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Englishly Podcast from Speak English with Class.
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Jake, quick question.
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Hmm, I don't trust that tone.
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Why?
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Quick question has caused me problems before.
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Fine.
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Have you ever known exactly what you wanted to say, and then someone actually spoke to you and your mind went completely blank?
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Oh, absolutely.
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Just nothing.
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Empty room.
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Lights off.
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Everyone has gone home.
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And then five minutes later… The perfect sentence arrives.
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Of course it does.
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Usually when I don't need it anymore.
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Mine waits until the person has actually left.
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And then your brain suddenly becomes brilliant.
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Wonderful timing!
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Thank you, brain!
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But that feeling is so common.
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You can know vocabulary, you can understand grammar, you can follow an English lesson.
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And then real life says, OK, your turn.
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And everything suddenly feels different.
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Because a real conversation doesn't wait while you build the perfect sentence.
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It keeps moving.
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Sometimes very quickly.
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So today, we're practicing the English you actually need while real life is happening.
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Now that sounds useful.
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Very.
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Hello, hello, Hello, hello, English learners.
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We are so happy you're here.
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Welcome back to the English Leap podcast, your cozy little place to learn easy English through real, everyday conversations.
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I'm Anna.
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And I'm Jake.
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And today we're taking English out into the real world.
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Oh, should I bring a jacket?
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Jake!
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What?
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You said we're going out.
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Not literally.
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Ah, good, because I wasn't prepared.
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Strong start.
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Very strong.
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Today, we're moving through the kinds of situations that happen in an ordinary day.
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Meeting people, making small talk, not understanding something, being busy, ordering food, making plans, phone calls, sharing an opinion.
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And those little moments when something goes wrong.
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We'll definitely have a few of those.
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Naturally.
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Today's episode is mainly for our B1 to B2 learners.
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But if you're around A2 and you want a little challenge, stay with us.
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And please don't worry about understanding every single word.
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Yes.
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Listen for the meaning.
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Notice useful expressions.
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Let the English come to you.
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Because later in Word Tour we're coming back to six useful words you'll hear naturally today.
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Including one for that uncomfortable moment when a conversation suddenly feels… a little strange.
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Oh.
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I'm not telling you yet.
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Anna, you enjoy this far too much.
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Maybe a little.
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I knew it!
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And later in Say It Better, we'll take a few simple everyday sentences.
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Sentences that are already correct.
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Right.
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And we'll show you some smoother ways people often say them in real conversation.
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Real situations.
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Real reactions.
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Real English.
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Boom.
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There it is.
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Alright, let's get into it.
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So where does real-life English usually begin?
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With something incredibly simple.
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Hello.
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There you go.
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Excellent!
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Thank you for listening, everyone.
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Wait, wait, wait, we're not finished.
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I thought I nailed it.
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You did, but now imagine we haven't seen each other for a couple of weeks.
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Okay.
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Hey, Anna, how's it going?
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Pretty good.
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Busy week, but good.
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You?
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Can't complain.
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And that already sounds much closer to a relaxed, everyday conversation.
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Short.
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Easy.
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Nobody said, I'm fine, thank you, and you?
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Which is perfectly correct, by the way. Of course.
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But everyday English gives you lots of other options.
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How's it going?
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Pretty good.
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What's up?
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Not much.
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Have you been?
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Good.
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Busy lately.
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Tiny answers.
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Tiny answers can work beautifully.
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Although one little detail makes a big difference.
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Yes.
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Give the other person something to pick up.
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For example, if I ask, how's it going, and you just say, good.
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That can be the end of the road.
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Very short road.
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But if I say, pretty good.
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Busy morning, though.
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Now I'm curious.
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Oh, yeah?
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What happened?
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And just like that, the conversation keeps moving.
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You don't need some amazing story, either.
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Definitely not.
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It can be tiny.
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Pretty good.
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I just got back from the gym.
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Not bad.
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I'm a little tired today.
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Good.
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I'm really looking forward to the weekend.
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See?
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Each one gives me somewhere to go.
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I could ask about the gym, why you're tired, what you're doing this weekend.
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So small talk isn't really about having amazing things to say.
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Not at all.
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It's more like giving the conversation a little opening.
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A tiny door.
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Yes, a tiny door.
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And please don't slam it with just good.
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Jake, sometimes good is perfectly fine.
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Fine.
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Leave the door slightly open.
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Much better.
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But then comes the part people worry about.
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The silence?
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The silence.
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Oh, yes.
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You've both said hello, you've talked about your week.
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And then neither person knows what to say next.
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Your brain starts shouting, say something.
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And suddenly you become very interested in everything around you.
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The floor, the wall, that little plant in the corner.
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A plant you have never cared about in your life.
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But for those five seconds, fascinating.
