Supposedly vs. Apparently

Today we'll be looking at two very similar words that have slightly different usages: 

supposedly & apparently.

Supposedly

This is used when you want to express doubt. 

Supposedly, he'll be here at 6PM. (I don't think he will)

She'll supposedly finish work on time. (I doubt it)

Albert: Did Abe cancel the tax increase?

Taka: Supposedly...

Albert: What do you mean?

Taka: Well, supposedly the tax increase isn't going to happen but I think he'll try to push it through eventually.

Apparently

This is a bit more neutral than supposedly. It's used to quote or repeat something you've heard. As such, it's also often going to express elements of doubt, surprise or uncertainty: I don't know for sure but I've heard...

Apparently, a new bar's going to open in Kyoto soon.

She's apparently not going to do that movie as she hates the director.

Dan: Do you know what happened between Mark & Mindy?

Felicia: Apparently, Mindy caught Mark cheating on her!

Dan: What? No way, Mark's not that kind of guy.

Felicia: It's true, Tammy told me Mindy saw him with another woman.


These days they're both terms are usually used at the start of sentences. It sounds much more natural.

Any questions? If so, please comment.

Have a nice week,

Phil

So much for that idea~!

So much for X

Today we're looking at a set phrase that we use to declare that we tried something or we were going to do something but now we've given up, usually due to circumstances beyond our control.

Fred: Did you hear it's going to rain this weekend?

Henry: So much for going camping. 

(due to the rain we need to give up on our plan to go camping)

Fred: Yeah, that sucks. Why don't we go see a movie instead?

-----------

Peter: Ok, turn it on and let's see if it works.

(pow! the computer sparks and gives off smoke)

John: Ouch! Turn it off, so much for that idea. We'll have to try something else.

So as you can see when something can't happen or doesn't work you can announce that you are giving up on X and ready to move on to a new option.

Sara: How're things with Paula?

Gareth: We broke up, she was cheating on me. So much for that relationship.

Sara: I'm sorry to hear that. I think Jenny likes you though.

Gareth: Really? She's cute, can I have her number?

Have a nice week,

Phil

How do you like being a dentist?

Hi everyone, today's post will look at a useful phrase you can use when talking about someone's job.

How do you like being X?

This is a question you can use when discussing someone's current state such as their job, being a father/mother/grandfather/uncle, in a band, etc.

When you answer you usually use one of two structures: one for positive feelings and one for negative ones.

It's negative adjective. I have to (do something unpleasant).

or

It's positive adjective. I get to (do something pleasant).

In the negative structure, you are forced to do something and so you don't enjoy your situation.

In the positive structure, you are permitted to do something and so you like your situation.

Let's look at some examples:

A: How do you like being married?

B: It's great. I get to be with the love of my life.

-------


A: How do you like being a factory worker?

B: It's so boring. I have to do the same thing all day everyday.

-------

A: How do you like being a doctor.

B: It's tough but rewarding. I get to save lives.

------

A: How do you like being on the basketball team?

B: It's fun. I get to spend a lot of time with my friends.

------

A: How do you like being a freelancer?

B: It's hard. I always have to look for new clients.


Any questions? Have a nice weekend,

Phil

He's not a team player

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted a new English Tip. Sorry about that, I'll try to post more regularly.

Today I'll look at 3 idioms:

To Be a Team Player

This means that you support your team and help them, you do your fair share of the work and work well as part of the group.

Bill's a real team player, he's always helping out people in the office.

If you're a team player, you'll do great as part of our company.

A glory hog

This is someone who selfishly wants to keep all the glory to themselves. 

I think LeBron James is a glory hog he always acts like he was the only person responsible for his team winning.

When I was in college, I was a glory hog who always had to be in the spotlight.

A show off

This is someone who likes to display his/her things or his/her skills to demonstrate that they are better than others. It can also be used as a phrasal verb.

Stop being such a show off, I know you're great at skateboarding but if you're not careful you'll hurt yourself.

Terry's always showing off his new Rolex these days.

Any questions? Here's a little dialogue using all three:


Al: Why'd David get fired?

Tom: He wasn't a team player. He was a glory hog always trying to steal the credit for other people's work

Al: Really? What a jerk! I knew he was a show off who liked to brag about all his expensive things but I didn't realize he was that bad.