Episode 68: How to Disagree in English Without Sounding Rude

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Before we start, I want to remind you about the free English, please newsletter. When you subscribe at comullen.com/newsletter, you get English practice tips with every new episode, plus three free resources delivered straight to your inbox. The address is [00:01:00] comullen.com/newsletter, and I’ll remind you again at the end.

Today’s episode is about disagreement. Specifically, it’s about how to disagree in English without sounding rude, aggressive, or dismissive.

This is something many English learners struggle with, and it makes sense why. In some languages and cultures, disagreement is direct and open. You say what you think, and the other person says what he or she thinks, and nobody takes it personally. In English, and especially in professional situations, disagreement works a little differently. In most situations, native speakers prefer phrases that soften the disagreement without hiding it. This episode isn’t about avoiding conflict. It’s about handling it and the way native speakers actually do, with specific [00:02:00] language that keeps the conversation open and respectful.

Let’s look at five phrases.

The first phrase is, “I can see your point, but...” This is probably the most common way native speakers signal disagreement in English. The first part, “I see your point,” tells the other person that you’ve heard them and understand them. The “but” introduces your different view.

For example, “I see your point, but I think we need more time before making a decision.”

The key is that both parts matter. If you skip “I see your point” and just say, “but,” it sounds abrupt. The acknowledgment at the beginning is what makes the disagreement feel respectful rather than dismissive.

You can use this phrase with almost anyone: a friend, a colleague, your manager. [00:03:00] It works in casual conversations and in professional settings. And once you start listening for it, you’ll hear it everywhere.

The second phrase is, “I’m not sure I agree with that.” This one is softer than a direct, “I disagree.” The words I’m not sure create a small amount of distance, which makes the disagreement feel less like a confrontation and more like an invitation to keep talking.

For example: “That’s an interesting idea. I’m not sure I agree with that, but I’d like to hear more.”

The phrase is particularly useful when you disagree, but you’re not completely certain of your own position, or when you want to keep the conversation going rather than closing it down.

It signals that you’re thinking, not just reacting. This one works especially well at work, in meetings, [00:04:00] or in any situation where you want to sound careful and considered. It’s less common in very casual conversations with close friends, where people tend to be more direct with each other.

The third phrase is, “That’s an interesting way to look at it, but I think...” This one does something specific. It treats the other person’s perspective as valid before you offer your own. You are not saying they’re wrong. You’re saying there’s another way to look at it.

The opener, “That’s an interesting way to look at it,” is doing important work. It’s genuine, not sarcastic. It tells the other person that you’ve actually considered what they’re saying before responding.

For example, “That’s an interesting way to look at it, but I think the situation is a little more complicated than that.”

This phrase works well in professional [00:05:00] situations, a meeting, a serious discussion, or a careful conversation with someone you don’t know very well. It might feel slightly too formal with a close friend, where people tend to be more direct. But at work, it makes you sound like someone who thinks before they speak.

The fourth phrase is, “I understand where you’re coming from, but...” This one is useful because it makes your disagreement personal, rather than general. You are not saying the other person is wrong. You’re saying that your own experience has led you somewhere different. Ah, “where you’re coming from” is an idiom. It means someone’s perspective or reasoning. It’s warm, and the “but” that follows opens the door for your own view without closing down the conversation.

There are many ways to complete this phrase. You might say, “I understand where you’re coming from, but in [00:06:00] my experience, these projects usually take longer than we expect.” Or simply, “I understand where you’re coming from, but I see it a little differently.”

This phrase works well at work, especially when you have relevant experience to share. It also feels natural in personal conversations when you want to offer a different point of view without making the other person feel criticized.

The fifth phrase is, “Actually, I think...” And this one surprises a lot of learners. In some languages, “actually” sounds aggressive or confrontational, like you’re correcting someone sharply. In English, it works differently. “Actually” often softens what comes after it. It introduces a correction gently, not forcefully.

For example, “Actually, I think we might be looking at this the wrong way.”

Said with a [00:07:00] calm, neutral tone, it sounds thoughtful rather than dismissive. The word “think” matters, too. “Actually, I think” is much softer than, “Actually, I know,” or, “Actually, you’re wrong.” It presents your view as a perspective, not a final verdict.