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And that's when the moment can start to feel a little awkward.
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Oh yes, that uncomfortable little feeling where suddenly you're not sure what to do with yourself.
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That's it.
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Like an awkward silence.
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Or that moment when you wave at someone.
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No. And then realize they were waving at the person behind you.
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Anna!
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That happened to you, didn't it?
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I saw a hand.
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I responded to the hand.
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What did you do when you realized?
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I turned the wave into… something else.
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Something else?
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suddenly needed to touch my hair.
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Jake, you really committed to it.
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I had no choice. That is painful.
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Thank you for your support.
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Anytime.
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But seriously, what can you do when the conversation goes quiet?
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Ask something simple.
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You do not need to rescue the whole evening.
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How's your week been?
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Any plans for the weekend?
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Have you been busy lately?
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Or, if you're at a party, how do you know Sam?
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That's a good one because you already have something in common.
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And another thing, you don't have to fill every second.
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People pause.
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People think.
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People forget what they were saying halfway through a… Sentence?
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Thank you.
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Real conversation is messy sometimes.
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It is.
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But what if the silence isn't the problem?
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Hmm?
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What if the other person keeps talking… Yes?
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And you have absolutely no idea what they just said.
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Ah, now we have a real problem.
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We need to talk about the nod.
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The nod?
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You know the one.
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Somebody says something you don't understand.
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And you go, mm-hmm.
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Yeah.
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Right.
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Meanwhile, inside your head, what are we talking about?
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Did they ask me a question?
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Am I supposed to answer?
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We've all done it.
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Learners sometimes do it because they don't want to interrupt.
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Or because they're worried that asking again will make their English sound weak.
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But pretending can create a much bigger problem.
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I learned this the hard way.
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Oh?
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Years ago, I was sitting in a meeting and somebody was explaining a new process.
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Okay.
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And I lost him quite early.
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How early?
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Maybe… minute two.
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How long did he speak?
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About ten minutes.
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Jake!
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I know!
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You sat there for another eight minutes?
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Nodding professionally.
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That is pretending with good posture.
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Fair.
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What happened?
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He finished, looked straight at me, and said, So, Jake, what do you think?
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Oh, no. Nothing.
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Absolutely nothing was happening in my head.
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What did you say?
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Could you go over that last part again?
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Last part?
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I needed all the parts.
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Jake!
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I was trying to save myself.
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Did it work?
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Not really.
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See, asking early is so much easier.
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Much easier.
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And you have lots of natural ways to do it.
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Sorry, I didn't catch that.
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Very useful.
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Could you say that again?
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Simple.
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Sorry, what do you mean by that?
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Or, I'm not sure I follow.
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I like that one, when you heard the words, but you don't understand the idea.
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Right.
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Sometimes the problem isn't hearing.
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It's meaning.
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And that's when you might ask someone to clarify what they mean.
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Just make the idea clearer.
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For example, could you clarify what you mean by later?
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Oh, yes.
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Because later is dangerous.
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Dangerous?
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I'll send it later.
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OK.
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Later when?
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Tonight?
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Tomorrow?
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Thursday?
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Next year?
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Anna, that escalated quickly.
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But you know what I mean.
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So you can say, do you mean later today?
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Or, just to make sure I understood, you need this by Friday?
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I use that one a lot.
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It's useful because you're checking without making the other person feel like they explained badly.
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And confident speakers do this too.
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All the time.
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Which is interesting because learners sometimes think asking again makes them sound less confident.
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When really, pretending can be much worse.
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Meeting Jake agrees.
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Meeting Jake suffered enough.
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Thank you.
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Okay, I survived the meeting.
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Barely.
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Now I need coffee.
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You always need coffee.
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Today I've earned it.
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Before we get to the coffee, let's make your day slightly worse.
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Why?
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Three people suddenly need something from you.
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Only three?
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Fine.
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Five.
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More realistic.
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You've got an email open.
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Your phone is ringing.
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Somebody walks over and says, quick question.
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We established those are dangerous.
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And you're already in the middle of something.
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So what do I say if someone asks, can you help me with this, and I genuinely can't right now?
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You could say, I'm a little tied up right now.
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Can I come back to you in 10 minutes?
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Nice.
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Tied up just means busy at the moment.
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Or give me a few minutes.
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I'm just finishing something.
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That sounds very natural.
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And if somebody asks you a question, but you need time to check?
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Can I get back to you on that?
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One of my favorites.
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Especially at work.
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Because you're not saying no, you're saying I need some time.
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Let me check and I'll get back to you this afternoon.
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Much better than inventing an answer.
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Please don't invent answers.
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Good advice.
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And if something isn't urgent?
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No rush.
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Tiny phrase.
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Very useful.
