In this podcast, we’re going to ‘kind of’ help you with your English.
So, if you’re feeling ‘sort of’ frustrated and want to improve your English level, make yourself a nice cup of tea, sit in your favourite chair and let us ‘sort of’ take your English to the next level.

Voice message from Alberto from Australia
‘They chuck them in the compost bin’

Email from Rafa who sent the voice message comments for episode 387 – Is it too late to save the planet?’ – https://www.inglespodcast.com/387

Rafa wrote:
“….we should, at least, be aware of the real situation of our home, and we should, at least, try to push all these politicians and big companies to do their best, no bla bla bla, to save the planet for our descendants, since it’s not ours any more.”

“Maybe, we are not the ones to save or change the world, but at least we can imagine, as in John Lenon’s song.
I believe in people, the ones like Greta, with energy to change things, to gather others around and fight against the establishment, and we the rest, unable to do many things, should respect and support them.”

Voice message from Edier from Colombia
‘I’m very happy’ – you can also say, ‘I’m very pleased’. ‘I feel great’ ‘I’m over the moon’

Voice message from Francesca from Italy
Another good thing to come out of the coronavirus pandemic (10 positive things from the COVID-19 pandemic – https://www.inglespodcast.com/388)
Francesca has strengthened her relationship with her cat.
Any advice for preparing for the Advanced exam?
https://www.flo-joe.co.uk/
https://www.examenglish.com/
https://writeandimprove.com/

Voice message from Christopher from Costa Rica
When to use ‘kind of’ and ‘sort of’

Vague Language https://www.inglespodcast.com/128

‘Kind of’ and ‘sort of’ can mean ‘not exactly, but a little’.
“I’m sort of hungry”
“She’s kind of annoying.”
“You look kind of miserable.”

‘Kind of’ and ‘sort of’ are used to soften language and make it less direct:

“I’m (sort of) upset that you haven’t been in touch lately.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve been (kind of) busy.”
A: ‘Has the new diet helped you at all?’ – B: ‘Kind of, I guess.’

They can also be used sarcastically:

“When I discovered that my ex-wife had run off with all my money and her new lover, I was kind of a bit annoyed, shall we say.”
“I’d love to lend you some money, but it’s sort of tricky since I’m about to go bankrupt, as you can imagine.”

Would you say ‘kind of’ or sort of’? Is one more British English usage and one more American English?

Pronunciation: sorta / kinda

Using ‘kind of’ and sort of’ can make you sound insecure and hesitant. Listen to the introduction to this podcast again:

“In this podcast, we’re going to ‘kind of’ help you with your English. So, if you’re feeling ‘sort of’ frustrated and want to improve your English level, make yourself a nice cup of tea, sit in your favourite chair and let us ‘sort of’ take your English to the next level.”

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
Send us a voice message. https://www.speakpipe.com/inglespodcast
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On next week’s episode: Customer service and call centre expressions

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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’