This is the most casual of the five phrases. You can use it comfortably with friends and colleagues. In more formal situations, one of the earlier phrases would probably be a better choice. But in everyday conversation, “Actually, I think” is one of the most natural ways to introduce a gentle disagreement in English.

Those are five phrases that native speakers use to disagree without causing unnecessary conflict. What they all have in common is they acknowledge the other person first. That acknowledgment is the key. It tells the other person that you’ve listened, [00:08:00] even if you’ve reached a different conclusion.

The situation matters too. Some of these phrases belong in a meeting with your manager. Others are better with a friend over coffee. Knowing which to use and when is what takes your English from correct to natural.

If you want to keep practicing, subscribe to the free English, please newsletter at comullen.com/newsletter. You’ll get English practice tips with every new episode, plus three free resources straight to your inbox.

And if you want more structured practice, the English Listening Accelerator is a workbook with audio that helps you hear natural English at real speed. Ten lessons, each focused on a different part of spoken English. Try a free sample lesson at comullen.com/listen. The full workbook [00:09:00] is just seven dollars.

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now wherever you listen, and let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English. Sincere thanks, as always, for listening.

See you soon!

Episode 67: How to Use Idioms Like a Native English Speaker

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under ten minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Today’s episode is about idioms. Specifically, it’s about five idioms from a free guide I made for subscribers of the English, please newsletter. The guide is called 25 Idioms Native English Speakers Use Every Day, and you can get it free when you sign up at comullen.com/newsletter. [00:01:00] If you’ve already subscribed, check your
welcome email. You’ll find it there. I’ll remind you again at the end, but the address
is comullen.com/newsletter.

Most people who study English focus on learning what idioms mean, and that’s a good start. But there’s a second part of the problem that almost nobody talks about: knowing when to use them. An idiom that’s perfect in a conversation with a close friend can sound very strange in a work meeting. And sometimes the same idiom can be warm in one situation and critical in another.

So in this episode, I want to go a little deeper. For each idiom, I’ll tell you what it means, give you an example, and then explain the context. When do native speakers actually use it, and when do they avoid it? [00:02:00] That’s the part most learners never hear about.

Okay, let’s go.

The first idiom is “speak of the devil.” You use this when someone appears in person, by phone, or by message at exactly the moment you were talking about them. You’re telling a friend about your colleague David, for example, and then David walks through the door. You say, “Speak of the devil. Here’s David.”

The phrase comes from an old belief that saying the devil’s name out loud could make him appear. Today, it’s a warm, light-hearted expression, and it’s almost always said with a smile. It’s casual and friendly. You would say it to a colleague, a friend, a family member, but you wouldn’t use it in a formal presentation or a written report. But in everyday spoken English, you will hear it constantly, and [00:03:00] it feels natural and friendly.

The second idiom is “a blessing in disguise.” This describes something that seemed negative or difficult at first, but turned out to be a good thing. You missed your flight and had to take a later one, and because of the delay, you avoided a stressful situation at the airport. Missing that flight was a blessing in disguise.

Oh, the word “disguise” means something that hides its true nature. The blessing, the good thing, was hidden in something that looked like a problem. This idiom is more flexible than most idioms. You can use it in casual conversation, but it also works in a professional setting and even in writing. If your company lost a client and then found a better one, your manager might say in a meeting, [00:04:00] “Losing that account was a blessing in disguise.” That’s how useful it is in different situations.

The third idiom is “once in a blue moon.” It means very rarely, something that almost never happens. “My brother calls me once in a blue moon” means he almost never calls me. “We go to that restaurant once in a blue moon” means you go there very infrequently.

A blue moon is a real astronomical term for the second full moon in one calendar month, which is genuinely unusual. The phrase has been in English for hundreds of years, and today it simply means “almost never.” This is informal and spoken. You would use it with friends or family or in a relaxed conversation [00:05:00] at work. It’s not something you would write in a formal report or a professional email. But in everyday speech, it’s very natural, and it’s almost impossible to guess the meaning the first time you encounter it.

A fourth idiom is “sit on the fence.” This means to avoid making a decision or choosing a side, especially when two people or groups disagree. Someone who is sitting on the fence hasn’t committed to either side or option. Imagine two colleagues disagree about how to handle a project. You’re in the meeting, and you don’t say which side you agree with. You’re sitting on the fence.