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Can you send me that document?
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Sure.
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No rush.
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Tomorrow is fine.
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Immediately less stressful.
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Exactly.
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Now, coffee?
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Wait, wait, wait.
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What?
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You are asking me if I want coffee?
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Fine.
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Now, coffee.
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Thank you.
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We walk into a cafe, the person at the counter says, Hi, what can I get for you?
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Easy.
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Except you knew exactly what you wanted while you were waiting. Of course.
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Then they look at you.
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Uh, suddenly every drink I've ever heard of disappears.
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And you hesitate for a second.
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That little pause where you suddenly aren't sure what to choose.
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Everyone does it.
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Especially you with menus.
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Excuse me?
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You stare at the menu for five minutes and then order the same coffee you always order.
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I'm considering my options.
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There are no options.
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Maybe today I'm someone who orders matcha. Are you?
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No. There we go.
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But if you need time, you can simply say, give me a moment.
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Or I'm still deciding.
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And when you're ready, can I get a medium latte, please?
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Or could I have a medium latte?
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Both sound natural.
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What if you don't know what to order?
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What do you recommend?
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Which Anna asks, Jake, before ordering coffee anyway.
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I'm warning you.
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Moving on.
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Another useful phrase is, I'll go with...
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I'll go with the chicken sandwich.
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I think I'll go with the small one.
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I'll go with your recommendation.
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Very relaxed.
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And what if they don't have what you wanted?
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Sorry, we're all out of croissants.
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No. Jake!
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No, no, no, that is not the kind of real-life English I wanted today.
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You could say, no problem, I'll go with the muffin.
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I don't want the muffin.
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It's imaginary.
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My disappointment is real.
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You'll survive.
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Hopefully.
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But notice how many tiny expressions keep the interaction smooth.
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No problem.
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That's fine.
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Give me a moment.
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I'll go with...
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They aren't impressive sentences.
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They don't need to be.
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Real life is mostly little interactions.
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And one of those interactions usually appears around Friday afternoon.
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Uh-oh.
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Your phone lights up.
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A friend wants to make plans.
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And you're already emotionally committed to your sofa.
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Anna, finally, someone understands me.
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Let's say I message you, hey, are you free tomorrow night?
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That question makes me nervous.
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Why?
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Because you haven't told me why.
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Ah.
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Are you free tomorrow?
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Yes.
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Great.
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Help me move house.
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That is a trap.
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Tell me the plan first.
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Fine.
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Hey, Anna, a few of us are grabbing dinner tomorrow.
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Want to come?
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If I want to go, I can say, yeah, I'd love to.
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Or, sounds good, I'm in.
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Count me in.
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Easy.
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But if I can't go, that sounds fun, but I don't think I can make it.
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I like that.
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It feels softer than just saying, I cannot come.
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And if you're not sure?
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Let me check and get back to you.
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Our old friend.
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Very useful friend.
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What about maybe another time?
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Good, if you actually mean it.
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Oh.
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If you say maybe another time every single week?
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Eventually, I understand.
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Hopefully.
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The situation and relationship matter, too.
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A phrase can be grammatically correct, but still not be very appropriate for that moment.
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So, what's up can be completely appropriate with a friend.
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Sure.
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What about sending my boss, yo, what's up?
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You could...
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I hear something coming.
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A very large but.
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There it is.
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It may not be your best choice in a formal situation.
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So no, yo, boss.
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Let's keep your job, Jake.
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Thank you.
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But appropriate doesn't always mean formal.
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Good point.
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Imagine your close friend says, I had a horrible day.
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I probably shouldn't respond, I acknowledge your difficulties.
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Please don't.
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Oh no, what happened?
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Much warmer.
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Are you okay?
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Perfect.
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Simple English can sometimes be the most appropriate English.
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Absolutely.
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And then somebody at dinner asks for your opinion.
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Ah.
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Now things get interesting.
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Imagine somebody turns to you and says, what do you think?
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That sounds easy until everybody looks at you.
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Exactly.
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Suddenly your opinion needs to arrive immediately.
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No preparation.
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No notes.
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No five-minute break.
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Rude, honestly.
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But you still don't need complicated English.
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Let's prove it.
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Okay.
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Weekends should always be planned in advance.
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No. Wow, immediate.
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I like having one or two plans, but I don't want every hour organized.
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I'm the opposite.
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I know.
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How?
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You make lists for your lists.
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That is called organization.
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That is called frightening.
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Anna, hear me out.
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If I don't plan anything, I waste half the day deciding what to do.
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That's a fair point.
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Ah, nice.
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That's a fair point.
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Let's me recognize your idea without saying I completely agree.
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I could say, I see what you mean.
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Or I see it a little differently.
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Very gentle disagreement.
