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Spoken English Course Day 4

Spoken English Course Day 4

Date: Feb 27 2011

Topic: Speaking

Author: andylu2

Lesson

Hi guys,

Today I wanted to teach something that maybe seems a bit simple at first but it's really important.  It is one thing that separates native speakers from non native speakers.  It is how to describe someone who is "funny".

Native speakers don't use the word "funny" nearly as often as people think. We often use the word "hilarious"

Hilarious basically means "very very funny".  It's very common in spoken English and you will hear it often in real life conversations.  You should use it to when describing things like people, TV shows, and movies. 

Native speaker:

Did you see that movie?  It was hilarious.  You've gotta watch it. 

Non native speaker:

I think that movie was very funny.  I think you would really enjoy it.

Notice that both people are correct, it's just that they are using different words to describe what they mean.  The "non native speaker" sounds more like a text book or a computer.  If you really want to take your English to a higher level, you should pay attention to the little differences between native speakers and non native speakers.  Try to change your own English when you hear a new and more natural way of expressing the same idea.

Please remember to help me out clicking "like" for these lessons if you find them helpful.  Also, check out some of my other ones.  I'm making a new one everyday here.  I'd love to read your comments and make friends.

Here is day 2 of my free Online Spoken English Course

Also check out the best Course for Online Spoken English

Comments

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Nicoleli

Nicoleli

China

hey thank you.I like it.

Don't forget the word:hilarious.It basically means:very evry funny.

04:53 AM Mar 01 2011 |

Sampson_w

China

Thank u andy,I learnt a lot  from this course. It was my first time to see this word ——hilarious

02:59 AM Mar 01 2011 |

imad bih

imad bih

Morocco

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

12:40 AM Mar 01 2011 |

andylu2

andylu2

Canada

Hey Criz,

no worries.  Hilarious and ridiculous are both great words and are used all the time.  It's good to be able to feel comfortable using both of them in your daily speaking. 

07:01 PM Feb 28 2011 |

andylu2

andylu2

Canada

Hi Racheal,

I've actually never heard the phrase "surprised on my toe".  I guess it would mean very surprised.  Are you sure that is the exact phrase? 

04:00 PM Feb 28 2011 |

RachealXiao

China

thank you for your share.I often heard some english slangs, but I can't understand them totally, just like " I am suprised on my toe" deos it mean very very suprised?

03:03 PM Feb 28 2011 |

kjiuy

China

knh

02:35 PM Feb 28 2011 |

andylu2

andylu2

Canada

Hey Jossef,

I think that you should just pay attention to the kind of English you want to speak.  Both Americans and English are correct, but I'd personally advise you to choose one and stick with that.  For example, if you choose to sound like an American, then try to pay attention to the details of how they speak, etc. 

12:31 PM Feb 28 2011 |

jossef 002010

Morocco

Hey andy

  so.. we should  pay attention even to small details ..note that there's a defference  between  american accent and english..i mean we may find some words or phrases not traded between native speakers themselves…isn't it ??? thx again

12:08 PM Feb 28 2011 |

Jungmi

Jungmi

South Korea

I'm happy I came here to read your lesson again today.  I always see that word and I never really understood how to use it until now.  Thanks.

09:54 AM Feb 28 2011 |

andylu2

andylu2

Canada

If anyone is watching a movie or talking to friends and you hear something new that you'd like to know the exact meaning of, let me know and I'll teach it in one of these lessons.  If you aren't sure of something, there's a good chance a lot of other people are in the same situation as you.

07:04 AM Feb 28 2011 |

andylu2

andylu2

Canada

Hey Criz.  

Ya, you can say, "that's so hilarious" or a bit more common is just to say "that's hilarious".  Remember though, it's if something is funny more often than crazy.  

If something is a crazy idea we often use the word "ridiculous".  Sometimes ridiculous ideas are also hilarious.   I hope that makes sense.

05:24 AM Feb 28 2011 |

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