Unit 1. Language Flashcards
I ______ __ this character so much! [= I’m emotionally connected to them, because of similar experiences/traits, ets]
I relate to this character so much! [= I’m emotionally connected to them, because of similar experiences/traits, ets]
What’s in the gap?
Person 1: ‘I hate when I lose my phone.’
Person 2: ______. (= me too)
Person 1: ‘I hate when I lose my phone.’
Person 2: I can relate. (= me too)
OR
I can relate to that.
Some learners appear to be able to a_____ language without much formal study.
Some learners appear to be able to acquire language without much formal study.
/əˈkwaɪə(r)/
I really _____ with English idioms. I can never remember them. [= they are difficult for me]
I really struggle with English idioms. I can never remember them. [= they are difficult for me]
I’m not sure if I’ll ever _____ a native speaker level of competence, but I’m not sure I really need to.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever attain a native speaker level of competence, but I’m not sure I really need to.
or
get to
When we went to live in Korea, he quickly got __________ to the sound of the language. [= got used to]
When we went to live in Korea, he quickly got accustomed to the sound of the language. [= got used to]
/əˈkʌstəmd/
I have _______ __ __ my Arabic because I’m going to Riyadh next week. [= revised it a bit]
Definition: quickly improve a skill, especially when you have not used it for a time
I have brushed up on my Arabic because I’m going to Riyadh next week. [= revised it a bit]
Penny’s lucky - she has an ___ for languages. She learns them much more easily than me.
Penny’s lucky - she has an ear for languages. She learns them much more easily than me.
After about a year, he found he could ____ a conversation in Italian without too much effort.
After about a year, he found he could hold a conversation in Italian without too much effort.
Unless I ____ a new piece of language ____ practice immediately, I find I forget it. [= use]
Unless I put a new piece of language into practice immediately, I find I forget it. [= use]
I really struggle ___ English idioms. I can never remember them.
I really struggle with English idioms. I can never remember them.
People tend to give up on second language learning too easily. You need to ___ at it if you want to succeed.
People tend to give up on second language learning too easily. You need to keep at it if you want to succeed.
She spent six weeks in Poland and really ______ herself in the language and culture. [=погрузилась]
immersed herself in
It’s easy to ____ __ phrases like ‘hello’ and ‘excuse me’ wherever you are in the world. [=learn without trying]
It’s easy to pick up phrases like ‘hello’ and ‘excuse me’ wherever you are in the world. [=learn without trying]
The sounds of Finnish are quite unique, so I found it difficult to ___ to _____ with the pronunciation. [= understand]
The sounds of Finnish are quite unique, so I found it difficult to get to grips with the pronunciation. [= understand]
I need to practice my speaking now I’m back. I’m sure I’m _____. [= it will be difficult for me to talk because I’m out of practice]
I need to practice my speaking now I’m back. I’m sure I’m rusty. [= it will be difficult for me to talk because I’m out of practice]
Do you have an ___ ___ music?
Definition: an ability to recognize and copy sounds well
Do you have an ear for music?
I was able to read some books about wildlife cover to cover and g____ some of what they were saying. [to understand something]
I was able to read some books about wildlife cover to cover and grasp some of what they were saying. [to understand something]
BrE /ɡrɑːsp/
AmE /ɡræsp/
What resources do you use to ___ __ _____ ____ the meaning of new English words? [grasp, understand]
What resources do you use to get to grips with the meaning of new English words? [grasp, understand]
She spent six weeks in Poland and really immersed _______ __ the language and culture.
She spent six weeks in Poland and really immersed herself in the language and culture.
When you’re studying, when you run into difficulties, do you generally k___ __ __ or do you give up easily? [= continue trying]
When you’re studying, when you run into difficulties, do you generally keep at it or do you give up easily? [= continue trying]
Have you ever _____ __ any professional skills easily, without being taught?
Have you ever picked up any professional skills easily, without being taught?
Do you believe that only people who ____ __ ___ ___ music can acquire natural intonation in a foreign language?