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I'm not sure I completely agree.
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And of course, it depends.
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The hero of difficult questions.
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Is working from home better?
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It depends.
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Is living in a big city better?
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It depends.
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Does pineapple belong on pizza?
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No. Wait, wait, wait.
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What?
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No, it depends?
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No. Anna.
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Some things are clear.
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I strongly disagree.
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And look at us, still friends. For now. But this is important.
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Interesting conversations aren't built on agreeing with everything.
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They're built on curiosity, too.
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Why do you think that?
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Really?
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What makes you say that?
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Has that always been your opinion?
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What would you do?
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Those questions keep the conversation alive.
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And they take pressure off you because now you're listening again.
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That's a big one.
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What?
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Sometimes while another person is speaking, we're already preparing our next sentence.
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Oh, yes.
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Then they finish.
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And we realize we missed half of what they said.
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Exactly.
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Real conversation is listening, reacting, and building from what you hear.
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Not delivering a speech.
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Right.
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Although I still think we should discuss pineapple.
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Not a chance.
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I knew you were going to say that.
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You know where real-life English can suddenly feel twice as difficult?
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Airport announcements.
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Very specific.
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They're stressful.
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Fair, but I was thinking about phone calls.
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Oh, yes.
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Face to face, you get clues.
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You can see the person's expression.
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Maybe they point to something.
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You can sometimes guess the meaning, even if you miss a word.
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On the phone?
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Just a voice.
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Sometimes a very quiet voice.
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Sometimes a disappearing voice.
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Bad signal.
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So imagine I call you.
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Go ahead.
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Ring, ring.
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Very convincing.
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Thank you.
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Years of training.
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Hello.
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Hi, Anna.
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It's Jake.
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Is now a good time?
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Oh, I like that.
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Is now a good time?
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A considerate way to check whether someone is free.
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Especially if you think the call might take a while.
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If I'm busy, I could say, I'm actually in the middle of something.
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Can I call you back?
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Easy.
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Can I call you back in ten minutes?
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No long explanation needed.
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Right.
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And if you do have time?
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Sure.
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What's up?
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Nice.
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Now let's ruin the connection.
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Why?
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Uh, Jake, I was just calling because I wanted to.
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Anna?
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Ask if you could… Anna, you're breaking up.
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There it is.
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You're breaking up means the sound keeps cutting in and out because the connection is bad.
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Or just say, sorry, I can't hear you very well.
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I missed the last part.
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Could you say that again?
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And if the call suddenly ends?
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Call back.
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Sorry, we got disconnected.
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Or sorry, I lost you.
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Even though technically the phone lost you.
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True.
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I had that happen once while driving into a parking garage.
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Your signal disappeared?
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Completely.
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Right in the middle of my sentence.
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Oh no. I got signal again, called back, and the person answered, did you hang up on me?
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Oh no. I panicked and said, no, I went underground.
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Jake.
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I heard it as soon as I said it.
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That sounds like the beginning of a very different story.
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Exactly.
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Sorry, I lost signal in the parking garage.
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Much better.
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Much less mysterious.
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Lesson learned.
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Then there's texting.
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Which should be easier. Should be.
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But tone gets weird.
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Very weird.
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Somebody sends you a long message.
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And you reply, okay.
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Just okay.
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Dangerous.
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Maybe you mean, okay, sounds good.
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But the other person reads, okay.
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Cold.
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Serious.
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Maybe angry.
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One word, whole drama.
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So add a little warmth.
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Okay, sounds good.
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Sure, no problem.
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Yep, that works for me.
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Much clearer.
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And if you didn't reply for a few hours...
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Sorry, I just saw your message.
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Very common.
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Or, sorry, I was tied up earlier earlier.
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That works really well when you want to explain the delay without giving a long explanation.
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If you want to move from texting to a call, you could say, got a minute?
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Casual.
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Can we talk when you're free?
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Or can I give you a quick call?
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Easy.
593
So phone English isn't really a separate language?
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No. A lot of it is the same short, useful English we've been hearing all day.
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Which reminds me, have you ever had a misunderstanding where both people were completely sure they were right?
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Oh, Oh yes, I have a restaurant story.
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I knew there was going to be a story.
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Unfortunately, yes.
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Go on.
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Fine.
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A few years ago, I was meeting a friend for dinner.
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So far, normal.
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She sent me the restaurant name.
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Still normal.
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What neither of us noticed was that there were two places with almost the same name.
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Ah.
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I went to one.
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She went to the other.
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Yes.
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How far apart?
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Far enough.
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Oh no. I arrived, sat down, and texted, I'm here.
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And she replied, Me too.
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No. Yes.
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So you started looking around.
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Everywhere.
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I'm thinking, how can I not see this person?
