EP092 Talking About a Past Event | Intermediate

Hello English learners, welcome back to English Pod.

Hello English learners, welcome back to English Pod.

My name is.

My name is.

Marco and I'm Erica.

Marco and I'm Erica.

and today we have a very special lesson because we're going to be focusing a little bit more on grammar.

and today we have a very special lesson because we're going to be focusing a little bit more on grammar.

That's right, we're going to look today at the difference between past simple and past progressive or sometimes called past continuous.

That's right, we're going to look today at the difference between past simple and past progressive or sometimes called past continuous.

Exactly so, we're going to take a look at these two structures which are a little bit confusing at times.

Exactly so, we're going to take a look at these two structures which are a little bit confusing at times.

And we're gonna be practicing today, but before we get started, why don't we take a look at vocabulary preview?

And we're gonna be practicing today, but before we get started, why don't we take a look at vocabulary preview?

VOCABULARY PREVIEW.

VOCABULARY PREVIEW.

Well, this dialogue is all about telling a story in the past, and we're going to hear two words in the dialogue that we need to understand the meaning of.

Well, this dialogue is all about telling a story in the past, and we're going to hear two words in the dialogue that we need to understand the meaning of.

So the first one: Ages.

So the first one: Ages.

ages.

ages.

I haven't seen you in ages.

I haven't seen you in ages.

Okay?

Okay?

So if I tell you I haven't seen you in ages.

So if I tell you I haven't seen you in ages.

basically you haven't seen me in a really long time.

basically you haven't seen me in a really long time.

Okay?

Okay?

So it's a way of exaggerating a little bit.

So it's a way of exaggerating a little bit.

Yes.

Yes.

Um and this word ages we can use um in many different ways like i've been studying english for ages.

Um and this word ages we can use um in many different ways like i've been studying english for ages.

or for example i can say i haven't been to the dentist in ages.

or for example i can say i haven't been to the dentist in ages.

oh well guess you.

oh well guess you.

better go huh ha ha right so ages a very long time.

better go huh ha ha right so ages a very long time.

yes now another phrase to run into somebody.

yes now another phrase to run into somebody.

so to run into somebody.

so to run into somebody.

i ran into matt 哈。

i ran into matt 哈。

Okay, so if you ran into Matt the other day.

Okay, so if you ran into Matt the other day.

you met him unexpectedly.

you met him unexpectedly.

Okay, so you didn't plan to meet, you didn't have a date, right?

Okay, so you didn't plan to meet, you didn't have a date, right?

Just casually on the street met exactly.

Just casually on the street met exactly.

Okay, so I ran into your friend the other day.

Okay, so I ran into your friend the other day.

Okay, so two good words we're going to hear both of these in the dialogue.

Okay, so two good words we're going to hear both of these in the dialogue.

So why don't we get started with dialogue first time?

So why don't we get started with dialogue first time?

Mike, what's going on?

Mike, what's going on?

Man.

Man.

long time no see.

long time no see.

Hey Pat, yeah, I haven't seen you in ages.

Hey Pat, yeah, I haven't seen you in ages.

How's it going?

How's it going?

Things are going great.

Things are going great.

It's funny running into you like this small world, you know?

It's funny running into you like this small world, you know?

Just last week I ran into Matt as well.

Just last week I ran into Matt as well.

Yeah.

Yeah.

how's he doing?

how's he doing?

He's doing well.

He's doing well.

We went out for a couple of beers, and the funniest thing happened... Oh yeah!

We went out for a couple of beers, and the funniest thing happened... Oh yeah!

Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing, talking about work and family, when all of a sudden, matt saw a mouse run under the chair, and he completely lost it.

Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing, talking about work and family, when all of a sudden, matt saw a mouse run under the chair, and he completely lost it.

He started freaking out and screaming.

He started freaking out and screaming.

Really?

Really?

Yeah, and the funniest thing was, then he jumped onto his chair and started shrieking like a girl.