Do you believe that only people who have an ear for music can acquire natural intonation in a foreign language?
Can you ___ a conversation in any other foreign languages apart from English?
Can you hold a conversation in any other foreign languages apart from English?
Have you ever tried to _______ ____self completely __ English by listening to lots of English or going to an English speaking country? [погрузиться]
Have you ever tried to immerse yourself completely in English by listening to lots of English or going to an English speaking country? [погрузиться]
Do you think it’s possible to ______ native proficiency in a foreign language?
Do you think it’s possible to attain native proficiency in a foreign language?
I used to be able to [fly a plane], but I haven’t done that in a while, so now I’m too _____ to fly.
I used to be able to [fly a plane], but I haven’t done that in a while, so now I’m too rusty to fly.
What can you do in order to ___ all new vocabulary and grammar that you’ve learned on this course ____ ________ ?
What can you do in order to put all new vocabulary and grammar that you’ve learned on this course into practice?
What aspects of English do you feel you _________ ___ the most?
What aspects of English do you feel you struggle with the most?
language acquisition >> verb
acquire
[pronunciation] reserved
/rɪˈzɜːrvd/
[pronunciation] weird
BrE /wɪəd/
AmE /wɪrd/
[pronunciation] relaxed
/kst/
[pronunciation] relaxed
læ
(like in ‘cat’)
[pronunciation] eccentric
/ɪkˈsentrɪk/
sure that you can do things well, that people like you
self-confident
ˌself ˈ_kɒn_fɪdənt
reserved
/rɪˈzɜːvd/
doesn’t want to listen to new ideas or to the opinions of others
narrow-minded
ˌnærəʊ ˈ_maɪn_dɪd
accepts other people’s ideas and opinions
open-minded
ˌəʊpən ˈmaɪndɪd
likes to talk a lot [2 synonyms]
talkative /ˈtɔːkətɪv/ ‘l’ is not pronounced!
chatty /ˈtʃæti/
calm and relaxed; doesn’t seem to worry about anything [2 synonyms]
laid-back /ˌleɪd ˈbæk/
relaxed about things /rɪˈlækst/
behaves in an unusual way
eccentric
/ɪkˈsentrɪk/
very strange or unusual and difficult to explain
weird
BrE wɪəd
AmE wɪrd
someone who focuses on bad aspects of everything and talks about this all the time
‘Don’t be so _______ all the time!’
negative
She ____ _ good _____ __________ __ him. (= произвела на него хорошее впечатление)
She made a good first impression on him.
He really likes to ____ new people. [знакомиться]
meet
It was nice to chat to my new colleagues informally, to ___ __ ____ them ______. [познакомиться с ними поближе]
It was nice to chat to my new colleagues informally, to get to know them better.
Do you usually decide what you think of someone ___ a first impression?
Do you usually decide what you think of someone from a first impression?
Who do you think you’d ___ _____ ___ the best? [=поладили бы]
Who do you think you’d get along with the best? [=поладили бы]
So, if I notice that someone is kind of narrow-minded or or even bigoted, that’s a m____ t___-__ for me. (= меня это очень отталкивает от таких людей)
So, if I notice that someone is kind of narrow-minded or or even bigoted, that’s a major turn-offfor me. (= меня этоочень отталкивает от таких людей)
[pronunciation] affectionate
ласковый
əˈfekʃənət
[pronunciation] indecisive
нерешительный
/ˌɪn.dɪˈsaɪ.sɪv/
[pronunciation] immature
(about a person) незрелый
/ˌɪməˈtjʊər/
[pronunciation] hypocrisy
лицемерие
BrE /hɪˈpɒkrəsi/
AmE /hɪˈpɑːkrəsi/
[pronunciation] a hypocrite
лицемер, ханжа
/’hɪpəkrɪt/
[pronunciation]
eccentric
eccentricity
/ɪkˈsentrɪk/
/ˌeksenˈtrɪsəti/
бережливый
Example: They have plenty of money now, but they still tend to be ______.
