Local Library
Two friends discuss the local library. The English Grammar focuses on Adverbials.
Kevin: “Let’s go see what the library has.”
Thurman: “That’s a good idea, they usually have magazines.”
Kevin: “If they have the Sunday paper, there’s usually a jobs section.”
Thurman: “And real estate. Maybe we can find an apartment this way.”
Kevin: “If we’re sure we want to stay here.”
Thurman: “Well, we’re not sure, but if we find a good apartment, maybe we should!”
Kevin: “I’m up for looking around. There’s nothing much further north.”
Thurman: “That’s true. Just cattle ranches and pig farms.”
Kevin: “You’re a city guy, aren’t you?”
Thurman: “Born and raised. Farms are boring.”
Kevin: “I might agree with you there.”
VOCABULARY WITH IDIOMS
Up for means ready and willing for something; agreeable to something. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Born and raised means both born and raised in the same particular place, implying that one’s identity has been shaped by the place. See online Idioms Dictionary.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Suggested Topic for Comments: Adverbials
“Maybe we can find an apartment this way.” Here we have a typical sentence-final Adverbial of Manner. It tends to precede direction and position, time and frequency, and reason.
INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED DIALOGUE
New Idioms are “Fill out” and “Sign in.” The Grammar focuses on Complementation.
Gabby: “Is this where I get my library card?”
Librarian: “Sure. Just fill out this form.”
Gabby: “Thanks, and you have computers with Internet access, don’t you?”
Librarian: “Yes, on the second floor.”
Gabby: “Are you on a VPN?”
Librarian: “I don’t think so. You don’t want to sign in to your bank online, or anything like that. It’s not what I would call ‘secure.’ “
Gabby: “I see. You mean you probably get hacked, right?”
Librarian: “I wouldn’t doubt that for a second.”
Gabby: “Do you guys have any security at all on these machines?”
Librarian: “I wouldn’t count on it, if it costs money.”
Gabby: “I get it. So you don’t get money from the government even though you provide books for people to enjoy and get smarter.”
Librarian: “Go figure. Let’s just say we’re not their top priority.”
Gabby: “I think libraries and other educational resources are important to a society.”
Librarian: “Sometimes groups try to organize some kind of support, but someone always comes in and puts the kibosh on their plans.”
Gabby: “So reading is old-fashioned, behind the times?”
Librarian: “I’m not sure Zoomers would agree.”
VOCABULARY WITH IDIOMS
Fill out means to complete a form by supplying required information, especially by writing. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Sign in means to log in to a website or network. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Count on means to rely on, depend on. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Go figure indicates the unexpectedness or absurdity of something. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Put the kibosh on means to put an end to. See online Idioms Dictionary.
Zoomer refers to members of Generation Z and is a play on the term “Boomer,” which refers to members of the Baby Boomer generation. See online Idioms Dictionary.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Suggested Topic for Comments: Complementation
“I think libraries and other educational resources are important to a society.” This sentence can also be expressed with the complementizer “that,” i.e. “I think that libraries and other educational resources are important to a society.” Simple, single-clause sentences make the complementizer optional, and it is often omitted in informal speech.
In this example, the verb (think) is followed by an object, “I think (something),” and the “something” functions as a noun, the direct object of “think.” In our slightly more complicated sentence, we have “I think (that libraries and other educational resources are important to a society).” This is “I think” + a complement or clausal complement, and the complement begins with the complementizer “that,” which is optional.
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