Learn Complex English Sentences From A REAL English Conversation

- Hey, the other day I sent out a message

to my students on Instagram,

and I'm actually looking at their responses.

You see, I asked them this question,

what is the hardest thing about studying English?

And I received over a hundred responses,

but one of the responses

that really stuck out to me was this response.

Writing complex sentences in English.

You see, I realized that students just like you,

have a hard time writing complex English sentences.

And that's why I made today's lesson.

Because in today's lesson, I'm gonna teach you

some complex English sentence structures.

I'm Teacher Tiffani, let's jump right in.

(upbeat music)

All right, so here's the process.

The first thing we are gonna do

is listen to a real conversation between two Americans.

Now, for those who haven't heard this podcast episode,

I actually spoke to my friend Sabine, who is a New Yorker,

and we had a great conversation.

So, you can check out the full conversation

by clicking the link in the description

to listen to the podcast episode.

But for our lesson, the first thing we're gonna do

is listen to a snippet of that conversation.

Now after we do that, the next thing we're gonna do

is review one complex sentence from the actual conversation.

Then we are going to actually analyze it and break it down.

And finally, what we're gonna do is look at examples

of how it can be used to talk about your life.

All right, so let's get started.

We're gonna look at the first clip

of my conversation with Sabine.

Here we go.

- Now how far away are they from each other?

Not Long Island and Brooklyn?

- It depends exactly where you're going.

So, if I were to look at the distance

from where I live now to where I used to live in Brooklyn,

I would say give or take no traffic, I can make it,

I would say about 40 to 45 minutes

- Okay, good start. - By car.

Public transportation might be

I would say, about an hour and 30

if you're taking the Long Island Railroad.

- All right, so we saw that clip and don't worry,

we're gonna watch it again

so that you can hear exactly what she was saying

and exactly what I was saying.

But there was a sentence that I want us to look at,

a complex English sentence.

So, let's check out our first sentence.

Here we go.

The first sentence is, "If I were to look at the distance

"from where I live now to where I used to live in Brooklyn,

"I would say I could make it in 40 minutes."

Now that's a doozy.

That's a really complex English sentence,

but I'm gonna teach you

how to actually make a sentence just like this.

So, now we need to analyze it.

Looking at this sentence, let's start analyzing.

The first part is, "If I were to."

We use this to introduce a possible action

that will become the support, foundation,

or lead into my next statement.

So, in other words, I'm introducing something.

So I can say, If I were to,

and then I'm gonna say something

that is gonna support my action.

So, let's look at it a little closer.

I know that it's a bit challenging right now,

but I guarantee you,

you'll be able to do it by the end of this.

So going back, here we go.

Now we have, "I would say."

So, this is used to introduce our guess,

assumption, or opinion.

So, looking at it a little bit closer.

Remember, my friend was talking about Brooklyn, New York,

she was talking about the distance.

So again, if she were to,

so she's introducing a possible action.

The action, look at the drawing.

In her mind, she's saying

if she were to look at the distance now

from the previous, or the previous place

she used to live in Brooklyn.

If she were to do that, then she says

she could make it in 40 minutes.

She's guessing, she's assuming, or giving her opinion.

You're seeing how these two are connected.

Now remember, if you need help, don't worry

because I have the free PDF that you can download

by clicking the link in the description.

So let's see some real examples that you can apply

to your life using this complex English structure,

English sentence structure.

So, here we go.

All right, so again we have, if I were to,

which is plus the possible action.

I would say, plus the guess, the assumption,

or the opinion.

So, again in my friend's example she said

if she were to and the action was,

"look at the distance from where I live now

"to where I used to live in Brooklyn."

That is the action she was referring to.

If she did that, right?

Then she continues by saying her guess or assumption.

So, going back.

She says, "I would say."

And now we get the guess or assumption.

"I could make it in 40 minutes."

Okay, that make sense?

Now, let's see it for your actual life.

Here we go.

First one, if I were to,

now the action, have another opportunity to meet him.

So, let's say for example, in your life

let's say you go one a blind date

and you meet this person, but you're not sure

if you're going to be able to meet him again.

So, we're saying a possible action,

meeting this person again.

If I were to have another opportunity to meet him.

Now what's the next part?

You remember?

All right, the next part is,

I would say, and then we're giving a guess,

that our interaction would be a lot better than it was.

So again, I connected a possible action with my guess

using if I were to and I would say.

Make sense?

All right, now let's look at the second example

using the same complex English structure.

So, the second one is,

if I were to ever publish my own book.

Again, a possibility, a possible action.

I would say that most people would probably like it a lot.

So again, I gave the possible action.

Maybe I would publish a book.

My guess, I would say most people

would actually like it a lot.

Kinda make sense?

Now, what we're gonna do is listen to the short clip

one more time and see if you can hear

when she actually says it.

So, let's go back and watch the clip again.

Here we go.

Now how far away are they from each other?

