Easy English系列 油管百万订阅亿次播放的easy english系列音频限时回归 本期带来《Stop Sounding like a Textbook》
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Textbook English versus Real English

Hey Daniel, do you want to grab something to eat later?

Sure, I would like to accompany you.

See, that sounds super formal. Most people would just say, "Sure, I'd love to come." Or, "Yeah, sounds good."

All right, I still sound like a textbook sometimes.

It happens. Yesterday, my cousin said, "I do not understand."

Let me guess, native speakers say, "I don't get it."

Exactly.

I also learned, "I am very tired." But, people usually say, "I'm exhausted." Or, "I'm so tired."

Yep. And instead of "I am going to sleep." people often say, "I'm going to sleep."

Spoken English is way shorter.

Definitely. Another example, textbooks teach, "How are you?" But, friends usually say, "What's up?" Or, "How's it going?"

True. And instead of "Yes." people say, "Yeah."

Exactly. Or, "Nope." instead of "No."

I heard someone say, "I'm kind of busy." yesterday.

Yeah, kind of means kind of. Native speakers shorten words all the time.

Common English Mistakes Beginners Make

I was speaking English at work today and I made so many mistakes.

Really? Like what?

First, I said he explained me the problem.

Ah, it should be he explained the problem to me.

Exactly. Then I said I'm boring instead of I'm bored.

That's a super common one. Boring describes something and bored describes how you feel.

English is weird sometimes.

True. I used to say people is instead of people are.

I also mix up prepositions when I speak English. Yesterday I said I arrived to the office.

Native speakers usually say arrived at the office.

That's right, I know. Yesterday I was talking to a tourist and I said I'm here since 3 years.

Ah, that's a common mistake.

Yeah, I realized later it should be I've been here for 3 years.

Exactly. English tenses can be tricky sometimes.

Definitely. I also confuse say and tell.

A lot of people do. Like, you tell someone something, but you say something.

Right. Another problem is grammar. I still say things like, she go to work.

Ah, you mean she goes to work.

Yep. I notice my mistakes after I speak.

Don't worry so much about mistakes. You already speak really well.

Thanks. I'm just trying to sound more natural.

The more conversations you have, the easier it gets.

Yeah, practice really helps a lot.

Stop Saying "Very": Better English Words

Your presentation was very good today.

Thanks, but native speakers usually avoid saying very good.

Really? What should I say instead?

You can say great, excellent, or amazing.

Oh, that sounds much more natural.

Exactly. Instead of very tired, say exhausted.

And instead of very hungry, I can say starving, right?

Perfect. Stronger words make your English sound more fluent.

I see. So, instead of very beautiful, I could say gorgeous.

Exactly. That's how native speakers usually talk in everyday conversations.

How to Introduce Yourself Naturally in English

Hi, I don't think we've met before. I'm David.

Nice to meet you, David. I'm Julia.

Where are you from?

I'm from Italy, but I live in London now. What about you?

I'm from Canada. So, what do you do?

I'm a student. I study marketing at university.

That's interesting. I work as a bank clerk.

Cool. How long have you been in London?

About 2 years now.

Do you like living here?

Yeah, I really like it. London is busy, but there's always something interesting to do.