00:00
Support comes from WISE, the smart way to sendmoney around the world.
Your life is global. Your money should be too.
Some providers promise no fees on overseastransfers,
but extra costs often hide in bloated exchangerates.
Choose WISE. You can send money overseas foreducation,
or spend in over 40 currencies while traveling.
Get the exchange rate that you'd usually see onGoogle.
Plus, count on 24-7 customer support.
Be smart. Get WISE. Visit WISE.com. T's and C'sapply.
But when every face turned towards her, theEnglish disappeared.
One silent second stretched into ten, and panicbegan racing the clock.
And she remembered, fluency isn't answeringinstantly.
It's keeping your turn alive.
She breathed. Let me think.
The room stopped rushing her.
What I mean is, and the answer she already knewfinally found its way out.
Four small expressions can turn a frozen momentinto confident English.
Put them in your toolbox.
Martin, ask me a difficult question.
All right. What is one thing you would changeabout your life?
I... wait. My mind has gone completely blank.
Take your time.
That is easy for you to say. Everyone is waitingfor my answer.
Then do not stay silent. Show them that you arethinking.
How?
Use an expression that keeps the conversationalive.
An expression that says, I have not finished.
Please do not rescue me.
Exactly.
Welcome to your English toolbox and the firstepisode of our new weekly series,
Everyday Useful Expressions. I am Martin.
And I am Julia.
In this series, we will teach you practicalEnglish that you can use immediately in real
conversations.
Each episode will focus on one everyday situation.
We will explore ready-made expressions thatnatural speakers use again and again.
Today, we are learning how to buy time when youneed to think.
Our first expression is, let me think.
Let me think.
This is neutral and useful in almost anyconversation.
Someone asks, when can you finish the report?
Let me think. Friday afternoon should be possible.
It tells the other person that you are preparingan answer, not ending your turn.
Our second expression is, give me a second.
This is more informal.
Use it with friends or colleagues.
Where did I put my keys?
Give me a second. I think I saw them in thekitchen.
03:01
It means, I need a short moment.
Can it sound too direct?
Sometimes, you can make it softer.
Just give me a second, please.
A warm tone makes it friendlier.
Expression number three, how can I put this?
We use it when an idea is difficult to explain.
Or when we want to choose our words carefully.
Imagine that a friend asks what you think of theirnew haircut.
And I do not like it.
You might say, how can I put this?
I think your previous style suited you better.
It gives you time and prepares the listener for adelicate answer.
It is useful in meetings and sensitiveconversations.
How can I put this?
The project needs a clearer direction.
Our fourth expression is, what I mean is.
We use this when our first explanation was notclear.
Or when the listener misunderstood us.
For example, I do not want to cancel the plan.
What I mean is, perhaps we should choose anotherday.
You are repairing your message.
Fluent speakers do not always create perfectsentences immediately.
They rephrase and continue.
Exactly.
Let us compare all four expressions.
Let me think gives you a neutral thinking pause.
Give me a second asks informally for a shortmoment.
How can I put this?
Helps you prepare a difficult or delicateexplanation.
And what I mean is, helps you clarify yourmessage.
Time for a quick challenge.
Choose the most natural expression before Ianswer.
Situation 1.
A colleague asks which day is best for your nextmeeting.
You need to check your schedule.
Let me think.
Situation 2.
Your friend asks where their phone is.
You need a moment to remember.
Give me a second.
Situation 3.
Your manager asks for your honest opinion about aproblematic project.
You want to be diplomatic.
How can I put this?
Final situation.
Someone has misunderstood your suggestion and youwant to explain it again.
What I mean is.
Excellent.
Now answer aloud.
What would you like to improve about your English?
Begin with one of today's expressions.
A thinking expression makes you sound calmer
and gives your brain time to find the English youknow.
On the episode page at yourenglishtoolbox.com,
you will find these four expressions withexplanations,
06:00
translations, examples and practice.
But this new series goes one step further.
Every episode page will include five additionalexpressions
that are not taught in the audio.
You can study them and practice using all nine inthe same situation.
Today's podcast is the lesson and the website isthe extended practice.
You will find the direct link in the episodedescription.
Now, Julia, let us return to my original question.
The thing I would change about my life?
Exactly.
How can I put this?
Take your time.
I would like fewer difficult questions from mypodcast partner.
That was diplomatic.
I had time to prepare it.
See you next time, friends.
Goodbye.