Transcript of my podcast episode (15)
Welcome to episode 15 of my podcast series ENGSPRESSO! It’s been rather boiling hot lately, hasn’t it? Does it ever make you think of the climate change? I bet it does! A few days ago, I read an article about some measures each of us can take to reduce or slow down the greenhouse effect. By the way, the greenhouse effect is an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere that causes a gradual warming of the surface of the earth. So now, what are the possible measures or ways to reduce this process? We could, for example, become more conscious consumers, try to avoid using plastic, use more eco-friendly means of transport and eat more plant-based meals instead of meat. Does that sound reasonable to you? It does to me! And honestly, I try to do as much as I can on a daily basis to contribute somehow to the slowing down of the greenhouse effect. Do you try to do the same? We sometimes think that as individuals we can’t change the world, that what we do is just a drop in the ocean, but in the long term, I believe that our individual actions can change the so-called collective awareness in society. And if you have an impact on just one person or a few people, it’s worth it! Let me know what you think about it!
And now, let’s focus on our expressions.
The first one is BY CHANCE. If something happens by chance, it happens accidentally, it’s something that wasn’t planned. We can also use the phrase “by any chance” when we want to politely ask a question or make a request, e.g. “Do you have some cash on you, by any chance?”. Anyway, let me give you some example sentences with the phrase “by chance”.
For instance: I found out about that last-minute offer completely by chance. Now, repeat after me.
The translation is: Dowiedziałam się o tej ofercie last-minute kompletnie przez przypadek.
Another example: Yesterday at the airport, we met our old friends by chance, and they were also flying to Spain!
Wczoraj na lotnisku przypadkowo spotkaliśmy starych znajomych i oni też lecieli do Hiszpanii!
The second expression is TO RELY ON SB/STH, and it means to trust somebody or something, or to expect him, her or it to behave in a particular way.
For instance: If she couldn’t rely on her children now, she would be in a difficult situation.
Jeśli nie mogłaby teraz polegać na swoich dzieciach, byłaby w trudnej sytuacji.
Another example: The whole team relies on me, so I can’t let them down.
Cały zespół na mnie liczy, więc nie mogę ich zawieść.
And now it’s time for your ENGSPRESSO to go!
Our context for the phrases is:
They met a few years ago completely by chance, and now they’re really good friends who can always rely on each other.
Spotkali się kilka lat temu zupełnie przez przypadek, a teraz są naprawdę dobrymi kumplami, którzy zawsze mogą na siebie liczyć.
Well done! You’ve made it! And if there’s any word or phrase in this episode that you don’t quite understand, have a look at the transcript of today’s episode at the link in the description down below. You can also find it directly on my website www.angielskidokawy.pl.
And let me also remind you that soon you can expect a new e-book called “ENGSPRESSO workbook” that’s going to be based on the first ten episodes of my ENGSPRESSO series. In the e-book, you’ll find numerous exercises thanks to which you’ll learn and revise even more English. It’s going to be available on my website of course, and I’ll keep you posted on that!
Thanks for tuning in and talk to you soon!
