Describing people, places, and things
Conversation: Talking about roommates
ERIC: So, Michael, what’s your new roommate like?
MICHAEL: Well, if you have all day, I’ll describe him for you. He’s quite the character.
ERIC: I don’t have all day, dude—but basically—do you get along with him?
MICHAEL: Actually, yeah—but that’s only because we hardly ever see each other. The guy sleeps all day. Sometimes he gets up just to go to his classes, and then he comes back to the room and goes back to bed. Then he’ll get up at midnight and study all night.
ERIC: Really? You don’t eat together, then?
MICHAEL: The truth is, I don’t even know when he eats, or where.
ERIC: Then at least he doesn’t leave a mess in the kitchen.
MICHAEL: No! The guy is incredibly neat. He actually leaves the bathroom clean every day—and he doesn’t seem to have dirty clothes. He’s like a ghost.
ERIC: Man, I think you have the perfect roommate!
MICHAEL: What about yours? What’s he like?
ERIC: Well, he’s the exact opposite of yours. We’re a lot alike, and we’re together a lot. I mean, we have two classes together and we’re in the same fraternity, so we’re really good friends.
MICHAEL: Sounds to me like you have the ideal roommate!
ERIC: Well, yes—and no. Mine is a disaster in the house. In the first place, he always leaves a mess in the kitchen; he doesn’t wash the dishes or take out the trash. Plus, he throws his clothes all over the place. Not to mention how he leaves the bathroom . . .
MICHAEL: Come on, Eric—he sounds a lot like you. No wonder you get along so well!
Improving your conversation
So
So has many different uses. In the example conversation, it is used to begin a question that is not surprising and may have even been expected.
So how much do you want for the car? (You know I’m interested in buying it.)
So when are we leaving? (We both know we are going somewhere together.)
Another use of so is to mean extremely.
I can’t wait to get there. I’m so excited.
To be like
Like asks for a description of a person, place, or thing.
To be like is also a slang (informal) expression that means to be thinking or telling your reaction.
She comes home late, and I’m like, “Where have you been?”
He told me I wasn’t studying enough, and I was like, “What do you mean? I study for three hours every night!”
The teacher told me I failed the math test, and I was like, “Oh man, my mom’s going to be upset.”
Look like, smell like, and sound like express similarity of appearance, smell, and sound.
Mary looks (just/exactly) like her mother.
This perfume smells like gardenias.
When I talk to you on the phone, you sound like your dad.
These same combinations can also mean seem like, to indicate a guess about what is happening.
It looks like (it’s going to) rain.
It smells like something’s burning.
It sounds like you’re very upset.
When things are similar, they are said to be, look, smell, or sound alike.
You guys are exactly alike—always getting into trouble.
The twins look alike.
These two roses smell (exactly) alike.
You and your brother don’t sound (at all) alike.
Will
Will—usually in contraction form (’ll)—is often used to make an offer to do something.
I’ll go to the store for you.
We’ll wash the dishes.
The same contraction can be used to emphasize that an activity is habitual.
Sometimes when I’m alone I’ll go for a long walk.
In the summer, he’ll stay up late every night playing poker with his friends.
Well
Well indicates that what you plan to say next may need a little explanation.
Dude
Dude is an informal, friendly way of calling a male friend or acquaintance instead of using his name.
Dude, what time are we leaving tomorrow?
Basically
Basically indicates a summarized or generalized opinion.
Actually/the truth is
The terms actually and the truth is indicate that the speaker is telling the truth, even if it is surprising.
Another expression that means the same thing is as a matter of fact.
Really
Really? is a way of asking if what was said was the truth.
Really before an adjective means very.
This movie is really good, but I’m really tired, so I’m going to bed.
Hardly ever
Hardly ever means almost never.
You hardly ever call me anymore. Are you mad at me?
At least
At least indicates that a situation could be worse.
Ooh, it’s so cold outside today! Well at least it isn’t raining.
What about . . . ?
What about . . . ? is a way to ask the same question about a different topic.
I mean
I mean precedes further explanation of the previous information.
She keeps her house really clean. I mean, she dusts and vacuums every day!
Other expressions that introduce further explanation include in other words and that is.
He studies twenty-four-seven. In other words, he’s a serious student.
She’s a real party animal. That is, she goes out every night.
In the first place
In the first place is used to present the first example of why you do or don’t like something. Second/in the second place or plus can precede the next examples. A final example can be preceded by not to mention that.
