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I can't STAND the stuff
Non-prominence on final vague expressions
Vague expressions are often used in conversation when we don't need to be exact or precise. Many of these expressions are found at the end of a speech unit (see Units 33 and 34). They are usually non-prominent, following a prominent word.
When we refer to something already mentioned, we can use the stuff (for uncountable nouns), the place(s) and the thing(s) (for countable nouns). Very often, some criticism is intended:
A: I've got some apple j uice. Do you want some ? B: No, I can't STAND the stuff. Jack seems to spend all his time in his bedroom. Never LEAVES the place.
My car's always breaking down. I HATE the thing.
We can use these words with sort ofto show that we have just given examples of a larger group of things. Often we use (all) thislthatltheselthose before sort of:
Before we could use the laboratory, we had to learn about safety and all THAT sort of stuff.
The book's about corruption in sport - taking bribes, placing illegal bets and all THIS sort of thing.
When we were in Rome we were taken to museums, art galleries and THOSE sorts of places.
We can use and stuff, and things and and places in a similar way to refer in a general way to things and places without giving any further detail:
I bought some CHEESE and stuff.
We went through Berlin, BONN and places.
The phrase and that is used to mean that other things were involved, without specifying more precisely what:
A: Where's Kate ? B: She's gone upstairs to do her HAIR and that.
C34 We use or something/anything (etc.) to make what we have just said more vague or indirect:
Didn't she use to be a VET or something?
He went off with KEN or somebody.
Isn't there any chocolate in the FRIDGE or anywhere ?
Let me know if you want any HELP or anything.
In a similar way we can use or something/anything (etc.) like that:
A:Linda seems very lonely.
B:Doesn't she ever go out with FRIENDS or anything like that?
C35 The phrases orland + whateverlwheneverlwhereverlwhoever are used to make a statement more informal or less direct:
We could meet about TEN or whenever.
When we move into the flat, we might change the carpets and LIGHTS and whatever.
C36 The phrase or so is used with expressions of number and time to make them less precise:
A: How long will it take ? B: About a WEEK or so.
We'd been driving for an hour, but we'd only gone a MILE or so.
Note: Words like thing, place, something, whenever, etc. are not only used in vague expressions. For example:
This is the place I used to live. What's this thing for? We'll leave whenever you want.
80 |
English Pronunciation in Use (Advanced) |
7 . 1
C37
7.2
7.3
C39
Section C Pronunciation in conversation
Exercises
Complete the sentences using vague expressions from the box.
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the place |
the things |
or anything |
or someone |
or wherever |
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EXAMPLE Hannah asked me to get some goat's cheese, but I don't know where to buy |
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You can..buy..... ... ............them..±hl!:in a.l>.±supermarket£.£........................................... |
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She got the job without even an interview |
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I used to work at the airport, but now I never. |
go. |
near. . |
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I don't like mice or rats. I've always been terrified. . . .. |
of. . . . |
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He's staying with his cousin .................................. |
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Now listen and check your answers. Then say the sentences aloud, making sure you make the vague expressions non-prominent.
Read this conversation in which Belinda is talking about her holiday, and underline all the vague expressions you can find.
A:You've just got back from Italy, haven't you? The Amalfi coast or somewhere.
B:That's right. We stayed in Positano. Do you know it?
A:Yes, I went there twenty years ago or something. But I don't remember much about the place. A good holiday?
B:Well, we had some problems at first. They lost our luggage at the airport - it got put on the wrong plane or something like that. So the first night we didn't have a change of clothes or
toothbrushes or whatever. It turned up the following day, though. A: So how did you spend your time there?
B: We just relaxed, walked around, sat on the beach and that sort of thing. And we looked around the shops and places.
A:Did you buy a lot of stuff?
B:No, just a few presents and things.
Now listen and circle the prominent word before each of these vague expressions.
EXAMPLE The Amalfi<f smr somewhere.
Check your answers in the Key. Finally, read the conversation aloud making sure you make the circled words prominent, the underlined vague expressions non-prominent, and that you link them smoothly.
Here are more comments about holidays. Listen and write the vague expressions used in the spaces.
EXAMPLE There's nowhere to leave the car: in a car park, at the hotel, along the street |
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. ..... .. ........ ...... . |
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All cars are banned from the town centre because of exhaust fumes ..................................... .................................... . |
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I had to pay 450 euros . .. ..... . |
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We'll probably go again for a month ..... |
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When I got back to the hire car I couldn't start .. |
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. ........ |
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We're hoping to go back next year, in the spring . |
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There were no museums or art galleries |
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Now read the sentences aloud, making sure you make the vague expressions non-prominent.
