can also say “you three”, “you four”, and so on.
You work at a fast food restaurant. A customer tells you what food he wants. You need to know whether to put the food in a bag, or on a tray. You ask this.
Is that for here or to go?
Is that for here or to go?
This is a question that fast food restaurant employees ask the customers when they order. The employee wants to know whether you’re eating in the restaurant (“here”) or taking it somewhere else (“to go”) so that he or she can give you a tray or put your food in a bag.
You can answer like this: │ I'ts for here. │ Here. │ It's to go. │ To go, please.
Your girlfriend shapes her eyebrows by pulling out some of the hairs. You think she does it too much, because her eyebrows are really thin. You say this when you see her doing it.
If you keep plucking them, you’ll end up with no eyebrows left.
keep (doing something)
This means to continue doing something, again and again. For example:
│ I keep making the same mistake over and over.
“Keep ___ing” is used in normal spoken English, and can also be used in writing. But if you’re writing a formal essay or speech, a better choice is “continue ___ing”.
pluck (out) (hairs)
“Plucking” part of your body means pulling hairs out of it. one by one, usually with tweezers. You can use the word “pluck” to talk about either the object, or the hair itself:
│ Do you pluck your eyebrows?
│ I saw a gray hair, so I plucked it.
Sometimes people say “pluck out” to talk about the individual hairs (but not the whole object):
│ I saw a gray hair, so I plucked it out.
Aside from body hair, things that people “pluck” include:
· a chicken
· fruit (from a tree or bush)
· the strings of an instrument
end up with (something or nothing)
This expression describes what eventually happens at the end of a process:
│ If you keep drinking and smoking, you’re going to end up with all kinds of health problems.
You can use it for either positive or negative results:
│ We ended up with over twenty thousand dollars in sales.
│ Bugs got to the squash last summer, and we ended up with nothing left.
This last example has “left” at the end. “no ___ left” and “nothing left” are commonly used in this phrase.
You’re traveling to another country. You had one flight which arrived at 1.::, and you were supposed to take another flight at 2:30. However, you’ve been waiting for your luggage for almost an hour and it hasn’t come out yet. You don’t think you’ll have enough time to get to your next flight, so you talk to one of the airline employees at the desk.
We have a connecting flight in 30 minutes and it looks like we won’t be able to make it in time. Is there another flight that you can put us on?
It looks like (something is happening)
This phrase can be used when you’re guessing about how something is going to turn out when it’s finished.
│ It looks like the Yankees are going to wind this one.
However, it is also used in situations where something has already happened, and you have to tell the bad news to someone:
│ Sorry, it looks like we had to reject your loan application.
Saying “it looks like”something bad happened is softer-sounding than simply saying that it happened.
make it to (somewhere)
The phrase “make it to ___” means to come to somewhere. You use this to talk about attending events or meeting people. There are a few situations that you can use “make it” in:
· When you’re telling someone that you won’t come to an event, party or meeting:
│ I’m really sorry, but I won’t be able to make it to New York next month.
· When someone comes to an event that you didn’t expect them to come to, you show that you’re surprised and happy:
│ “Oh, you made it!”
· When you ask someone if they’re going to come to a meeting, party, or event:
│ “We’re going to have some people over for dinner on Saturday. We’d love it if you could make it.”
(do something) in time
Doing something “in time” means doing it before a deadline, or doing it before it becomes unavailable:
│ I wanted to do some kind of study abroad program, but I didn’t get my application done in time.
│ Oh no; it’s already 9:55. Are we going to be able to make in time?
a connecting flight
When you fly, sometimes you don’t go straight to your destination. You fly to one airport, change to a different airplane, and then fly somewhere else. Changing planes is called “making a connection”, and the flights are called “connecting flights”.