This one is interesting because the tone changes depending on the situation. Between friends, it can be neutral or even sympathetic. [00:06:00] “I know it’s a hard decision. You’re still sitting on the fence.” But in professional contexts, it’s often mild criticism. If your manager says you’re sitting on the fence, he or she is probably telling you to make a decision. The words are the same, but the meaning shifts with tone and the relationship.

The fifth idiom is ‘that’s the last straw.” You use this when a series of problems has finally reached a limit. The most recent problem, even if it’s small, is the one that pushes you past what you can accept. It means “I’ve had enough. This is the moment, and I’m going to do something about it.” The image comes from the idea of a camel carrying straw on its back. Oh, “straw” is dried grass for farms. [00:07:00] Each piece of straw is light, but eventually one final piece is too much, and the camel can no longer carry the load. The idiom is emotional and informal. You would say it in a real conversation when you’re genuinely frustrated or at a breaking point. You wouldn’t write it in a professional email. But you’ll hear it constantly in films, conversations, and in everyday life, and it’s almost always said with emotion.

Those are five idioms from the free guide. What I want you to notice is that knowing the definition is only the first step. The second step is understanding the context, the situation, the relationship, and the tone. That’s what helps you not just understand these phrases when you hear them, but actually use them yourself, without sounding unnatural.[00:08:00] 

The full guide has 25 idioms organized by situation with a note next to each one explaining how and when to use it. If you’ve already subscribed to the newsletter, it’s in your welcome email. If you haven’t subscribed yet, go to comullen.com/newsletter. It’s free, and it arrives right away.

And if you want to take the next step, the English Listening Accelerator is a workbook with audio that helps you hear natural English at real speed. It has 10 lessons, each focused on a different part of spoken English. You can try a free sample lesson at comullen.com/listen. The full workbook is just $7.

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts, and [00:09:00] let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English.

Sincere thanks, as always, for listening.

See you soon!

Episode 66: Chicago

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under 10 minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Before we get started, if you’re not already subscribed to the English, please newsletter, I’d love for you to join. You get practice tips, resources, and more delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at comullen.com/newsletter. The link is also in the description.

I just got [00:01:00] back from Chicago, and I have to say that it’s one of those cities that stays with you. I was there for a few days to visit an old friend, and from the moment I arrived, I felt the energy of the place. Chicago is loud, confident, and beautiful. Today, I want to share a little of what makes this city so special, and along the way, we’ll look at some vocabulary that will help you describe cities, culture, and history in English.

Let’s start with something surprising if you haven’t been there. Chicago is located on the edge of Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes of North America. When you stand at the waterfront and look out, there is no other side. It looks like the ocean. The lake is so big that it shapes the entire feeling of the city. The skyline rises up behind you, and in front of you, there is nothing but water. It’s a [00:02:00] remarkable sight.

And when you turn around, the skyline takes your breath away. Chicago is widely considered the birthplace of modern architecture. In 1871, a devastating fire destroyed much of the city. When Chicago was rebuilt, architects used that opportunity to experiment with something new. They developed new ways to construct tall buildings using steel frames, and the skyscraper was born. The architecture of Chicago is distinctive in a way that’s hard to miss, and two buildings in particular stand out. The Sears Tower, now officially called the Willis Tower, was for many years the tallest building in the world. The John Hancock Center is another landmark on the skyline with its bold, dark shape and dramatic height. Walking along the [00:03:00] Chicago River and looking up at these buildings is genuinely impressive.

But Chicago’s influence on the world isn’t only about buildings. The city also has an incredible music history. Chicago blues developed in the city in the 1940s and 1950s as musicians from the American South brought their music north and gave it a new electric sound. Artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf created something raw and powerful that would go on to influence rock and roll and popular music around the world. The rhythm of Chicago blues is something you feel immediately because it’s deep, it’s emotional, and it’s unmistakably alive.

Decades later, something else emerged from Chicago. House music was born in the city in the early 1980s in clubs on the South [00:04:00] Side. DJs began experimenting with electronic sounds, drum machines, and a beat that made people want to dance. House music spread quickly to Europe—to the UK, Germany, and beyond. If you’ve ever been to a club in Berlin or London, you’ve heard music that has its roots in Chicago. Many people love house music without really knowing where it came from.

