EWR #85 Dialog with Anya (Vocabulary Review)
Today I’d like to talk about basic English vocabulary that we usually use in a conversation. The lesson is going to be easy, mostly for beginners. I am going to listen to our small talk with Anya and work some more with words and phrases we used in our conversation.
Don’t forget that you can read the text version of this episode. All the links in the description. If you like such kinds of lessons, please let me know in the comment section. I will try to make more lessons like this one in the future.
Dialog with Anya. Vocabulary review
R: Hi Anya! How are you?
A: Hi Rinat! I am good! How are you doing? I haven’t seen you for ages!
When we say hello to someone we usually keep speaking and ask “How are you?”. What are some alternative ways to say “How are you?” ?
You can say:
How are you doing?
How have you been?
How’s everything?
How’s it going?
How are things going?
What’s going on?
When you talk to your friend you can use a more informal way and say: Hey, what’s up?
When you haven’t seen someone for a long time you can say: I haven’t seen you for ages!
or: Long time no see!
I haven’t seen you for so long!
It’s been a while since I’ve seen you
R: Everything is fine, thanks! Yeah, that’s right. Long time no see! Would you like to have some coffee with me? There is a good place nearby.
A: I would love to! Thank you.
The word “nearby” means not far away (located at a short distance from someone or something):
a nearby supermarket
I spoke with a nearby man about what happened.
He works at the nearby shop.
They live nearby.
The children played nearby at the park.
R: So how is it going? Do you still work in that insurance company?
A: Yes I do. It’s going OK, but I have too much work sometimes and it really drives me crazy. What about you?
When something drives you crazy, it means something irritates or annoys you. It’s something that upsets you or makes you sad. You can also say:
it drives me insane
it drives me mad
R: I’ve left my old job. Now I’ve been looking for a new one.
A: Are you kidding? You had such a good job! What happened?
You can also say: I quit my job
Which means you don’t work there anymore. And now you are looking for (searching for) a new one.
R: I couldn’t stand our new CEO any longer. He broke everything we were building for years together with my team. He decided to create something new, but I told him it was not going to work. He didn’t listen. So I made up my mind to leave the company.
CEO – chief executive officer (a boss)
When you can’t stand someone or something, it means you can’t see or tolerate someone or something due to a strong sense of disgust or dislike.
I can’t stand it anymore. I’m leaving!
I can’t stand arrogant people.
I can’t stand the sight of blood. I could never be a doctor.
The next nice idiom is “to make someone’s mind”, which basically means “to decide”. For example:
Did you make up your mind what you are going to do?
I made up my mind (decided) to leave the company.
A: I see. Yeah I understand your decision. Don’t worry. I’m sure you will find another job. You’re good in this market and have so much experience!
The phrase “I see” means “I understand”. You can also say:
Right
I got you
OK
R: Thank you. I hope so too. To be honest, I’m not very active in searching. I need some rest now.
“To be honest” means telling the truth.
You can say ‘to be honest’ before or after a statement to indicate that you are telling the truth about your own opinions or feelings.
To be honest, I’m not very active in searching. I need some rest now.
To be honest, I don’t like that man.
A: Sure! Will you go somewhere for a holiday?
R: Now I won’t. I have some things to do here. Moreover it’s Summer! The weather is awesome. So I really enjoy the city. What about you? Do you have any plans?
“I won’t” is a short form of “I will not”.
“Moreover” means in addition to what has been said.
I have some things to do here. Moreover it’s Summer! The weather is awesome. So I really enjoy the city.
The adjective “awesome” means wonderful, amazing, incredible.
A: I do! In July we are flying to Cuba!
R: Wow! Congrats! What is the weather like there? I’ve heard it might be windy in Summer?
Anya said “We are flying to Cuba” in Present Progressive about the future, which means they are determined to fly, they already bought the flight tickets, so nothing can change. You can speak in Present Progressive about the future, if you are 100% sure you will do it.
A: Yeah that’s true, but we are not going to spend much time on the beach. We want to travel around the country and visit different cities. First of all Havana of course!
R: I see. Yes I remember you like activity holidays!
A: Right. By the way! Would you like to come with us?
R: Hmmm I don’t know…Do your friends mind?
“By the way” is used to introduce a topic not directly connected with what was being spoken about previously. You can say “by the way” when you add something to what you are saying, especially something that you have just thought of.
The answer “Do your friends mind?” is used for getting permission to do it (to go with them to Cuba).
Do your friends mind if I go with you?
A: I’m sure they don’t! We are going with Olya and her boyfriend Dima. Do you remember them?
R: Oh yeah of course! Nice guys! Are they still together?
“Are they still together?” means “Are they still in relationships?”
A: Yes. Everything is serious! ? So? Are you with us?
R: Thank you Anya! I appreciate it! Of course I am! If something changes, I will let you know! Ok?
“to appreciate something” means “to value something”. I appreciate that Anya has invited me to go to Cuba with them.
A: Alright great! No problem! So thanks for coffee, I need to go now.
R: Ok sure. It was awesome talking to you! Have a nice day! I’ll contact you shortly.
“Shortly” means in a short time; very soon.
A: Same to you and see you soon! Bye bye!
R: Ok bye!
Same to you means that “I wish you to have a nice day too”!
How to work with the dialog?
- Listen to the dialog and read the PDF transcript. Turn on subtitles if necessary.
- Listen to the dialog again, repeating the questions and answers aloud (!!!).
- Come up with your own answers to the questions. Use PDF vocabulary if needed.
- Listen to the questions and answer them aloud (!!!), with a correct intonation, pronunciation and rhythm.
- Come back to the video from time to time and repeat the exercise.