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AEE Episode 490: How To Use These Two Phrasal Verbs To Get More
Casual in English
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast, Episode 490: “How to Use These Two
Phrasal Verbs to Get More Casual in English”
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast, downloaded more than 16
million times. We believe in Connection NOT Perfection ™ with your
American hosts Lindsay McMahon, the ‘English Adventurer’, and Michelle
Kaplan, the ‘New York Radio Girl,’ coming to you from Boston and New
York City, USA.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: And to instantly download your transcript from today’s episode go to

AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts, AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Today you’ll learn how to take two verbs and make them phrasal verbs to
create a more casual feeling in English.
[Instrumental]
© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

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English audience, AllEarsEnglish.com/italki.
Lindsay: What’s up, Michelle?
Michelle: [laughter] Hey Lindsay, not too much. How are you?
Lindsay: Well, I’m feeling good because we got some nice reviews this week from
our listeners in the iTunes Store and that always makes me jump for joy.
[laughter]
Michelle: Same here, I’m jumping right now. [laughter] Yay! Jump, Jump. No, really
guys, I love this.
Lindsay: Thank you so much so let’s read them out loud because they deserve to be
mentioned on the show. So thank you to [inaudible 0:01:51.7] from Japan
on February 1. Who else Michelle?
Michelle: Thank you to Douglas Lopf from Brazil.
Lindsay: Good. And thank you to Ohh this name is written in Kanji, my Kanji is a
little behind the times here but someone from Japan on Feb 1. [laughter]
Yes.
Michelle: And thank you to Kenta from Japan.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), good and thank you to Argenis from the US.
Michelle: Yes, thank you and thank you to Patman from the US.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), and PPEJ from Taiwan.
Michelle: Yes, and thank you to Zaida76 from Turkey.
Lindsay: Wow, we love your reviews guys, if you haven’t done it yet, please go on
over to the iTunes Store and leave us a review. We want to know what

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you think and if you have a question, you can always leave your question
right there in your review.
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: That’s also a good way to get your question answered on the show. Cool.
Michelle: And thanks Kenta for liking my laugh, I appreciate that. [laughter]
Lindsay: You do have a fun laugh, Michelle. It’s true.
Michelle: That makes me feel good. Kenta I’m sure if I heard your laugh, I would
love it as well. [laughter] Thank you that is so sweet.
Lindsay: Thank you Kenta and thank you everyone else who reviewed us in iTunes.
Michelle, we have some news. What something new that is going on All
Ears English this month? What’s going on – anything interesting?
Michelle: Something very exciting. We are bringing back an oldie but a goodie.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), an oldie but goodie, what’s that?
Michelle: Transcripts.
Lindsay: Transcripts are back, guys, and they will be available for today’s episode
and all of the episodes moving forward for the next few months while we
figure out if you guys want these transcripts. If you buy them from us,
we’ll keep offering them. If you don’t, we’ll stop offering them. [laughter]
So it’s up to you guys, it’s very simple. [laughter] Okay?
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), yeah (yes). I mean there is so much you could do with a
transcript. I don’t know.
Lindsay: There is so much, that’s right, Michelle. We could actually do an entire

episode on how to use the transcripts. I think we’ll have to do that
Michelle.
Michelle: That’s funny because then you can get a transcript about the episode
about transcripts.
Lindsay: Oh so meta.

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Michelle: Whoa, yeah (yes)! My head is spinning. [laughter]
Lindsay: Very cool, very cool, Michelle. You’re very creative. I like it, very creative.
So guys if you want to get the transcripts from today and for the rest of
this week, go to AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts. Very simple and you can
get those with just one click. It’s a safe, secure payment. So guys go on
over there and grab your transcripts because they are back. Michelle,
what are we digging into today?
Michelle: Alright, today we are going talk a little bit about phrasal verbs and how to
change, ahh, change a verb to a phrasal verb to make it more casual.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes).
Michelle: Did I explain that correctly? Yeah (Yes). [laughter]
Lindsay: Pretty much, Michelle. You’re pretty much right on. I mean, really it’s just
two different verbs and two different phrasal verbs that we see as
becoming as more casual when they become phrasal verbs, right. So of
course, not every verb becomes causal when you make it a phrasal verb,
right. It also depends on which preposition is going into that phrasal verb
but these are just two that we wanted to emphasize what the function is
when it becomes a phrasal verb like what actually happens to what you’re
saying like how does it change that meaning. I like that idea.
Michelle: Right. Right
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), so what are the two verbs today, Michelle that we are going to
talk about?
Michelle: We are talking about “listen” and “look”.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), awesome. Two very good useful.
Michelle: Your senses.
Lindsay: Kind of action words, two senses, yeah (yes), “listen” and “look”, very
useful. I’m imaging being at a barbeque and someone is playing a football
game, a little game of pick up football and the football is heading for my
nose. AHH!

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Michelle: UH OH!
Lindsay: What would I say in that case? I’d say “Look?”
Michelle: “Look out!”
Lindsay: “Look out!” [laughter] Good exactly. So let’s go through it so “listen”

obviously our listeners know what the verb “listen” means but when we
change it to “listen up” how does it change it?
Michelle: Mhh hhm. When you change it to “listen up”, it kind of becomes more
casual, right, like so if you’re like “Hey, listen up” like I might say that to
my students, right, to a group of people.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), exactly. Exactly. There is such a nuanced difference and this is
exactly what our listeners are ready for at their level. You know if you’re
in front of your class and you say “Listen!” or you say “Hey guys, listen
up!” right what’s the difference? What’s the feeling?
Michelle: If I say “Listen!” it sounds very serious, right. Actually
Lindsay: Very stern.
Michelle: I think we’ve done an episode about the word, “listen” haven’t we?
Lindsay: We have done a few episodes about “look”, “listen”, yeah (yes) last fall.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), so guys take a “listen” and “listen up” to those. [laughter] Yeah
(Yes), I don’t think I would say to my students like “Listen, this is what we
are doing”, you know. I would probably, “Hey guys, listen up. Alright
today we’re talking about “, right?
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes) but maybe if they pushed you, maybe if they made you angry.
Michelle: [laughter]
Lindsay: You know sometimes that could happen, right, if you’re really angry like if
someone pushes me and they bother me or they keep asking me
questions, I might put my foot down and say “Listen! This is the deal”,
right.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes).

