How to talk about the news in English
So apparently, they're raising subway fares again.
“I heard that subway tickets will cost more again.”
When: Bringing up a story you only half know
The moment
You are grabbing drinks after work with a coworker at a bar in Midtown, and the TV is showing a story about subway fares going up. You want to bring it up, ask what she thinks, and share your view without sounding too sure.
B1 · Unit 4 · Culture & conversation
The lines
Passing on the story
Americans often start a news story with "apparently" or "so I heard": "So apparently, they're raising subway fares again." This means: I heard this, but I am not the expert. It keeps you neutral and invites the other person in.
So apparently, they're raising subway fares again.
“I heard that subway tickets will cost more again.”
When to use it: Bringing up a story you only half know
What you’ll hear back: Wait, seriously? Again? (Really? One more time?)
Asking for their take
Before you give your opinion, ask for theirs: "What's your take on it?" A "take" is someone's personal opinion. It sounds relaxed and curious, not like a test.
What's your take on it?
“What do you think about it?”
When to use it: Right after you sum up what happened
What you’ll hear back: Honestly? I kind of get why they're doing it, but it's still a lot. (I understand their reason, but it's too much money.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Did you hear about the transit strike? | DID-juh HEER uh-BOWT thuh TRAN-zit STRAIK | Do you know the news about the train and bus workers stopping work? |
Hey, did you hear about the transit strike? My whole commute is a mess. Do you know the train and bus workers stopped work? My trip to work is very bad now. Tip: "Did you hear about..." is the go-to small-talk opener for news. | ||
| I haven't really been following it. | ai HAV-int REE-lee bin FAH-lo-wing it | I don't know much about this story. |
To be honest, I haven't really been following it. What's going on? Truly, I don't know much about it. What is happening? Tip: Totally fine to say; people respect it more than faking an opinion. | ||
| I could be wrong, but I think... | ai KUD-bee RAWNG, but ai THINK | Maybe I am not right, but my opinion is... |
I could be wrong, but I think most people are okay with it. Maybe I am not right, but I believe most people accept it. Tip: Hedging keeps news talk friendly; Americans avoid heavy politics with coworkers. | ||
Your objective
Sum up the story in a sentence or two, ask what they think, and give your own view without sounding too sure.
- a summary of the story
- asking their view
- your own careful view
Lines that get it done
- So apparently, they're raising subway fares again.
- What's your take on it?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You want to share a story you read, but you're not 100% sure of the details. What do you say?
- So apparently, they're raising subway fares again.
- So apparent, they're raising subway fares again.
- So appearing, they're raising subway fares again.
- So apparently, they raise subway fares again yesterday.
Show the answer
So apparently, they're raising subway fares again.
"Apparently" means "I heard this," and "they're raising" talks about something happening now.
2. Your coworker just told you about a news story. How do you ask her opinion in a relaxed way?
- What's your take on it?
- What's your take of it?
- What's your taking on it?
- What do you take about it?
Show the answer
What's your take on it?
The fixed phrase is "your take on" something; it means your personal opinion.
3. Someone asks what you think about a story you know almost nothing about. What is the most natural reply?
- I haven't really been following it.
- I didn't really follow to it.
- I'm not really following it since long.
- I haven't really been follow it.
Show the answer
I haven't really been following it.
"Haven't been following it" means you haven't kept up with the story over time, up to now.