English Conversation

5
Most common words in English
(cont’d)
grade green guy hardly heavily
gradually grocery hat heavy
grade
gradually
ground
group
H hate
have
heel
height
habit
graduate grow habitat he helicopter
grain growing hair head hell
grand growth half headline hello
grandfather guarantee hall headquarters help
grandmother guard hand health helpful
grant guess handful healthy her
grass guest handle hear here
grave guide hang hearing heritage
gray guideline happen heart hero
great guilty happy heat herself
greatest gun hard heaven hey
hi history hospital hunter ignore
hide hit host hunting ill
high hold hot hurt illegal
highlight hole hotel husband illness
highly holiday hour hypothesis illustrate
highway holy house image
hill
him
home
homeless
household
housing
I imagination
imagine
ice
himself honest how idea immediate
hip honey however ideal immediately
hire honor huge identification immigrant
his hope human identify immigration
historian horizon humor identity impact
historic horror hundred i.e. implement
historical horse hungry if implication
imply income industrial inquiry intelligence
importance incorporate industry inside intend
important increase infant insight intense
impose increased infection insist intensity
impossible increasing inflation inspire intention
impress increasingly influence install interaction
impression incredible inform instance interest
impressive indeed information instead interested
improve independence ingredient institution interesting
improvement independent initial institutional internal
in index initially instruction international
incentive Indian initiative instructor Internet
incident indicate injury instrument interpret
include indication inner insurance interpretation
including individual innocent intellectual intervention
interview Iraqi jail juice killing
into Irish Japanese jump kind
introduce iron jet junior king
introduction Islamic Jew jury kiss
invasion island Jewish just kitchen
invest Israeli job justice knee
investigate issue join justify knife
investigation it joint knock
investigator
investment
Italian
item
joke
journal
K know
knowledge
keep
investor its journalist key
invite
involve
itself journey
joy
kick
kid
L
J
lab
involved judge kill label
involvement jacket judgment killer labor
Phrasal Verbs
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb combines a normal verb with an adverb or a preposition to create an entirely
new verbal phrase—the phrasal verb.
The meaning of a phrasal verb is usually unrelated to the meanings of the words that comprise
it, so think of a phrasal verb as an entirely new and independent word.
When used in a sentence, phrasal verbs act the same as other verbs for conjugation and
placement, although they do have special grammatical rules about word order.
Phrasal verbs can be conjugated into every type of verb form, so you can use them anywhere
you could use a normal verb.
For example, the phrasal verb get over :
- the verb get alone means to “acquire,” and
- the preposition over alone usually refers to being higher or going above something.
However, put them together and the phrasal verb get over means to “recover” or “overcome,” a
completely new definition that’s separate from the definitions of get and over.
You can use get over just like a normal verb, in any form or tense.
Here are some quick examples:
 Simple past : I had the flu last week but got over it.
 Infinitive: He wrote a song to get over his grandmother’s death.
 Gerund: Getting over prejudice at work is never easy.
 Participle: Having finally gotten over the breakup, they were ready to return their
partner’s things.

How to conjugate phrasal verbs

 When a phrasal verb is used as the main verb of a sentence, you conjugate the verb part and
leave the other words as they are.
 Simply use whatever form of the verb you would use if it were alone.
I get up at noon during the summer.
However, this morning I got up at sunrise.
I have gotten up early too many times this month.
 Notice how only the word get changes, but the word up remains the same.
 Also notice how get, an irregular verb, uses its irregular forms to fit whichever tense it needs.
 In this way, you can use phrasal verbs in all the verb tenses, so you’re able to communicate
anything you want.
 Conjugation is also important for maintaining verb tense consistency if you’re using phrasal
verbs in a list with other verbs.

Types of phrasal verbs

To better understand phrasal verbs, it helps to organize them into two pairs:
- transitive & intransitive;
- separable & inseparable.
A phrasal verb can belong to only one of each pair (although all separable phrasal verbs are
transitive).
 Transitive phrasal verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs use a direct object, just like normal transitive verbs.
Charlie couldn’t put up with the meowing cats any longer.
 Intransitive phrasal verbs
Likewise, intransitive phrasal verbs do not use an object.
The regional director was late, so the sales team went ahead without her.
 Separable phrasal verbs
With transitive phrasal verbs, you can sometimes put the direct object in between the words,
for example, “pick you up.”
There are, however, a few rules to follow with separable phrasal verbs, so pay attention to
our next section about word order.
He forgot to shut the lights off before he left.
 Inseparable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be split up and must be used together.
The wayward son carried on without his father.
(wayward = capricieux, rebelle)

