Hi there, this is Harry and welcome back to advanced English lessons with Harry, where I try
to help you to get a better understanding of the English language. In our advanced English lesson
today, we're looking at advanced expressions that we can use in daily use. And with these
To take something for granted. Well, you can also take someone for granted to take something for
granted is to assume that it's going to happen or to assume that it will always be there. So
we often use it in the negative we shouldn't take it for granted that so what should we not take for
granted, we shouldn't take it for granted that the government will always be there to help us
when there are problems with fuel costs or other energy costs, we shouldn't take it for granted,
the government might announce that people shouldn't take it for granted that the government
are going to step in and pay the difference. So perhaps we have to cut back on our spending. So we
shouldn't take it for granted. Sometimes we take people for granted. Our parents. We take them for
granted because they're always there when we need them. And then when they're not, what do we do?
Yeah, we're feeling a little bit sad or sorry. So taking something for granted means to assume
that it's always going to be there, it's never going to change. And of course, we all know, as
we get a little bit older, the word does change. And we should never take anything for granted.
Next, having said that, this is an expression we use when we're talking about something and we
want to give some information usually contrasting. Yeah. Okay. So for example, we could be talking to
people and say, Okay, guys, I think we need to get ready for a really difficult time over the
next few months, having said that, the sales in the year to date have been really good. I've been
quite surprised. So we are warning people that the next few months might be difficult. But having
said that, we're just going to give them a little bit of a boost by telling them that the sales in
the year to date have actually been much more promising than we had originally expected. Okay,
so so when we you having said that it's a way of introducing another point that might be in
contrast to the point that we have already or we have just made. Okay, so you might say, Well,
guys, we're going to work a little bit longer and harder, perhaps you might have to do some
overtime. However, having said that, I would like to remind you that we will still honour all
holidays and anybody who's got some annual leave to take, of course, we won't interfere with that
we're not going to ask you to cancel the holidays. But you know, when you are working, we may be in
the situation that we have to work a little longer and a little harder. Okay, so having said that.
To have something in mind. Well, when we have something in mind, it's a suggestion that we
want to make, it's an idea that we have that we want to raise or introduce or it's some
information that we want to give some people. Okay, so you might be talking to your partner,
your wife, your husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, and there's some issue with the kids and A school
and you're trying to discuss what you should do next. And your partner may turn to you and say,
Well, have you something in mind? Have you got something to suggest? And he said, Well,
actually, yes, I do. What I think we should do is go down and talk to the head teacher or talk
to the class teacher, and try and clear the air. Yes, to have something in mind.
Now, it might be just a simple suggestion you making for the weekend? Yeah. Or I think we
should go out on Saturday or Sunday, you know, the weather forecast is really, really good. So
why don't we go somewhere? Oh, that'd be great idea. Do you have something in mind? So do you
have somewhere that you would like to suggest or a place we haven't been before, or perhaps
a place we have been that we liked, and we can go back there? So do you have something in mind.
just going to do something to say something, to do something to go somewhere on the point of,
okay. So perhaps you are working late and you're looking at your watch, it's time to go home,
and you're begin to clear your desk, and you're just about to switch off your computer,
when you get a knock on the door and somebody sticks the head around the door said,
have you got 10 minutes? I just wanted to talk to you.
Well, I was just on the point of wrapping up for the day and leaving it but if it's quick,
yes, certainly come in. And we'll have a talk. Okay,
so I was just on the point of leaving, or is just in the point of going home.
Or you get... you're sitting down and your phone buzzes and you pick up the phone,
and it's your partner is Ah, I was just on the point of calling you. You got to me first. Yeah,
look, I'll be there in 10 minutes. If you're waiting outside the office, I'll just pull up
outside on the street, and you can jump in, and we can head home together now. Okay, so I was
just on the point of calling you. Okay, so it's all about something you were just about to do,
or you're in the process of doing. And so you're just done the point of calling, you're just in
the point of going, you're just on the point of sending. You might get an email on your laptop.
And when you open it, it's from a customer looking for some report or something you had promised. And
you send a quick reply, I was just on the point of sending it when I got your email, please find
attached the document or the information that you had requested. Okay, so on the point of.
Keep an eye on. Well, we can keep an eye on somebody or something. Can you keep an eye on
the soup in case it boils over and just have to run to the shop and get some bread to keep an eye
on the soup? Don't let it boil over? Don't let it burn? Can you keep an eye on the kids? They're out
in the garden. They're there. Okay, but just in case something happens I I'd be upstairs,
changing the bed clothes. Okay, so please keep an eye on somebody
the kids keep please keep an eye on something. Keep an eye on the soup.
We should keep an eye on the weather. It looks like it's going to get a little bit wet later on.
So perhaps we we might need to think of something indoors to plan for the weekend. So the weather
is going to be bad. There's no point heading out for our usual weekend cycle. So we'll keep an eye
on the weather forecast to see what is expected or what's the forecast to be okay to keep an eye on.