That’s one of the things I find so interesting about cities. A place can shape culture in ways that travel far beyond its borders. Chicago’s architecture changed how we build cities. Its music changed how we listen, and how we move. And the lake gives the whole city a sense of openness and possibility.

If you visit Chicago, walk along the lakefront, look up at the skyline, and find some live blues music in the evening. You won’t regret it.[00:05:00] 

If you enjoyed this episode, the best thing you can do is subscribe to the English, please newsletter. You’ll find a link in the description. And if you want more structured listening practice, check out the English Listening Accelerator, a workbook with audio available at comullen.com/listen.

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts, and let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English.

Sincere thanks, as always, for listening.

See you soon!

Episode 65: Connected Speech and Why English Sounds So Fast

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under 10 minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work, or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

A few months ago, I did an episode about why native English speakers don’t sound like your textbook. I talked about three reasons: fixed phrases, short reactions, and something called connected speech. A lot of listeners wrote to me after that [00:01:00] episode and asked for a full episode on connected speech.

That’s exactly what we’re going to do in this episode.

Before we start, I want to mention that every week, I send a short newsletter with the release of each new episode. The newsletter includes a practice tip and a movie or series recommendation specifically for intermediate English learners. It’s free, and you can sign up at comullen.com/newsletter. The link is also in the description.

Okay, let’s talk about connected speech.

Here’s the problem: you study English for years. Your grammar is solid, and your vocabulary is good. But when you listen to a native speaker in a movie, a podcast, or a real conversation, it still feels too fast. The words blur together, [00:02:00] you miss things, and you wonder if you’ll ever really understand natural English

The reason is connected speech, and this isn’t unique to English. Connected speech happens in almost every language. If you speak German, French, Spanish, or Russian, your language does this too. You just don’t notice it because you grew up with it. With English, you have to learn to hear these patterns for the first time as an adult in a new language, and that’s what makes it challenging.

In English, we don’t say each word separately one at a time. We blend words together, we drop sounds, and we change sounds, all in order to speak more smoothly and quickly. This is completely natural and automatic for native speakers. We don’t even notice we’re doing it. [00:03:00] Today, I want to show you three patterns that explain a lot of what you’re hearing.

The first pattern is linking.

Linking happens when one word ends in a consonant sound, a sound like T, D, N, or K, and the next word starts with a vowel sound, like A, E, or I. For example, “turn it off.” In slow, careful speech, you hear three separate words: “turn” “it” “off.” But in natural speech, it sounds more like “tur-ni-toff.”

The words flow into each other. Another example, “pick it up.” Fast and natural, that becomes “pi-ki-tup.” 

This is why even short, simple phrases can be hard to understand. The words you know [00:04:00] perfectly when you read them often sound completely different when they’re spoken at normal speed.

The second pattern is dropping sounds.

In natural speech, certain words disappear. This is called elision, but you don’t need to remember that word. What matters is recognizing when it happens.

The most common sounds that disappear are T and D, especially in the middle of a phrase.

“Next day” becomes “nex day.” The T disappears.

“Last time” becomes “las time.”

“Most of them” becomes “mos of them.”

And it’s not just T and D. The H sound at the beginning of words like him and her often disappears too. “I told him” in fast speech sounds like “I told ‘im.” [00:05:00] “Give her a call” sounds like “give ‘er a call.”

When you know about this pattern, a lot of the things that sound like mistakes or that sound confusing will suddenly make sense. The speaker didn’t skip the word. The sound just got lighter.

The third pattern is changing sounds.

This one surprises a lot of learners. Sometimes sounds don’t disappear. Instead, they actually change into a different sound entirely. The most common example involves “you.” When certain words come before “you,” the sounds blend and transform.

“Don’t you” becomes “dontcha.”

“Did you” becomes “didja.”

“Would you” becomes “wouldja.”

“Meet you” becomes “meetcha.”

If you’ve ever watched an American movie and wondered why a character seemed to be saying [00:06:00] a word you didn’t recognize, this is probably what was happening. It wasn’t a word you missed. It was two words that changed sounds when they came together.