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Maybe she changed dramatically on the way there.
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Then I called her.
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Good.
621
I said, where are you sitting? And?
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She said, near the window.
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Helpful.
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There were windows everywhere. Of course.
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I said, I'm near the front. And then?
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She started describing things that were definitely not in my restaurant.
627
Oh, that's the moment.
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Yep.
629
Finally, we realized there had been a misunderstanding.
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You had understood the restaurant name in two different ways.
631
Right.
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She assumed I knew which location she meant, and I assumed the first one I found was correct.
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And neither of you clarified.
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That was the whole problem.
635
We both thought the other person understood.
636
And twenty minutes later...
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Two different restaurants.
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Boom.
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Not the boom I wanted that evening.
640
So what happened?
641
I drove to the other restaurant.
642
Were you annoyed?
643
For about three minutes.
644
Honest answer.
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Then it became funny.
646
What did she say when you arrived?
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She said, I'm so sorry.
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I should have sent the address. And you?
649
No, it's fine.
650
I should have checked.
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Peace restored.
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Food helped.
653
Food often helps.
654
But this is another type of real English people need, fixing little problems.
655
Yes, if the mistake is yours, something as simple as, That was my fault, can be very powerful.
656
Sorry, that was my fault.
657
I wrote down the wrong time.
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Or, Sorry about that, I misunderstood.
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And if someone else apologizes?
660
No worries.
661
It happens.
662
Don't worry about it.
663
Those little phrases can reassure someone.
664
Help them feel that everything is okay.
665
Exactly.
666
So, if I arrive five minutes late… Five?
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Jake.
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Sorry.
669
You might say, Relax, Anna.
670
We haven't started yet.
671
You're fine.
672
Don't worry.
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And suddenly the situation feels lighter.
674
Tiny phrase, big effect.
675
Very big effect.
676
What about if something goes wrong in a shop or cafe?
677
Same idea.
678
Be clear, but you don't need to attack anyone.
679
Example?
680
Imagine I ordered tea and you brought me coffee.
681
Why am I working at the cafe now?
682
Budget cuts.
683
Fair enough.
684
Instead of saying, this is wrong, I could say, sorry, I think this might be someone else's order.
685
Much softer.
686
Or, excuse me, I actually ordered tea.
687
Clear and polite.
688
And the person might say, of course, sorry about that, I'll fix it.
689
Problem solved.
690
No drama.
691
Real life is terrible television.
692
Thankfully.
693
Jake, let's do something.
694
That sentence worries me.
695
This is easy.
696
Famous last words.
697
Everyone listening, just listen to this short conversation.
698
Notice how Jake says no to me without using the word no. Okay, ready.
699
Hey, Jake.
700
A few of us are going for dinner tomorrow night.
701
Do you want to come?
702
Uh, that sounds good, but I don't think I can make it tomorrow.
703
I've already got something in the evening.
704
No problem.
705
Maybe next week?
706
Yeah, I'd be up for that.
707
Done.
708
That was it?
709
That was it?
710
Easy.
711
Did you catch it, English learners?
712
I don't think I can make it tomorrow.
713
You never said no. I didn't need to.
714
And you started warmly.
715
That sounds good.
716
Then explained I couldn't make it.
717
And when I suggested next week, you said, I'd be up for that.
718
Which just means, yes, I'd be interested.
719
Very natural.
720
Look at me.
721
Very proud.
722
Anna, can we try something different?
723
Sure.
724
Let's have one normal conversation from beginning to end.
725
No stopping in the middle?
726
No stopping.
727
Oh, I like that.
728
And everyone listening, don't worry about catching every expression.
729
Just follow what's happening.
730
Ready?
731
Ready.
732
Hey, Anna.
733
Haven't seen you all week.
734
Have you been?
735
Pretty good.
736
A little tired, though.
737
Busy?
738
Very.
739
I had two meetings yesterday that somehow became five meetings.
740
How does that happen?
741
I don't know.
742
Meetings create more meetings.
743
That is frighteningly true.
744
How about you?
745
Not bad.
746
I finally finished that project I was telling you about.
747
Oh, good.
748
The one that kept changing every three days?
749
That's the one.
750
You must be relieved.
751
Very.
752
Although now I have about 30 emails I've been ignoring.
753
30?
754
Maybe 27.
755
That didn't make it better.
756
I'm working through them.
757
Good.
758
Actually, I wanted to ask you something.
759
Are you free Saturday morning?
760
Hmm.
761
What are you planning?
762
See?
763
You're not answering before you know the plan.
764
I've learned.
765
A few of us are trying a new cafe near the park.
766
Oh, the one with the outdoor tables?
767
Yeah.
768
I might be able to.
769
What time?
770
Around ten.
771
Ten should work.