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Lindsay: Right, “this is the way it’s going to be”.
Michelle: Exactly.
Lindsay: Okay. But most of the time, I think you and I are both friendly people.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). [laughter]
Lindsay: So we might start with the more friendly way by saying “Listen up”, right.
Lindsay: “Listen up”, it’s quite different. It’s nuanced but it is quite different so the
point of today’s episode, guys, is very simple. We want you to start to
notice these very subtle differences. M’kay (okay)?
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
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[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Okay, so what’s the second pair of verbs and phrasal verbs?
Michelle: The second one is “look”.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), “look”.
Michelle: “Look out”, right, like Lindsay’s example about the football coming at her.
Lindsay: Exactly. Guys, if you can envision that, right, you’re in Central Park, New
York City and you’re over in the corner of, what’s it called, Sheep’s

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Meadow, is that what’s it called, Michelle? Sheep’s Meadow have you

been there in New York? It’s so famous.
Michelle: No, I’ve never been there.
Lindsay: What do you do in New York, Michelle? [laughter]
Michelle: Oh, you know this and that. [laughter]
Lindsay: Hang out on the subway, no. [laughter] That’s okay. That’s okay. So one
of the fields, beautiful fields out in New York, you know, they have
barbeques. You’re having a barbeque and there is a pick up football game
over to your right and all of a sudden here comes the football. (Sound
effect)
Michelle: Uh oh!
Lindsay: It’s coming for your head and the person that just threw the football
screams at you and they say, ”Look out!”
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: Right. Be careful, watch out. Move your head. It basically says cover your
head, right. [laughter]
Michelle: Right. Right. Or even like you know even if you’re walking and you are
going to trip over something like “Look out there’s something”.
Lindsay: Exactly.
Michelle: I mean you could also say “watch out”.
Lindsay: “Watch out”, good. So “watch” and “watch out” would be two words that
we could use, well switch in here meaning very similar things, right?
Michelle: Right. Right.
Lindsay: Good, okay. Let’s jump right into the conversation because especially
when it comes to phrasal verbs, we really want our listeners to see how
these are used in conversations.

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Michelle: Right, I’m also thinking “Look out” could be like be aware of something,
right.
Lindsay: Mhh hhm.
Michelle: “Look out for …” like you know pick pockets or something.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), yeah (yes) for sure. Be careful.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes) but that’s a little bit different. Sorry, I got excited.
Lindsay: [Laughter] That’s okay. It’s good to get excited. It’s okay. It’s all good.
Michelle: That’s a little different. Anyway.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes) and our listeners are going to notice that also guys you’re going
to see a few bonus phrasal verbs that we’ll explain after we go through
these, you know after we talk about how we are using the main phrasal
verbs from today.
Lindsay: So we have a lot to be excited about here with conversation.
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: [Laughter] Here we go, I’m ready. Are you ready, Michelle?
Michelle: I’m ready.
Lindsay: Hey, did you call to confirm the reservation for the brunch on Sunday?
Michelle: No, you didn’t hear, it got called off.
Lindsay: What? Why?
Michelle: “Listen” I really enjoy our professors and everything but I don’t think any
of us feel like hanging out with them on the weekend.
Lindsay: “Come on” Michelle, it’s time to grow up. The professors at our school
could make great mentors if you just sit down and chat with them.
Michelle: Well, I’m not “looking out” for any new mentors.

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Lindsay: Whoa, “look out” there is a car coming!
Michelle: [laughter] Oh boy!
Lindsay: [laughter] Michelle, “look out” there’s a car coming over there so in that
case you just moved away.
Lindsay: So let’s go and have a coffee and talk about it. The traffic is crazy right
now.
Michelle: Thanks for warning me Lindsay.
Lindsay: I know that wasn’t the best acting on my part in that case.
Michelle: No, I was – me too. I don't know [laughter] I don't think we’re going to get
any Oscars for our acting.
Lindsay: Our acting, we’ll do better next time.
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: But actually the intonation that I should have used would be “Whoa look
out!”, right, there’s a car coming. Okay. So clearly our listeners can see
how we went from – Michelle you said well my not “looking out” for any
new mentors and then in the second part the word completely changed
where I said “look out!” right?
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: It completely changes the meaning.
Michelle: Right, right, exactly.
Lindsay: And how about the other pair of phrasal verbs in this – a verb and a
phrasal verb in this conversation, Michelle?
Michelle: So we spoke about “look” and now we are at “listen”.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), “listen” but we actually didn’t include “listen up” in this
conversation.

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Michelle: Oh no!
Lindsay: Very nice. Very well done. [laughter]
Michelle: That’s okay.
Lindsay: How did you use “listen” in this one, Michelle?
Michelle: I said “Listen, I really enjoy our professors and everything but I don’t think
any of us feel like hanging out with them on the weekend.” So that is just
kind of me saying my opinion and yeah (yes), I don’t think I would say
“listen up, I really enjoy our professors.”
Lindsay: No well.
Michelle: It’s really like we said, it’s more for a group.
Lindsay: That’s it. That’s what I was thinking too, exactly so the reason why it
would be strange if you said “listen up, I really enjoy hanging out – I don’t
want to hang out with our professors is cuz (because) I’m just one person,
right?
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: We’re speaking one on one.
Lindsay: So.
Michelle: I think “listen up” is talking to maybe yeah (yes) the students or a tour
group like if somebody is taking a tour and it’s a group and the tour guide
might say “listen up everybody, now” you’re gathering everybody together
in front of a site or something like that you want to explain something.
Lindsay: Exactly or these professors that we’re talking about maybe they go into
class on Monday morning and they stand in front of the class and they say
“listen up, guys here is your homework for next week”, right?
Michelle: Right.

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Lindsay: So good, okay, okay. So hopefully that makes it clear what the difference
is between this “listen” and “listen up” for you, guys. I really want you
guys to start experimenting with these phrasal verbs. The only way to get
comfortable with phrasal verbs is to just start to use them, okay? You
don’t need a whole dictionary of phrasal verbs, don’t memorize a list of
100 of them just take these two, “listen up” and “look out” and start
finding situations to use them in and then they will become more natural.
Michelle: Right, exactly. Yeah (Yes), good tip Lindsay.
Lindsay: Thank you. [laughter] So we had a couple of bonuses there, right. So at

first I said “Hey did you call to confirm the reservation?” and you said?
Michelle: I said, “No, you didn’t hear, it got called off.”
Lindsay: Okay. “Called off” so what does that mean? And that completely changes
the meaning, it doesn’t make it more casual and that is the theme of
today’s episode but it does change the meaning.
Michelle: It just changes, yeah (yes).
Lindsay: It does change it. How does it change it?
Michelle: It makes to “call off something” is to cancel.
Lindsay: Exactly. Exactly. So it’s completely different. Right, so I said, “Did you
call” did you make the phone call. “No, it got called off” it got cancelled so
that totally changes the meaning. Okay.
Michelle: Phrasal verbs are so, so tricky.
Lindsay: They’re so tricky, I know. I know. What about “grow” and “grow up”. In
this conversation, we used “grow up”. I said, “Come on, Michelle, it’s time
to grow up.” Okay. So how is that different from “grow”?
Michelle: Well like a plant “grows” or
Michelle: Your belly grows after Thanksgiving dinner. [laughter] Yeah (Yes) right.
Lindsay: Your waist line grows exactly. But usually it’s generally I think people.

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Lindsay: I think it’s generally people. We really don’t even say that about dogs. Do
you say that about dogs? “A dog is growing up.” Not really. Right?
Michelle: No, not really. No, I don’t think so. As much as we consider dogs people.
Lindsay: But in this case, this phrasal verb
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), I don’t think that I would say – my mom was talking the other
day about - I had a beagle and my mom said the other day she was telling
a story, she said, “Oh when he was a baby.” [laughter] It sounded so
funny. [laughter]
Lindsay: That’s so funny. I think this phrasal verb “grow up” has a kind of a human
element to it. Okay.
Michelle: Mhh hhm. Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: I think that is the key with “grow up”, guys, it’s when you’re talking about
something or someone who is human.
Michelle: Coming of age.
Lindsay: Coming of age, getting older, oh right I mean every time I go see my niece
up in New Hampshire, she looks like she has “grown up” because
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: She is – it’s incredible how fast she is growing. Okay?
Michelle: Right and in this situation you are- come on Michelle, it’s time to “grow
up” so you’re not even talking about like coming of age, you’re talking
about my personality. You know like…
Lindsay: Exactly.
Michelle: It’s time for us to be more mature.
Lindsay: “Grow up”. Right back in the 90s, teenagers would say that. “Grow up”
Michelle: “Grow up” [laughter] yeah (yes).