Here’s the important thing to remember: you don’t need to speak this way. Your goal is to understand it, not to imitate it. But once you start hearing these three patterns—linking, dropping, and changing sounds—natural English becomes much less mysterious, and you start to hear the words underneath the speed.

If you want structured practice with exactly this kind of listening, I made a workbook with audio called The English Listening Accelerator. It’s 10 lessons designed to help intermediate learners understand natural, connected English. It’s only $7, and you can find it at comullen.com/listen. The link is also in the description.[00:07:00] 

And if you haven’t subscribed to the newsletter yet, every week, I share a movie or series recommendation that’s good for intermediate learners, plus a short practice tip. Sign up at the link in the description. And if you’re already a subscriber, check your latest email for this week’s recommendation.

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now wherever you listen, and let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English.

Sincere thanks, as always, for listening.

See you soon!

Episode 64: Movies for Intermediate English Learners

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under 10 minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work, or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Thanks so much for being here!

Before we begin, a quick note. Starting with this episode, every newsletter I send will include one movie or series recommendation. This came directly from your requests, so I wanted to make it a regular part of the newsletter going forward. I’ll give you [00:01:00] something specific to watch, and I’ll explain why it’s good for improving your English. If you haven’t subscribed yet, sign up at comullen.com/newsletter. It’s free, and it’s a good reason to join.

Back in episode 46, we talked about how to watch movies in English without subtitles—how to start small, train your ears, and build confidence over time. A lot of you responded to that episode, and the most common question was simple: “Okay, but which movies do I watch?”

Well, that’s what this episode is about.

I’ve put together a list of six movies that are genuinely good for intermediate English learners. They’re not all easy, and they’re not all from the same period. Some have a lot of dialogue, some have very little. But every one of them has something that makes it [00:02:00] useful for listening practice, and every one of these is a good film, which matters. If you’re not enjoying what you’re watching, you won’t keep watching.

Let’s go through them.

Forrest Gump. This is probably the most famous movie on the list, and there’s a reason it comes up again and again for English learners. The main character, Forrest Gump, speaks slowly and clearly. His vocabulary is very simple and very direct. The story moves through decades of American history, so you get a lot of cultural context along the way. If you haven’t seen it, start with this movie.

Catch Me If You Can. This is a Steven Spielberg film with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. It’s based on a true story about a young man who pretends to be a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, and he gets [00:03:00] away with it for years. The dialogue is fast and confident, but it’s always pretty clear. DiCaprio’s character is charming and easy to follow, and the story pulls you forward so you stay engaged, even when the language is a little challenging. This is a great movie for learners who are ready to push themselves a little bit.

The Truman Show. Jim Carrey plays a man whose entire life is a television show, but he doesn’t know it. Since the world around him is designed to be perfect and easy to understand, the dialogue is unusually clear and deliberate. There’s very little slang and very little mumbling. It’s a fascinating film too, which helps. You’ll want to keep watching.

La La Land. This is a musical, but don’t let that stop you. The songs are in English and the dialogue [00:04:00] is natural and relaxed, and there’s a lot of space in the conversations—pauses, reactions, moments where you have time to process what you just heard. The story is simple: two people in Los Angeles are chasing their dreams and falling in love. The language is modern, everyday English, and the film is beautiful to watch.

The Intern. Robert De Niro plays a seventy-year-old man who becomes an intern at a startup run by Anne Hathaway. The dialogue is workplace English, professional but conversational. People talk the way they actually do talk in an office. If you’re learning English for work, or you want to understand how English is used in a professional setting, this is the movie to watch.

Knives Out. This is a mystery film, and it’s one of the best on [00:05:00] this list for listening practice for one specific reason: you must pay attention. The story depends on small details, which means you’ll naturally focus on what people are saying. The cast is large, but every actor speaks clearly, and the dialogue is sharp and engaging. There are now three films in this series: Knives Out, Glass Onion, and Wake Up Dead Man. So if you enjoy this first one, you have more to watch.

So there you have it. Six movies, different tones, different eras, different levels of difficulty. Start with Forrest Gump if you want something accessible. Push yourself with Catch Me If You Can or Knives Out. And remember what we talked about in episode 46: let your ears do the work.

