Lily asks
Do you have any weekend traditions? Tell me about one.
How to build your answer
Habits: four moves, about a minute.
- 1What you doThe habit, plainly. “I usually…”
- 2When and how oftenEvery morning? Once a week?
- 3WhyWhat you get out of it.
- 4A real exampleThe last time it happened.
Lily's answer, three ways
The same story, from easy to advanced. Tap a highlighted phrase to learn it.
Easy
Lily's voice note
Yeah, every Sunday I ring my nan. I have a slow breakfast first, eggs and toast with the radio on. Then at about eleven I call her. We've done it every week for about five years now. She tells me about her garden and the neighbours, and I tell her about my week. Sometimes we talk for an hour. It's honestly the best part of my week. If we miss a Sunday, I feel a bit lost without it, like the weekend isn't finished.
Phrases to borrow
the best part of my week
/ðə ˈbest ˈpɑːt əv maɪ ˈwiːk/
the time you enjoy most each week
Friday dinner with friends is the best part of my week.
feel lost without something
/fiːl ˈlɒst wɪˈðaʊt ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
feel strange when you don't have something
I feel a bit lost without my morning walk.
Natural
Lily's voice note
Yeah, I ring my nan every Sunday, and we've done it for about five years now. First I have a slow breakfast, eggs, toast and a good coffee, with the radio on. Then at eleven on the dot I call her. We have a natter about everything. She tells me what's happening in her garden and with the neighbours, and I fill her in on my week. It often goes on for an hour. It's such a nice way to end the weekend, and I really look forward to it.
Phrases to borrow
on the dot
/ɒn ðə ˈdɒt/
at exactly that time
The train left at nine on the dot.
have a natter
/ˈhæv ə ˈnætə/
have a long, friendly, relaxed chat
We had a natter over coffee and lost track of time.
fill someone in on something
/fɪl ˈsʌmwʌn ˈɪn ɒn ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
tell someone the news or details they missed
I missed the meeting, can you fill me in on what happened?
Advanced
Lily's voice note
Yes, definitely, and it's my favourite thing. Every Sunday I take my time over breakfast, eggs, toast, the good coffee, with the radio humming away in the background. No rushing anywhere. Then, around eleven, I ring my nan. We've done it every Sunday without fail for about five years. She gives me all the news from her garden and the neighbours, who's fallen out with who, and I tell her about my week. Sometimes we chat for an hour. It helps me reset for the week, somehow. Even when I'm busy, I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Phrases to borrow
take your time over something
/teɪk jɔː ˈtaɪm ˈəʊvə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
do something slowly and enjoy it
I like to take my time over dinner.
without fail
/wɪˈðaʊt ˈfeɪl/
always, every time
He calls his mum every Sunday without fail.
reset for the week
/ˌriːˈset fə ðə ˈwiːk/
rest and get ready for a new week
A quiet Sunday helps me reset for the week.
wouldn't miss it for the world
/ˈwʊdnt ˈmɪs ɪt fə ðə ˈwɜːld/
really want to do something, whatever happens
Your wedding? I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Your turn: answer Lily
Do you have any weekend traditions? Tell me about one.
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Daily life
on the dot
at exactly that time
“The train left at nine on the dot.”
heytardy