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Lindsay: That’s funny. I love that. [laughter] Okay. Awesome so you guys have got
a couple of bonuses there and then you got our two verbs and phrasal
verbs that become casual when you move the verb into a phrasal verb. So
guys I want you to listen to this episode again. I want you to come over to
AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts and get yourself the transcripts so that you
can start to get serious about using these phrasal verbs, right. It’s great to
just listen to this episode but your next step is to really understand how to
use them and start experimenting with them. Okay?
Michelle: For sure.
Lindsay: Okay, good. Okay Michelle, I will see you back here very soon. Have a
good day.
Michelle: You too Lindsay, bye, bye.
Lindsay: Bah Bye.
Announcer: Thanks so much for listening to All Ears English and if you need a seven or
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AEE Episode 491: A Three Step Framework For Succeeding On The

Speaking Part Of The TOEFL Exam
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast, Episode 491: “A Three Step Framework
for Succeeding on the Speaking Part of the TOEFL Exam”
[Instrumental]
million times. We believe in Connection NOT Perfection with your
York City, USA.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: And to instantly download your transcript from today’s episode go to

[Instrumental]

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Announcer: Today, you’ll get three crucial tips for acing both the speaking part of the
TOEFL and English conversation in your everyday life from our guest Vicky.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Today, we have a special guest on the show. Our guest today is one of the
most popular teachers on italki. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Education
and a Master’s in Education. She was a full-time teacher in the public
schools for eleven years and after that she became an online teacher and
has been teaching for two and half years on italki. She has an
endorsement to teach ESL to students from other countries and she is also
a specialist in reading. She is also learning Chinese and Spanish. Our guest
today is Vicky Rivera. Let’s meet Vicky.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Hey Vicky, welcome to All Ears English. How are you?
Vicky: Thank you Lindsay, I’m so excited to be here.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), thank you so much for joining us. You are famous on italki. I
found you on italki.
Vicky: Ohh.
Lindsay: And you have quite a profile of amazing reviews from students. You have
been on there for a couple of years. How did you get into teaching ESL
and TOEFL, Vicky?
Vicky: Oh gosh, I’ve been a teacher for eleven years in the public schools. I
taught first grade, kindergarten, second grade and I got my ESL
endorsement. I’ve got my Master’s in Education. So I just love teaching,
Lindsay. I just love teaching.
Lindsay: That’s great. I can tell. I can tell that you’re really happy as a teacher and
we like that, you know. It’s always great for our listeners to be able to
work with teachers who really love what they are doing because that
really shows up in your work as a teacher.

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Vicky: Yes, and I think it shows up with the student too. I think students really
want a good teacher.
Lindsay: Oh yeah (yes), absolutely. And so why did you decide to focus in on
TOEFL? What does that mean for you in terms of why do you focus on
TOEFL as a teacher?
Vicky: Well, I think I focus on TOEFL because so many students need to get into
our country to go and get their Masters or PhD but they really, really
struggle with the language and they really struggle with the speaking
because in their countries listening and speaking is just not focused on
that much. They do reading and writing but they just don’t have the time
to practice for listening and speaking. And so they really score low on the
speaking portion of the TOEFL test. So I usually just really try to help them
focus and not be so worried on that test and just try to – just kind stay to
the point whenever they are speaking and answering the questions
because they get so nervous and I understand that as a teacher.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), there’s a lot riding on that exam, right. We have dreams and
visions for our futures and if we don’t get the score we need, I mean we
can’t move forward with our lives so that’s a big deal. So that’s great that
you’re in that field and helping students out with that so that’s why we
had you on today, Vicky. We are looking forward to hearing from you
three tips for how our listeners if they are taking the TOEFL exam. You
know we don’t do much here at All Ears English with TOEFL, we do a lot of
stuff with IELTS but not as much with TOEFL so we are excited to hear
from you what your top three tips are, Vicky, for how our listeners can
take control of their TOEFL score.
Vicky: Well first of all whenever the tester or the computer when they are taking
the test asks them a question, the first thing that they need to do is turn
that question immediately into a statement.
Lindsay: Okay. Okay.
Vicky: Then the next thing that they need to do, Lindsay, is they need only use
the words in the question to make the statement. Then the next tip is that

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they need to use then three details to explain the statement that they
made and I just want to give an example real quick.
Lindsay: Okay.
Vicky: So if the computer or the tester asks them, “Would you rather have a dog
or a cat and why?” They would say, “I would rather have a dog because
….” Then after that they would give three reasons why they made that
statement. But they only use the words in their question and that way
they can stick with the main idea. The tester knows that the student
understood their question and they will get more points because of that.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes). So this is great. We really like frameworks here at All Ears
English and for IELTS we do a lot of different frameworks, you know three
step systems and ways that students can kind of root their learning to
really walk into the exam with that foundation. You said that this
particular speaking TOEFL question is only 60 seconds? Is that right?
Vicky: Well, some are 45 seconds and some are 60 seconds but one part of the
TOEFL that can be really, really difficult, Lindsay, is that they will
sometimes will get to read a passage.
Lindsay: Mhh hhm.
Vicky: And then after that they will hear a lecture from a professor.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), mhh hhm.
Vicky: And then what they have to do is, is that they will get a question after that
and they have to take information from that passage
Lindsay: Right
Vicky: And then from the lecture.
Vicky: And then they have to answer that question. It is so difficult for them. But
this way if they focus on these three tips that I’ve given them today that
question will be simple for them.

19
Lindsay: Okay, so these three tips actually apply for any kind of speaking question,
is that right? Across the entire TOEFL exam?
Vicky: Across the entire TOEFL exam and also even in conversational. Even in
everyday speaking.
Lindsay: Hhm.
Vicky: Whenever someone asks them a question. This is how they can answer
and they can feel confident whenever they do that.
Lindsay: Oh, I like that. So this does indeed carry over into our conversational skills
but just to go back to the TOEFL real quick. So how does this framework,
you know for example, repeating the words that were in the question or
turning the question into a statement, how does this- these actions, how
do they affect the score for the student? Like how are they in the scoring
system? You know for example, I know in the IELTS exam different aspects
of the speaking test are scored like your vocabulary is one piece, right. So
in TOEFL how does it affect your score if we do this?
Vicky: In the TOEFL, the main idea is the most important. They get the most
points if they can focus on that main idea and talk about it.
Lindsay: Okay.
Vicky: Some students don’t understand English well enough so when they are
asked a question, they really don’t know what the main idea is. In my
question as an example that I gave you I talked about pets like a cat or a
dog.
Lindsay: Mhh hhm.
Vicky: But some students will start to be very wordy and talk about other things.
Lindsay: Okay.
Vicky: The tester will think that they didn’t understand the question and they will
get marked very low because of that. If they take that question and use
only the words in that question then they can make their topic sentence