And don’t forget, starting with this episode, every newsletter includes [00:06:00] one movie or series recommendation. This came directly from your requests, so I wanted to make it a regular feature. One pick, every episode, with a reason why it works for your English.

The link is in the description, or go directly to comullen.com/newsletter. It’s free.

If you want to build your vocabulary at the same time, my workbook with audio is at comullen.com/listen. Ten lessons, real English, seven dollars. I’m Christopher. Thanks so much for listening.

See you soon! 

Episode 63: Why Idioms in English Are So Hard to Understand

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under 10 minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work, or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Thanks so much for being here! A few years ago, I made an episode about idioms in English, and it’s still one of the most listened-to episodes from the show. So when I decided to come back to this topic, I also put together a free guide with 25 idioms that native [00:01:00] English speakers use every day. It’s yours free when you subscribe to the newsletter at comullen.com/newsletter. That’s C-O-M-U-L-L-E-N.com/newsletter. The link is also in the episode description. I’ll tell you more about the guide at the end of this episode.

Here’s why idioms are frustrating. When you learn a new word, you can usually guess something about the meaning from the context. But idioms don’t work that way. The words are familiar, but the meaning is not. And if you try to understand an idiom by thinking about the individual words, you will almost always get it wrong.

Let me show you what I mean.

Imagine you’re in a meeting at work. Your colleague is presenting a project, and things are not going well. Someone in the room says, [00:02:00] “It sounds like John is going to throw Maria under the bus.” You know every word in that sentence: throw, Maria, bus. But what does it mean? Nobody is physically throwing anyone anywhere! To throw someone under the bus means to blame another person in order to protect yourself. It’s something that happens in offices, in politics, and even in friendships. And the image, a person being thrown under a moving bus, captures exactly how it feels when it happens to you.

Here’s another one. Your manager sends an email to you on Monday morning. She says, “I need you to hit the ground running on this project.” Hit the ground. [00:03:00] Running. Again, the words are clear, but the meaning isn’t obvious. “To hit the ground running” means to start something quickly and with a lot of energy, without needing time to prepare. Your manager is not asking you to run. She’s telling you to start immediately and work fast.

Here’s a third one that causes a lot of confusion. Someone asks you about your vacation plans, and you say, “We want to go to Greece, but everything is still up in the air.” Up in the air. Floating somewhere above you? What does that mean? It means nothing is decided yet. The plans exist, but they are uncertain. “Up in the air” is one of those idioms that actually is somewhat understandable when you hear it explained. But in the moment, without [00:04:00] context, it stops you completely.

Let’s try one more. You’re talking with a friend about a restaurant that you both want to try. You look at the menu online, and your friend says, “This place looks amazing, but it costs an arm and a leg.” You know immediately from the tone of voice that this is not good news. But “costs an arm and a leg” simply means very expensive. Nobody is paying with body parts, of course. It’s a dramatic way to say that the price is too high, and it works because losing an arm and a leg would obviously be a very high price to pay for anything.

One last idiom. This one is about a mistake that’s very easy to make. You hear that a colleague didn’t come to work today, and someone tells you that he called in sick. You immediately [00:05:00] think, “He was at the party last night. He’s not sick.” You’ve jumped to conclusions. “To jump to conclusions” means to decide something is true before you have enough information. You assumed. You didn’t wait for the facts. Native speakers use this phrase as a gentle way to tell someone they are moving too fast. “Don’t jump to conclusions” is something you will hear often in conversations, in films, and in meetings.

Here’s why idioms are frustrating. Every language has them, including your native language. But when you encounter them in a language you’re still learning, they stop you completely. When you learn a new word, you can usually guess something about the meaning from the context. But idioms really don’t work that way. The words are familiar, but the meaning [00:06:00] is not. And if you try to understand an idiom by thinking about the individual words, you’ll almost always get it wrong.

That’s why I made the Idioms Guide for newsletter subscribers. It’s a simple two-page reference with 25 idioms organized by situation, with a note next to each one explaining how and when to use it. You can get it free when you subscribe to the English, please newsletter at comullen.com/newsletter. The link is also in the episode description if you want to find it easily. If you already subscribe, check your latest newsletter. I included it there for you.

