AEE 2597: As Long As You Listen Today, You'll Build this Skill in English

·18 min·1 clip

Learn the complex conditional phrases that native speakers use to sound natural, not just technically correct.

This episode is the final part of a three-part series on conditional language in English, hosted by Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan. The series began with Lindsay's experience on the Spanish Steps in Rome, where a policeman said 'it's not possible' to sit down, leading to discussions on more natural ways to express impossibility and permission. In this episode, the focus shifts to expressing that something can happen under specific conditions, targeting B2 and C1 level learners aiming for IELTS scores of seven or higher. The hosts introduce phrases like 'provided that', which is formal and often used in workplace settings, such as allowing use of a party room if it's cleaned afterward. They cover 'if' or 'only if', with examples like borrowing a car if returned by 3 PM. 'Subject to' is highlighted as common in written signs, like kitchen use subject to availability. 'With approval' is discussed in contexts like adopting a dog or children visiting with parental permission. 'As long as' is identified as the most neutral and frequently used phrase, applicable in social, family, and work life, such as bringing a friend to a party as long as they follow the dress code. The hosts note that more formal phrases create distance, useful for HR policies, while simpler ones like 'as long as' foster connection. A role-play demonstrates using multiple phrases in a humorous negotiation about borrowing a car, incorporating 'as long as', 'provided that', and conditional favors. The episode concludes by emphasizing that life's complexities require these conditional expressions, escalating from basic permission to nuanced conditions. The hosts encourage listeners to check previous episodes for a complete understanding and reiterate their philosophy of focusing on connection over perfection in English learning.

As heard by us

A focused lesson on conditional phrasing and the difference between correct English and natural English.

Episode 2597 stays tightly on conditional English, especially the formal ways to show that one thing depends on another. Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan move from as long as to subject to, and the point comes through clearly: English can be correct on paper and still sound…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If your English sounds correct but stiff, this episode shows where natural phrasing lives.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from All Ears English Podcast