Word order with phrasal verbs

Most of the time, the words in a phrasal verb stay together.
 For intransitive & inseparable phrasal verbs, the verb and the participle must go next to each
other and should never be split up.
 Separable phrasal verbs follow different rules, however.
For starters, separable phrasal verbs are always transitive, so they always have a direct
object.
You can put the direct object in the middle of separable phrasal verbs, in between the verb
and the participle:
Augustus would never let Hazel down.
This is also true for noun phrases; place all words in a noun phrase in between the verb and
the participle of a phrasal verb:
You would never let any of your friends down.
Some separable verbs require you to put the direct object in the middle every time.
For example, let’s look at the phrasal verb get down.
The beginning of the movie Up gets down everyone.
The beginning of the movie Up gets everyone down.
On the other hand, sometimes it doesn’t matter whether the direct object comes in the
middle or at the end of a phrasal verb.
Both options are acceptable.
Unfortunately, there’s no method for knowing whether or not you have to separate a phrasal
verb; you just have to study and practice until it comes naturally.
Pick the box up and carry it to the kitchen.
Pick up the box and carry it to the kitchen.
 However, pronouns follow a special rule when it comes to separable phrasal verbs:
If the object is a pronoun, it must be placed in the middle of a phrasal verb.
Pronoun direct objects cannot go at the end.
Pick up it and carry it to the kitchen.
Pick it up and carry it to the kitchen.

 Remember that not all transitive phrasal verbs are separable.

 Transitive phrasal verbs can be either separable or inseparable, so be careful of where you
put your object.
 For example, the transitive phrasal verbs get through, come between, and go against are all
inseparable, so the direct object comes after them every time.
Nothing comes us between.
Nothing comes between us.
Practice 5
Conversation Questions & Answers
 Following are 5 topics conversation questions and answers, that you will face very often in
your daily life.

21. A letter
22. Hobbies
23. Music
24. Shopping
25. Holiday
 Within your group of 12 students practice and take turns working on these topics.
- First practice the same dialogue.
- Next modify the dialogue as you wish to adapt it to YOUR daily life.
- Then practice without looking at the screen.
21. A LETTER
 Who wrote the letter to you?
 My dad wrote the letter to me when he was on a business trip.
 Did you keep the letter?
 Yes, I put it in a folder (=dossier/chemise). Whenever I’m down, reading his letter would be a
good way to cheer me up.
 What was the letter about?
 He told me about his new workplace and how things were there.
 How did you feel about the letter?
 I was glad to know that he was fine in another city.
 Do you have a letter collection?
 Yes. I collect all the letters from family and friends. It’s one of my hobbies.
 Do you like writing letters or emails?
 I prefer writing paper letters.
 Do people in your country usually write letters?
 Years ago they did. Now people prefer emails.
 What’s the difference between emails and hand-written letters?
 Emails are much more convenient than letters because they’re free to send and they get
there instantly. However, letters are much more special.
 Why should we write letters to friends or relatives?
 It’s a good way to show love to people you care about.
22. HOBBIES
 What is your hobby?
 I like playing sports, especially swimming.
 Is your hobby common in your country?
 Yes, kids, adults, and senior citizens (=personnes âgées) all like swimming in my country.
 Is your hobby the same as when you were a child?
 Yes, I was fond of swimming when I was a little girl.
 When did you start practicing that hobby?
 I started swimming when I was 5 years old.
 Is there anybody in your family who you share your hobby with?
 My dad, he taught me how to swim. (workout = entraînement)
 How much time do you spend on your hobby? (keep fit = rester en forme)
 I usually go to the swimming pool twice a week. (chill out = se détendre)
 What benefits do you get from it?
 Swimming is a really good workout. It helps me keep fit & chill out after a long day working.
 Have you ever heard of someone having a very unusual hobby? What was it?
 Yes, my cousin loves tattooing vehicles. He puts stickers everywhere on his car.
 What do you think about someone having weird (=étrange/bizarre) hobbies?
 I don’t think any hobby is weird. It’s just what you like to do, so I don’t judge others.
 What hobbies are usually expensive in your country?
 Playing golf is a really expensive hobby. Only the rich can afford to buy golf supplies.
23. MUSIC
 What kind of music do you like?
 I’m crazy about Pop music.
 Is that the kind of music preferred in your country?
 It varies. Normally the youth enjoy Rock and Pop while middle-aged citizens prefer country
music.
 Who is your favorite singer?
 I’m a big fan of Miley Cyrus, a talented US singer, songwriter, and actress.
 What piece of music do you like? Who sang that song?
 My favorite song is Jolene, sung by Miley Cyrus.
 How much time a day do you spend listening to music?
 I usually listen to music all day with an MP3 player.
 Do you feel relaxed listening to music?
 Sure. I feel like there are no more worries in the world.
 Why is music important to us?
 Music has the power of beautifying (=embellir) our life.
 Do you usually go to bars or clubs?
 Not often. I sometimes go there on weekends.
 What do you think about the teenagers’ music style?
 Teenagers tend to choose loud and fast music like Rock or Rap. Everyone has their own taste
of music though.
 Have you ever thought of forming a music band?
 No, I don’t have any talent for music.
24. SHOPPING
 Do you like shopping?
 Yes, I’m a shopaholic (=accro du shopping).
 What do you usually shop for?
 I usually shop for clothes. I’m a big fashion fan.
 Where do you go shopping?
 At some fashion boutiques in my neighborhood.
 Are there many shops in your neighborhood?
 Yes. My area is the city center, so I have many choices of where to shop.
 Do you spend much money on shopping?
 Yes and I’m usually broke at the end of the month.
 Do you usually shop online (=en ligne)? What items?
 Yes, but not really often. I only buy furniture (=meubles) online.
 What’s the difference between shopping online and offline (=hors ligne)?
 Unlike shopping offline, you cannot try on the pieces of clothes or check the material when
shopping online.
25. HOLIDAY
 Where did you go for holiday?
 Last year I went to Singapore, a Southeast Asian country.
 Why did you choose that destination?
 I love to travel to Asian countries and Singapore was my best choice because of its beauty
and culture.
 How long did it last?
 I stayed there for 2 weeks.
 Who went with you?
 I traveled to Singapore with my best friends.
 How did you travel?
 We flew there of course. During the time there, we moved mostly by MRT and taxi.
 What did you pack up? [*MRT=Mass Rapid Transit like subway or metro]
 I only brought some necessary items such as money, clothes, medicine, a map and a digital
camera.
 What did you do during the holiday?
 We visited famous tourist attractions like Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Art-Science
Museum, Singapore Flyers. We also enjoyed local cuisine there.
 What’s the difference between holidays today and 20 years ago?
 Well, it has changed a lot. People now can afford holidays outside their countries while 20
years ago, traveling abroad seemed hard.
 At what time do people in your country usually go on holiday?
 It depends on what job people have. When they have a break from work, they will find
somewhere to travel.
Set (5) - He should crack the whip
DIALOGUE
Mike : Why are you down in the dumps?
Suzan : Carl has foiled all our plans. I was going to take a few days off work but he turned
down my request on the pretext of a due deadline and that they cannot do without me
for the time being .
Mike : You’re kidding! If your husband heard that, he would hit the ceiling.
Suzan : He must step in and put a stop to Carl’s arrogance. He’s the company’s owner after all
and he should crack the whip.