And if you want to go further, the English Listening Accelerator gives you 10 lessons of real, natural English audio with a workbook to help you build your comprehension over time. There’s a free sample at comullen.com/listen. [00:07:00] The full workbook is just $7. And to the listeners who have purchased, thank you so much.

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now wherever you listen, and let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English.

Sincere thanks, as always, for your support.

See you soon!

Episode 62:Why Native English Speakers Don’t Sound Like Your Textbook

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under ten minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work, or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Thanks so much for being here. Before we get started, something free for you: I just put together a guide with 60 phrases that native English speakers use every day, the ones you won’t find in a textbook. It’s yours free when you subscribe to the newsletter at [00:01:00] comullen.com/newsletter. I’ll tell you more about the guide at the end of the episode.

Here is something many English learners notice after years of study. They know the grammar, they know the vocabulary, and they can read a newspaper article without stopping. But when they sit down with a native English speaker in a cafe, at work, at a party, something goes wrong.

The words come too fast. The sentences don’t sound like the sentences in the textbook. The conversation moves before they’re ready. There are three reasons why native English speakers don’t sound like your textbook. And once you understand these reasons, you’ll start to hear English differently.

The first reason is that native speakers don’t build sentences from grammar rules. They reach for fixed phrases. When you learned English, you probably learned [00:02:00] rules. You learned that to make a polite request, you use “could” plus the base verb. So you might say, “Could you please repeat what you said?”

That sentence is correct. A native speaker would understand it perfectly. But a native speaker in the same situation wouldn’t think about the grammar at all. They would just say, “Sorry, could you say that again?” Or, “Sorry, I lost you there.” They’re not constructing a sentence. They’re reaching for a phrase they’ve heard and used hundreds of times.

This is how fluency actually works. It’s not faster grammar, it’s fewer decisions. The phrase is already there. The brain just retrieves it. This is why grammar rules only get you so far. At a certain point, what separates an [00:03:00] intermediate learner from a fluent speaker isn’t more grammar knowledge. It’s a larger library of phrases that feel automatic.

The second reason is that native speakers compress and connect words in ways that textbooks never show. Written English and spoken English are not really even the same language. In a textbook, you see, “What have you been up to?” In a real conversation, the phrase sounds more like, “Whaddya been up to?” The words are all there, but the sounds change. They connect, and they disappear.

This is called connected speech, and it happens constantly. “Do you want to?” becomes “wanna.” “Going to” becomes “gonna.” “I don’t know” becomes “I dunno.” None of this is [00:04:00] lazy or incorrect. It’s just simply how spoken English works at normal speed in real conversation. The problem is that most learners have heard and read the written version so many times that the spoken version sounds like different words or no words at all.

The brain is looking for, “What have you been up to?” and hears something it doesn’t recognize. The only way to get comfortable with this is to listen to a lot of real, natural English, not scripted, not slowed down—real conversations at real speed about real topics.

The third reason is that native speakers react with short, fixed phrases, not full sentences. In a textbook conversation, responses are complete. “That is very interesting.” “I agree with your point.” [00:05:00] “I am sorry to hear that.” In a real conversation, native speakers don’t respond like that. They say, “Really?” “Fair enough.” “That makes sense.” “No way!”

These short reactions are not simple. They’re doing a lot of work. They show that you are listening. They keep the conversation moving. They signal your emotion, surprise, agreement, or sympathy without requiring you to build a sentence under pressure. Knowing these phrases is what makes you sound fluent, even when your grammar isn’t perfect.

A learner who responds with, “I am very sorry to hear about your situation,” is correct. A learner who responds with, “That’s really tough. Is there anything I can do?” sounds natural. There is a difference. This is exactly what the free phrase guide is about. Sixty phrases organized by [00:06:00] situation: starting a conversation, reacting to news, disagreeing politely, asking for clarification—the phrases native speakers actually use, with a note next to each one explaining how to use it. It’s totally free when you subscribe to the English Please newsletter at comullen.com/newsletter. If you already subscribe, check your inbox. I’ve included it in this week’s newsletter for you.

And if you want to go further, if you want structured practice hearing real, natural English at a pace that builds your comprehension over time, I made something exactly for that. It’s called the English Listening Accelerator. It’s a workbook with audio and ten lessons, each one focused on a different part of natural spoken English. You can try a free sample lesson at comullen.com/listen. The full workbook is just $7.[00:07:00] 

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now, and let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English.

