Essential English Expressions – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Keep an eye on / out

Learn the English expression, "Keep an eye on / out"

Have you heard the expressions, "keep an eye on" and "keep an eye out"? They're both about watching, but without giving your full attention. Here's what I mean.

If you're making rice, you should keep an eye on the stove. You don't have to stare at it the whole time, but you don't want to forget about it either. Watch it, but don't give it your full attention.

Likewise, if you're expecting a package, you should keep an eye out for the delivery driver. You don't have to wait at the door all day. But just be aware that the delivery truck might come.

See what I mean? "Keep an eye on" and "keep an eye out" are both about watching, but without giving your full attention.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "Keep an eye on / out": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/keep-an-eye-on-out

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Take advantage of

Learn the English expression, "Take advantage of"

Have you heard the expression, 'take advantage of'? It’s super common, but did you know there are two ways to use it? One is positive, and one is… not so much. Make sure you don't get them confused.

The most common meaning of 'take advantage' is to make the most of an opportunity. Like when there's a big sale, and you snag a great deal.

But be careful—'take advantage' can also mean treating someone unfairly for your own gain, like if a manager makes employees work overtime without paying them.

Here's a hint. If you're going to use "take advantage of," make sure it's clear which of the two definitions you mean.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "Take advantage of": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/take-advantage-of

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Figure out

Learn the English expression, "Figure out"

There are two ways to use the phrasal verb "figure out."

Number 1: "figure out" means to find the solution to a problem. Now be careful: it doesn't mean fixing a problem. It just means finding the solution.

If your car needs to be repaired, you'll want to figure out how you're going to get to work while it's in the shop. Find the solution before you take your car in.

Number 2: "figure out" can mean to understand something complex. Like, "I can't figure out why my car is making a strange noise."

Here's a tip: after "figure out," use words like "who, what, when, where, or why."

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "Figure out": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/figure-out

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Make sure

Learn the English expression, "Make sure"

The English expression "make sure" means to confirm that things are as they should be, or that people have done what they should do.

You probably "make sure" all the time. When you leave your house, you make sure you have your keys with you. Before you go on long trip, you make sure your passport is still valid.

Here's a tip: You can use "make sure" to remind someone to do something. If you have kids, you can say, "Make sure to brush your teeth before bed."

Now, here's my reminder to you: "Make sure" to use this expression correctly. Use "make sure" to confirm that everything is the way it should be.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "Make sure": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/make-sure

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Make a difference

Learn the English expression, "Make a difference"

What does it mean to "make a difference?"

This English expression has two meanings: Number one, to have a positive impact on the world. Or number 2, to have a noticeable effect.

If someone volunteers at a food bank, you can say, "Her work really makes a difference." She's doing something good. She's having a positive impact on the world.

Now imagine you change up your breakfast. Instead of having a muffin, you have a green smoothie. Now, you have more energy. Your new breakfast made a difference because it had a noticeable effect.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "Make a difference": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/make-a-difference

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Look forward to

Learn the English expression, "Look forward to"

Are you happy or excited about something in the future? If so, you're "looking forward to" it

You can look forward to an event, an activity, or even a time of year. If you have plans to see a movie this weekend, you can say, "I'm looking forward to seeing the movie." That means you're happy about it.

If it's just been a long, cold winter, you might even say, "I'm looking forward to the warm weather." That means, you'll be happy when the weather gets warmer.

What about if something will happen and you're not happy about it? Just say you're not looking forward to it. "I'm not looking forward to this party." That means, the party is coming...but you don't want to go.

So remember: "look forward to" is all about the way you feel about something that's coming in the future.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "Look forward to": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/look-forward-to

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Are you learning English? Do you want to speak English more naturally? If so, you need to learn the essential English expressions.

Every episode in this new podcast will teach you step-by-step how to use one essential English expression.

Essential English Expressions is made by Plain English, an online community that helps you upgrade your skills in English.

Follow/Subscribe to Essential English Expressions and get:

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At once

Learn the English expression, "At once"

"At once" is an English expression with two meanings.

First, it can mean to do something immediately, without any delay or waiting. If someone has a medical emergency, you might say, "Call a doctor at once!" That means, call a doctor right now, without waiting. When people use "at once" like this, there's always some urgency in their voices.

Here's the second meaning. "At once" can also mean to do two or more things at the same time. If you make a careless mistake at work, it might be because you were trying to do too many things at once (too many things at the same time).

So here are your two meanings. If something has to happen immediately, do it at once. And if you do two things at the same time, you do two things at once.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "At once": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/at-once

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For good

Learn the English expression, "For good"

If something happens "for good," it's permanent.

Use this expression to emphasize that you mean something is is not temporary. For example, in the sentence, "That restaurant is closed for good," "for good" tells your listener that that the restaurant is closed permanently. It will not reopen.

We often use "for good" to say that something has stopped and will not start again. A former smoker might have tried to quit a few times. But then she might say, "I finally quit for good when I had kids."

Apple used to make portable music players called iPods. But the company stopped making iPods for good in 2022.

Remember, "for good" is not about good or bad. If something happens "for good," it's permanent--and that can be a good thing or a bad thing.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "For good": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/for-good

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Keep track of

Learn the English expression, "Keep track of"

There are two ways to use the English expression, "keep track of." It can mean to organize information or to stay informed. But whichever way you use it, "keep track of" is about understanding what's going on.

You might use an app to keep track of which books you've read. You enter each book and the date you finished it. This is about organizing information.

Or you might keep track of your kids' homework assignments. That's not about writing down every detail. Instead, its about staying informed and knowing the latest information.

So whether you organize information or just stay informed, "keeping track" helps you understand what's going on.

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Practice: Read the transcript of this episode, take a quiz, and practice using "Keep track of": https://plainenglish.com/expressions/keep-track-of

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What is Plain English? Plain English is the modern way to upgrade your English skills with short English lessons. No time for long classes? No problem. Our lessons are short, interactive, and fun. They help you improve your English listening, learn new words, and speak English with more confidence.

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