We’re not happy in the suburbs.
In the first place, it takes us almost two hours to get to work.
In the second place, when we get home, we’re exhausted.
Plus, we spend so much on gas.
Not to mention that the kids are in day care for more than ten hours!
Then
Then can introduce a logical conclusion.
Come on
Come on is a way to say that someone is exaggerating a little bit.
It can also be used to ask for a reconsideration or change of mind.
Wonder
I wonder expresses an unanswered question or doubt. The subject-verb order is different from that of a question.
No wonder indicates that something is obvious.
He’s smart, energetic, well educated, and charming. No wonder you like him!
Quite the character
To be quite the character is to be unusual in some way.
Fraternity
A fraternity is an established social group of university men, who often live together in a frat house and mainly exist for social purposes. Fraternities are also known as Greeks, as they use Greek letters to form their names. Similar organizations exist for women and are called sororities.
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What are you like?
a. I’m like, what’s going on?
b. I’m a little shy.
c. I like chocolate.
d. It’s crazy.
2. What do you like?
a. I’m like, who are you?
b. I’m always busy.
c. I like red dresses.
d. I’m crazy.
3. Who do you look like?
a. I look like my sister.
b. It sounds crazy.
c. I like my sister.
d. I sing like my father.
4. What is your sister like?
a. I like my sister.
b. She likes to ski.
c. She’s tall.
d. She likes me.
5. What is her boyfriend like?
a. He likes her.
b. She likes him.
c. He’s like, go home!
d. He’s very smart.
Write a question using like for each of the following answers.
1. ___________________________________________________
He’s very tall.
2. ___________________________________________________
Yes, she does.
3. ___________________________________________________
He’s quite the character.
4. ___________________________________________________
They like to play basketball.
5. ___________________________________________________
She likes to play with dolls.
6. ___________________________________________________
I’m honest.
Match the words or expressions in the first column with those in the second column that have a similar meaning. Note: There may be more than one match for each expression.
Match each question in the first column with an appropriate response from the second column. Note: Some questions have more than one appropriate response.
Circle the word or expression that best completes each of the following sentences.
1. Let’s go home. I’m ________________ tired.
a. feel like
b. basically
c. really
d. at least
2. We need another player for the team. ________________ Tom?
a. What about
b. Actually
c. As a matter of fact
d. Hardly ever
3. It’s a really hard course. ________________, I’m up all night studying.
a. What about
b. Then
c. Hardly ever
d. I mean
4. She talks a lot. ________________, she’s on the telephone from the time she gets up ’til she goes to bed.
a. So
b. Then
c. Plus
d. Basically
5. This chair is ________________ comfortable. I could sit here all day.
a. so
b. plus
c. no wonder
d. seems like
Circle the most appropriate response to each of the following questions or remarks.
1. Ben never showed up last night.
a. Well, he hardly ever goes out.
b. Come on, let’s go out.
c. At least he’s sick.
d. Actually, he’s a party animal.
2. I don’t think I’ll go to the concert. It’s too expensive.
a. At least it costs $25.
b. Come on, you have plenty of money.
c. So you’re going?
d. I wonder if you have enough money.
3. What do you think of the new mayor?
a. No wonder he is the mayor.
b. I’ll call him.
c. What about Janice?
d. At least he shows up at meetings.
4. There’s a lot of traffic on Route 66.
a. So where are we going?
b. What about Route 95?
c. Then we’ll get there quickly.
d. No wonder we like Route 66.
5. So, what do you like about your fraternity?
a. In the first place, the guys are really cool.
b. Dude, you’re quite the character!
c. I mean, she really likes her sorority.
d. No wonder you’re in a fraternity.
The following statements explain why a friend does not like her apartment. Write in the words or expressions (e.g., in the first place, not to mention that, in the second place, plus) that introduce each statement.
I do not like my apartment.
1. ___________________________________________, it’s in a terrible location.
2. ___________________________________________, it’s way too small.
3. ___________________________________________, the kitchen has really old appliances.
4. ___________________________________________, there’s a leak in the roof!
Complete the following sentences in your own words to explain why you like or don’t like something. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your answers.
What do you like or not like? __________________________________
In the first place, __________________________________.
Second, __________________________________.
Plus, __________________________________.
Not to mention that __________________________________.
Write a conversation between you and a prospective roommate in which you describe yourself and ask him or her to do the same. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your answers.
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