Not Long Island and Brooklyn?

- It depends exactly where you're going.

So, if I were to look at the distance

from where I live now to where I used to live in Brooklyn,

I would say give or take no traffic

I can make it,

I would say about 40 to 45 minutes by car.

- Okay, great.

So, you heard it that time, right?

She actually added a little bit of filler words.

I would say, give or take.

Now, the expression give or take

just means you are estimating or you're giving an average.

So, you got it, right?

Now we're gonna move on to our next clip

and our next complex English sentence structure.

So, here we go.

Now, we're back on my screen

and our second clip is right here.

- And I would say in comparison

to a lot of other major cities

that have underground subways,

our subway system is centuries old,

literally centuries old and so it appears a bit run-down

and it's not always the cleanest.

So, for people visiting they might be quite overwhelmed

by the sensations and the (laughs) smells

and the different fragrances that might exude

from riding the train.

- Okay guys, now this part of our conversation

was actually really fun.

So again, you can check out the full episode

by hitting the link in the description

because we were talking about the New York subway system

and she started to compare it

to the subway systems in other countries,

but she used a complex English sentence structure.

So, let's check that one out.

Here we go.

Now, this sentence structure was,

"I would say, in comparison to a lot other cities

"that have underground subways,

"our subway system appears a bit run-down."

Oh, very quickly, guys.

So, this expression run-down just means not taken care of

or messy or old.

So, not new and neat and tidy.

So, she said the New York subway system

looks a little bit run-down.

And when she was talking about it,

I thought about my time in Korea

because the subway system in Korea is immaculate,

which just means very clean and not dirty at all.

So, when you compare it to the one in New York,

you can see a really big difference.

So, let's look at the sentence structure that she used

and see how we can also apply it

and you can use it in your English,

have it in your repertoire.

Or have it in your

I guess your secret stash of English sentence structures

that can shock and impress those who are listening to you.

So, here we go.

So again, this is our sentence and now we're gonna analyze.

So, the first part is, "I would say, in comparison

"to a lot of other," dot, dot, dot.

Now, this pattern or structure is used

when comparing two things and giving your specific opinion.

Now, remember at the very beginning it says,

"I would say," and there's a short pause.

Well that means I would give my opinion about something.

But we said it's comparing two things.

That's why we have in comparison two.

All right, so let's see this again

in actual real-life example.

So, going back again,

she's comparing other underground subways

from other cities to the one that's in New York.

So, looking again, she's comparing

and then she gave her opinion.

Now, if we're looking at it for real life,

"I would say in comparison to a lot of other,"

and then give the comparison and your specific opinion.

So, here we go.

"Cities that have underground subways,

"our subway system appears a bit run-down."

That's her opinion.

So, here we go.

I would say in comparison to a lot of other,

and then I'm given the comparison,

people living here,

her apartment is extremely clean and organized.

So again, this person is comparing this woman's apartment

to other peoples' apartments.

This is the comparison that's happening.

So, she said, I would say,

which means I'm about to give my opinion

and then I pause.

In comparison to a lot of other apartments,

this woman's apartment is very clean and organized.

So, you see the idea is an idea you already have, as well.

You just need to use

this complex English sentence structure.

So, we have one more example, here we go.

The second example using the structure is,

I would say in comparison to a lot of other.

Now the comparison, crimes happening around the world.

Now the opinion, this crime was not too serious.

So again, we're looking at various crimes

happening in other countries

and also the one we're discussing.

We're comparing these two groups

and then we're giving our opinion.

Make sense?

Great job!

Now guys, remember, if you wanna keep studying with me,

you can always join my academy.

The Speak English with Tiffani Academy.

I have the link on the screen right now,

but you could always click the link in the description

and I would love to have you as my permanent student.

I love teaching you guys

and I love using formulas.

All right, now we're gonna go on to our last structure.

But before we do that, I wanna let you listen

to that clip one more time to see if you can hear

the sentence she said.

All right, so here we go.

Going back to our clip, here we go.

- And I would say in comparison to a lot of other

major cities that have underground subways,

our subway system is centuries old,

literally centuries old.

And so it appears a bit run-down

and it's not always the cleanest.

So, for people--

- Okay guys, so you heard it.

She said it appears a bit run-down

and it's not always the cleanest.

But you heard that first part,

I would say, in comparison to a lot of other cities.

So you heard it this time, right?

Okay, now we're gonna move right into our next clip.

So, here we go, gonna take you back to my screen.

Now we're going into clip number three.

Here we go.

So, Americans are known for smiling and saying,

hey, how are you?

How's your day?

But New Yorkers are a bit different.

It's not that they're rude, it's just a different culture.

So, can you explain that (mumbles)?

- I would say, again, because New York is,

well, let me preface this.

When I say New York, I'm not talking about New York State,

I'm talking about New York City.

- Yes, New York City.

- So, we're talking about the five boroughs,

we're talking about Long Island.