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which is basically the main idea what they have to talk about and it’s
easier, Lindsay.
Lindsay: Okay, this prevents us from veering off into other dangerous directions
where we may start to lose.
Vicky: You’re correct. You know what some students will start talking about if
you give them a question like this, they don’t have enough knowledge
about English so they might be talking about popcorn so immediately they
are going to be getting a lower score.
Lindsay: Oh.
Vicky: So this way, this makes it easy for the student because they know, okay
the test was talking about cats and dogs. I have to answer very quickly
about that. He knows that I know what he is talking about and when they
do that. They will get higher points. That very, very first sentence, that
statement that they make that’s going to give them a lot of points.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Hey guys, we are now offering transcripts. The transcripts are back and
you can download this entire week of transcripts immediately, if you go to
AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts490. See you there.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Okay, I like it. I like it. I also like how you’ve shown us that certain skills
when we develop them in preparation for the TOEFL can actually carry
over into our conversation lives, right when we are having conversations in
everyday life. Is there anything else that we can learn from TOEFL prep
that we can carry over to become a better communicator, I mean after we
pass the exam in our lives?
Vicky: Well, I know I think if you can get these types of skills where you know
how to answer questions quickly. You won’t have to think so much and
you won’t have like umm this delay were you’re just thinking what should I
say, what should I say. You know the person wants to talk about cats or

21
dogs so you go ahead and you immediately start to talk with them about
that.
Lindsay: Hmm
Vicky: So and oh Lindsay I wanted to tell you. This also can help a lot with the
writing on the TOEFL.
Lindsay: Okay how so?
Vicky: You can use this same format or this same idea on the writing. So
whenever they ask you a question to write about, you immediately go
ahead and you use all of the words in that question and then you make
your statement and then you begin your writing. So it really is good in so
many different areas.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), I like that. I’m also thinking that in the speaking piece not just
well – both on the TOEFL exam and in conversation. It also gives us a little
time to think. Right because there is a little bit of space that’s being filled
up instead of saying umm, umm I like dogs blah blah blah. We are actually
taking time to repeat the question back and I think that makes sense
because we have those words going on and then we can think about what
are answer is.
Vicky: Lindsay, it’s interesting that you said that because this is exactly why I
teach them this method, you know why? They have time to think about
their details.
Vicky: Because basically they are paraphrasing that question and then at the
same time they are not having to think about the statement that they are
making. They are thinking ahead of time. They are thinking to the three
details that they have really got to talk about.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), I think that is really smart. That’s really smart. Excellent. I
love it.
Vicky: Lindsay, they only have 45 to 60 seconds and I tell them the time goes fast.
You’ve got to be able to get through because a lot of the students get cut

22
off after their second detail. They lose a lot of points; they lose 50% of
their points.
Lindsay: Oh.
Vicky: They can’t do that. This test is too important for them.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes). Yeah (Yes). Absolutely. Do you have any specific success
stories like people that you have worked with that have really been able to
kind of push their TOEFL score up as a result of working through and using
these frameworks?
Vicky: Well, you know what, I do. I have so many students that come to me after
they have – they first come to me after they have failed the test seven or
eight times.
Lindsay: Oh.
Vicky: After they use this – after they use this whole format, they pass it. I am so
excited.
Lindsay: [laughter]
Vicky: I have so many students like that. That’s why I teach the TOEFL because I
see so much success with this system and then after they use – of course I
don’t have enough time to give you the rest of everything but I give them
other secrets to the test and before they know it, they are here in my
country and they are able to take their Master’s or PhD without a
problem.
Lindsay: Oh, I love that. I think that a lot of our listeners would like to learn more
about that. Guys so for our listeners, guys, if you’re struggling. Did you
say seven or eight times a lot of your students have taken it seven or eight
times by the time they come to you?
Vicky: Yes, students have taken it seven or eight times and when they come to
me they are desperate and they are almost – they are like teacher help
me. Teacher, help please. And so I do.
Lindsay: Okay.

23
Vicky: They can’t believe. They can’t believe it. [laughter]
Lindsay: Wow, so if you’ve taken the TOEFL exam over and over and over again and
it is just not working it’s time to change. You know we always say this on
our IELTS Energy podcast when we talk about the IELTS exam; the
definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and
expecting different results, right. So don’t keep trying to do this on your
own. Check out Vicky’s profile on italki and book a lesson with her. Right,
book a series of lessons and get to your target score. We want to
recommend that. So guys, you do have a chance today to book a lesson
with Vicky. Your first step to do that in order to get $10 off your second
lesson is to go back and work her for a second time, you can go to
AllEarsEnglish.com/italki and you want to register there to get that free
credit. Step two is to go to Vicky’s profile. So Vicky when our listeners are
over on italki how can they find you?
Vicky: When they are in italki, do you want me to say my website address?
Because it’s http://www.italki.com/?ref=1325204 and that will take them
right to my profile and they can book a class if they need to.
Lindsay: Okay, great and if they want to search for you. I’m not sure if the search
function works for specific people but let’s spell out your name actually.
Can you let us know how to spell out your name?
Vicky: Okay. Yes, it’s V as in victory. I C K Y and then Rivera is R I V as in victory E

R A.
Lindsay: Awesome well guys. I want to recommend that you go over there and get
started working with Vicky because the sooner that you get started the
sooner you can pass the TOEFL and move on with your life. Right? If you
have a vision that maybe next fall you want to be in a new country,
studying in a new institution, you need to get on that now. So we highly
recommend that. So Vicky thank you so much for coming on the show
today to share your framework. Very interesting and I love that you have
a system and a framework because we believe that is the key to test prep.
Vicky: It is the key, Lindsay. And thank you for having me. Have a great day.

24
Lindsay: [laughter] Thank so much Vicky. We’ll see you soon. You too.
Vicky: Bah Bye.
Lindsay: Goodbye.
get video one now at AllEarsEnglish.com/insider and if you believe in

25
AEE Episode 492: By The Time You Finish Episode You’ll Be An Expert
On This Key English Phrase
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast, Episode 492: “By the Time You Finish
this Episode You’ll be an Expert on this Key English Phrase”
[Instrumental]
million times. We believe in Connection NOT Perfection ™ with your
York City, USA.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: And to instantly download your transcript from today’s episode got to
[Instrumental]

26
Announcer: Today we answer Kate’s question about how to use “by the time” and
you’ll get three examples of how we use it in conversation.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Hey guys, the smartest way to find yourself a native tutor and get your
mistakes corrected so that you don’t keep making mistakes over and over
again is to find that tutor on italki. They have more than 400 tutors over
there, go to AllEarsEnglish.com/italki.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: Hey there Michelle, what’s shaking?
Michelle: Hey Lindsay, not too much, not too much. How are you?
Lindsay: I’m feeling pretty good today and I’m excited today to announce Michelle
something very exciting going on that we are bringing back the transcripts
to All Ears English, right Michelle?
Michelle: Alright, what is it? Oh wait, oh wait. You just said it. Oh my gosh.
[laughter]
Lindsay: [laughter]
Michelle: Oh my goodness.
Lindsay: Anybody home there? Anybody home?
Michelle: What is this, so silly.
Lindsay: Anybody home?
Michelle: Really. I don't know.
Lindsay: That’s it Michelle, we are bringing back the transcripts, guys. We used to
do transcripts for every episode up to episode 200 about 200 and then we
stopped and now are going to start doing them again because a lot of you
guys have asked for them. So if you guys want to get a transcript from
today or from any other day this week, you can go to
AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts, with an “s” on the end and go ahead and
buy the transcript for the particular week that you want. Okay guys.

