Hello. This time I want to show you examples of where we use alternative sentences to those that would normally be taught in English classes. I"m also trying to avoid (as much as I can) using examples of dialect because some dialects in England shorten words as a feature of the dialect. I'll give you an example: Do you have a pen I can borrow please - often becomes Have you got a pen please? and in my dialect, I could say "d"y'ave a pen please?” So I"m not trying to show you dialects in this podcast - I'm simply discussing how we choose different sentences sometimes - because they seem less formal, friendlier, easier to say - for quite a number of reasons. Often it may be simply because of habit. Do y"want a coffee? is much more common to ask as a question to a friend or member of the family than "would you like a cup of coffee?”This type of "everyday speech” is, I think, what can make it more difficult for English learners to understand when listening to spoken English - it is quite often not like the written standard forms.Some other examples:
Hello! it's very nice to see you, please come in - "Hi, come on in!”Well, I am really tired so I should go to bed - "I"m off to bed - I'm tired”Did you enjoy that TV programme that was shown yesterday evening? Did you like that programme on telly yesterday evening?Hopefully, you"ll be able to hear and read these differences and it may give you more understanding of why English may seem more complex - when in fact, it is often being made simpler to make it easier and quicker to have a onversation between friends and family. See you next time
Bye!