бережливый
Example: They have plenty of money now, but they still tend to be thrifty.
/ˈθrɪf.ti/
(adjective) not considering how your actions or words may upset someone:
принимающий необдуманные решения, совершающий бездумные действия
It was ______ not to call and say you’d be late.
She’s not intentionally unkind - she’s just a little ______ sometimes.
thoughtless /ˈθɔːtləs/
(adjective) not considering how your actions or words may upset someone:
принимающий необдуманные решения, совершающий бездумные действия
It was thoughtless not to call and say you’d be late.
She’s not intentionally unkind - she’s just a little thoughtless sometimes.
[pronunciation] stingy
/ˈstɪndʒi/
[pronunciation] obstinate
BrE /’ɒbstɪnət/
AmE /ˈɑːbstɪnət/
(not ‘nait’)
здравомыслящий
sensible
You need to be much more _____.
_______ behavior
(****behaving** or **speaking** in a **strong**,** confident way, уверенный в себе, настойчивый, “пробивной”)
be more assertive BrE /əˈsɜːrtɪv/, AmE /əˈsɜːrtɪv/
assertive behavior
[pronunciation] assertive
BrE /əˈsɜːtɪv/
AmE /əˈsɜːrtɪv/
very stubborn, in a way that is annoying and unreasonable
упрямый, как осёл
obstinate
BrE /ˈɒbstɪnət/
AmE /ˈɑːbstɪnət/
[pronunciation] obstinate
Adjective =>
BrE /ˈɒbstɪnət/
AmE /ˈɑːbstɪnət/
NOT ‘nait’
What does this word mean?
obstinate
BrE /ˈɒbstɪnət/
AmE /ˈɑːbstɪnət/
very stubborn, in a way that is annoying and unreasonable
упрямый, как осёл
What does this word mean?
be more assertive BrE /əˈsɜːrtɪv/, AmE /əˈsɜːrtɪv/
assertive behavior
a ______ donation
Thank you for your donation. It was very ______ of you.
(щедрый, щедро)
generous
/ˈdʒenərəs/
She’s a ____ sort of person.
I think that’s a very _____ idea.
I think the _____ thing would be to take a taxi home.
здравомыслящий
sensible
/ˈsensəbl/
Do you remember at least one example with the word ‘sensible’?
She’s a sensible sort of person.
I think that’s a very sensible idea.
I think the sensible thing would be to take a taxi home.
здравомыслящий
What does this word mean?
sensible
/ˈsensəbl/
She’s a ____ sort of person.
I think that’s a very _____ idea.
I think the _____ thing would be to take a taxi home.
здравомыслящий
[pronunciation] sensible
здравомыслящий
/ˈsensəbl/
He’s too ____ to buy any drinks.
Don’t be so ____ with the cream!
It was a ____ offer and he turned it down.
жадный, скаредный, прижимистый
stingy
/ˈstɪndʒi/
[pronunciation] stingy
/ˈstɪndʒi/
Do you remember at least one example with this word?
stingy
He’s too stingy to buy any drinks.
Don’t be so stingy with the cream!
It was a stingy offer and he turned it down.
жадный, скаредный, прижимистый
Do you remember at least one example with this word?
generous
a ______ donation
Thank you for your donation. It was very ______ of you.
Do you remember at least one example with this word?
assertive
You need to be much more assertive.
assertive behavior
[adverbs] Thomasina ______ (впервые поехала) to Mexico after finishing school.
Thomasina first travelled to Mexico after finishing school.
[adverbs] I had to repair a boat there [in France] and was working in a boatyard where nobody spoke English - you learn very fast when ________ (тебе это абсолютно необходимо - need) in order to get a job done.
I had to repair a boat there [in France] and was working in a boatyard where nobody spoke English - you learn very fast when you absolutely need to in order to get a job done.
[adverbs] _______ (сейчас я говорю бегло - fluent), though having learnt the language almost entirely by ear while living in the country my written French is terrible.