You usually use the phrase “connecting flight” to talk about the second flight, the one that you’re connecting to. But you can also call the first flight a “connecting flight” as well.
put (someone) on a flight
This is a phrase that airline employees use when talking to passengers in an airport. When something changes with a customer’s scheduled flight, the employees will offer tickets for other flights like this:
│ I can put you on a flight leaving at 2:15.
You can use the same phrase when you’re asking airline employees to give you a seat on a flight.
│ Can you put me on the next flight to New York?
You’re having a party at your house. You’re talking to one of the guests, and you realize that you haven’t had a party in several years. You make a comment about it.
Come to think of it, I can’t even remember when the last time I hosted a party was.
Come to think of it, (sentence)
Introduce something that you’ve just realized or just remembered this way. “Come to think of it” means something like “Here’s something I just thought.”
You use “come to think of it” in response to something that someone asked you:
│ A: If you hear of anyone that’s hiring, let me know.
│ B: OK, sure… Actually, come to think of it, I have a friend who’s looking for some people.
Or you can use it to add to something that you said yourself:
│ I haven’t been to Spain in a couple of years. You know, come to think of it, I haven’t gone anywhere in the last few years.
I can’t remember when the last time I (did something) was
Use this expression when you’re talking about something that you haven’t done in a very long time. The suggestion is that you can’t remember when you did it because it was so long ago.
For example:
│ I can’t remember when the last time I ate a McDonald’s hamburger was. It has to have been 10 years ago at least.
host (a party or event)
“Hosting” a party means that you do the planning or provide the space for it. These are all examples of hosting:
· you invite people to your house for a party
· your friend organizes a party and you let her use your house for it
· you invite people to your office for a networking event
· you rent a gallery and organize an art show there
The person who is hosting the party is the “host”.
Your elderly mother lives with you and your family. You’re explaining to a friend why you decided to invite her to live with you.
I didn’t want to put her in a nursing home.
put (someone) in a (home/institution/etc.) When people can't properly care for a family member, they sometimes "put them in" some kind of special home or institution, like: · a nursing home · a retirement home · a mental hospital · a rehab facility · a group home · an orphanage
a nursing home
A “nursing home” is a special place where people who can’t take care of themselves live. In a nursing home, there are employees who may do some of these services:
· give you medicine
· help you stand up or get into a wheelchair to move around
· bring you meals
· help you if you fall down and hurt yourself
· help to dress or bathe you
Most commonly, very old people live in nursing homes. Sometimes people with extreme disabilities also need to live in a nursing home.
You’re explaining how to make a stew. You’ve explained some of the steps, and now you’re explaining the last step.
After that, you just have to simmer it for an hour or so.
After that, (sentence)
Use this phrase when you’re describing things in order, especially for instructions:
│ First you fry up the meatballs and set them aside. Then you chop up some onions and celery and cook them on low heat for about 15 minutes. After that, you add the tomatoes and garlic.
You don’t usually use “after that” for the second step in the list, but you can use it for the third or any other step after that.
you just have to (do something)
When you’re giving instructions or explaining how to do something, you can introduce an easy step with “you just have to ___”. For example:
│ It’s pretty easy to renew your license in the U.S. You just have to bring your old license to the DMW and pay the fee.
simmer (something)
“Simmering” is a specific cooking technique that people use to make soups, stews, sauces, and so on.
When you “simmer” food that has liquid in it, you turn the temperature down low so that it bubbles every few seconds. This is a lower temperature than “boiling”.
(do something) for an hour or so
This is an expression for talking about time loosely. “The next week or so” means “about the next week”. It could be in 5 days, in 10 days, etc.:
│ Think it over and let me know in the next week or so.
Here’s an example from the “Questions” page on this site:
│ This is an example of hiphop slang from the past 15 years or so.
You’re shopping for a new car. You haven’t bought a car in many years. When you’re looking at the specifications for the cars, you notice that they use a lot less gas than cars that you’ve owned in the past. You comment on it to the car salesman.