772
Let me check when I get home and I'll message you.
773
Sounds good.
774
What's the cafe called?
775
Green something.
776
Green something?
777
I knew you were going to ask.
778
Jake, that is not a name.
779
Green table?
780
Green garden?
781
Those are completely different places.
782
Wait, wait, wait.
783
Give me a second.
784
Take your time.
785
Here it is.
786
Green Corner Cafe.
787
Ah, I think I know it.
788
Is it next to the bookstore?
789
No, that's Green Corner Bakery.
790
Oh, good thing I asked.
791
Yeah, I'll send you the address.
792
Please do.
793
I absolutely will.
794
Good.
795
Have you done anything fun this week or just work?
796
I went for a long walk Wednesday evening.
797
Nice.
798
It was one of those days where I'd been staring at a screen for too long.
799
I know that feeling.
800
So I left my phone in my bag and just walked.
801
Couldn't do it.
802
Really?
803
I'd last six minutes.
804
Six?
805
Maybe eight on a strong day.
806
Jake, that is terrible.
807
I like having my phone.
808
I see what you mean, but sometimes I think being reachable all the time makes it harder to relax.
809
Fair point.
810
Although I like listening to something when I walk.
811
That I understand.
812
Podcast?
813
Music?
814
Okay, yes, that changes things.
815
So you agree with me?
816
Partly.
817
I'll take it.
818
Oh, hang on, my phone's ringing.
819
Go ahead.
820
Hello?
821
Hi, sorry, could you say that again?
822
Yeah, the signal's a little bad here.
823
Right, okay.
824
No rush.
825
Tomorrow is fine.
826
Great.
827
Thanks.
828
Bye.
829
Work?
830
Yeah, somebody needed a file.
831
On Friday afternoon?
832
Apparently.
833
Brave person.
834
It's fine.
835
They don't need it until tomorrow.
836
Good.
837
Actually, I should send it before I forget.
838
Go ahead.
839
Give me a second.
840
You really do use that phrase a lot.
841
Constantly.
842
I noticed.
843
It's useful.
844
Did you send it?
845
Yep.
846
That was fast.
847
For once I knew where the file was.
848
Beautiful.
849
A rare moment.
850
So, Saturday, I'll send you the exact location.
851
Please do.
852
Not green something.
853
Thank you.
854
And if you can't make it, no worries.
855
I'll let you know tonight.
856
Sounds good.
857
All right.
858
See you.
859
Bye.
860
That felt surprisingly normal.
861
It did.
862
And we used a lot of the language from today without forcing it.
863
Small talk, making plans, clarifying the place.
864
Even disagreeing a little and taking a phone call.
865
All inside one ordinary conversation.
866
Which is how English actually shows up in life.
867
You know what, Anna?
868
Hmm?
869
Most of the English we've used today isn't complicated.
870
That's really the point.
871
I didn't catch that.
872
Give me a moment.
873
I'll get back to you.
874
I can't make it.
875
I see what you mean.
876
No worries.
877
Little sentences.
878
But they keep life moving.
879
And learners sometimes hesitate because they're searching for something more impressive.
880
Yes, they already know how to express the idea simply, but they keep searching for the perfect version.
881
And while they're searching...
882
The conversation moves on.
883
So maybe fluency isn't always about knowing more.
884
Sometimes it's about trusting the English you already have.
885
I like that.
886
If you didn't understand, ask.
887
If you need time, say, let me think.
888
If you make a mistake, correct it and continue.
889
If somebody misunderstands you, clarify.
890
And if the conversation goes quiet for three seconds...
891
Don't panic.
892
Please!
893
The plant in the corner does not need your attention.
894
Poor plant.
895
It's been through enough today.
896
Here's a useful way to think about your next English conversation.
897
Don't ask yourself, was every sentence perfect?
898
Ask, did the conversation keep going?
899
Did you understand each other?
900
Did you ask when you needed help?
901
Did you communicate what you wanted to say?
902
Then your English worked.
903
Boom.
904
That one earned it.
905
And now I think we're ready for the word tour.
906
Yes.
907
Let's take the six useful words from today's conversation and practice them properly.
908
Our first word is awkward.
909
Awkward.
910
Awkward.
911
Awkward means uncomfortable or slightly embarrassing, especially in a social situation.
912
Maybe you're talking to someone new and suddenly neither of you knows what to say.
913
You could say, there was an awkward silence.
914
Or maybe you wave at someone and then realize they were waving at the person behind you.
915
Why does this example keep coming back?
916
Because it's memorable.
917
Very memorable.
918
You could say, that was such an awkward moment.
919
Our next word is clarify.
920
Clarify.
921
Clarify.
922
Clarify means to make something clearer or easier to understand.
