生活英语对话 Episode 73: Holiday plans

本单元是关于度假打算的对话。

Helen: So what are we all doing at Christmas? Tim, you've got a few days off work, haven't you?
Tim: Indeed I have Helen, and I'm popping over to Poland for a few days. I'm looking forward to a nice cosy 1 Christmas. Fancy 2 joining me?
Helen: I've already been invited, thank you very much. Michal and I had quite a long chinwag the other day. It'd be nice to see him but I've already made plans. I'm spending Christmas and New Year with my Mum and Dad, and Alice, it would be really nice if you could join us.
Alice: Thanks Helen, I'd love to. But you know I'm working over the New Year, so I'll have to come back before you do.
Tim: Yeah, but at least you won't be on your own for the main event.

Vocabulary: 字汇

to pop over: 去某地
to visit briefly

cosy (adj): 感觉舒适
warm and comfortable

fancy joining me?: 想要一起去吗？
would you like to join me?

over the New Year:新年期间
for a period of time around New Year

to have a chinwag:聊过天
to have a chat

the main event:重大活动
the most important occasion 3 (here, Christmas day)

本单元语言点是现在进行式表示未来的安排，请看下面的解释和例句

Present continuous 4 for future arrangements

Present continuous for future arrangements 以现在进行式表示未来的安排
English speakers often use the present continuous tense (subject + 'be' = verb-ing) to talk about future arrangements. A future arrangement is a plan that you have decided 5 and organised with another person.

I'm spending Christmas and New Year with my Mum and Dad.
We're meeting Susan at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

Sometimes the arrangement is between a person and a group of people, or an organisation 6 or company:

I'm working over the New Year. (this arrangement is between Alice and her employer)

They are flying to New York tomorrow morning. (they have made this arrangement with the airline)

It is not always necessary to state who the arrangement is with. For example, Tim says:
So what are we all doing at Christmas?

I'm popping over to Poland for a few days.
I'm looking forward to a nice cosy Christmas.

Alice and Helen understand that Tim is talking about arrangements, even though he does not say who the arrangements are with.


Present continuous for things which you are about to start doing 以现在进行式表示即将从事之动作

English speakers often use the present continuous tense to talk about things they are about to start doing. This is especially common with verbs 7 of movement, such as go, come, leave etc.

I'm going to bed now - goodnight.
Will you help me finish the housework? - Sorry, I can't, I'm leaving for work now.


Time expressions 表达时间

Time expressions are often (but not always) used when present continuous is used to talk about future arrangements.

I'm working over the New Year.
They are flying to New York tomorrow morning.
So what are we all doing at Christmas?
I'm popping over to Poland for a few days.
I'm going to bed now