27
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: So you’ll get to read every word that we say in today’s show. Very cool.
Michelle: Yes. I got so excited about you announcing the transcript that I was so
excited to ask what it was that I totally missed it. Oh gosh.
Lindsay: You didn’t even listen. Gosh [laughter]
Michelle: Listen, yeah (yes).
Lindsay: Listen Michelle listen. Okay, it’s cool. That’s okay, Michelle. I mean today
Michelle, we actually have a question from Kate from Thailand, one of our
loyal awesome listeners. Michelle could you read Kate’s question and
we’ll go ahead and we’ll try to answer it for her the best we can.
Michelle: Yes. Here we go. “Greetings from Thailand. I’m Kate. My English skills are
not too good.” Ahhh Umm. “You both are my inspiration to learn an
American accent.” That’s so sweet. “I love your voice.” Ahh. “It makes
me feel excited every time that I have listened to your podcast.”
Lindsay: Ahh.
Michelle: “Finally I have some grammar to ask you both. How do you use “by the
time” in spoken and written English? I hope to hear your answer in the
podcast soon.” Wow, thank you so much Kate. And today is your lucky
day.
Lindsay: Today is your lucky day Kate. Your question has been chosen to be
answered on this show. (sound effect) Exciting!
Michelle: Yay! [laughter]
Lindsay: [laughter]
Michelle: Thanks for the question.
Lindsay: Thank you for those nice words about our show too.
Michelle: Really that is so sweet.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), we really appreciate that.

28
Michelle: It really does mean a lot. I mean I can’t explain it enough, yeah (yes).
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), that’s right, that’s right. Kate please go ahead and share this
show with your friends in Thailand, you know if your friends are bored
with textbooks bring them to All Ears English, change their lives. [laughter]
Michelle: Yes, yes, yes.
Lindsay: Okay, Kate, we are going to try to answer this question for you today. So
to break it down, we’re going to keep this as simple as we possibly can and
we are going to tell you guys what is actually really used in real life and
what is just used in textbooks, right?
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: Because that’s important. That’s something that your teachers don’t
normally tell you. So “by the time”, okay, so there are really three basic
situations where we would use “by the time”. Michelle, what’s the first
one? Let’s break it down.
Michelle: Okay, so the first one would be for something that happened on or before
a specific time that something else had occurred, oh God.
Lindsay: Oh, oh, oh.
Michelle: That sounds so confusing.
Lindsay: Let’s put it into an example. Yeah (Yes).
Michelle: Okay, for example, “By the time I got to work, I had already finished my
Starbucks coffee.”
Lindsay: Right exactly. And in my case, “By the time, I got to work, yesterday I had
already had five coffees.”
Lindsay: Not quite that many but I do drink a lot of coffee. Geez, I got to cut down.
So.
Michelle: Right, right, right.

29
Lindsay: Anyways, another example, Michelle, also teaches for a few other places
so Michelle, you were already working this morning before you started
working me today, recording.
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: So “By the time, we started recording today, Michelle had already taught
for two hours.”
Michelle: That’s exactly right.
Lindsay: So hopefully our listeners are seeing that we don’t exactly care when we
finished the coffee. We don’t exactly care when Michelle taught, the
important thing is that those two hours of teaching were finished.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). They are finished, they are over.
Lindsay: “By the time” right when we started recording.
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: Or when I started working my coffee was done. I finished my coffee.
Michelle: Right, right.
Lindsay: It was no later than the time I started work. M’kay (okay)? I wasn’t still
drinking my coffee, right?
Michelle: No.
Lindsay: So that’s the first situation and actually I want to go back to Kate’s
question, Michelle, because Kate asked about written and spoken forms of
this like you know what do you think – I mean do we write “by the time”
very much? I mean when would we actually write this?
Michelle: Hhm, that’s a good question. Um when would we write it.
Lindsay: Hhm. I think it’s kind of long to write.
Lindsay: You know I’m thinking about journaling, maybe in a diary where we are
kind of summarizing our day.

30
Michelle: I think maybe in a novel.
Lindsay: Maybe in a novel, yeah (yes). It could be in a novel. Um, of course you
could apply this in a business context but this phrase is really….
Lindsay: It’s not formal, it’s not casual.
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: It’s kind of both potentially it just depends on what exactly you’re saying.
Michelle: Right, that’s so true. Yeah (Yes) and we are going to go over some
different – some even more phrases.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes). So it could be written, it could be spoken and it could be

formal and it could be casual. It’s really the words you put around it,
right?
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), exactly.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Hey guys, yesterday you met Vicky Rivera who is one of the most popular
teachers on italki with a ton of good student reviews. If you want to try to
find your way into her schedule to get help personally from Vicky, you can
still do that if you go to AllEarsEnglish.com/italki. Register there and you’ll
get $10 off your second lesson when you sign up for one lesson with Vicky.
So go to AllEarsEnglish.com/italki.
[Instrumental]
Lindsay: So let’s go into this second situation, Michelle, for Kate here and for our
other listeners where we use “by the time”. What is that second
situation?
Michelle: Okay, the second one is where it can be used to envision the future and
your expected accomplishments. Right?
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes). Good. So an example is “By the time, I’m 35, I will have met
the love my life.” Right?

31
Michelle: Nice.
Lindsay: Oh big ambition.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), so “by that time” we don’t care when again we don’t care
when we are going to meet the person. It could be tomorrow, could be
the day before we turn 35 but “by the time” we turn 35, I will have already
met that person. M’kay (okay)?
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), exactly. Yeah (Yes).
Lindsay: What’s another example? You’re going to India soon.
Michelle: Right, right. So “by the time” I talk to you next Lindsay, I will have already
traveled to India.
Lindsay: That’s right. That’s right and you’ll have some stories to tell us, to share
with us.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). So you could say, you could say, “By the time” I see you next,
you will have traveled to India. That’s just another way to put it.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), so this is kind of a fun little exercise, you know, I think a lot of
ESL teachers when they try to teach you this. They will have you envision
your future and I might use this in casual conversation when I talk about
my future, you know like vision boarding, right? We make a vision board.
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: But I just feel like in this context the “by the time” is not super common.
You know it’s not used that that much. What do you think?
Lindsay: Do you disagree? I don't know.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), no I see what you’re saying. I – I, yeah (yes) I don’t think that
it’s used that often.

32
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), exactly. But it’s good to have and good to know and since Kate
asked for it today, we’re going to show her how to use it. So okay that’s
the second way we use it. Kate when we talk about – we want to envision
our future and if you haven’t made a vision board, I highly recommend it.
Lindsay: Do you have a vision board, Michelle?
Michelle: I don’t but it’s always something that I’m thinking about doing. I think that
it would be really cool.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), I have two vision boards, one that’s half finished because
there’s a lot of white space for a future visions and one that is completely
finished. So very exciting to make a vision board.
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: Okay. Number three, what’s the third situation where we use “by the
time”?
Michelle: Okay, so the third situation is ahh basically ahh if we don’t know - wait
sorry let me start with an example. So …
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), start with an example.
Michelle: “By the time you get home, dinner will be ready.”
Michelle: So here we don’t know exactly when dinner will be completed but we do
know that it will be ready, done on or before the time that you get home,
right?
Lindsay: Exactly. So again it doesn’t matter when that dinner finishes, just comes
out of the oven but it will be ready and there will be a certain condition
existing by the time something else happens. M’kay (okay)?
Michelle: Mhh hhm.

