36 Practice Makes Perfect English Conversation
Improving your conversation
What’s up?
What’s up? is an informal way of asking people how they are. What are you up to? is a way to ask
people what they have been doing lately.Hey, Kim—what’s up? Oh, not much. How are you?
So, what are you up to these days? Oh, just working, as usual. How about you?Run into
Run into means to see someone by chance or in an unexpected place.Fancy running into you here
Fancy running into you here means I didn’t imagine I would see you. It is often said when you
see people in places where you normally don’t see them. Other expressions you could use in this
situation are fancy meeting you here and what a coincidence.For ages
For ages and in ages mean for a very long time.How’s Dan? I haven’t seen him for ages. Yes, it’s been a long time. He’s fine.Before you know it
Before you know it means very quickly.Oh, I’m so tired of school. Calm down. Before you know it, you’ll be
finished and wishing you were back in
school again!As soon as
As soon as indicates that something will happen at the same time that something else happens.We’ll eat as soon as your dad gets home.
I’ll call you as soon as I get the information.Used to
Used to has several uses.
To be used to (something) indicates a custom or habit.At first it was difficult to live here, but now I am used to the cold weather.
I work the night shift, so I am used to staying up all night and sleeping during the day.Used to (do) can indicate action that was once habitual but is no longer done, or a situation
that was once true but no longer is.She used to live next door to us.
He used to smoke.
I used to be married to him.