Yeah, and the funniest thing was, then he jumped onto his chair and started shrieking like a girl.

You should have been there.

You should have been there.

Everyone was staring and laughing, it was hilarious.

Everyone was staring and laughing, it was hilarious.

Ha ha ha.

Ha ha ha.

All right, very good.

All right, very good.

So a funny story and as we saw a lot of stuff in the past.

So a funny story and as we saw a lot of stuff in the past.

right?

right?

That's right.

That's right.

And we're going to look at that in a moment.

And we're going to look at that in a moment.

But first, we've got lots of exciting language to describe when somebody gets really emotional.

But first, we've got lots of exciting language to describe when somebody gets really emotional.

Okay, so why don't we start now with language takeaway?

Okay, so why don't we start now with language takeaway?

LANGUAGE TAKEAWAY.

LANGUAGE TAKEAWAY.

We have four words here now in the dialogue.

We have four words here now in the dialogue.

Um, the guy in the story lost it.

Um, the guy in the story lost it.

So he saw a mouse and he completely lost it.

So he saw a mouse and he completely lost it.

To lose it.

To lose it.

Okay, so when you lose some, you lose it.

Okay, so when you lose some, you lose it.

What are you losing?

What are you losing?

You're losing control of yourself and your emotion.

You're losing control of yourself and your emotion.

Okay, so you lose your temper maybe.

Okay, so you lose your temper maybe.

Yep.

Yep.

So when I lose it, do I just get angry?

So when I lose it, do I just get angry?

Angry or upset or even sad, but it's usually a negative feeling.

Angry or upset or even sad, but it's usually a negative feeling.

Okay, so it's not a good thing to lose it.

Okay, so it's not a good thing to lose it.

No.

No.

So for example, when I showed my boss the sales figures, he completely lost it.

So for example, when I showed my boss the sales figures, he completely lost it.

Okay, very good.

Okay, very good.

So that's what lose it means, and now our second word is very similar but has a little bit of a difference.

So that's what lose it means, and now our second word is very similar but has a little bit of a difference.

That's right, he started freaking out.

That's right, he started freaking out.

Okay, so to freak out.

Okay, so to freak out.

to freak out.

to freak out.

Now freak out is very similar to lose it, right?

Now freak out is very similar to lose it, right?

Yeah, but why don't we hear an example now of somebody freaking out?

Yeah, but why don't we hear an example now of somebody freaking out?

It's just no, no.

It's just no, no.

Okay, forget it, forget it.

Okay, forget it, forget it.

All right, just forget it.

All right, just forget it.

I don't even want to... Just I just want to forget it.

I don't even want to... Just I just want to forget it.

I just want to forget it.

I just want to forget it.

I don't know, I don't know.

I don't know, I don't know.

Okay, calm down.

Okay, calm down.

Whoo, calm down.

Whoo, calm down.

I gotta come down.

I gotta come down.

I'm so happy.

I'm so happy.

I can't, I can't even express it.

I can't, I can't even express it.

I'm like, I haven't have I even finished one sentence.

I'm like, I haven't have I even finished one sentence.

I'm like, give me a high five baby.

I'm like, give me a high five baby.

All right, so we heard this person freaking out and basically it could be losing control or losing your temper but also in a positive way.

All right, so we heard this person freaking out and basically it could be losing control or losing your temper but also in a positive way.

Right, so maybe you're really excited about something that's going to happen, so you're freaking out.

Right, so maybe you're really excited about something that's going to happen, so you're freaking out.

Okay, maybe you're very nervous or you're very excited.

Okay, maybe you're very nervous or you're very excited.

All right, and now moving on to our third word: stare.

All right, and now moving on to our third word: stare.

To stare.

To stare.

people started to stare, staring... okay.

people started to stare, staring... okay.

Now, when you stare at someone or at something.

Now, when you stare at someone or at something.

you look at and focus at something for a really long time.

you look at and focus at something for a really long time.

Okay, so you are looking at it.