VOCABULARY
Down in the dumps : discouraged, depressed, or sad.
Foil a plan : to spoil a plan; to cause it to fail.
Take time off : to take a break from one's employment or school.
Turn down : to refuse someone's request.
On the pretext of : a false reason used to explain why you are doing something.
A due deadline : the time something should be delivered.
Do without : to manage without.
For the time being : for the present; until some other arrangement is made.
You’re kidding : You cannot be serious; I don't believe it; this can't be true.
Hit the ceiling : to explode in anger; to go crazy.
Step in : to become involved in a difficult situation, especially in order to help.
Put a stop to : to cause to end.
After all : used to add information that shows that what you have just said is true.
Crack the whip : to use your authority to make someone else behave better or work harder.
Comparative Idioms
It’s as light as a feather. (extremely lightweight) " Her suitcase felt as light as a feather."
It’s as dry as a bone. (completely dry) "The stream is usually (as) dry as a bone this time of year."
He’s as strong as an ox. (Very strong & powerful) “He was tall and broad and as strong as an ox."
It’s as flat as a pancake. (completely flat) "The land in that area is as flat as a pancake."
He’s as mad as a hornet.(extremely angry) “He was mad as a hornet when his purse was stolen."
It’s as old as the hills. (very old) “The technology we're using is as old as the hills, but it works."
It’s as quick as lightning. (very quick) “The cheetah ran as quick as lightning to catch its prey."
She’s as sick as a dog. (extremely ill) “You were as sick as a dog when you ate those shrimps."
They’re as different as night and day. (completely different)
“They might be identical twins, but Jim and Greg are different as night and day in personality."
She’s as stubborn as a mule.(extremely obstinate)“He's stubborn as a mule about wearing a tie."
He’s as proud as a peacock.(excessively proud)“He beamed with pride, as proud as a peacock."
She’s as white as a sheet. (very pale) “She was white as a sheet after that near encounter."
It’s as solid as a rock. (very strong) “I always thought their marriage was solid as a rock."
It’s as good as new. (working well) “He painted the bicycle, and now it's as good as new."
It’s as clear as mud. (not clear at all) )“The instructions were incomplete and as clear as mud."
Phrases for Talking about Statistics
The crime rate rose.
The crime rate went up.
There was a sharp increase in crime. (sharp = sudden and large)
There was a gradual rise in crime.
There was a spike in crime. (spike = a sudden increase and then decrease)
The crime rate reached its peak. (peak = the highest point)
The crime rate plateaued. (plateaued = stayed at the same level)
There was a slight decrease in crime.
The crime rate dropped.
The crime rate plummeted. (= decreased a lot, very quickly)

Phrases for Disappointment

What a pity! What a shame.
How disappointing. That’s too bad.
This really wasn't all it's cracked up to be. It was a real let-down.
It didn’t live up to my expectations. What a bummer!
This was such a waste of money. It promised much more than it delivered.