106 Practice Makes Perfect English Conversation
You guys
You guys is an informal way to address more than one person. In the southern part of the United
States, y’all is commonly used instead.What are you guys doing for the Fourth of July?
What are y’all doing for the Fourth of July?You people is considered extremely insulting. It’s best not to use it.Friction
Friction can mean unrest, difficulty, or disagreement between two or more people.You guys have got to learn to get along. There is too much friction in this office.Really
Really can be used in several ways. In the example conversation it indicates agreement with what
was said before.The new teacher is fantastic. Really, she says she will help everybody get an A.Total
Total, when used as an adjective (before a noun), means complete.He’s a total slob. He never cleans his desk.Zero
Zero, when used before a noun, means no amount of.She’s hard to work for. She has zero patience.Squat
Squat means nothing at all.I went to every class, and I didn’t learn squat. It was all a review of the previous class.Obviously
Obviously indicates that what is going to be said is already known by the listener(s); an alterna-
tive is of course.John’s dog just died. Obviously, he’s feeling sad.Hardly
Hardly means almost not at all.She hardly has enough money to live on.Hardly ever means almost never.He hardly ever calls his mother.