923
Maybe someone tells you the meeting is later, but you're not sure what time they mean.
924
You could ask, could you clarify what time the meeting starts?
925
Or maybe you want to make sure you understood something correctly.
926
Then you could say, I just want to clarify one thing.
927
Very useful at work, at school, and, honestly, in life.
928
Especially when someone says, I'll do it soon.
929
Ah, yes, the mysterious soon.
930
Our next word is hesitate.
931
Hesitate.
932
Hesitate.
933
Hesitate means to pause because you're unsure about what to say or do.
934
Maybe someone asks you a question, and you need a few seconds to think.
935
You could say, I hesitated before answering.
936
Or maybe you're choosing something from a menu and you can't decide.
937
Then you could say, I hesitated because everything looked good.
938
Everything?
939
Fine, most things.
940
And you may also hear, don't hesitate to ask for help, which means please ask if you need help.
941
Don't be afraid.
942
Our next word is appropriate.
943
Appropriate.
944
Appropriate.
945
Appropriate means suitable or right for a particular situation.
946
Something can be perfectly normal with your friends, but not appropriate in a formal meeting.
947
For example, that joke probably isn't appropriate for work.
948
Or, is this outfit appropriate for the event?
949
And yes, Jake, this is also the word we need for your Yo Boss idea.
950
I knew that was coming back.
951
It had to.
952
Our next word is misunderstanding.
953
Mis-understanding.
954
Mis-understanding.
955
A misunderstanding happens when two people understand something differently.
956
Maybe you thought you were meeting at 7, but your friend thought you said 8.
957
You could say, there was a misunderstanding about the time.
958
Or maybe somebody sounds upset because they misunderstood what you meant.
959
Then you could say, I think this is just a misunderstanding.
960
And sometimes one quick conversation can clear everything up.
961
Much better than spending an hour wondering what went wrong.
962
And our final word is reassure.
963
Re-a-sure.
964
Reassure.
965
Reassure means to help someone feel less worried or uncertain.
966
Maybe your friend is nervous because they think they're late.
967
You could reassure them by saying, don't worry, we haven't started yet.
968
And then you could say, she reassured me that everything was fine.
969
Or maybe someone is nervous about speaking English.
970
You might reassure them by saying, take your time, there's no rush.
971
I like that one.
972
Me too.
973
Beautiful.
974
Today we learned six useful words for real-life communication.
975
Awkward, clarify, hesitate, appropriate, misunderstanding, and reassure.
976
Try to notice one of these words the next time you hear English in a conversation, movie, podcast, or video.
977
And even better, try using one yourself. And now?
978
And now it's time for Say It Better.
979
This is where we take simple English and make it sound a little more natural for everyday conversation.
980
And remember, the first sentences aren't necessarily wrong.
981
We're simply giving you another option.
982
Let's start with a very common one.
983
I don't understand.
984
Clear, useful, nothing wrong with it.
985
But imagine someone is explaining an idea and you're having trouble following.
986
You could say, I'm not sure I follow.
987
That sounds softer and very natural.
988
And if the problem is simply that you didn't hear them?
989
Then try, sorry, I didn't catch that.
990
Nice.
991
Similar problem, different situation.
992
Here's another one.
993
I cannot come.
994
We understand it, but with friends it can sound a little formal formal.
995
If someone invites you somewhere, you could say, I don't think I can make it.
996
Or, I'd love to, but I don't think I can make it tonight.
997
Much warmer.
998
And it doesn't feel like you're closing the door in their face.
999
Which is generally good for friendships.
1000
Generally.
1001
What about this one?
1002
Wait.
1003
Very short.
1004
Maybe a little too short, depending on your tone.
1005
Especially if your face also says, Do not speak to me.
1006
Instead, you could say, Give me a second.
1007
Or give me a moment.
1008
Just a second.
1009
I'm finishing something.
1010
Same message, friendlier feeling.
1011
Here's one for opinions.
1012
I disagree.
1013
Again, perfectly clear.
1014
But if you want to disagree more gently.
1015
You could say, I see what you mean, but I look at it differently.
1016
Or I'm not sure I completely agree.
1017
That keeps the conversation open.
1018
Instead of turning it into a competition.
1019
Unless we're discussing pineapple on pizza… Anna… Moving on.
1020
One more.
1021
A learner might say, What did you say?
1022
Understandable.
1023
But, depending on the situation, you could soften it.
1024
Sorry, could you say that again?
1025
Or, sorry, I didn't catch that.
1026
That phrase really earns its place today.
1027
Short, polite, and useful almost everywhere.
1028
I like today's say it better because none of these changes are complicated.
1029
That's the point.
1030
Natural English is not always about using more difficult words.
1031
Sometimes it's simply knowing the phrase that fits the moment.