I’m now fluent, though having learnt the language almost entirely by ear while living in the country my written French is terrible.
[adverbs] Caroline Wyatt says she ________ (непроизвольно жестикулирует (uses her hands, involuntarily)) whilst talking in French.
Caroline Wyatt says she involuntarily uses her hands whilst talking in French.
BrE /ɪnˌvɑːlənˈterəli/
[adverbs] Chris Packham said to his neighbours: ‘Look, I’ll speak to you in French and I want you to _____ (постоянно - constantly - меня поправлять)’
Chris Packham said to his neighbours: ‘Look, I’ll speak to you in French and I want you to constantly correct me.
BrE /ˈkɒnstəntli/
AmE /ˈkɑːnstəntli/
[adverbs] Default position for comment and linking adverbs (+1-2 examples)
at the FRONT
Obviously, he knows his grammar.
However, he isn’t as fluent as Paul.
[adverbs] DEFAULT position for WHERE HOW WHEN
and most adverbial phrases
AT THE END OF THE CLAUSE
I live nearby so I’ll be there soon.
I write very slowly.
I try to visit my parents every once in a while.
[adverbs][add ‘inevitably’ to the sentence]
Good exam results don’t mean success in later life.
inevitably = неизбежно
Good exam results don’t inevitably mean success in later life.
MIDDLE position: HOW PROBABLE, CERTAIN, FREQUENT
[adverbs][add ‘definitely’ to the sentence]
I’m thinking of going abroad, by the way.
I’m definitely thinking of going abroad, by the way.
/ˈdefɪnətli/
[adverbs][add ‘abruptly’ to the sentence]
The secretary put the phone down.
The secretary put the phone down abruptly. [default]
The secretary abruptly put the phone down. [also possible]
[adverbs][collocation]
At the end of the walk, I was u______ exhausted. (= совершенно, абсолютно)
At the end of the walk, I was utterly exhausted.
BrE /ˈʌtəli/
AmE /ˈʌtərli/
[adverbs][add ‘в считанные минуты’ to the sentence]
The ambulance arrived on the scene.
The ambulance arrived on the scene within minutes.
[adverbs][add ‘заранее’ to the sentence - b_________]
I had had a nasty feeling.
I had had a nasty feeling beforehand. [default]
Beforehand, … - also possible
BrE /bɪˈfɔːhænd/
AmE /bɪˈfɔːrhænd/
[pronunciation] beforehand
заранее
beforehand
/bɪˈfɔːhænd/
/bɪˈfɔːrhænd/
[adverbs][where can ‘certainly’ go in this sentence?]
That was the best game so far.
(certainly) That (certainly) was (certainly) the best game so far.
[adverbs][add ‘многократно, неоднократно’ to the sentence]
You have ignored all my warnings.
You have repeatedly ignored all my warnings.
/rɪˈpiːtɪdli/
[adverbs][add ‘я так понимаю/вероятно’ (pre…) to the sentence]
You lived in Paris, so you speak French fluently.
You lived in Paris, so presumably you speak French fluently. [comment => by default, at the front of the clause]
You lived in Paris, so you speak French fluently, presumably. [also possible]
BrE /prɪˈzjuːməbli/
AmE /prɪˈzuːməbli/
[adverbs][add ‘время от времени’ to the sentence - every ….]
I try to have medical check-ups.
I try to have medical check-ups every once in a while.
… every now and again
[a phrase => by default, at the end]
But front position also possible.
[personality adjectives] чересчур любопытный
- ___ neighbours*
- Don’t be so ___ —it’s none of your business.*
- nosy neighbours*
- Don’t be so nosy—it’s none of your business.*
/ˈnəʊzi/
[personality adjectives] рассеянный
You’ve been very ______-______ lately.
You’ve been very absent-minded lately.
/ˌæbsənt ˈmaɪndɪd/
[personality adjectives] спокойный, добродушный
I wish I had such ___-____ parents!