33
Lindsay: So this is a little bit different from the first two situations. Another
example is “By the time I see you next, you will be already married.”
Right?
Michelle: Right. If you have a friend who is getting married and yeah (yes), exactly.
Yeah (Yes). That I could see someone saying.
Lindsay: Oh yeah (yes), that in this context it is used a bit for like I don't know
talking about things that are exciting that are coming up. Oh by next
Thursday, you’ll already be married.
Michelle: Right. Oh.
Lindsay: “By the time” I see you next, you’ll be …., yeah (yes). You’ll have a new job
or …
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: Or just talking about some exciting milestones.
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: You could have that kind of conversation with a friend. That makes sense,
Michelle.
Lindsay: Okay, so Michelle let’s put these into a conversation here and then break
it down a little bit. Are you ready?
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: Okay, so Michelle what do you envision in your life for the next ten years?
Michelle: [laughter] Oh, well I don't know about the next ten years but I mean “by
the time” I turn 35, I will be living in my own home not renting anymore.
Lindsay: Oh that sounds great. What else?
Michelle: Well, I think that “by the time” I’m 35, I will have been to Thailand also to
visit my friend Kate who submitted this question.

34
Lindsay: [laughter] Oh, very nice, very nice. And Kate will show you around
Thailand. That sounds like fun.
Michelle: Okay Kate, sounds good.
Lindsay: Have you ever been to Thailand, Michelle?
Michelle: No, I would love to go though so hopefully.
Lindsay: It’s fun.
Michelle: In – sometime soon. Yeah (Yes), have you been?
Lindsay: I have been to Thailand. I went there in 2006; it was very cool, very cool
Michelle: Ah, that’s awesome.
Lindsay: Very cool, good times. I was there for Songkran actually, the water
festival.
Michelle: Ooh.
Lindsay: That our listeners from Thailand will know about. It was very fun. The
whole city of Chiang Mai just turned into one big water fight.
Michelle: Oh my G.. oh that’s awesome.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), it was really great.
Michelle: Wow. Yeah (Yes). So what about you, Lindsay, for the next 10 years or so?
Lindsay: I don't know Michelle; I mean really I’m just focused on one day at a time.
You know maybe one week at a time. So “by the time” Monday, “by the
time” Monday rolls around I’ll be ready to take on another week.
[laughter]
Michelle: Right [laughter] Nice, nice.
Lindsay: Oh boy.
Michelle: That sounds great.
Lindsay: That sounds great, live in the moment. Live in the moment.

35
Michelle: So yeah (yes), we used “by the time” a lot here should we review it?
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), let’s recap. Let’s recap. Where did we use it first?
Michelle: Well, I said “By the time” I turn 35, I will be living on my own – in my own
home not renting anymore.
Lindsay: Yup so that was that third situation that we talked about right? “By the
time you get home, the dinner will be ready.” M’kay (okay)?
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: Same kind of situation. Okay, and then what else? So you said..
Michelle: You asked me [inaudible0:12:52.0] I said I will have been to Thailand to

visit my friend, Kate.
Lindsay: Good so again, going back to the “by the time” you could have put and you
did, you inserted “by the time” I turn 35 I will have been to Japan also.
Right.
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: Okay. Or Thailand sorry not Japan, Thailand.
Lindsay: Okay [laughter]
Michelle: Got excited.
Lindsay: And then I said “by the time” Monday rolls around I will be ready to take
on another week. So that’s again similar to our third example. M’kay
(okay)? So guys, the point is again, listen to native English as much as you
possibly can so that you hear natives using this. You won’t here it too too
often, right.
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: We did an episode on “actually” and that word you will hear all of the
time.
Michelle: Yes.

36
Lindsay: You will hear that word ten times an hour from everyone. [laughter]
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). I completely agree.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), it’s very common. But this is an example of something that
you may not hear as much so for that reason, you don’t need to freak out
about it. Right, we are going for Connection NOT Perfection ™.
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: So we don’t need to necessarily be perfect in being able to use these

phrases but if you hear it try to mirror back, understand how they use it
and try to use it in your own way, in a similar context the next time you get
a chance to.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), yeah (yes), for sure.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), good. Okay. Alright guys so if you’re looking for a transcript
from today’s episode to really dig in and focus on it, you can get that
transcript if you go to AllEarsEnglish.com/492 so go on over there, get it –
no sorry. AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts and if you want to come back to
our blog and leave us a message go to AllEarsEnglish.com type 492 in the
search bar and ask us a question or give us your example. M’kay (okay).
Alright Michelle, we are out for now.
Michelle: Okay Lindsay, alright. Have a good one.
Lindsay: Alright, talk to you soon.
Michelle: Bye.
Lindsay: Bye.
[Instrumental]

37

38
AEE Episode 493: Six Easy and Breezy Ways To Invite Someone In A
Low Pressure Way in English
Announcer: This is an All Ears English Podcast, Episode 493: “Six Easy and Breezy Ways
to Invite Someone in a Low Pressure Way in English”
[Instrumental]
million times. We believe in Connection NOT Perfection™ with your
York City, USA.
[Instrumental]
Announcer: And to instantly download your transcript from today’s episode got to
[Instrumental]

39
Announcer: When you invite someone to join you for a day of hiking or a trip to the
beach, you might want to do it in a way that doesn’t put pressure on
them. Today find out how to do this in English.
[Instrumental]
Michelle: Hey Lindsay. How are you?
Lindsay: Hey there Michelle, I’m doing pretty well today. You? Are you chilly in
your apartment there?
Michelle: I am, I’m wrapped in a blanket. [laughter]
Lindsay: Oh my gosh. It’s winter.
Michelle: [Laughter] It’s cold. How about you?
Lindsay: Well, I’m good. Michelle, I bet you would like to just suggest a day at the
beach with your friends, right? Just suggest that activity like “Hey, why
don’t we jump on a plane and go to Florida?”
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), that sounds like a good activity. Yeah (Yes), I would like to
casually suggest that, yeah (yes).
Lindsay: This would actually be an ideal time to go to Florida. To get on a plane and
go to a beach or any kind of island place. You know what I mean, tropical
island.
Michelle: Yes, yes.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), it’s mid-winter here.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). I’m noticing that the days are already light and much longer
which I already said in another episode but it’s so true like it makes such a
difference.
Lindsay: It does make a difference. That’s true. So that helps a lot but um. So
Michelle what are we talking about today?
Michelle: Well, we are talking about just that. How to casually suggest an activity
with a group of friends but before we get into that let’s talk about

