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0B042 - Elementary - I Need More Time
M: Okay, so, there were some really useful phrases that we saw in this dialogue.
E: Yeah, some wonderful phrases that you can use when you want to ask for more time.
M: Okay, so, let's look at these phrases in "fluency builder".
M: Alright, what's our first phrase
E: I've been meaning to talk to you.
M: I've been meaning to.
E: I've been meaning to.
M: Okay, we have some really great examples of how you can combine I've been meaning to with different verbs.
E: Yeah, let's listen.
00:37 Voice: Example one.
A: I'm sorry I haven't called you yet; I've been meaning to, but I've been busy.
00:47 Voice: Example two.
B: I've been meaning to tell you, but John quit yesterday.
00:58 Voice: Example three.
C: I've been meaning to see that film for a while.
M: I've been meaning to go to that restaurant, but I haven't had time.
E: So, you've been wanting to for a long time.
M: Right. I've been thinking about it.
E: Yeah.
M: I've been planning to do it.
E: But you just haven't done it.
M: I haven't done it.
E: Yeah.
M: Maybe because I haven't had time or money.
E: Uhu.
M: Okay. Good phrase.
- 01:25 Beyond my control
E: Our next phrase is… beyond my control.
M: Beyond my control.
E: It's beyond my control.
M: So, it means that I can't control it.
E: You can't do anything about it.
M: Can't do anything about it. The weather is beyond my control.
E: Right. Or relate with this project: because Jane was sick for one month, it was beyond my control.
M: Okay.
E: Uhu.
M: It wasn't you fault.
E: No.
- 01:49 Put this off
M: Okay. And our last phrase for fluency builder – put this off.
E: Put this off.
M: Put this off.
E: Put this off.
M: So, let's listen to some more examples of put this off before we explain the meaning.
02:05 Voice: Example one.
A: I've been putting off this project for a week and it's due tomorrow!
02:16 Voice: Example two.
B: Can we put off our meeting to next week; I'm too busy right now.
02:28 Voice: Example three.
C: I've been putting off my e-mail all day and now I have fifty messages to respond to!
E: So, Marco, when you put something off, you…
M: Leave it for later.
E: Okay.
M: Right? So, maybe I have to write a report today…
E: Uhu.
M: But I'm gonna put it off till tomorrow.
E: So, you're gonna do it tomorrow.
M: I'll do it tomorrow. Okay, so we've seen some great words and some really good phrases, so, now let's listen to our dialogue for the last time and then we'll come back and talk some more.
E: Uhu.
- 03:04 DIALOGUE, THIRD TIME
E: Well, Marco, do you think that Casey's reasons for being late are good?
M: I think so, because it wasn't really her fault, the whole situation with, uh, photographer and then one of her coworkers was sick for three weeks.
E: Yeah.
M: It's not really her fault, right?
E: Right, but maybe the boss thinks that she's making excuses.
M: Yeah, maybe she's making excuses. That's really common like, for example, when we were kids, you would say "oh, you know, my dog ate my homework".
E: Right, but… that… really happened to me once.
M: Hehe. Your dog ate your homework?
E: My cat ate my homework.
M: Your cat ate your homework.
E: Yeah.
M: And what did your teacher say?
E: Well, actually I was a really good student, so, my teacher believed me.
M: Hehe. Well, my teacher wouldn't have believed me.
E: Really?M: No, no, she would've… she would've called my parents most likely.
E: Yeah, well, my… my cat really did eat my homework. And… I just left it on the table and it chewed it at all.
M: That's weird. Why would your cat do that?
E: I don't know.
M: A lot weir excuses out there.
E: Yeah.
M: I was abducted by aliens.
E: Aha.
M: My mom accidentally mailed my homework to Africa.
E: Really?
M: Yeah, that was…
E: Was it happen to you?
M: Creative…
E: Aha.
M: Writing.
E: Oh, Okay.M: Creative excuses.
E: Well, I wanna hear from our listeners. I wanna know what excuses they've used for being late with something.
M: So, send us your excuses, send us your comments and questions. Go to our website at englishpod.com, where Erica and I are always there to answer you questions.
E: That's right, Marco, and this is an elementary lesson, right?
M: Exactly.
E: But we also have intermediate and upper-intermediate and advanced lessons for you more fluent English speakers.
M: Exactly, so, if you're listening to us on iTunes, besure to visit our website and come see what else we have to offer.
E: Well, I think we're out of time, but until next time… it's…Good bye!
M: Bye!
