Episode 108
Listen to the Episode
Listen once for the main idea. Then use the transcript and repeat useful sentences aloud.
Download and study
Episode Resources
Download a file or continue to the transcript.
Best order: listen once, read while listening, then listen again without the text.
Full lesson
Read the Transcript
Follow the text while you listen, then repeat useful sentences aloud.
Hi, dear student! I'm Georgiana, founder of the Speak English Now podcast. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier when you use the right material and techniques.
I'm here to tell you to stop using the word "look" repeatedly. There are many more alternatives, and depending on the context, I will help you to choose the right one.
This lesson is intended to help you enrich your vocabulary and sound more like a native English speaker.
And with a mini-story, you will practice your English speaking.
But first, I would like to share with you a comment on Facebook from one of my students called Fernando Romero:
"Hello Georgiana, I'm fascinated by your method. I have improved my spoken English. Your podcasts are incredible... congratulations. Thank you!"
Do you know the difference between "glare" and "glance"? What about the difference between "looking" and "seeing"?
For a native English speaker, these words are different, although I know this is complicated for an English learner.
Ok! Let's learn some new words that replace the word "look."
#1) To glare
If we glare at someone, we usually show them that we are angry because we often frown, and have a dark look on our faces.
People may glare at us when we do something they disagree with.
Examples:
"Georgie glared at her dad every time he asked her to tidy up her room."
"She gave me such an icy glare I almost froze."
"Don't glare at me like that; you deserved to be scolded."
#2) To glance
However, when we glance, we take a quick look at something, but we don't concentrate on it for too long.
Usually, that happens when we don't want people to know we're seeing something or someone, so we "look" at it, in a natural way, but without making it self-evident.
Examples:
"During a meeting, Jim glanced at the clock on the wall."
"We fell in love at first glance."
"He could tell at a glance something was wrong with her."
#3) To catch a glimpse
When we "catch a glimpse," we barely see something, we see it for a brief time, as it goes by quickly.
Examples:
"Millions of people had gathered to catch a glimpse of her Royal Majesty."
"Did you catch a glimpse of that beautiful woman who just walked by?"
"We were hoping to catch a glimpse of the superstar."
#4) To see
When you see something/someone, it means you discern visually. You are aware of your surroundings using your eyes.
Examples:
"I've got something in my eye, and I can't see properly."
"I saw Tom this morning."
"Have you seen your brother lately?"
#5) To look
Unlike seeing, looking is active. We direct our eyes to see, or we physically make an effort to see something. We usually look quickly, and for a shorter time.
Examples:
"Look! There's my dad!"
"Look at all these beautiful flowers!"
"He looked at me and laughed."
"Look over there - there's a rainbow!"
That's it today! Next week you'll learn new ways to replace the word "look."
Now let's continue with a mini-story.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
When Tina was a teenager, she fell in love with a rock star.
Was Tina a man?
No. No. Tina wasn’t a man. She was a teenager.
Did she hate a rock star?
No. She didn’t hate a rock star. She fell in love with a rock star.
She loved a rock star. Right?
Yes. When Tina was a teenager, she fell in love with a rock star.
Was she an old lady when she fell in love?
No. She wasn't an old lady when she fell in love. She fell in love when she was a teenager.
One day she caught a glimpse of her favorite rock singer named Jason.
Did she catch anything?
Yes. She caught a glimpse.
Did she catch a glimpse of an animal?
No. No. She didn’t catch a glimpse of an animal. She caught a glimpse of someone.
Was it a country singer she saw?
No. It wasn’t a country singer. She saw a rock star.
Was he her favorite rock star?
Yes. He was her favorite rock star. Jason was her favorite star.
The first time Tina saw him was love at first glance.
Did Tina see him for the second time?
No. No. Tina didn’t see him for the second time. She saw him the first time.
Was she repulsed when she saw him?
No. She wasn’t repulsed. She fell in love with him.
Was it love at second glance?
No. It was love at first glance.
On Valentine's Day, a friend of Tina's said, "Look, isn't that your favorite rock star?
"
Did Tina's friend say anything?
Yes. Tina’s friend said something.
Did Tina’s friend say anything on Black Friday?
No. No. She didn’t say it on Black Friday. She said something on Valentine’s day.
Was Tina supposed to look somewhere?
Yes, Tina was supposed to look and see her favorite star.
When Tina realized it was only a joke, she frowned and glared at her friend.
Did Tina realize it was only a lie?
No. No. Tina didn’t realize that. She realized it was only a joke.
Was Tina’s friend lying or joking?
Tina’s friend wasn’t lying. She only made an innocent joke.
Who frowned and glared?
Tina’s friend?
No. No. Not Tina’s friend. Tina was the one who frowned and glared at her friend.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
glare
look angrily or intensely at someone.
look
direct your eyes toward something.
glance
look quickly for a short moment.
frown
bring your eyebrows together to show displeasure.
catch a glimpse
see something briefly or only partly.
at first glance
based on a quick first look.
see
notice something with your eyes.
surroundings
the people and things around a place.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
Great Georgiana!! Thaks a lot for your brilliant tips!!