I look for an ____-____ man who likes to travel and isn’t afraid of change. [спокойного мужчину]
I wish I had such easy-going parents!
I look for an easy-going man who likes to travel and isn’t afraid of change
/ˌiːzi ˈɡəʊɪŋ/
relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying or getting angry
[personality adjectives] общительный
Examples:
She’s a ________ child who’ll talk to anyone.
I’m not feeling very ________ this evening.
We had a very ________ weekend (= we did a lot of things with other people).
- She’s a* sociable child who’ll talk to anyone.
- I’m not feeling very* sociable this evening.
- We had a very* sociable weekend (= we did a lot of things with other people).
/ˈsəʊʃəbl/
[pronunciation] sociable
общительный
/ˈsəʊʃəbl/
(not ‘ei’!)
[pronunciation] significant
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
[pronunciation] decreasing
/dɪˈkriːs/+ing
One l_______ change to English that was barely perceptible at the time is known as The Great Vowel Shift. (= continuing to exist for a long time).
______ damage / love
a _____ impact / friendship
One lasting change to English that was barely perceptible at the time is known as The Great Vowel Shift. (= continuing to exist for a long time - продолжительный, длительный, долгосрочный).
/ˈlɑːstɪŋ/
lasting damage / love
a lasting impact / friendship
Can you remember at least ONE collocation with ‘lasting’? (= continuing to exist for a long time)
______ damage / love
a _____ impact / friendship
One lasting change to English that was b_____ p_________ at the time is known as The Great Vowel Shift. (= едва заметна)
One lasting change to English that was barely perceptible at the time is known as The Great Vowel Shift.
BrE /beəli pəˈseptəbl/
AmE /berli pərˈseptəbl/
[developers of an app] “If we do this, the app will take longer to load, but only by 12 milliseconds - which is certainly not p_________ __ the end user.” (=не заметны для)
[developers of an app] “If we do this, the app will take longer to load, but only by 12 milliseconds - which is certainly not perceptible to the end user.”
/pəˈseptəbl/
These changes may have a hugely significant impact but can __ e_______ unnoticed while they are in progress. (полностью остаются незамеченными)
These changes may have a hugely significant impact but can go entirely unnoticed while they are in progress.
/ɪnˈtaɪə(r)li/
Here are some of the less n_________ changes that are occurring in English right now. (= заметные)
Here are some of the less noticeable changes that are occurring in English right now. (= заметные)
/’nəʊtɪsəbl/
‘Started to smoke’ or ‘started smoking’? There was a s_____ shift ______ more frequent use of the verb + -ing. (= постепенный, неуклонный сдвиг/переход к)
There was a steady shift toward more frequent use of the verb + -ing.
/ˈstedi/
‘Started to smoke’ or ‘started smoking’? There was a steady shift toward more frequent use of the verb + -ing and these forms are still on the ______. (= растут по употребляемости)
‘Started to smoke’ or ‘started smoking’? There was a steady shift toward more frequent use of the verb + -ing and these forms are still on the increase./s/
or:
on the rise
There are far more s_____, ongoinglanguage changes taking place at any given time.(= not obvious or easy to notice - тонкиt, неуловимые)
There are far more subtle, ongoing language changes taking place at any given time.
/ˈsʌtl/
There are far more subtle, _______ [GO >> word family] language changes taking place at any given time. [= still happening, продолжающийся]
There are far more subtle, ongoing language changes taking place at any given time.
/ˈɒnˌɡəʊɪŋ/
[grammar: perfect tenses] Goodness, I’m so tired! I ______ (work) all night. Well, at least I ____ (finish) the report.
Goodness, I’m so tired! I‘ve been working all night - (focus on the action that’s the source of my feeling)
Well, at least I‘ve finished the report. (focus on a one-off event)
[grammar: perfect tenses] _____ (the dog / chew) on my bag???
Has the dog been chewing on my bag???
