How Native English Speakers Talk About Their Morning Routines!

Summary

In this video, the speaker takes viewers through a casual morning routine, demonstrating common English expressions and grammar used by native speakers. From waking up and checking their phone to making breakfast and exercising, the speaker provides insights into everyday activities, such as using the present simple tense and phrasal verbs like 'set off' and 'do your hair.' Along the way, the speaker emphasizes common mistakes, such as using 'take' instead of 'have' for coffee or breakfast, while also sharing useful vocabulary for discussing daily habits and routines.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of using the present simple tense when describing routines because these are habitual actions.
• 😀 Instead of saying 'I take my coffee,' it's more natural to say 'I have my coffee' or 'I drink my coffee' in English.
• 😀 The phrase 'set off' is commonly used in the UK to describe starting a journey or leaving the house for work.
• 😀 Native speakers often say 'go downstairs' or 'head downstairs' when referring to moving to the lower level of a house.
• 😀 The speaker demonstrates the use of 'I drag myself out of bed' when feeling tired and 'I jump out of bed' when feeling energetic.
• 😀 The importance of differentiating between 'exercise' and 'sport' is highlighted, as sport involves competition while exercise is for personal fitness.
• 😀 When talking about a commute, the term 'commute' is only used for the journey from home to work, not for casual outings like going to the park.
• 😀 A common mistake is saying 'going swimming' or 'going jogging' – native speakers say 'going for a swim' or 'going for a jog.'
• 😀 The phrase 'I pack my work bag' is commonly used to describe preparing for work, and 'packed lunch' refers to lunch prepared in advance.
• 😀 The video stresses that native speakers use 'have a shower' or 'take a shower' interchangeably, depending on personal preference.

Q & A

Why is the present simple tense used in the video?

The present simple tense is used because the actions described are part of a regular, habitual morning routine, such as 'I wake up', 'I brush my teeth', or 'I have my coffee'.

What does it mean to 'drag yourself out of bed'?

'Drag yourself out of bed' means to get up from bed slowly or with difficulty, often because you're tired or feeling unmotivated.

Is it correct to say 'I take my coffee' in English?

No, in English, we don’t use the verb 'take' for breakfast or drinks. The correct way to say it is 'I have my coffee' or 'I drink my coffee'.

What’s the difference between 'a jog' and 'a run'?

A 'jog' is a more casual, slower form of running, while a 'run' is generally faster and more intense.

Why do native speakers say 'the kettle is boiling' instead of 'the water is boiling'?

In English, it's more common to refer to the kettle itself boiling, rather than the water inside. This is a natural way of expressing the action when making tea or coffee.

How do native speakers refer to their journey to work?

Native speakers use the term 'commute' to refer to their journey to and from work. For example, 'I commute to work by car' or 'My commute is about 30 minutes.'

What is the meaning of the phrase 'set off' in the context of a morning routine?

'Set off' is a British expression meaning to start a journey or leave the house, such as 'I set off at half past seven.'

Can you say 'I go for a swim' instead of 'I go swimming'?

Yes, 'I go for a swim' is more natural in English, while 'I go swimming' sounds less common. The phrase 'go for a swim' is used to describe the action in a more native way.

What is the difference between 'have a shower' and 'take a shower'?

Both 'have a shower' and 'take a shower' are correct, but 'have a shower' is more commonly used in British English.

What does it mean to 'pack a work bag'?

'Packing a work bag' means to prepare your bag with the necessary items for work, such as your laptop, documents, and other essentials.