Okay, so you are looking at it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

i'm focusing on it.

i'm focusing on it.

Yeah, longer than usual.

Yeah, longer than usual.

All right, maybe when we were small, our parents taught us that it's not nice to stare at other people.

All right, maybe when we were small, our parents taught us that it's not nice to stare at other people.

Exactly.

Exactly.

All right, so to stare.

All right, so to stare.

And our final word, when Matt saw the mouse, he started shrieking.

And our final word, when Matt saw the mouse, he started shrieking.

All right, so to shriek, shriek, shriek — very similar to that movie Shrek.

All right, so to shriek, shriek, shriek — very similar to that movie Shrek.

Oh yeah, it sounds quite similar.

Oh yeah, it sounds quite similar.

All right, but it's different.

All right, but it's different.

What does shriek mean?

What does shriek mean?

Well, why don't we listen to an example?

Well, why don't we listen to an example?

我靠，你净干了。

我靠，你净干了。

Okay, so I think shrieking is to shout in a very high-pitched.

Okay, so I think shrieking is to shout in a very high-pitched.

voice exactly that's to shriek.

voice exactly that's to shriek.

Okay, so we saw four really great words in language takeaway, and why don't we listen now to the dialogue for a second time a little bit slower?

Okay, so we saw four really great words in language takeaway, and why don't we listen now to the dialogue for a second time a little bit slower?

And then we'll come back and look at the differences between simple past and past progressive.

And then we'll come back and look at the differences between simple past and past progressive.

Mike, what's going on, man?

Mike, what's going on, man?

Long time no see.

Long time no see.

Hey, pat.

Hey, pat.

Yeah, i haven't seen you in ages.

Yeah, i haven't seen you in ages.

How's it going?

How's it going?

Things are going great.

Things are going great.

It's funny running into you like this small world, eh?

It's funny running into you like this small world, eh?

You know, just last week, i ran into matt as well.

You know, just last week, i ran into matt as well.

Yeah, how's he doing?

Yeah, how's he doing?

He's doing well.

He's doing well.

We went out for a couple of beers and the funniest thing happened.

We went out for a couple of beers and the funniest thing happened.

Oh yeah.

Oh yeah.

Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing, talking about work and family, when all of a sudden, Matt saw a mouse run under his chair and he completely lost it.

Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing, talking about work and family, when all of a sudden, Matt saw a mouse run under his chair and he completely lost it.

He started freaking out and screaming.

He started freaking out and screaming.

Ha ha.

Ha ha.

really.

really.

Yeah.

Yeah.

and the funniest thing was, then he jumped on his chair and started shrieking like a girl.

and the funniest thing was, then he jumped on his chair and started shrieking like a girl.

You should have been there.

You should have been there.

Everyone was staring and laughing.

Everyone was staring and laughing.

It was hilarious.

It was hilarious.

Ha ha.

Ha ha.

Ok, so there was a lot of different uses of past tense here in this dialogue, wasn't there?

Ok, so there was a lot of different uses of past tense here in this dialogue, wasn't there?

Yeah, since he was telling a story that happened, he used the past a lot.

Yeah, since he was telling a story that happened, he used the past a lot.

Well, let's now, as promised, look at past simple and past progressive in grammar breakdown.

Well, let's now, as promised, look at past simple and past progressive in grammar breakdown.

GRAMMAR BREAKDOWN.

GRAMMAR BREAKDOWN.

Okay, Marco, before we start our discussion, why don't we hear one example of past simple and one example of past progressive?

Okay, Marco, before we start our discussion, why don't we hear one example of past simple and one example of past progressive?

You know, just last week I ran into Matt as well.

You know, just last week I ran into Matt as well.

"Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing.

"Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing.

Ok, so we heard that just last week, i ran into matt.

Ok, so we heard that just last week, i ran into matt.

So, we discuss what run into means.

So, we discuss what run into means.

Yep, to meet someone by surprise.

Yep, to meet someone by surprise.