40
something that is super exciting that’s is happening with All Ears English.
What is that Lindsay?
Lindsay: Well that exciting thing is we’re doing a throwback to the older days of All
Ears English when we used to do the transcripts. We used to offer
transcripts, guys, for every episode and those are back. So we are now
offering them again. Again if you guys – if you buy the transcripts we will
keep offering them. So if you want transcripts, we want you to go on over
to AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts so that is T R A N S C R I P T S.
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: Go ahead and grab your transcript from this week or from any other
weeks that you want. We’ll keep doing that as long as you guys are
interested in those. Right?
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). This reminds me, I don't know why, [laughter] oh I’m so funny.
I’m so weird. Do you remember that song Sexy Back, Justin Timberlake?
Lindsay: I don't remember that.
Michelle: Oh Lindsay. [laughter] Well there is a song Justin Timberlake gets “I’m
bringing sexy back” so we’re bringing transcripts back. [laughter]
Lindsay: Oh transcripts back.
Michelle: Yup, we can do a whole parody right?
Lindsay: I love that that’s so cool. Justin Timberlake, oh man what a trip. Ahhh.
[laughter]
Michelle: Anyways so, cool, so. Um. You know a lot of times when we learn
textbook English, we can learn phrases that are a little bit formal or you
know not necessarily things that you might say to your friends in everyday
life. Right, Lindsay?
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), I think it’s important to know the phrases that we could say to
our friends in everyday life.
Michelle: Right and it’s not that other phrase are wrong or bad or anything. It’s just
that sometime they might not be appropriate depending on who you’re

41
talking to, right. So if you are always saying to your friend like “Would you
like”
Lindsay: Would you like [laughter]
Michelle: “Would you like to go to a beach in Florida with me?” Right.
Lindsay: [Laughter]
Michelle: It sounds a little bit formal and here at All Ears English we really want to
focus on what are the ways to sound more I don't know more anything.
To convey a certain emotion, right. In this situation, we want to talk about
how to sound more casual and breezy, right?
Lindsay: Casual and breezy is the theme of today.
Michelle: Yes.
Lindsay: The opposite of that Michelle, you gave a good example and it is “Would
you like to do something?” That is the opposite of casual and breezy.
Another example that we’ve done an episode on why you should not say
“Do you wish” or “I wish to do something” or something like that, a lot of
people make the mistake of saying “I wish or do you wish to do this”.
Michelle: Right
Lindsay: Very bad in this situation guys. [laughter] Just don’t use it.
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: So these phrases are really good alternatives to those very formal ways of
inviting someone to do something.
Lindsay: So breezy what does that mean?
Michelle: Breezy is like relaxed, cool, really calm, makes me think of a Cover Girl
commercial.
Lindsay: “Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Cover Girl” right?
Michelle: Yes, exactly.

42
Lindsay: That is there theme.
Michelle: There’s also a “Friends” episode where they use the word breezy and it’s
very funny.
Lindsay: Breezy, I like it because to me the word breezy conveys a sense of not
being attached to an outcome.
Lindsay: It’s kind of like I don’t really care, it’s kind of cool.
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: Because you don’t totally like if they say
Michelle: Whatevs (Whatever)
Lindsay: They’re busy. You don’t care. Whatevs (Whatever), yeah (yes) exactly.
Lindsay: You really don’t care but you do want to show that hey you do want to do
something with your friends so this may be good for people that you’re
just trying to get to know, right?
Michelle: Exactly
Lindsay: You don’t want to come on too strong. Maybe for someone you’re dating
in the early stages of dating even.
Michelle: Mmm, that’s true.
Michelle: Right, yeah (yes), maybe this – these are some phrases that are good when
you want to invite one friend out or a group of friends, right and the key is
that they don’t put too much pressure on the person because if you ask
somebody to do something in a certain way. They may feel obligated or
tied down like they have to tell you and write it in the calendar, right?
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes). Exactly, it’s all about the way we ask these questions. It all
goes back to connection. Right that is our theme on this show.

43
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: And if we can use these phrases strategically we can not put that pressure
on potentially these new people that we are trying to get to know, right?
Michelle: Exactly. Yeah (Yes).
[Instrumental]
Announcer: Hey guys, you are learning a great skill which is how to invite someone in a
very non-intrusive way in English. This is similar to the skills that make you
charismatic that we teach you in the Charismatic Connector our newest,
advanced online course. To get your free charisma master class, to get
started with our strategies, go to AllEarsEnglish.com/charisma to
download the video for free now. See you there.
[Instrumental]
Michelle: So let’s get into it, Lindsay. Can you give us the first one?
Lindsay: Okay, sure Michelle, absolutely. “Hey, how about some hiking this
weekend?” Now I’m imagining this being written in a text message and
the reason that I thought of this was I actually – I sent a message like this
to a couple of friends of mine last week. I was trying to organize a hiking
day and we did go out hiking last Sunday. It was a beautiful day but it was
very spontaneous and I was very breezy in my invitation. I was like I would
like to see these guys because I haven’t seen them in a month and maybe
they have free time on the weekend on Sunday but maybe not so I’ll just
throw it out there. Right? Throw it out there. Okay?
Michelle: Mmm. I like that. Yeah (Yes). That’s great.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes). Okay. So what’s another one? So that one again is “How
about some hiking this weekend?”, right?
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). Okay another one could be “Anyone up for getting some ice
cream on Sunday?” or “Is anyone up for getting some ice cream on
Sunday?”

44
Lindsay: Good. Again we can insert anything we want there “getting some drinks”
or “getting some dinner” or “seeing a movie”, right anything we want
“playing mini golf”. It doesn’t matter what the activity is.
Lindsay: Okay.
Michelle: Right. Good, what’s the next one, Lindsay?
Lindsay: Well, this one is kind of interesting cuz (because) it’s a little bit forward in
the beginning and then it gets a little bit more, a little less intrusive so it
says “Let’s go mountain biking on Friday? What do you say?”
Michelle: Ahh.
Lindsay: Right?
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), “Let’s” it’s like Alright! Let’s do this! Let’s do it!
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes) it sounds like of fun, right. “Let’s do it, let’s go mountain
biking”. “What do you say- what do you think?”
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: Right?
Michelle: Perfect, yeah (yes). The “what do you say?” it’s like “what do you say?”
it’s – it’s – the “let’s” if you just left it at that that’s fine but you’re not
really asking the person what they think. [laughter]
Lindsay: That’s not so breezy.
Michelle: No, no, no. Yeah (Yes) and then the next one is “What do you think about
a weekend trip to the White Mountains?”
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), again. “What do you think about…” so this is kind of indirect.
It’s not directly inviting them but it is kind of inviting them.

45
Michelle: Right. [laughter] It’s like “I think a weekend in the White Mountains is
great”. “Are you coming? No” [laughter]
Lindsay: Right, they could do that.
Michelle: There’s an intention. There’s kind of an un-unspoken invitation in that.
Lindsay: For sure and then the last one is just “Do you want go see a concert?” This
is one is more neutral. It could be breezy maybe this one just depends on
your tone of voice, right, in terms of whether it’s breezy or whether it’s
intrusive and direct. So “do you want to go and see a concert next week?”
M’kay (okay).
Michelle: Or similar to the one where we said “Is anyone up for getting some ice
cream?”
Lindsay: Mhh hhm.
Michelle: You could also just say “Wanna (Do you want to) go see a concert?” right?
Lindsay: “Wanna (Do you want to) go” see.
Michelle: “Wanna (Do you want to) go see a concert?”
Lindsay: Ahhh
Michelle: That makes is sound casual in my opinion.
Lindsay: I like that so when we change “Do you want to go see” to “Wanna (Do you
want to) go see” a concert? It becomes more casual and a little bit less
attached to the outcome.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). So kind of like “Is anyone up for” but in a different way just
changing things slightly.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), it’s all about how we change our words. We dress up our
words depending on …
Michelle: Dress them up, dress them down. [laughter]
Lindsay: Dress them up or dress them down. Today we’re kind of dressing them
down, a little bit.