Wow, these newer models are pretty fuel-efficient, aren’t they?
Wow
“Wow” shows that you’re surprised.
People often say “wow!” in a really excited tone of voice, but you can also say it in a relaxed and calm voice if you’re reacting to something that’s only a little surprising.
a model (of a product) Products such as electronics and cars usually have new "models" each year or every few years. The new "model" has an updated design and new features.
By the way, some products don’t have new “models”. For example, computer software has new “versions” instead of “models”. Books that are updated have new “editions”.
(question), aren't they? Remember that a tag question at the end of sentence needs to match the verb: │ He's older than you, isn't he? │ They're from England, aren't they? │ You left a bit earlier, didn't you?
(a vehicle) is fuel-efficient
A car, truck, or other vehicle that is very “fuel-efficient” is able to drive for a long distance without using a lot of gasoline.
When people are talking about a vehicle’s “fuel efficiency” in the U.S., they usually discuss how many “miles per gallon” it gets. That means how many miles the vehicle can drive using just one gallon of fuel. In other countries, distance is measured in kilometers and liquids are measured in liters. So you would talk about “kilometers per liter” instead.
You’re on vacation with your wife. Your wife can’t find her earrings. She thinks that they might have been stolen by the cleaning staff. You don’t want to accuse anyone of stealing until you’re sure that the earring are gone, so you say this.
Let’s not jump to conclusions.
jump to conclusions
“Jumping to conclusions” means accepting an explanation too quickly. For example, if a coworker is late for work, you might think that she overslept. However, this would be “jumping to conclusions” because there are other possible explanations for why she’s late: she might have gotten in a car accident, for example.
“Jumping to conclusions” is a bad habit. People often warn each other not to do it:
│ Don’t jump to conclusions.
Let’s not (do something)
You can say “Let’s not ___” as a suggestion. For example:
│ Let’s not go out tonight.
But another way to use “Let’s not” is as a kind of warning or criticism. For example, when two people are arguing, you can say something like this:
│ Guys, let’s not fight.
You’re discussing social issues with a couple of friends. One issue that’s important to you is the environment. You think it’s important for your country to develop “green” energy, so you say this.
We’ve got to find a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
We’ve got to (do something)
“Got to” means “must”. You can use this phrase to talk about something that you think is important for a group of people that you’re included in. For example:
│ We’ve got to communicate with each other better.
a viable alternative
An “alternative” is a choice or a possible solution to a problem.
A “viable alternative” is a choice or possible solution which might work.
To illustrate this with an example, imagine that you need to get to work but you don’t want to drive a car. Walking to work is not a “viable alternative” because you live too far away from your office. But maybe riding a bicycle is a “viable alternative”.
Alternatives can be “viable” or not “viable” in a few different ways:
│ economically viable
│ politically viable
│ commercially viable (able to be sold)
fossil fuels
“Fossil fuels” are fuels like oil (which is used to make gasoline), natural gas (which is used to heat homes and for cooking), and coal.
These fuels are called “fossil fuels” because they come from decayed plants and animals from a very long time ago. A “fossil” is the remains of a plant or animal which died a very long time ago.
You’re walking around your neighborhood with a friend. You notice a group of guys wearing big, baggy jeans. That used to be fashionable several years ago, but you don’t think it’s cool anymore. You make a comment about it to your friend.
Someone should tell those guys that the baggy pants look is totally out of style.
baggy (clothes)
“Baggy” clothes are very loose, so that there is extra fabric hanging down in places. An example of baggy clothes is the jeans and shirts that hiphop musicians and fans wear.
those guys
“Guys” is a casual term for talking about men, especially young men. For example:
│ Those guys over there are looking at us.
the (something) look You can describe a specific style of dress and appearance with the phrase "the \_\_\_ look". For example: │ the lumberjack look │ the punk rock look │ the cowboy look │ the preppy look
This phrase is not for describing a costume which someone wears once for fun or for a party; “the ___ look” is for talking about someone’s chosen style of dressing.