Fol low up: What final vague expressions are used in other languages that you know? Are these also usually non-prominent?
English Pronunciation in Use (Advanced) |
81 |
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Just help yourSELF; Throw it to ME |
:;!*\:"tJ (; |
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Prominence in reflexive and personal pronouns |
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non-prominent (see Unit 33): |
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When a reflexive pronoun follows a verb or preposition and refers to the subject, it is usually |
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She locked herself OUT. |
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As he ran, he TIMED himself. |
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You should look AFTer yourself. |
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Make yourself at HOME. |
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let me introDUCE myself. |
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He fell and HURT himself. |
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However, reflexive pronouns like this can be made prominent for contrast. Compare: |
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I stupidly left my wallet at home. I was really anNOYED with myself. |
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but: A: I bet you were angry with your sister. |
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B: In fact, I was MAINly annoyed with mySELF. |
:§i,l; When we use reflexive pronouns for emphasis they are usually prominent. For example - |
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t15:mJ
• after a noun or pronoun to emphasise it:
I'm flying to Rome, but the AIRport itSELF is miles from the city.
Many successful business people didn't go to college. I mySELF left school at 16.
• a t the end o f a clause to emphasise the subject:
I'm arranging the office party, but I won't be there mySELF. They drew the posters themSELVES.
• to emphasise that someone did or will do something alone or without help:
I made it mySELF.
Did you paint it yourSELF? She went all by herSELF.
We had the beach all to ourSELVES.
?,42
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However, reflexive pronouns like this can be made non-prominent if we want to highlight a contrast somewhere else in the sentence. Compare:
I'm really thirsty. I could drink the whole BOTtle mySELF.
but: A: |
You look thirsty. Would you like a glass of this j uice ? |
B: |
Actually, I could drink the whole BOTtle myself. |
Personal pronouns (e.g. they, me, we, you) are usually non-prominent:
They WOULDn't let me IN. |
SHOULD we WAIT for you? |
However, we can make them prominent in order to contrast one person or group of people with others:
Throw it to ME, not to HIM.
The only person who's applied so far is YOu. (An implied contrast between 'you' and 'others')
Note: The pronoun it is rarely stressed, except in some phrases with this and that (see Uhit 228).
82 |
English Pronunciation in Use (Advanced) |
38. 1
C43
38.2
C44
38.3
C45
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Section C Pronunciation in conversation |
Exercises |
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Listen and repeat these phrases. |
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She was killing herself laughing. |
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I'm going to get myself a bike. |
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We had to do all the cooking ourselves. |
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They made fools of themselves. |
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They blame themselves for it. |
9 I picked them myself. |
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He didn't know what to do with himself. |
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Speak for yourself. |
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Take care of yourself. |
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I just burned myself. |
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He made it all himself. |
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Take one for yourself, too. |
Now underline only the reflexive pronouns you made prominent.
Is the reflexive pronoun in each sentence likely to be prominent or non-prominent? Underline reflexive pronouns you think will be prominent.
EXAMPLE He works for himself.
1 What did you do to yourself?
2 I fell asleep on the train and found myself in Cardiff. 3 The city centre itself is quite interesting.
4 She went for a walk by herself.
5 He's got himself a new car.
6 Have a good time. Enjoy yourselves.
7 Do they bake the bread themselves?
8 I'm keeping myself warm.
9 I grew all the vegetables myself.
10 She tried to defend herself.
Now listen, check your answers and repeat the sentences.
Listen and underline only the reflexive pronouns or personal pronouns in this conversation that are made prominent for contrast.
A:I've made you a cake.
B:Is that u?
A:Yes, help yourself.
B:Er, you have some first.
A:But I didn't make it for me.
B:I can't eat it all myself. Marco would like it. Why not give some to him?
A:But I made it for you. You don't like it, do you?
B:Well, it's not the cake itself. It's the icing . . .
A:And I was feeling so pleased with myself.
Now listen again. Press 'pause' before each B part and read it aloud. Then press 'play' again and compare your pronunciation with what follows.
Follow up: What does DIY stand for? Is the last word usually prominent or non-prominent?
English Pronunciation in Use (Advanced) |
83 |