Conversation Skills - 3 expressions you can use

Hi, my name is Emma, and today we are going to be learning some new conversation expressions.

So I don't know if you have seen my last video, Conversation Expressions, where we looked

at "as I was saying", "speaking of", and "if you ask me". This video is going to be similar.

We're going to learn three new conversation expressions that are not really used in writing,

only in conversation. So you will hear these expressions quite often, especially in movies

and TV, and another thing that is important to realize is that when you learn these expressions,

memorize them as a chunk. So what that means is, for example, "that reminds me", this,

remember it as a whole chunk of language.

Okay, so what expressions are we going to be learning today? Well, of course, "that

reminds me", the second one is "if worst comes to worst", and the third one is "ring a bell".

So let's get started. Okay, so "that reminds me", when do we use "that reminds me"? So

again, this is in a conversation. We use it when somebody says something in the conversation,

and it makes me remember something else. So it's kind of like, imagine a comic when that

lightbulb clicks, or turns on, I mean. When you see the lightbulb, and you think about

something else. So it has to do with your memory and remembering things. So for example,

"I bought my boyfriend a PS3 for his birthday." Maybe somebody tells you that. That would

be a very nice thing to do. Now, the second person in the conversation, so remember this

is a conversation, might say, "Aha, keyword birthday." And they're reminded their boyfriend

is having a birthday soon. So the conversation might look like this, "I bought my boyfriend

a PS3 for his birthday." First person says. Second person might say, "That reminds me,

my boyfriend's birthday is coming up too." Or, "My boyfriend's birthday is soon. I need

to buy him a present as well." So again, we use this when what the first person says reminds

you of something. And it's used at the beginning of what you're saying. So let's think of another

example. Person one in the conversation might say, "I saw a great movie on TV last night."

The second person, suddenly that light bulb switches on. "Oh, that reminds me. Did you

hear there is a DVD sale at the mall today?" So maybe they saw the word "movie", they heard

the word "movie", and it reminded them that there's a DVD sale at the mall. So again,

it's when something brings to mind something else. "Are you going to the hockey game today?"

"Oh, yes, yes. I really want to go to the hockey game. That reminds me. We should buy

tickets soon." So it's where something previously said reminds you of a different point.

So here we have our second expression. "If worst comes to worst." Now, there are two

variations on this expression. Some people say "worst", other people say "worst". So

"worst" or "worst". Both are okay. You will hear both depending on who you speak to. So

what does this mean, "if worst comes to worst"? Well, it means when we use this, we're talking

about the future, and we're saying if the worst thing happens in the future, and usually

it's followed by a solution. So for example, if you have to take a test, maybe the IELTS,

maybe TOEFL, which a lot of you probably will have to take. Maybe you will say something

like "I will study hard", "I will find a teacher to help me", and practice IELTS or TOEFL questions.

But if "worst comes to worst", meaning if the worst thing happens, which would be failing

the test maybe, I can take the test again. So here, the worst is failing the IELTS, the

solution, so the future plan, if that outcome happens, is taking the test again.

So here's another example. Hopefully this doesn't happen, but if you have a daughter.

"My daughter is sick, but we planned to go on a trip." If "worst comes to worst", we'll

cancel the trip. Meaning if the worst outcome happens, and she doesn't get better, she's

still sick, the solution is going to be, we'll cancel the trip. So we use this for imagining

what's the worst that can happen and what will we do if that happens. Another example

is if you're going for your driver's license. You've practiced driving before. You're a

little nervous about the test, but you could say, "I'm going to give it my best. I'm going

to try to pass this test, but if 'worst comes to worst', maybe I'll retake the test." So

again, it's just potential outcomes. What's your solution if the worst thing happens?

Finally, our last expression for today. "To ring a bell." Now when we say this, we don't

mean to literally ring a bell. We mean when you're reminded of something. It's different

though from the first expression we used. That reminds me. This is different, and I'll

explain how in a second. So "to ring a bell", it reminds you of something sometimes not

so clearly. We often use "ring a bell" when we're talking about somebody's name and trying

to remember who they are. So let's look at some examples. Number one, "Do you know the

actor Sam Neill?" Maybe some of you are thinking, "Oh, Sam Neill. That name sounds familiar,

but you can't quite place it. It's a little unclear." Well, this is when we would use

"ring a bell". "His name rings a bell, but I can't remember his face." Meaning, "I kind

of remember his name. I've heard it before, but I'm still kind of unclear." Another example,

"I gave you $10 last night. Ring a bell? Do you remember?" That's what this one means.

You can say it to your friends. If you ever loan them money and you kind of want to ask

for it back, you can say, "I gave you this money last night. Ring a bell?" Meaning, "Do

you remember?" So again, like what I said with the other expressions, these expressions,

it's important to memorize them as a chunk. "Ring a bell." So you can use it standalone,

for example, here. "Ring a bell", it's like a question. "Ring a bell?" Or you can use

it as a verb. "His name rings a bell, but I don't remember his face." So I know a lot

of you may be like me, where you can't remember names that well, and somebody says, "Oh, do

you know so-and-so?" And you kind of remember, but not quite. That's when you would be using

"ring a bell."

Okay, so let's look at our third example. "Does our site, www.engvid.com, ring a bell?"

Well, if it doesn't, you're still unclear, I suggest you check out this website and take

our test. That reminds me, there are a lot of other good sources on this website for

you to use, and if worse comes to worse, you can re-watch this video to get a better idea

on how these expressions are used. So until next time, take care.