[frustration + results of a recent action]
[grammar: perfect tenses] _____ (you / fight) again? ___ (You / lose) your teeth!
No, ___ (I / not / lose) them, Mum. They’re in my pockete!
Have you been fighting again? (focus on the action that’s the source of the current situation)
You’ve lost your teeth! (focus on the result: no teeth)
No, I haven’t lost them, Mum. They’re in my pocket!
[grammar: perfect tenses] Daddy, have a look! It ______ (snow)! (= выпал снег)
Daddy, have a look! It’s been snowing!
(focus on the action - snowing - that’s the source of the result - the ground is covered in snow)
[grammar: perfect tenses] Oh, I’m totally exhausted. I ___ (write) wedding invitations the whole morning. I ____ (write) 150 ones so far.
Oh, I’m totally exhausted. I’ve been writing wedding invitations the whole morning. - focus on the action
I’ve written 150 ones so far. - focus on the number
[grammar: perfect tenses] They ____ (just / get) married.
They‘ve just got married. [one-off event / change]
[grammar: perfect tenses] She __ (travel) across the globe since she was 16.
She __ (visit) more than 40 countries.
She’s been travelling across the globe since she was 16. [focus: the action]
She’s visited more than 40 countries. [focus: the number]
[grammar: perfect tenses] What’s this smoke? ___ (you / cook) again??
What’s this smoke? Have you been cooking again?? [I disapprove of the person’s action]
[grammar: perfect tenses] (1) ___ (you / drink) again??
(2) ___ (you / drink) all my wine??
(1) Have you been drinking again?? (I disapprove of the person’s action)
(2) Have you drunk all my wine?? (I disapprove of the result: there’s no wine left)
[grammar: perfect tenses] You / read my emails again???
Have you been reading my emails again??? (it’s the action that’s annoying here)
[grammar: perfect tenses] Why are you covered in paint?? Because ____ (I / paint) the room.
Why are you covered in paint??
Because I’ve been painting the room. (focus: action that’s the source of the situation)
[grammar: perfect tenses] Your breath stinks! ____ (you / smoke)?
Your breath stinks! Have you been smoking? (it’s the action that’s annoying)
[grammar: perfect tenses] я уже неделю не могу вызвать ремонтника (call in a specialist) - but I just haven’t had the time to do that.
I’ve been meaning to call in a specialist for a week now
[grammar: perfect tenses] I’ve been meaning to call in a specialist for a week now, but ____ (всё времени не хватает это сделать).
I’ve been meaning to call in a specialist for a week now, but I just haven’t had the time to do that.
‘but I haven’t had the time to do that’?
what other words collocate with this phrase?
(не хватило денег / решимости / сил)
I haven’t had
- the finances to do that / the cash to do that
- the chance to do that / the opportunity to do that
- the guts to do that / the courage to do that
- the energy to do that
There’s ____ restaurant I’ve been meaning to check out. (what word makes your story more colorful?)
There’s this restaurant I’ve been meaning to check out..
I’ve got a sink a full of dishes that I’ve been meaning to ___ __ (= до которой я всё никак НЕ МОГУ ДОБРАТЬСЯ)
I’ve got a sink a full of dishes that I’ve been meaning to get to (= до которой я всё никак НЕ МОГУ ДОБРАТЬСЯ).
I’ve been meaning to fix the leaking tap for ages, and I’ve only just ___ _____ to that. (у меня только сейчас ДОШЛИ ДО ЭТОГО РУКИ).
I’ve been meaning to fix the leaking tap for ages, and I’ve only just got round to that. (у меня только сейчас ДОШЛИ ДО ЭТОГО РУКИ).
or:
I’ve only just got around to that.
Nadia [the boss] wants a meeting this morning.
And..?
I’ve got a feeling it’s ___ e_____ ____ news [bad news >> understatement]
Nadia [the boss] wants a meeting this morning.
And..?
I’ve got a feeling it’s not exactly good news [bad news >> understatement]
Oh, don’t be so negative. Nadia probably just wants to thank you for all your hard work.
