Conditional sentences

Revise the strucutre of the 3 conditionals with this diagram

Expression: 'Every Tom, Dick and Harry'

Listen to Kaz inviting Tom, Dick and Harry to the studio and introducing them to Yang Li. Who are they? And why does Kaz bring them to the studio? Find out more with Kaz and Yang Li by cliking on the following link: bbc- every Tom, Dick and Harry audio


Can Tom, Dick and Harry be these three cute cats?

Then you can read the tapescript to see if you understood everything:

The script for this programme

Kaz: Hello I'm Kaz.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li. Hey Kaz I see you have brought some guests to the studio.

Kaz: Indeed I have. Li I'd like you to meet Tom... Dick... and Harry.

TDH: How do you do?

Yang Li: How do you do. It's always nice to meet new people Kaz, but I suspect these young men are here for a reason. Am I right?

Kaz: Yes Li I've invited them because their names are Tom, Dick and Harry.

Yang Li: Tom, Dick and Harry. Three popular English names - connected to a popular phrase by any chance Kaz?

Kaz: Absolutely right Li. Our phrase today is 'every Tom, Dick and Harry'.

Yang Li: 'Every Tom, Dick and Harry' - meaning everyone with a common name I suppose.

Kaz: Yes, In English if you want to talk about lots of unspecified people you can use the phrase 'every Tom, Dick and Harry'.

Yang Li: So it's like saying 'everyone', right?

Kaz: That's right but it's more informal and slightly humorous.

Yang Li: OK, I think you should demonstrate its use Kaz.

Kaz: Good idea Li. Imagine I tell you something in confidence, in private... I could ask you not to repeat it.

Yang Li: Because we don't want everyone knowing about it.

Kaz: Exactly. We don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing about it.

Yang Li: We don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing our secret Kaz.

Kaz: You've got it Li!

Yang Li: OK, let's listen to some more examples:

• Shhhhh! Lower your voice! We don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry to hear us.

• Make sure you send out invitations, otherwise you'll have every Tom, Dick and Harry showing up at your party.

• Whatever you do, don't tell Doug. He can't keep a secret and soon every Tom, Dick and Harry will know about it.

Yang Li: Those three names are interesting and each is a short form of a longer name. I know Tom is the diminutive of Thomas and Harry is short for Harold. But what's Dick short for?

Kaz: Dick is short for Richard.

Yang Li: Ah yes, of course, Dick is short for Richard. So what's Kaz short for?

Kaz: We don't need to know that Li.

Yang Li: Why not Kaz?

Kaz: Because we are very unlikely to ever say 'every Kaz, Dick and Harry'.

Yang Li: Very funny Kaz but it's time to say goodbye to our guests 'Tom, Dick and Harry'. So, goodbye chaps!

TDH: Goodbye!

Kaz: And it's goodbye from us.

Kaz/Yang Li: Bye!

Synonyms

In the exams, when writing and speaking you have to use synonyms to avoid repeating the same words all the time. Bear in mind that the richer the vocabulary and structures you use are, the better grade you'll get!

The English language in 30 accents

Watch this funny video of a guy imitating English in 30 different accents, with animations! You can learn about all the different accents the English language has. Enjoy!

SPEAKING DISCUSSION

Here you have a video of a Speaking exam from the British Council, it is the second part of the Speaking exam: the discussion (a conversation you have with your partner on a topic).

Plus, you can check some common topics and useful phrases to use when doing the exam.

Click on the following link: British Council- Speaking exam: Discussion

Understand this: Every real-life speech situation brings up new twists and turns- and throws up new speech-composition problems. And fluency in English is your ability to navigate these twists and turns- through good English. And to keep up a steady flow of speech.

To speak English fluently, of course you must understand instantly and speak without thinking. But here is one more requirement- one more thing you need- in order to spek English fluently: You must have confidence.

That's right- emotion is critically important for fluent speech. It's not enough to "know what to say"... you also need to "say what you know". In other words, you must have the confidence to use your knowledge without hesitation.

Many English students speak badly not because they lack vocabulary or understanding, but because they are nervous, worried, and afraid of appearing foolish. Fear of mistakes, fear of other people's opinions- these destroy English fluency.

Today's Phrase 'go down a storm'

Kaz says his party 'went down a storm'. Is this a good or a bad thing? Find out more about this phrase by listening to this audio: bbc- go down a storm audio

Then you can read the tapescript to see if you understood everything.

The script

(Stormy weather)

Kaz: Hello, I'm Kaz.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li. Hey Kaz, there is a storm raging outside - let's shut that door.

(Door shuts)

Yang Li: Ah that's better. Now I can ask you about your party last weekend. How did it go?

Kaz: It went down a storm Li.

Yang Li: Your party 'went down a storm.' You mean you cancelled it because of the weather? Because of high winds and rain? Or snow?

Kaz: No, no, no Li. If something 'goes down a storm' it means it's massively successful and enjoyable - so my party went really well - it went down a storm.

Yang Li: People loved it?

Kaz: Exactly. People loved my party so I can say 'It went down a storm.'

Yang Li: Your party went down a storm - it was incredible.

Kaz: That's right.

Yang Li: Well, Kaz, I gave a presentation yesterday.

Kaz: Oh OK. How did it go?

Yang Li: It went really well, everyone loved it, it went down a storm.

Kaz: That's great Li.

Yang Li: Yes, I'm delighted and I like today's expression. Let's listen to some more examples:

• You should have seen the new band last night. They went down a storm with the audience.
• My idea for more holidays went down a storm with my colleagues.
• I like the looks of this new toy. I'm sure it'll go down a storm with our customers.

Yang Li: Kaz, you know, to me the word 'storm' has negative associations because storms are usually destructive.

Kaz: I agree Li but in this case it's used in a positive sense.

Yang Li: But it is informal, right?

Kaz: Yes it is.

Yang Li: So our listeners should use it with care.

Kaz: That's right Li. So what do you think our listeners will think of today's expression?

Yang Li: I'm sure it'll go down a storm!

Both: Bye!

Jokes on punctuation