46
Lindsay: Okay.
Michelle: Alright Lindsay so I think we should do a little practice.
Lindsay: Let’s do it.
Michelle: Alright so here we go. Are you ready?
Lindsay: I’m ready.
Michelle: Okay, here we go. Hey Lindsay, how’s it going?
Lindsay: Not bad, Michelle and you?
Michelle: Great, yeah (yes). Hey “how about some hiking this weekend?”
Lindsay: Oh that could be good. I need to check my schedule and see but I think it
could work. Can I get back to you?
Michelle: Sure, no problem.
Lindsay: Okay, cool. [laughter]
Michelle: Perfect, yeah (yes). I got a little excited my intonation. I was “HEY how
about some hiking”.
Lindsay: [laughter]
Michelle: I think it would be more like great “Hey how about some hiking this
weekend?” that would probably be more natural then my sing-song
version.
Lindsay: No, that sounds good. I think it was, it was good. Again, here you used
“how about this” and it’s very – it’s non-intrusive, right?
Michelle: Right. Perfect.
Lindsay: That’s why it’s breezy. I like it, I like it. I don’t feel intruded upon.
Michelle: Good.
Lindsay: But I also feel like I’ve been invited.

47
Michelle: Very good.
Lindsay: You actually want to spend time with me, very strategic.
Michelle: Ahh, that’s good. That’s good. I’m glad – [laughter] I’m glad you got that
out of what I said.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes) [laughter]
Michelle: So why don’t we try another one Lindsay? Want to start us off?
Lindsay: I’m ready so here we go. “So hey Michelle what do you think about a
weekend at the beach?”
Michelle: Sure that sounds like a ton of fun. When were you thinking of leaving?
Lindsay: I’m thinking Friday afternoon.
Michelle: Okay cool, I’m in.
Lindsay: Ooo, “I’m in”
Michelle: “I’m in” yeah (yes). “I’m in” a special bonus expression from All Ears
English.
Lindsay: Yes, today we have a special bonus phrase for you guys and that is “I’m
in”.
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: Again how is this different from saying “I would like to join you” or “That
sounds good”, I mean what is this about this phrase “I’m in”?
Michelle: That’s very casual. It’s like “I’m going, I’m already there”, right?
Michelle: I’ve also heard “I’m game”.
Lindsay: “I’m game” yeah (yes) that’s good too. That’s good too.
Michelle: Yeah (Yes), “I’m game”
Lindsay: “I’m game”

48
Michelle: But I think that “I’m in” is more common, I think.
Lindsay: I think you’re right. I think that guys tend to say “I’m game” more often
but that is kind of my sense.
Michelle: Interesting, yeah (yes).
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). Cool so guys you can use “I’m in” or “I’m game” or whatever
you’d like. But also just going back to this how did you invite me Lindsay,
what did you say?
Lindsay: So yeah (yes) I did that question “What do you think about a weekend at
the beach?” you know so it clearly is an invitation.
Michelle: Mhh hhm.
Lindsay: Because you said yeah (yes) sure let’s go. Umm but again it’s not intrusive.
It’s not like “would you like to go the beach or can you go to the beach or
will you go to the beach, it’s what do you think about it”, right?
Michelle: Yeah (Yes). Yeah (Yes), exactly and it’s implied that you’re inviting me.
Lindsay: You know it’s so interesting to think about – well I guess it’s especially true
in relationships in early stages of relationship, it’s important the way we
invite someone because we don’t want to make them feel like they are
suffocating or like they’re obligated to join us, right?
Michelle: Right.
Lindsay: We just want to be a good option for them but not necessarily pressure
them into coming with us to do something. Yeah (Yes)?
Michelle: Right, right. Exactly but there’s – that’s a good topic. [laughter]
Lindsay: That’s a good topic so guys this is useful for friends you want to get to
know better, early stage dating, or even your friends if you know friends
are busy and you want to maintain a good relationship that beautiful
distance, you know the combination of being of letting them have their

49
freedom and being close to them at the same time then these breezy
phrases are useful. [laughter]
Michelle: Right, right. Exactly. Yeah (Yes). So yeah (yes) this is awesome guys and
definitely, you know, remember about the transcript if you want to hear
more about this. If you want to read along with what you’re listening to or
use it to practice, anything.
Lindsay: Yeah (Yes) so guys to get that transcript again go to

AllEarsEnglish.com/transcripts and you can always get yourself a native
conversation partner at italki to do that you want to register at
AllEarsEnglish.com/italki and we’ll send you $10 for your second lesson
over there. Alright. Thank you very much.
Michelle: Alright. Thank you this has been great, Lindsay.
Lindsay: Thank you Michelle. [laughter]
Michelle: Okay so guys thank you so much for listening and have a good one Lindsay
and I will talk to you soon.
Lindsay: See you soon, bye.
Michelle: Bah bye.
Connection NOT Perfection™ then subscribe to our show on your phone or
on your computer. See you next time.

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Announcer: And to instantly download your transcript from today’s episode go to

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: What’s up, Michelle?

Michelle: Thank you to Douglas Lopf from Brazil.

Michelle: And thank you to Kenta from Japan.

Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), and PPEJ from Taiwan.

Michelle: Yes, and thank you to Zaida76 from Turkey.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: You do have a fun laugh, Michelle. It’s true.

Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), an oldie but goodie, what’s that?

Lindsay: There is so much, that’s right, Michelle. We could actually do an entire

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Michelle: Whoa, yeah (yes)! My head is spinning. [laughter]

Lindsay: Yeah (Yes).

Michelle: Did I explain that correctly? Yeah (Yes). [laughter]

Michelle: Right. Right

Michelle: We are talking about “listen” and “look”.

Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), awesome. Two very good useful.

Michelle: Your senses.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: What would I say in that case? I’d say “Look?”

Michelle: “Look out!”

Lindsay: “Look out!” [laughter] Good exactly. So let’s go through it so “listen”

Michelle: If I say “Listen!” it sounds very serious, right. Actually

Lindsay: Very stern.

Michelle: Yeah (Yes).

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Right, “this is the way it’s going to be”.

Michelle: Yeah (Yes). [laughter]

Michelle: Yeah (Yes).

Michelle: Mhh hhm.

Michelle: The second one is “look”.

Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), “look”.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Meadow, is that what’s it called, Michelle? Sheep’s Meadow have you

Michelle: No, I’ve never been there.

Lindsay: What do you do in New York, Michelle? [laughter]

Michelle: Oh, you know this and that. [laughter]

Michelle: I mean you could also say “watch out”.

Michelle: Right. Right.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Mhh hhm.

Lindsay: Yeah (Yes), yeah (yes) for sure. Be careful.

Michelle: That’s a little different. Anyway.

Michelle: Yeah (Yes).

Lindsay: So we have a lot to be excited about here with conversation.

Michelle: I’m ready.

Michelle: No, you didn’t hear, it got called off.

Lindsay: What? Why?

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Whoa, “look out” there is a car coming!

Michelle: [laughter] Oh boy!

Michelle: Yeah (Yes).

Michelle: Thanks for warning me Lindsay.

Lindsay: Our acting, we’ll do better next time.

Lindsay: It completely changes the meaning.

Michelle: Right, right, exactly.

Michelle: So we spoke about “look” and now we are at “listen”.

© All Ears English www.allearsenglish.com

Lindsay: Very nice. Very well done. [laughter]

Michelle: That’s okay.