Shadowing Practice: 5 English Expressions for Busy People - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
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Hello. My name is Emma, and today we are going to learn some new expressions for people who are busy. So, if you are a busy person, these expressions are for you. They are very common expressions, and we use them in everyday conversation. So, we're going to learn five expressions today. We're going to learn "go, go, go". This is one of my favorite expressions in English. We're going to learn "in a rush", "on the go", "swamped", and "have a lot on my plate".
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Hello. My name is Emma, and today we are going to learn some new expressions for people who are busy. So, if you are a busy person, these expressions are for you. They are very common expressions, and we use them in everyday conversation. So, we're going to learn five expressions today. We're going to learn "go, go, go". This is one of my favorite expressions in English. We're going to learn "in a rush", "on the go", "swamped", and "have a lot on my plate".
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All of these are very useful expressions for somebody who is busy, or to use to describe a busy person. "Oh no, look at the time. We need to get started." Okay, so this is one of my favorite expressions in English, "go, go, go". So, you'll notice there is one, two, three, three goes.
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When we say "go, go, go", we're talking about doing something very quickly, okay? Always moving, always doing things quickly. So, it describes almost like a lifestyle, or how your day is if you're very busy. So, for example, "I'm always go, go, go in the mornings." In the mornings, I have to go to work, I have a lot of things to do, I'm always in a rush, I have to grab breakfast, I have to take care of my students, I have to do marking.
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It's always go, go, go in the mornings. This means the mornings are very busy, and I'm moving around very quickly doing things. Here's another example. So, in this one, "I'm go, go, go." I can also describe a day as "go, go, go". So, for example, "Oh, this weekend is go, go, go." Somebody actually told me that yesterday. They said, "This weekend is go, go, go." They had their daughter's birthday party, they had to go get a cake for it, then they also had to do a little bit of work and some other - some cleaning and cooking. So, it was a very go, go, day for them. Okay, here's another example.
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"Today has been go, go, go." Today I worked, I cleaned my house, and I went to the doctor's office, and then I made this video, so it's been very go, go, go today. Today is go, go, go. All right, so that's the first expression I want you to learn, and it should be an easy expression because you probably know the word "go", so all you need to do is say it three times, and you have this expression.
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Now, let's look at the next expression. "In a rush." The meaning is you don't have much time, so you are hurrying. You're doing things very quickly because you're trying to get somewhere.
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You are in a rush. So, here's an example. People say this all the time. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I can't talk right now. I'm in a rush." So, this means that they are hurrying, they have something important they need to do, and they can't talk because they don't have time. I just want to point out that we use "in a rush" with the "be" verb, so I am in a rush, you are in a rush, she is in a rush, he is in a rush, they are in a rush, and we are in a rush.
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All right, so let's look at another example.
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I have a boss. She's always very busy, and she has so much work to do that she's always in a rush. So, I can say, "My boss is always in a rush. She doesn't have time to chat. She's very busy. She's in a rush." All right, here's another example sentence. This is common for so many parents who have to pick up their children from work. "Shelly is in a rush." Why is Shelly in a rush? Shelly is in a rush. She needs to pick up her son from school after work today. So, Shelly is in a rush. She needs to pick up her son.
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So, this is a great expression. We use it all the time in everyday English because most people nowadays are in a rush, especially after work.
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Let's look at the next example expression.
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This next word I use all the time. "Swamped." And listen very carefully to my pronunciation.
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Even though it's "ed," in this word, we pronounce the "ed" like a "t" sound. So, I would say, "Swamped." "Swamped." So, what does it mean to be swamped? It means you have too much work.
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You're very busy with work. You have way too much to do. So, I often feel swamped.
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So, maybe you feel swamped as well. Here's the ways you can use it. We use it with the verb "to be." So, I am swamped. You are swamped. He is swamped. She is swamped. They are swamped.
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We are swamped. I'm swamped this week. We often use this when somebody asks us to do something social. So, for example, "Hey, you want to watch a movie today?" "I can't. I'm swamped.
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I'm swamped at work this week." Or here's another example. You might talk about somebody and say, "Oh, I feel so bad for Mary. She is swamped at work. She has way too much to do." So, "swamped" means very busy with work. Many students are swamped with assignments, especially around exam time. Are you swamped?
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You can let us know in the comments below.
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The next expression also has the word "go" in it, like "go, go, go." But it's a little bit different. "On the go." We use the "be" verb with this. So, I am on the go. You are on the go.