1032
And using it without overthinking.
1033
So now we want to hear from you.
1034
Which real-life situation feels hardest for you in English?
1035
Small talk?
1036
Speaking at work?
1037
Making plans?
1038
Phone calls?
1039
Sharing your opinion?
1040
Or asking someone to repeat themselves?
1041
Tell us in the comments.
1042
And that brings us to the end of today's episode.
1043
Choose just one phrase or one word to our word from today and try to use it this week.
1044
One is enough.
1045
Little by little, the small phrases start becoming part of your real English.
1046
Thank you for spending this time with us.
1047
Keep listening, keep practicing, and we'll see you in the next episode.
1048
Take care, everyone.
1049
Bye for now.
1050
thoughtfully selected for you.

Tại sao nên thực hành nói với video này?

Khi thực hành nói tiếng Anh qua video này, bạn sẽ không chỉ học từ vựng và ngữ pháp mà còn được trải nghiệm những tình huống giao tiếp thực tế. Những cuộc đối thoại trong video phản ánh cuộc sống hàng ngày, giúp bạn làm quen với cách mà người bản ngữ giao tiếp. Điều này rất quan trọng vì trong những khoảnh khắc thực tế, bạn không thể dừng lại để suy nghĩ về câu hoàn hảo; bạn cần phải phản ứng nhanh chóng và tự tin. Việc luyện tập với video này sẽ giúp bạn phát triển khả năng nói, cải thiện phản xạ trong giao tiếp và giảm cảm giác lo lắng khi tham gia vào các cuộc trò chuyện thực tế.

Ngữ pháp & Biểu thức trong ngữ cảnh

Trong video, có một số cấu trúc ngữ pháp và biểu thức quan trọng đáng chú ý:

  • “Have you ever known…”: Câu hỏi này thường được sử dụng để mở đầu một cuộc trò chuyện, khuyến khích người khác chia sẻ trải nghiệm của mình.
  • “Your turn”: Cụm từ này nhấn mạnh đến việc bạn cần phải sẵn sàng tham gia vào cuộc trò chuyện mà không cần thời gian chuẩn bị lâu.
  • “Wonderful timing!”: Câu này thể hiện sự hài hước và sự châm biếm, rất phổ biến trong giao tiếp hàng ngày để giảm căng thẳng.
  • “Something goes wrong”: Cụm từ này có thể được sử dụng khi bạn gặp một tình huống bất ngờ, rất hữu ích trong các cuộc hội thoại khi mọi thứ không diễn ra như mong đợi.

Các bẫy phát âm phổ biến

Khi nghe video, bạn có thể sẽ gặp một số từ hoặc âm thanh khó phát âm, bao gồm:

  • “conversation”: Từ này thường bị phát âm sai do âm tiết và trọng âm. Hãy chú ý để phát âm chính xác.
  • “actually”: Một từ có thể dễ gây nhầm lẫn vì âm “t” không được phát âm rõ ràng trong cuộc trò chuyện thông thường.
  • “busy”: Đây là một từ mà nhiều người thường phát âm không chính xác, hãy lắng nghe cách mà người bản ngữ phát âm để cải thiện kỹ năng của bạn.

Nếu bạn muốn tiến bộ hơn trong việc nói tiếng Anh, hãy thử sử dụng phần mềm shadowing để luyện tập nói theo từng câu trong video. Phương pháp shadow speak rất hiệu quả trong việc giúp bạn cải thiện ngữ điệu và sự tự tin khi giao tiếp.

Phương Pháp Shadowing Là Gì?

Shadowing là kỹ thuật học ngôn ngữ có cơ sở khoa học, ban đầu được phát triển cho chương trình đào tạo phiên dịch viên chuyên nghiệp và được phổ biến rộng rãi bởi nhà đa ngôn ngữ học Dr. Alexander Arguelles. Nguyên lý cốt lõi đơn giản nhưng cực kỳ hiệu quả: bạn nghe tiếng Anh của người bản xứ và lặp lại to ngay lập tức — như một "cái bóng" (shadow) đuổi theo người nói với độ trễ chỉ 1–2 giây. Khác với luyện ngữ pháp hay học từ vựng bị động, Shadowing buộc não bộ và cơ miệng phải đồng thời xử lý và tái tạo ngôn ngữ thực tế. Các nghiên cứu khoa học xác nhận phương pháp này cải thiện đáng kể phát âm, ngữ điệu, nhịp điệu, nối âm, kỹ năng nghe và độ lưu loát khi nói — đặc biệt hiệu quả cho người luyện IELTS Speaking và muốn giao tiếp tiếng Anh tự nhiên như người bản ngữ.

Phương pháp shadowing: đọc hướng dẫn từng bước đầy đủ →