Hey, what's up, Go Natural English?
Welcome.
In this episode, we're going to talk about five things
that native English speakers never say.
So if you want to sound more like a native English speaker,
then this episode is going to change your life.
No kidding.
Some of these are phrases that don't sound natural.
And some of these are more culturally related phrases
or questions that we don't typically ask in North America,
in the United States.
A great way for you to understand what natives usually
say and what we don't usually say, is to take lessons.
So you've been asking a lot about online lessons,
and where I'd recommend to take them.
This episode is brought to you by my friends at italki.
And they're offering a special deal, two lessons
for the price of one, just for the Go Natural English
audience, for you.
So you can find out how to sign up and get a free lesson
by clicking on the link in the description below this video,
or by visiting gonaturalenglish.com/italki.
That's I-T-A-L-K-I. So after you watch this episode,
go there and sign up for a lesson.
It's a great way to improve your English fast.
OK.
Let's talk about the five things that natives just don't usually
say.
We're going to count down this time, for fun.
Number five is, can I practice my English with you.
So this question is grammatically correct.
There's no problem with it, but obviously
native English speakers are not going
to ask, can I practice my English,
because we're native speakers.
So if you want to sound more like a native English speaker,
don't ask people if you can practice your English.
You could simply ask, can I speak English with you.
Is that OK, or can I talk to you, or anything else.
Maybe you want to talk to the person about a common interest,
or something that you have in common with that person.
So instead of focusing on practicing English,
find people that you have something in common with.
And then talk to them about it in English.
How about that?
OK, number four.
Now, if you watched my video about natural greetings
in English, you'll know this one.
Native speakers do not say, I am fine, thank you, and you.
If an English speaker says, I'm fine,
it normally means that they're upset.
They're not fine at all.
So you might hear people fighting, like a couple,
and one says, oh, what's wrong.
And the other says, I'm fine.
They're not fine.
I'm fine, or I am fine, there's a couple things wrong
with that.
Typically we will not say I am.
We'd say, I'm.
And we don't say, I'm fine to respond to the question,
how are you.
We would say, good, thanks, how are you.
Or, I'm great.
It's just not very common to hear people say, I'm fine.
OK?
So this is a little change that you can
make to sound more native-like.
OK, number three.
Looking at my notes here.
Oh, this is a good one.
So we don't tend to point out obvious, but negative, things
about a person.
So, for example, wow, you look really tired, or wow,
you are getting really fat, or, wow, you look really awful.
Are you hung over?
OK.
So any of these observations that
are negative we do not bring them up
with people unless we're really, really close with them.
And even then, even for my best friends in the world,
I probably wouldn't say it like that.
I would probably say something like.
How are you doing.
Are you are you taking care of yourself?
I'm just, you know, I'm noticing some changes.
And we'd be indirect about it.
So don't obviously state something
negative, especially to someone you don't know well.
OK.
Next, are you married.
This is a question that always catches me off
guard when I'm traveling, and people ask me like right away,
are you married.
And we don't ask questions like this in the United States
like right away unless it's a specific situation,
like I'm filling out a government document.
Don't ask someone right away, are you married.
It's just too personal.
You might ask more indirect questions,
like did you come here with your husband.
There you go.
That's a good way to find out if I'm married, but don't
ask directly.
And number one.
How much rent do you pay, how much is your apartment,
how much do you pay in rent every month.
OK.
Native English speakers, from the United States at least,
we don't ask about money, about how much
should you pay for something, especially where you live.
This is way too personal.
And I've been asked this many times by non-native speakers.
How much do you pay in rent?
Now, it's different if you know someone.
If you're becoming friends with them,
it's totally OK to talk about this.
But the first time you meet someone,
this is not a good question.
It's not good small talk.
OK, great.
So let's recap the five things that native speakers don't
usually say.
And I don't recommend that you say them either.
OK.
First, can I practice English with you.
Second, I am fine, thank you, and you.
Wow, you look tired, fat, hung over.
And are you married.
And how much do you pay for rent.
OK.
So remember not to use these phrases,
and you're going to sound much more native-like.
Now it's time for you to go to gonaturalenglish.com/italki
and get your free online English lesson after you pay
for your first one.
Two for one.
Woot.
All right.
Thank you so much for watching.
It's been awesome to share these tips with you.
I hope you enjoyed it.
I'll talk to again soon.
Bye for now.