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 Lesson
27 - Comparing
Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for
students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL)
Language. |
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Comparing
Jean: I think this material is
much prettier than that,
don’t you?
Lois: Well, I
don’t know. I like them both. Why do you like that one better?
Jean: Well, the
design is more interesting and the colors are brighter. And it’s not as
expensive, either.
Lois: Oh, I see what you mean. And besides,
these colors are
more becoming to you.
Jean: Do you really think so? I’ll buy it,
then. |
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Conversation Notes |
- I think this material
- Note that the conjunction that introduces an indirect
statement is often omitted in casual conversation.
- much prettier
- Much is a common intensifier for comparative adjectives
and adverbs: much harder, much more difficult, much less useful, etc. A lot
is also used for this purpose: a lot prettier, a lot more practical, a lot
more expensive.
- that
- Meaning is that material.
- don’t you
- The rising intonation indicates a true question,
requiring an answer.
- I like them both
- Meaning is I like both of them. That one refers to a
piece of material apparently near the first speaker, who referred to it as
“this material.”
- I see what you mean
- Meaning is I understand (why you like it).
- these colors are more becoming to
you
- The strong stress on are indicates, in this case,
something like: Now that I have really thought about it…, or Taking
everything into consideration…
- becoming to you
- Becoming is an adjective meaning suitable in appearance;
having an attractive effect.
- then
- Meaning is in that case; since that is so.
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Source: U.S. State Department |
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Additional
Conversation Lessons |
 Conversation
This is a collection of 36 situational conversations
which focus on spoken American English in a relatively
natural way....these
lessons are for intermediate students. |
 Conversation
This is a collection of 30 situational conversations. Each conversation is
accompanied by language notes....these
lessons are for advanced students. |
 Conversation
English conversation lessons. 52
lessons covering pronunciation, speaking,
writing, and grammar topics....these
lessons are for beginning students. |
 Conversation
English conversation lessons. 30
lessons focusing mostly on communication and
grammar topics....these
lessons are for intermediate students. |
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