(something) is totally out of style
When something is fashionable, English speakers say that it’s “in style”.
When something is unfashionable, English speakers say that it’s “out of style”.
And when something is very unfashionable, you can say that it’s “totally out of style”.
A funny point to note is that using the word “totally” in this way is a little bit out of style now. This word was really popular with young people, especially teenage girls, in the 1980s and ’90s. You can still use “totally” as an adverb, but just try not to put it in every sentence!
You’re a teacher. One of your students is failing the class. You’re talking to her about her grades. You say this.
I’m willing to help you out, but you’ve got to put forth a little bit more effort.
help out
You use “help out” to talk about assisting with a project or a task to be done. It has a positive, cheerful sound.
│ Thanks for helping out!
(someone) is willing to (do something)
When you say that you “are willing to ___”, it means that you will say “yes” to doing it, but you don’t really want to do it, or you’re not happy about doing it.
For example, if your lazy grown-up child asks you for money, you can say:
│ I’m willing to lend you the money, but I expect to be paid back by the end of this year.
Or if someone offers to buy something from you, and the price they offer is lower than you wan but OK, you can say this:
│ Year, I guess I’m willing to sell it for that.
(someone) puts forth effort
“Putting forth effort” means working, at least a little bit, to accomplish something.
You can use this phrase to react to someone who doesn’t try hard at all:
│ Come on! You’re not ever putting forth any effort!
"Putting forth some effort" just means working a little bit, so you can use this phrase to describe someone who isn't actually working very hard, but is doing enough: │ Her class is super easy. As long as you put forth some effort, you'll be able to pass with no problem.
You’re yelling at your daughter to clean her room. She says, under her breath, “I hate you!”. Now you’re extremely angry, and you can’t believe she said that. You say this.
What did you just say to me?
(someone) just (did something)
One of the uses of “just” is to express that something happened very recently. It can mean a few minutes before:
│ I’m sorry, he just walked out to go get lunch.
Or immediately before:
│ What did he just say?
Or it can mean a few years:
│ Mankind has just started to study ways to understand and control DNA.
But in any case, “just” means a short time before.
What id you say to me?
If you didn’t hear what someone said, you can ask:
│ What was that?
│ What did you say?
But asking “What did you say to me?” has a completely different meaning. You say this when someone insults you, challenges you, or says something rude:
│ A: Shut up.
│ B: Excuse me? What did you just say to me?
You should say this in an angry tone of voice, and stress the word “what”.
Your dog has another neighborhood dog that she’s friends with. You set up a time with your neighbor for the dogs to play together. Your dog was excited about it when you came. You’re telling this about your neighbor.
She kind of perked up when I mentioned Hannah’s name.
(someone) perked up
When someone suddenly sees or hears something that interests them, they “perk up”: they open their eyes more and pay closer attention to what’s happening.
You might “perk up” in a conversation when someone talks about a topic that you’re interested in.
mention (something)
This means to talk about something briefly. Even if a person says only a few words about a topic, that would be considered “mentioning” that topic. Other words like “say”, “talk about”, etc. sound like they require a longer period of discussion.
You can use “mention” with a simple noun:
│ Did she mention me in the article?
Or you can use a dependent clause:
│ Did he mention where he was going?
You can also use the structure “mention (doing something)”
│ He mentioned going to the gym earlier in the day.
kind of (do something)
“Kind of” means “a little” or “somewhat”. All of these words are most commonly used before an adjective:
│ I feel kind of obligated to go.
│ You look a little sick. Are you OK?
│ It’s somewhat smaller than I thought it would be.
But only “kind of” sounds right before a verb, and only in casual conversation:
│ I kind of wanted to go with them.
│ We want to move, but we’re kind of waiting for him to finish school.
People sometimes pronounce “kind of” in a way that sounds like “kinda”.