By no means. Well, we often use this expression, by no means certain that it is by no means certain
that the team is going to survive this year. Because while they've had a really bad run in the
last few weeks, and if they keep playing this way, well, I think they're going to be in a relegation
fight by the end of the season. So it's by no means certain that they are safe. It's by no means
certain that I'll get that promotion. Okay, the boss is going to support me and he's told me it's
as good as mine. But we all know what can happen. New people can change their minds, something can
happen. blardy blardy blar. Yeah, so it's by no means certain that is by no means certain
that we will get through this winter without any problems because inflation is increasing.
The energy costs are high. So everybody's going to have a problem. So it's by no means certain that
we're going to have a good or as enjoyable winter, as perhaps we've had in the past.
Turn out to be. Well, things can turn out to be they can turn out to be a
little different than we expected, or things can turn out to be great.
Ah, that meal has turned out to be wonderful. I mean You know, you haven't cooked it before.
And wow, it was really tasty, and it looked and smelled and tasted like a professional. So really,
really well done. It's great. It's turned out to be a really good idea now to get the
family together once a month. I get the family together at the weekends to turn out to be.
The weather has turned out to be great. Yeah, the forecast was for lots and lots of rain and
for that to be wind. But wow, today is wonderful. We don't even need those heavy jackets we bought.
But it's, it's, it's really nice. Yeah. So it's turned out to be better than I expected.
Or if you're doing some renovation or redecorating in your home. And when you get everything done,
and all the paintings hanging again, and your friends come around to see this war. Wow,
that really changes the room. It really looks great. So you can see you can smell it. So yeah,
it's turned out to be really good. I wasn't expecting it to be so good, but just a few
little finishing touches. And yeah, those colours really go well together. So turns out to be.
Contrary to popular belief. So this is a really well used expression. So we can use it in many,
many ways. Contrary to popular belief means going against what
the popular people think or the popular thought of people. Yeah.
So contrary to popular popular belief, our president or prime minister is actually quite
a hard working individual. People are always moaning and groaning. But you know, the guy has
done really great things since he came into power. I mean, we've introduced better quality bosses,
better quality public transport, the school system is working well. There's no more strikes,
you know. So contrary to popular belief, he's turned out to be a much better president or prime
minister than anybody had ever expected. Okay. Contrary to popular belief, the manager of the
football team is really made a difference to this team. When he took over the team we're near the
bottom of the division, but look at them now that mid table and looking up rather than looking down
so contrary to popular belief, he's turned out to be quite a godsend, quite a influential and good
person, people manager Contrary to popular belief, or we can say it in a slightly joking manner.
You know, people think you can't cook. So Harry, useless, you know, don't let him near the kitchen.
It's a disaster. But contrary to popular belief, I actually can cook pretty well,
when I have the time. And when people have tasted what I've cooked they go, Whoa,
that's that's nice. That's a surprise. So yeah, contrary to popular belief, I can actually cook.
To be taken aback. This is a little bit more formal to be... When we're taking the back,
we are surprised. Okay, when to be taken aback, we are surprised in a negative way by what has been
sad or something that has happened, I was really taken aback by the company announcement that
they were going to cut over 1000 jobs. I mean, that's 50%, half of the workforce. Wow. I mean,
what are those people going to do? It's not a good time to be looking for a job. So to be taken
aback is to be taken by surprise. But usually in a negative way. I was taken aback by their reaction,
everybody was so negative. Yeah, I was taken aback by the view of the city,
when I visited there, I thought it was going to be really modern. And you're
really up to scratch in the same level as other cities that I've visited. But wow,
it's really dark, dull, depressing, poor. So I was really taken aback when I arrived there,
I won't be going there again in a hurry. So to be taken aback means to be negatively surprised.
And then finally, keep in touch. This is quite common and quite easy to use. Keep
in touch is a expression we use every day, you know, please keep in touch. Meaning,
please let me know how things are going. We should keep in touch. So your little hint.
Will... Don't leave it so long the next time. Yeah, I'll keep in touch with you. And I'll let
you know if there are any developments. So this is just different ways to tell people,
whether we will contact them but don't wait for the message or contact you and there's something
to be said or, you know, please keep in touch. You really want somebody to keep contacting you
or I'll be in touch later. I'll keep in touch with you when things develop. So you're just letting
them know that you will tell them but it's not going to be immediate. Okay, so to keep in touch.
Okay, so there are 10 well-used well-known daily expressions, okay,
and they're at that advanced level so you can try and practice them,
drop them into your conversations, see how you get on make sure you understand them.
So here they are. Take something for granted. Take something for granted.
Having said that, having said that. Have something in mind, have something in mind. On the point of.
To keep an eye on. By no means.
Turn out to be. Contrary to popular belief, contrary to popular belief.
To be taken aback, taken aback. And then finally, keep in touch, keep in touch.
And as always, you know the drill. If there's something in particular that you want more
information on, just come back to me, and I'll give you some other examples. Okay, I really,
really appreciate you watching this video and looking around and the lesson and I look forward
to join you again soon when we have another lesson. That's Harry saying goodbye for now.