Episode 106
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Listen once for the main idea. Then use the transcript and repeat useful sentences aloud.
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Episode Resources
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Best order: listen once, read while listening, then listen again without the text.
This lesson was later revisited in Episode 132: Bring, Carry, Take or Fetch?.
Full lesson
Read the Transcript
Follow the text while you listen, then repeat useful sentences aloud.
Hi, dear listener! 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.
Do you know the difference between the words "bring," "carry," "fetch," and "take?"
If the answer is no, this is going to be a very useful episode for you.
I'll start by explaining the meaning of each of these terms with some examples.
And in the second part of this lesson, you are going to practice your speech with a funny mini-story.
Ok! Let’s begin this new episode!
When do we use the word "BRING"?
1) "Bring" means to take or carry something or someone to or toward the speaker.
Examples:
"Jason, please bring me a beer."
"He brought his brother to the hospital."
When do we use the word TAKE?
2) "Take" means taking something/someone away from where you are, or when the person making the request is NOT at the intended destination."
Examples:
"Am I allowed to take library books home with me?"
"Can I take you to the movies tonight?"
"Could you take these files to Jame's office?"
The following examples will help you to remember the differences between "bring" and "take":
Examples:
"You bring something/someone here, and you take something there. "
"You bring something/someone toward a person, and you take something away from a person."
So far so good?
Ok. Let’s continue.
When do we use the word CARRY?
3) To "carry" means to move while holding something/someone, in a vehicle, in our hand or body. We use it when the person making the request is NOT at the intended destination.
Examples:
"Bill, would you please carry my suitcase?"
"Tom is carrying me in his arms."
When do we use the word "FETCH"?
4) "FETCH" means to go and bring back or to return something/someone.
Examples:
"Rex, fetch the ball!"
"Sandra, go and fetch the doctor!"
Continue practicing with my complete English courses. Choose the course that fits your level and goals, and learn to speak more naturally and confidently.
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.
Tom had a perfect life. He spent the whole day, giving orders to his servants.
Did Tom have a terrible life?
No. No. He didn't have a terrible life. His life was perfect.
Tom spent all day receiving orders from his servants. Right?
No. No. He didn't receive any orders from his servants. He gave the orders.
To whom did he give orders?
To his children?
No. No. He didn't give orders to his children. He gave orders to his servants.
What did Tom spend?
Did he spend his money?
No. Tom didn't spend his money. He spent his time giving orders.
In the morning, he told his butler to bring him breakfast in bed.
When did he tell his butler something?
In the morning. He told his butler something in the morning.
What did Tom tell his butler?
Did he tell him to open the door?
No. No. Tom didn't tell his butler to open the door. He told him to bring his breakfast.
Where was the butler supposed to bring breakfast?
In the dining room?
No. No. The butler wasn't supposed to bring breakfast into the dining room. He had to bring it to Tom’s bed.
In the afternoon, he asked his chauffeur (car driver) to take him to the golf club.
Did he ask the chauffeur in the afternoon or in the evening?
In the afternoon. Tom asked the chauffeur in the afternoon.
Did he ask the chauffeur to take him to the supermarket?
No. No. He didn't ask the chauffeur to take him to the supermarket. He asked the chauffeur to take him to the golf club.
Did Tom ask the butler to take him to the golf club?
No. No. He didn't ask the butler. Tom asked the chauffeur to take him to the golf club.
In the evening, he ordered his dog to fetch some tennis balls.
Did Tom order anyone?
Yes, he ordered his dog to do something.
So what did Tom order his dog to do?
He ordered his dog to fetch some tennis balls.
Did the dog have to catch tennis balls or golf balls?
Not golf balls. Tom's dog had to fetch tennis balls.
At night, Tom suddenly wakes up, and he slowly realizes that it was all a dream.
Did he wake up slowly or suddenly?
Suddenly. He woke up suddenly.
Tom continued sleeping. Right?
No.No. Tom didn't continue sleeping. He woke up.
Did Tom realize it was a dream?
Yes. Tom realized it was just a dream.
Poor Tom! He woke up realizing that everything was a dream. Hopefully, his dream will come true someday. Who knows, he may receive an inheritance from a distant relative.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
Bring
To move something or someone toward the speaker or toward a person.
Take
To move something or someone away from where you are.
Carry
To move while holding or transporting something or someone.
Fetch
To go somewhere and bring something or someone back.
Toward
In the direction of a person or place.
Away from
In the direction that increases the distance from a person or place.
Intended destination
The place where someone or something is supposed to go.
Go and bring back
The basic idea expressed by the verb 'fetch.'
Continue practicing with my complete English courses. Choose the course that fits your level and goals, and learn to speak more naturally and confidently.
Hello ticher love you class 😘 is very important for me thanks
Hi, Georgiana, Thanks so much . It’s really effective to improve my English speaking by your “just listening” method. In the past decade, I’ve tried too many ways and used too much time in English learning but there was only limited effect I’ve gained. Sometimes, I even think: Maybe I won’t be able to do good in English speaking in my life no matter how hard I try to learn it. But now, with your method, I bring my confidence back. I believe I can also speak English fluently and confidently in the future if I continue the habit of listening step by step every day.
Thank you again.