Hm, that’_ __ _________ __ _ surprise. [She definitely doesn’t >> understatement]
Oh, don’t be so negative. Nadia probably just wants to thank you for all your hard work.
A Hm, that’d be something of a surprise.
Pronunciation: that-a-be
Now, do you know why I’ve asked to see you?
S Um … Is it something __ __ ____ our long-running series of interviews with authors? (= connected to)
Now, do you know why I’ve asked to see you?
S Um … Is it something to do with our long-running series of interviews with authors? (= connected to)
Look, Oscar has already booked six authors, ___ __ ____ (= плюс минус)
Look, Oscar has already booked six authors, give or take.
He’s even managed to persuade Max _____ to come in. (= как его там)
Who?
Max _____ - you know, author of Solar Wind?
He’s even managed to persuade Max whatshisname to come in. (= как его там)
Who?
Max whatshisname - you know, author of Solar Wind?
pronunciation: don’t pronounce the ‘h’: whatsisname
Don’t tell me - she’s promoted you to editor-in-chief
Something _____ _____ li___, yeah. (примерно - used sarcastically here)
Don’t tell me - she’s promoted you to editor-in-chief
Something along those lines, yeah. (примерно - used sarcastically here)
Go on, tell me all!
Well, basically, she said if I don’t get something big, like an interview with a best-selling author, I’m out of here, or words __ ____ ______. (= but she didn’t word it this way)
Go on, tell me all!
Well, basically, she said if I don’t get something big, like an interview with a best-selling author, I’m out of here, or words to that effect. (= but she didn’t word it this way)
You know, my Dad is Italian.
A No way! Hey, maybe you could teach me some ____ ___ ______, you know, basic survival phrases, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and stuff like that? (= stuff)
You know, my Dad is Italian.
A No way! Hey, maybe you could teach me some bits and pieces, you know, basic survival phrases, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and stuff like that?
What’s the average salary in your field? Around 50 grand?
A little higher - 70 to 90, I think. R_____ly in that ballpark. (примерно)
What’s the average salary in your field? Around 50 grand?
A little higher - 70 to 90, I think. Roughly in that ballpark.
I appreciate you’re still finding your feet here at City FM.
S Well, I’m beginning to feel like I’ve got ___ ___ __ things. (= I’ve mastered the basics, more or less).
I appreciate you’re still finding your feet here at City FM.
S Well, I’m beginning to feel like I’ve got the hang of things. (= I’ve mastered the basics, more or less)
ALEX Scusami, signorina, parla Inglese?
S Leave __ __, Alex. (= да прекрати ты уже)
(British English, informal) used to tell somebody to stop doing something
ALEX Scusami, signorina, parla Inglese?
S Leave it out, Alex
You don’t ______ __ ____ (=ты случайно не знаешь), like, a best selling author or something, do you, Alex?
You don’t happen to know, like a best selling author or something, do you, Alex?
There were [about > reformulate with ‘region’ 100 people.
There were somewhere in the region of 100 people.
I said I’d give th____ a lift.
[a word for when you don’t remember someone’s name]
I said I’d give thingy a lift.
What’s the average salary in your field? Around 50 grand?
A little higher - 70 to 90, I think. Roughly __ ____ b_______. (= такого порядка)
What’s the average salary in your field? Around 50 grand?
A little higher - 70 to 90, I think. Roughly in that ballpark.
Add suffixes to the words to make them vague/inexact:
Do you remember this guy.. whatsisname.. The forty years old guy in a plastic hat?
Do you remember this guy.. whatsisname.. The fortyish years old guy in a plasticky hat?
A: Are you hungry yet?
B: ___. [= a ‘vague’ suffix that’s sometimes used on its own] I could eat, if you’re hungry.
A: Are you hungry yet?
B: Ish. I could eat, if you’re hungry.
Add suffixes to the words to make them vague/inexact:
I’ll be there at 5. I’ll be wearing a blue-pink jacket and a brown skirt.
