Stop Talking Like a Textbook: 10 Ways to Make Your English Natural
'13.01.2023'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
The problem with learning English from textbooks is that we often sound like an English textbook. That is, we speak in long and complex sentences using academic vocabulary. That is why it is difficult to communicate. Anglophones make sentences shorter and grammar easier. How exactly? It was suggested that this English Spot.
1. Sorry...
- Textbook English | I'm sorry for being late.
- Natural American English | Sorry, I'm late.
Sorry I'm late.
In this case, it is not necessary to use the gerund at all, it can be said more simply: I'm sorry I did something wrong .
2. I have finished…
- I have finished my homework.
- I'm finished/done with my homework.
I finished my homework.
When we say that we have finished doing something, instead of have finished (Present Perfect), you can use one of the expressions: “to be done" or "to be finished': they mean the same thing, but sound less formal. “I'm done”, “I'm all.” – “I'm done","I'm finished“. These phrases also have other meanings, negative ones - “I've had enough” and “I'm done” in the second case, but you will not shout out “I'm done” with your brows furrowed.
On the subject: How can you prove that you know English: all types of international exams
3. Understand
- ? I don't understand it.
- ?? I don't get it.
To understand can be replaced with to get when it comes to understanding the essence of what the interlocutor is saying.
- I understand it now? I get it now. / Now understand. (when someone explained and you understood)
- I understood what you said.? Got it. / Got it. (when someone explains or asks us to do)
4. Immediately
- ? I will do it immediately.
- ?? I'm gonna do it right away.
I will do it right now.
5. Of course
– Can you turn off the lights on your way out?
- ? Ofcourse.
- ?? (For) sure.
For sure is a more neutral expression than of course. It's not "Of course!" It's "Of course!.” And of course it is better to use when:
- someone thanks you for your help, you break into a smile and say: “Of course!”
- someone asks you for help (not close the door / turn off the light, but something that requires a lot of time), and you break into a smile again and say: “Of coooooourse”.
6. thank you
- ? Thank you very much.
- ?? Thanks so much.
The first option is formal, so it is rarely heard in everyday situations. At least in American English.
7. Present Perfect + just/yet/already
- ? He has just left.
- ?? He just left.
Present Perfect is used less often than Past Simple with just, already and yet, and even in modern British English, the Past Simple variant is quite popular.
- I have already done the dishes. ? I already did the dishes. / I have already washed the dishes.
- Have you walked the dog yet? ? Did you walk the dog yet? / Have you already walked the dog?
8.return home
return, return
- ? I have just returned home from school.
- ?? I just got back home from school.
I just got home from school.
to return and even to come back are used less often (especially to return) than to get (back). Back, by the way, can be omitted: I just got home.
9. cook dinner
- ? I will cook dinner now.
- ?? I'll go make dinner.
I'll go and cook dinner.
In fact, there is a difference between make dinner and cook dinner: to cook is exactly to cook, use the stove / oven, and make dinner is a more universal option, especially in American English. It can be both cooked and heated.
Make dinner is a more general variant and is used more often. You wouldn't say "cook dinner" if the food wasn't cooked (meaning cooked in the oven/stovetop/etc.)
Americans seem to 'make' eggs in situations where Brits 'cook' them.
10.Become
- ? I got angry.
- ?? I got angry.
I got angry.
To describe a change in state (became, becomes), they often use to get.
It's getting dark. / It's getting dark.
Remember - if it Gets tough out there, you're always welcome here. / Remember... If it gets really hard there, then you are always welcome here.