All right, and now this structure is the simple past, right?

All right, and now this structure is the simple past, right?

Yep.

Yep.

Now the second example that we heard was, we were talking and catching up.

Now the second example that we heard was, we were talking and catching up.

Ok, so let's look at the difference in meaning here.

Ok, so let's look at the difference in meaning here.

I ran into matt happened in the past.

I ran into matt happened in the past.

right?

right?

Right, simple past.

Right, simple past.

But one moment in the past.

But one moment in the past.

So the action finished.

So the action finished.

Concluded.

Concluded.

started and finished all around the same time.

started and finished all around the same time.

So it's one simple moment.

So it's one simple moment.

Okay.

Okay.

Now the other example is in the past progressive.

Now the other example is in the past progressive.

So the action was happening for a longer period of time.

So the action was happening for a longer period of time.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

So let's let's attach some times to this.

So let's let's attach some times to this.

Maybe you ran into matt at.

Maybe you ran into matt at.

804.

804.

Okay.

Okay.

And so the action started at 8:04, but you were talking and catching up from 805 until 905.

And so the action started at 8:04, but you were talking and catching up from 805 until 905.

Okay, so you were talking for an hour.

Okay, so you were talking for an hour.

right?

right?

So it's a the past progressive you use when you're when the action is happening for a longer period of time.

So it's a the past progressive you use when you're when the action is happening for a longer period of time.

Okay, so to better understand this, let's have another example.

Okay, so to better understand this, let's have another example.

Matt saw a mouse run under his chair, and he completely lost it.

Matt saw a mouse run under his chair, and he completely lost it.

Everyone was staring and laughing.

Everyone was staring and laughing.

So, as we heard in the example, he saw a mouse run under his chair.

So, as we heard in the example, he saw a mouse run under his chair.

So, a quick action that started and finished quickly.

So, a quick action that started and finished quickly.

Ok, he saw the mouse, and it ran under the chair.

Ok, he saw the mouse, and it ran under the chair.

Yep.

Yep.

Now, the second example we heard was everyone was staring and laughing.

Now, the second example we heard was everyone was staring and laughing.

So, maybe this happened over four or five minutes.

So, maybe this happened over four or five minutes.

Ok, so people were looking at him and laughing and talking about how he was screaming like a girl.

Ok, so people were looking at him and laughing and talking about how he was screaming like a girl.

Yes.

Yes.

Ok so that's the main difference between the simple past and the past progressive the amount of time that the action happened.

Ok so that's the main difference between the simple past and the past progressive the amount of time that the action happened.

yep all right well now that we understand a little bit more about the past tense why don't we hear it again in context by listening to the dialogue for a third time 哦。

yep all right well now that we understand a little bit more about the past tense why don't we hear it again in context by listening to the dialogue for a third time 哦。

Mike, what's going on, man?

Mike, what's going on, man?

Long time no see.

Long time no see.

Hey, pat.

Hey, pat.

Yeah, i haven't seen you in ages.

Yeah, i haven't seen you in ages.

How's it going?

How's it going?

Things are going great.

Things are going great.

It's funny running into you like this small world, huh?

It's funny running into you like this small world, huh?

You know, just last week i ran into matt as well.

You know, just last week i ran into matt as well.

Yeah.

Yeah.

how's he doing?

how's he doing?

He's doing well.

He's doing well.

We went out for a couple of beers and the funniest thing happened.

We went out for a couple of beers and the funniest thing happened.

Oh yeah.

Oh yeah.

Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing, talking about work and family.

Well, we were talking and catching up on what we've been doing, talking about work and family.

When all of a sudden, matt saw a mouse run under the chair, and he completely lost it.

When all of a sudden, matt saw a mouse run under the chair, and he completely lost it.

He started freaking out and screaming.

He started freaking out and screaming.

Really?

Really?

Yeah, and the funniest thing was, then he jumped onto his chair and started shrieking like a girl.

Yeah, and the funniest thing was, then he jumped onto his chair and started shrieking like a girl.