And even Long Island has it's own culture, you know?

But I would say, having been born and raised in Brooklyn,

in New York City,

I would attribute that just to the fast pace of life

that most of us live like we're just going, we're going.

We don't have time to stop.

We don't have time to say hello

'cause we're running for the train (laughs).

- All right guys.

So again, you saw that clip

and you saw that she and I were enjoying the conversation,

but she said something.

She used a structure at the end that is very important.

Now, let's see what that sentence structure was.

She said, "I would say, having been born and raised

"in Brooklyn, I would attribute that

"to the fast-paced life."

All right, so that's the sentence she used.

Now, if we analyze it, we'll see the first part was,

"I would say."

Now this introduces the fact

that what you are about to say is your specific opinion.

You guys are noticing that these sentence structures

that we're looking at deal a lot with your personal opinion

and how to introduce the fact

that you are gonna give your opinion.

So she said, I would say, introducing the fact

that hey, I'm about to give my opinion on a certain topic.

Now the second part of this,

let's go back and look at the second part.

The second part is, this shows that you are about

to introduce something personal

that will support your opinion.

So, she said, having been.

So again, she said, I would say,

letting us know that she's about to give her opinion.

And then she said, having been.

That means that whatever she's gonna say is related

to her personal experience

and it's gonna support her opinion.

So again, I would say, short pause, having been,

dot, dot, dot, and then the opinion.

So, A, B, C.

So again, let's see a visual explanation

of the conversation.

She said she was born, see the little baby,

and raised in New York.

So, that serves as a support for her opinion

about this topic.

So, let's see how we can do this in real life.

Again, I would say, plus your specific opinion

and then, having been, plus something personal

that will support your opinion.

But remember guys, having been is gonna be in between

I would say and your actual opinion.

So, it's A and C and then B is kind of sandwiched

in the middle.

So again, going back to my screen,

I would say, having been born and raised in Brooklyn,

I would attribute that to the fast-paced life.

Again, her opinion is,

I would attribute that to the fast-paced life.

So, let's see how we can use it in a real-life situation

for ourselves.

First, I would say having been a student

at this English institute for two years now,

let's pause.

So, whatever opinion this person is about to give

is supported by the fact that they have been a student

at this institute for two years.

Meaning we can trust their opinion.

So, now let's see what their opinion is.

Going back to my screen.

That the teachers here are amazing.

So again, this person could've said,

I would say that the teachers here are amazing.

Perfect sentence.

But when that person put in the middle

proof or support by saying,

having been a student here for two years now.

That's a support, their own, personal experience.

It makes their opinion stronger,

which means you can do the same thing.

Don't forget, you can download the PDF for free

so that you can practice this and see the formula.

So, don't worry.

Now, looking at the second example we have,

I would say, having been.

Here we go with support,

in a similar situation to yours before,

that the best thing is to just leave it alone

and walk away.

All right, so this person's opinion is,

hey, you should just leave it alone and walk away.

But why should I listen to you?

Why should I do what you're saying?

Why does your opinion matter?

Well, they said, having been in a similar situation

to yours before.

Suddenly, I'm like ah, your opinion is valid.

Your opinion is good because your experience matches

or supports your opinion.

Does that make sense?

You guys could do the same thing.

It's all about thinking in English

and figuring out how to put these sentences together.

So, let's look at the clip one more time

and see if you can hear it as she says it.

Here we go, we're going back.

Let's go!

So Americans are known for smiling and saying,

hey, how are you?

How's your day?

But New Yorkers are a bit different.

It's not that they're rude, it's just a different culture.

So, can you explain that (mumbles)?

- I would say, again, because New York is,

well, let me preface this.

When I say New York, I'm not talking about New York State.

I'm talking about New York City.

- Yes, New York City.

- So, we're talking about the five boroughs,

we're talking about Long Island.

And even Long Island has its own culture.

But I would say, having been born and raised in Brooklyn,

in New York City,

I would attribute that just to the fast-paced life

that most of us live.

Like we're just going, we're going.

We don't have time to stop.

We don't have time to say hello

'cause we're running for the train.

- All right guys, so you heard it that time, right?

She said, I would say, having been born and raised

in Brooklyn, I would attribute that to the fast-paced life.

So you heard it that time, right?

Now I wanna know, did you notice that she paused a bit?

Because she was giving her opinion and thinking about it.

You can do the same thing.

Now guys, I really hope you enjoyed this lesson.

But remember, you can watch the full podcast episode

or even listen to it.

Our full interview, the one I did with Teacher Sabine,

we had a great time together.

Remember, all you have to do is click the link

in the description, okay?

And you can check out the podcast episode

and if you are already in my academy,

you can actually watch the full video.

Guys, I really hope you enjoyed this lesson.

I hope you learn how to actually use these

three complex English sentence structures.

Remember to always speak English

and I will catch you in the next episode.

(soft, upbeat music)