
Practice with fixed expressions
About this episode
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Fixed expressions are little English phrases that native speakers use all the time. If I were in your shoes, I would learn lots of fixed expressions.
For variety, this podcast uses several synthetic voices to read the sentences.
1. The fact that she speaks five languages doesn't mean she's qualified to be president.
2. The fact that I just saw a rat means we're not eating dinner in this restaurant.
3. The fact that our next door neighbor owns three cars proves that he has more money than sense.
4. On the way to work, a bird flew into my car.
5. On the way to Paris, our plane developed engine trouble.
6. On the way to the beach, it started to rain cats and dogs.
7. To my amazement, dinner was ready and waiting for me when I got home.
8. To his amazement, he got a perfect score on his physics exam.
9. To our amazement, the storm passed by quickly and the weather was perfect for our picnic.
10. To their amazement, their new film won first prize at the film festival.
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11. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't move to Bombay. It's too hot there.
12. If I were in your shoes, I'd marry someone more intelligent than your current girlfriend.
13. She said that if she were in my shoes, she'd quit her job and go to graduate school.
14. Without warning, dishes began to rattle on the shelves. It was an earthquake!
15. Without warning, his mother began to cry. "What's the matter?" asked Maria.
16. Without warning, the car in front of us hit a patch of ice and skidded off the road.
17. That's the kind of thing that drives me crazy.
18. Poorly prepared food in a restaurant is the kind of thing I can't tolerate.
19. Drinking alcohol and driving is the kind of thing that should be severely punished.
20. I got off to a fast start but after a few kilometers, other runners began to catch up with me.
21. She was out sick at the beginning of the semester, but after she returned to school she soon caught up with the other students in her class.
22. I had to work late but I caught up with my friends at the mall later in the evening.
Intro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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