Oh…did I make you jump? Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you. Welcome to another
Full English video lesson, coming to you from the birthplace of… Kate Bush, David Cameron,
Basil Brush, Wallace and Gromit, and of course, the English language. It can literally open
doors for you, especially if you ask someone to open a door for you…in English. “Do
you mind opening the door for me?” Okay…enough of this idle incoherent waffle and pointless
gibberish. Let’s get on with today’s Full English lesson…right…
now!
It’s funny how some English phrases have more than one use. Here’s a good example
of this occurrence. The phrase ‘take off’ can be used in many ways. You can take off
something, as in removing it. To peel off something or remove one thing from another
is to ‘take off’. You can take off the paint from an object, such as a door or wall.
You can take off your clothes. To remove something is to ‘take off’. To mimic or impersonate
someone is to ‘take-off’. To copy the mannerisms of a person, such as their movements
and voice is to ‘take-off’. “His take-off of Elvis Presley was really convincing.”
To do an impression of someone is to ‘take-off’. To delete something from a list you will need
to take off that item. “I had to take off the names of the absent students.” To lift
off from the ground in an aircraft is ‘take-off’. You take-off in an aeroplane. The plane is
ready to leave the ground. “Can you please tell the passengers to prepare for take-off.”
There is also ‘take down’, which described the action of making a written record of something.
“I will need to take down your name and address.” ‘Take down’ can also mean
‘dismantle’. To slowly break something apart with care is to ‘take down’ something.
“We will have to take down the tent tomorrow, when the wind is not so strong.” To destroy
a person’s reputation with criticism can be described as a ‘takedown’. You defeat
someone by criticizing them. A website that is removed from the internet is a ‘takedown’.
“The owners of the website were given a takedown notice by the government.” Even
the word ‘take’ can be used in many ways. To steal something is ‘take’. The way
you view something is ‘take’. “What is your take on the situation in Syria?”
To film a sequence that has been prepared in advance is a ‘take’. You might have
to do many takes of something before you get it right. “Let’s go again with another
take, I hope we get it right this time.” To transport something from one place to another
is also ‘take’. You can take a person to the airport in your car. You can take some
clothes out of a wardrobe. To ‘take in’ is to give a home to someone. You might take
in a homeless person during the winter months. To relax or consider something for a while
or to process something is to ‘take time’. “It will take time for you to recover from
your injuries.” There are so many uses of the word ‘take’. It’s true! You can
take my word for it.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes it is hard to resist being nosey. Some say that
it is human nature to be curious about other people’s lives. One point in particular
is the action of listening to a conversation that you are not a part of. You cannot resist
listening in to what they are saying. Perhaps you are sitting in a café and at the table
next to you a couple are having an argument, albeit quietly. They are having some sort
of disagreement. You can’t resist listening to what they are saying. Sometimes it is hard
to hear what the conversation is about. You try to listen to them. You desperately try
to hear their words. We call this action ‘eavesdropping’. You eavesdrop on a conversation. You listen
in. The problem with eavesdropping is that, if you get caught doing it, those having the
‘private’ conversation might not be too happy. “Hey, we are trying to have a private
conversation here, don’t be so nosey!” To spy on someone and listen to what they
are saying in private can also be described as ‘eavesdropping’. We can say you are
‘ear-wigging’. You ‘overhear’ something. You ‘listen in’ on a conversation. It
is possible to accidentally hear a conversation. You hear it by chance. Do you ever eavesdrop?
It’s time now to take a look at another buzzword. A buzzword is a phrase or sentence
that is popular during a certain period of time, or is commonly used in general. Today’s
buzzword is…controversy. The word controversy is a noun which means a row in response, or
a negative reaction to something. A strong reaction to something, such as someone’s
personal opinion, or a provocative action. “His words caused controversy throughout
the world.” You can create controversy by saying something inflammatory or provocative.
The words used cause anger and outrage. To speak in a way that offends people. A controversy
usually involves people with opposing views. One group agrees or holds the same opinion
while the other group disagrees, thus creating controversy. The occurrence of the controversy
is described as controversial. ‘A controversial plan’
‘A controversial idea’ ‘A controversial film’ ‘A controversial speech’. ‘Controversial’
is the adjective form of ‘controversy’.
“The president has announced controversial reforms to the healthcare service.” The
controversial thing creates controversy. It is controversial because one group objects
while another accepts. A person who causes controversy is controversial. He or she is
a controversial character. The word controversy comes from the Latin word for ‘turnaround’,
which refers to an opposing view or the actual disagreement. Synonyms of controversy include
‘altercation’ ‘disagreement’ ‘dispute’ ‘opposition’ ‘quarrel’ ‘wrangle’.
The overall disagreement over something in society can be described as ‘controversy’.
The subject in question is controversial.
Here is an interesting grammar point, that is often mentioned in your messages. What
is the difference between ‘everyday’ and ‘every day’ as separate words, – ‘onto
and ‘on to’ as separate words – ‘into and ‘in to’ as separate words Firstly,
‘everyday’ described something that frequently happens or occurs often.
“This is my everyday coat.” It is something that is frequently happening.
Then there is ‘every day’, as separate words, which is the adverb form of ‘each
day’. “I go to town every day to look around the
shops”. This is the adverb for each day. Then there is ‘onto’ as a complete word.
This is used as a preposition, however it is not recognised in formal British English.
“He jumped onto the horse”. In British English we will always used the words separately.
“The bus went on to Piccadilly Circus”. You can see here you have the adverb plus
the preposition 'to continue'.
Finally there is ‘into’ as a complete word. This is the only form of this preposition.
He jumped into the lake to cool off. This is a preposition to show movement or change.
The only times we use in and to next to each other is through normal sentence structure,
for example… “We need to go in to find out what happened”.
The two words just happen to be next to each other, but they have their own used in the
sentence. Did I clearly explain that to you? Was my explanation adequate? I hope so.
Life is full of surprises. You never really know what’s around the corner. Life is unpredictable
and quite often you can find yourself being caught on the hop. I love that expression.
To get caught ‘on the hop’ means to be caught unawares and unprepared. If you are
distracted by the thing you are doing, then it is possible to suddenly be caught ‘on
the hop’. You were caught off-guard and forced into a difficult situation by being
unprepared. This phrase is often used in British English. We can also say that a person who
is busy doing something is on the hop. They are bustling. They are active. They are actively
doing something. They are on the hop. Another great phrase for being unprepared is “caught
with your pants down.” A person who has been put in a difficult position by being
unprepared for something has been caught with their pants down. “The regional manager’s
visit caught us all with our pants down.” “The enquiry caught many politicians with
their pants down.” To be caught on the hope. To be caught with your pants down. You were
not ready for what happened. For most of us, it’s just another day in this crazy thing
we call ‘life’.
Sadly we have come to the end of another ‘Full English’ lesson. See you next time for ‘Full
English’ number 31. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button and I will see you again…whether
it is recorded or live I will be here somewhere on YouTube. This is Misterduncan in the birthplace
of English, of course that is England saying…thanks for watching, enjoy English…and of course…
ta ta for now.