You should have been there.

You should have been there.

Everyone was staring and laughing, it was hilarious.

Everyone was staring and laughing, it was hilarious.

Ha ha ha.

Ha ha ha.

Ok, perfect.

Ok, perfect.

So now that we understand the words and the grammar behind it, there are some interesting phrases here that you can use casually with your friends.

So now that we understand the words and the grammar behind it, there are some interesting phrases here that you can use casually with your friends.

Yeah, there's actually a lot of great sort of meeting and greeting and saying hello language.

Yeah, there's actually a lot of great sort of meeting and greeting and saying hello language.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

So for example, when they met up, since they were old friends, he said, hey, pat.

So for example, when they met up, since they were old friends, he said, hey, pat.

Hey, pat.

Hey, pat.

Okay, so this word hey, it's kind of like hi, it's hi, right?

Okay, so this word hey, it's kind of like hi, it's hi, right?

Normally you would use it to get somebody's attention, right?

Normally you would use it to get somebody's attention, right?

Like, hey.

Like, hey.

i'm over here.

i'm over here.

Hey, waiter.

Hey, waiter.

Okay.

Okay.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But in this case, like, hey, how's it going or hi?

But in this case, like, hey, how's it going or hi?

Yeah, so it's a really friendly and informal way of saying hi.

Yeah, so it's a really friendly and informal way of saying hi.

Okay.

Okay.

And then he asked, how's it going?

And then he asked, how's it going?

How's it going?

How's it going?

So again, this is a way of saying.

So again, this is a way of saying.

how are you?

how are you?

Yeah, marco, what's the correct answer to this greeting?

Yeah, marco, what's the correct answer to this greeting?

Well, well, for example, he said things are going great, right?

Well, well, for example, he said things are going great, right?

You can say, yeah, things are great or i'm doing well.

You can say, yeah, things are great or i'm doing well.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Or even great, you know, great.

Or even great, you know, great.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So how's it going?

So how's it going?

Oh, it's great.

Oh, it's great.

Yeah, right now another one that we didn't see in the dialogue, but it's very popular is when somebody asks, hey, what's up?

Yeah, right now another one that we didn't see in the dialogue, but it's very popular is when somebody asks, hey, what's up?

Yeah, what's up?

Yeah, what's up?

So again, what is the right way to answer this question?

So again, what is the right way to answer this question?

All right, so when somebody says what's up, you can say, well, not much, or if maybe you have news or something that you want to share, you would say, well, i just got back from the doctor's office.

All right, so when somebody says what's up, you can say, well, not much, or if maybe you have news or something that you want to share, you would say, well, i just got back from the doctor's office.

Yeah, right.

Yeah, right.

But you wouldn't say fine, thank you, or you wouldn't say very good, or any of these other common answers to what's up.

But you wouldn't say fine, thank you, or you wouldn't say very good, or any of these other common answers to what's up.

That can be a little bit tricky.

That can be a little bit tricky.

Yeah, then so the rule is the normal thing to say when someone says hey what's up is nothing.

Yeah, then so the rule is the normal thing to say when someone says hey what's up is nothing.

much not much.

much not much.

Yeah.

Yeah.

All right.

All right.

So interesting ways of greeting casually with people, right?

So interesting ways of greeting casually with people, right?

You wouldn't use this for it with your boss, maybe or in an office setting.

You wouldn't use this for it with your boss, maybe or in an office setting.

Yeah, more more useful with your friends.

Yeah, more more useful with your friends.

Okay.

Okay.

So if you have any other questions or have any other informal greetings that you would like to share with us come to englishpod dot com.

So if you have any other questions or have any other informal greetings that you would like to share with us come to englishpod dot com.

yeah marco and i are always around to answer your questions and we look forward to hearing from you so until next.

yeah marco and i are always around to answer your questions and we look forward to hearing from you so until next.

time bye bye 哈哈哈。

time bye bye 哈哈哈。