I’ll be there at 5. I’ll be wearing a bluey-pink jacket and a brownish skirt.
He’s very quiet and b______ [= the sort of person who reads a lot].
He’s very quiet and bookish.
He’s very quiet and b______ [= the sort of person who reads a lot].
He’s very quiet and bookish.
Replace ‘type’ with a suffix:
This nylon-type material is too hot for this weather.
This nylony material is too hot for this weather.
Replace ‘around’ with a suffix:
The party starts at eight but I think we should get there at around 9 o’clock.
The party starts at eight but I think we should get there at 9 o’clock-ish.
[pronunciation] vague
/veɪɡ/
Reformulate, adding a suffix to ‘grey’:
What color’s his hair? – Well, it’s got a bit of grey.
What color’s his hair? – Well, it’s grey-ish.
In what four situations do people often use ‘ish’?
- with numbers/periods/time (Five minutes-ish)
- with adjectives (This blue-ish colour)
- with names/styles/regions (This song is, like, a little bit David Bowie-ish).
- stand-alone, especially in replies (Are you tired? - Yeah, ish).
[disageement] That s_____ isn’t true. [an intensifying adverb]
[disageement] That simply isn’t true. [an intensifying adverb]
[formal register] The world is made ________ly more fascinating by having a variety of cultures.
The world is made infinitely more fascinating by having a variety of cultures.
The world is made infinitely more fascinating by having a variety of cultures.
[reformulate ‘infinitely’ in an informal way]
The world is made way more fascinating by having a variety of cultures.
or ‘a lot more fascinating’
[formal register] I agree up to a point that there’s benefit to __ ___ from a shared global language
[formal register] I agree up to a point that there’s benefit to be had from a shared global language
[disagreement] as far as I’m concerned, there’s __ ___ English is taking over my life
[disagreement] as far as I’m concerned, there’s no way English is taking over my life
there’s no way + sentence (‘a clause’)
[uncertainty] I’m __ two _____ _____ hiring him.
I’m in two minds about hiring him.
[uncertainty] I’ve got _____ feelings about this/that.
I’ve got mixed feelings about this/that.
[agreement] You ___ ___ nail __ the ____ head when you advised me against traveling to Haiti.
You hit the nail on the head when you advised me against traveling to Haiti.
[agreement] I would go _____ ____ that.
[agreement] I would go along with that.
[agreement] You’re s___ __.
You’re spot on.
[partial agreement] I agree with you __ __ _ point, but we have to be practical.
I agree with you up to a point, but we have to be practical.
[partial agreement] What you said is correct, __ ___ _ point.
[partial agreement] What you said is correct, up to a point.
[disagreement] If you think I’m being cheap, you’re _______ ___ point. Every time we go out, I pay for everything.
If you think I’m being cheap, you’re missing the point. Every time we go out, I pay for everything.
What strategies can you use to soften this expression?
I don’t agree with you.
- use modal verbs: I can’t agree / I wouldn’t agree.
- depersonalize: I don’t agree [without ‘with you’] or ‘I don’t agree with this’
- add ‘here’ or ‘there’: I can’t agree with you there.
What strategies can you use to soften this expression?
You’re missing the whole point.
- Make the expression more subjective by add a ‘me’ statement: I feel like you’re missing the whole point.
- Make the expression more subjective by replacing ‘are’ with ‘seem to be’: You seem to be missing the whole point.
- add ‘here’ or ‘there’: You’re missing the whole point here.
[Partial disagreement] To disagree, they often say ‘Yes, but…’
What expressions can you use instead of ‘Yes’?
Some examples:
You’ve got a point, but…
It’s true that … but ….
I see what you mean … but..
[Partial disagreement] I see what you mean, but I __ feel that we can try harder. [a strategy to intensify what you’re saying.
..but on the other hand, I do feel that we can try harder.…
use do to intensify the ‘mental’ verbs: I do feel / I do believe / I do understand …
