Interesting Speaking Habits of The English


I love the English, and I love how they speak.  So, this is just a playful little chat about some of their speaking habits.

The English seem to suffer from a deep sense of insecurity (said with tongue in cheek of course).  This is easily discernible by the way they speak.   They continually question themselves or seek the opinion of someone else; even in the most trivial things.

First they make a dogmatic statement, which they will immediately follow with a question.  Here are some examples. An Englishman might say:

  • John is going to New York tomorrow, isn’t he?
  • Sally looks lovely in her new dress, doesn’t she?
  • Johnny, you are being a bit silly today, aren’t you?
  • As I’m going to be working the late shift tonight, I think I should go and take a nap now, shouldn’t I?
  • I think I should enroll in the amazing new communications e-course at: http://www.cirbroadcasting.com/course.php , shouldn’t I?
  • I think the English need to be given a course in confidence and decision making … shouldn’t they?  😉

As you know, American English differs somewhat from UK English.  It seems that when American and British people spell words differently, or use slightly different words to express the same thing, the American version is usually shorter, trimmer, with fewer letters than the more elaborate British version.

Now, you may wonder whether there is a difference between the words “Farther” and “Further” and if so, what might that be?

Well, the rule is to use “farther” for physical distance and “further” for metaphorical, or figurative, distance. It’s easy to remember because “farther” has the word “far” in it, and “far” obviously relates to physical distance.

These little tips should help you to improve your communication skills, so you should make a special effort to remember and practice them … shouldn’t you?

Jeff Neil,

C.E.O. College of International Radio Broadcasting &

MIX 96.9 FM Radio and author of the light-hearted ebook, “Isn’t Life Strange!”

now available online at: http://www.cirbroadcasting.com/life.html


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