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He or she is on the go. We are on the go. And it means somebody is always busy. So, that's the first meaning. "Oh, she's always on the go" means she's always very busy.
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The second meaning is it can mean that somebody is moving to one - moving from one place to another often. So, "on the go." So, I'll give you an example. My mom is always on the go. I don't think I ever see my mom sit down. She's always moving, always gardening, always going shopping, always, you know, shoveling the driveway. She's always doing something. She's always on the go.
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So, this is a good expression for someone who is always doing something and never relaxes.
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Okay. During vacation or during the holidays, we're always on the go.
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So, every time I go on a vacation, I'm not somebody who lies down and just reads a book.
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No, I'm always doing something. I'm always on the go. So, if you say "on the go", it means you're very busy, you're not relaxing, you're always doing something. Our final expression is one I use all the time. "A lot on my plate" or "a lot on a person's plate". We often use the verb "have" with this. So, I have a lot on my plate, you have a lot on your plate, he or she has a lot on their plate. And what it means is that you have many tasks or many responsibilities. So, for example, maybe you're a parent, maybe you work, maybe you volunteer, and maybe you take care of your parents as well. So, when somebody has many different things they have to do, we say they have a lot on their plate. So, an example, somebody might say, "Oh, I have a lot on my plate right now. I have to plan this wedding, I have to work, I have to take care of my animals, I have to go to the dentist." So, somebody who has many, many things they have to do, we say they have a lot on their plate. Here's another example.
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Imagine there's a company, and there's some people who work at the company, and they have a new project, and there's a lot to do for the new project. They can say they have a lot on their plate with the new project. So, I want you to think about your life. Do you have a lot of things you must do right now? Maybe some of you are studying English, and maybe you're also working full-time, and maybe you have a family too. So, if you're going to school, working, and you have family responsibilities, I think you have a lot on your plate right now.
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So, we have covered a lot of words and expressions that have to do with being very busy.
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So, I recommend you practice these words by taking our quiz at www.EngVid.com.
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Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you use these common expressions, the easier they will be to remember. And again, they're common everyday expressions. We hear them all the time. So, thank you so much for watching.
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In this video, we covered a lot of busy expressions.
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We also have a video on expressions that have to do with relaxation. So, if you felt a little stressed thinking about how busy you are, you can always watch our video on relaxing English to calm down and make you feel nice and calm and relaxed.
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So, thank you for watching, and until next time, take care.
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Context & Background
In our fast-paced world, many people find themselves busy with various responsibilities, from work to family duties and social commitments. In this educational video, Emma shares common English expressions that help articulate the experiences of busy individuals. These phrases are essential in everyday communication, especially for those engaged in English speaking practice or preparing for exams like the IELTS. By learning these expressions, you will not only enhance your vocabulary but also improve your ability to describe your busy lifestyle effectively.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- Go, Go, Go: This phrase signifies a fast-paced lifestyle. Use it to describe days filled with numerous activities. For example, "My mornings are always go, go, go." This helps convey a sense of urgency.
- In a Rush: To be in a rush means you're hurrying due to time constraints. You might say, "I can't chat right now; I'm in a rush!" to indicate a lack of time.
- Swamped: If you're swamped, it means you're overwhelmed with work. For instance, "I'm swamped with assignments this week." This is a great phrase for relating to academic pressures.
- On the Go: Someone who is on the go is always busy or moving from one task to another, like "My mom is always on the go." This expression depicts an energetic lifestyle.
- A Lot on My Plate: When you say you have a lot on your plate, you refer to having many responsibilities. An example could be, "I have a lot on my plate right now with work and family commitments."
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To effectively use the expressions from this video, consider employing a shadow speaking technique. Here's how to tackle it:
- Watch the Video: Observe Emma's pronunciation and intonation as she explains each phrase. Pay attention to the context in which each expression is used.
- Pause & Repeat: After each expression, pause the video and repeat what Emma says. This helps to improve your English pronunciation and speaking fluency.
- Practice in Context: Create your own sentences using each expression. This will reinforce your understanding and make it easier to recall during conversations.
- Record Yourself: Use your phone to record your practice sessions. Listening back will help you identify areas for improvement in your speech.
- Engage in Conversations: Try to use these expressions in your daily interactions or during IELTS speaking practice. This will enhance your comfort level with these phrases.
By incorporating these steps into your learning routine, you can effectively practice shadow speech and improve your overall English speaking abilities.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
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