Sincere thanks, as always, for your support.

See you soon!

Episode 61: Listener Questions

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under ten minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work, or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Thanks so much for being here! Before we get started, I want to say a genuine thank you to everyone who has bought the English Listening Accelerator. Your support means more to me than I can say. And to everyone here listening, thank you for that, too!

Also, a quick note: [00:01:00] if you want extra practice after you listen, you can subscribe to the free English, please newsletter at comullen.com/newsletter. Sign up and you’ll receive a free sample lesson by email, plus English practice tips and activities with each new episode.

Today, we’re doing something a little different. I have received some wonderful questions from listeners, and I want to answer three of them in this episode.

So, let’s get started!

Question one comes from a listener in Germany.

She writes, “Christopher, why do Americans smile at strangers on the street? Here in Germany, if someone smiles at you and you don’t know them, it feels strange and even suspicious. Why do Americans do this?”

This is such a great question, and I completely [00:02:00] understand the confusion. In many countries, a smile is something personal. You smile at people you know. Smiling at a stranger can feel rude, or even like you’re crossing a line.

In the United States, smiling at a stranger is usually just a small social signal. It means, “I see you. I’m friendly. I’m not a threat.” It’s not an invitation to have a conversation. It’s more like a very brief signal, a social handshake, you might say.

Part of this comes from how Americans think about public space. In the US, people tend to believe that public spaces like sidewalks, elevators, or waiting rooms should feel comfortable and pleasant. A quick smile helps create that feeling. It costs nothing, and it makes the [00:03:00] environment a little warmer.

Of course, this isn’t universal. In New York City, for example, people smile at strangers much less than they do in smaller cities or in the American South, where friendliness with strangers is a cultural tradition. So even within the US, it can vary quite a bit.

Question two comes from a listener in Russia.

He writes, “I have been studying English for many years. I understand grammar very well, but when I watch American TV shows or listen to native English speakers talk to each other, I still miss so many words and sentences. I feel very frustrated. What am I doing wrong?”

First, you’re not doing anything wrong. What you’re experiencing is one of the most common frustrations [00:04:00] for intermediate English learners, and it has a very specific cause. The English you learned in school and the English in most textbooks is written English. It’s clear, it’s structured, and it follows the rules. But spoken English is different. Native speakers connect words together, drop sounds, use short forms that you won’t find in any textbook. They speak in rhythm and patterns that take time to learn separately from grammar.

So the gap you feel is not a grammar gap. It’s a listening gap. And the good news is that this gap closes with the right kind of practice, which means listening to real, natural English and training your ear to what’s actually being said. You can do this with podcasts, with television shows, and even with music.

And this is also why I created the English Listening [00:05:00] Accelerator. It’s a workbook with audio and ten lessons, and each one focuses on a specific part of natural spoken English, the kind you hear in real conversations, not in textbooks. You can try a free sample lesson at comullen.com/listen. And the full workbook is only seven dollars. If this gap between textbook English and real English is something you feel, this was made for you.

Question three comes from a listener in Austria.

She writes, “Christopher, what is the most surprising thing about living in New York City?”

I love this question because I still think about it after all of the years I’ve lived here. The most surprising thing to me is how quiet New York can be. Everyone imagines New York as loud and overwhelming, and it can be! But there are moments, [00:06:00] especially early in the morning or very late at night, when the city becomes almost still. You walk down a side street, and there’s almost no one there. The light is soft, and for a moment, the city feels like it belongs only to you.

The other thing that surprises people, and it surprised me too, is how friendly it can feel in small ways. You have the same coffee every morning, and the person behind the counter knows your order. You nod to the same people in the elevator every day, and you see the same people on the street. New York has a reputation for being cold, but in the small routines of daily life, it can feel like a village inside a big city.

So those are our three questions for today. If you want help hearing more of that natural everyday English—the kind we talked about in the second question—the [00:07:00] English Listening Accelerator is waiting for you at comullen.com/listen.

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts, and let’s continue this adventure together in clear, understandable English.

Sincere thanks, as always, for your support.

See you soon!