AEE 2324: This Is Indisputably the Best Way to Talk About Your Opinions in English

Summary

All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2324 Summary

Title: This Is Indisputably the Best Way to Talk About Your Opinions in English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan
Release Date: December 18, 2024

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Introduction

In episode 2324 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the art of expressing opinions confidently in English. Titled "This Is Indisputably the Best Way to Talk About Your Opinions in English," the episode is designed to equip intermediate to advanced ESL learners with effective phrases and expressions to assert their viewpoints with assurance.

Listener Engagement and Episode Focus

The episode kicks off with a warm welcome from Lindsay and Michelle, highlighting the podcast's mission to foster connection over perfection in language learning. Shortly after, listener Sophia from Colorado poses a compelling question: "Could you break down the phrase 'hands down' for me with some examples?" (04:39) This inquiry sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of confident expression in English.

Understanding "Hands Down"

Michelle Kaplan responds by defining "hands down" as a phrase used to express unwavering confidence in one's opinion without any doubt or competition. Lindsay McMahon reinforces this explanation with a practical example: "If we say that movie was the best comedy I've seen all year, hands down." (06:59) This illustrates how "hands down" can be seamlessly integrated into daily conversations to emphasize certainty.

Expanding the Vocabulary Arsenal

Building on the foundational understanding of "hands down," the hosts introduce several other phrases that serve to assert opinions firmly:

1. Easily

   • Example: "Easily the best chocolate cake I've ever had." (08:14)
   • Usage: Ideal for informal settings, conveying a strong personal preference.

2. Indisputably

   • Example: "We are indisputably much better at sales calls than the other team." (08:57)
   • Usage: More formal and articulate, suitable for professional or academic contexts. Lindsay emphasizes its advanced nature, stating, "This is a high level one... fantastic. Articulate." (08:39)

3. By a Mile

   • Example: "I like living here much more than my old place by a mile." (10:10)
   • Usage: Highlights the intensity of preference, often used in comparisons.

4. As Sure as Eggs

   • Example: "As sure as eggs." (11:09)
   • Usage: A British English expression meaning without a doubt. Lindsay notes its regional usage, encouraging listeners to explore its origins.

5. Irrefutably

   • Example: "Irrefutably, it's my favorite part as well." (12:13)
   • Usage: Similar to "indisputably," it's a formal term used to denote unquestionable truth.

Sophia adds, "These phrases can show confidence and convey strong opinions," highlighting their role in effective communication (12:19).

Practical Application: Role Play

To demonstrate the practical use of these phrases, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role-play scenario where they discuss weekend plans:

• Brunch Plans:

  • Lindsay: "We have to try Jelly Toast. I've heard it has the best brunch in town, hands down." (16:07)
  • Sophia: "We have to check out the new Tom Hanks movie. He's easily the best actor of our time." (16:20)

• Agreement:

  • Lindsay: "Agreed. By a mile." (16:24)

This exchange not only showcases the natural incorporation of the phrases but also underscores their ability to express clear and confident opinions in conversational English.

Deep Dive: Nuances and Contextual Usage

The hosts discuss the importance of reserving these definitive phrases for situations where one genuinely feels strongly. Lindsay muses, "Hands down sounds more positive, usually used when describing something as the best." (19:09) While Sophia concurs, noting that phrases like "indisputably the worst" are less common, they explore how the tone and context influence the appropriateness of each expression.

Conclusion and Takeaways

As the episode wraps up, Lindsay and Michelle reiterate the significance of confident language in building connections and asserting one's identity:

• "This is a great way to connect with people because you're showing confidence and that you have a strong opinion." (18:04)
• "Reserve this for when you feel very strongly about your opinion. Don't say it for everything." (18:21)

They encourage listeners to practice these phrases thoughtfully, ensuring that expressions of confidence align with genuine feelings and knowledge.

Final Thoughts

Episode 2324 of the All Ears English Podcast serves as an invaluable resource for English learners seeking to enhance their conversational skills with confident and articulate expressions. By dissecting phrases like "hands down" and introducing advanced alternatives, Lindsay and Michelle provide listeners with the tools to express their opinions assertively and effectively.

Join the Community

Listeners are reminded to subscribe to the podcast to stay updated with future episodes that continue to explore diverse facets of American English, culture, and practical language use.

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Notable Quotes:

• "Hands down sounds more positive, usually used when describing something as the best." — Lindsay McMahon (19:09)
• "Easily the best chocolate cake I've ever had." — Sophia (08:14)
• "We are indisputably much better at sales calls than the other team." — Sophia (08:57)

This comprehensive exploration not only clarifies the meanings and usages of various confidence-expressing phrases but also provides practical examples and engaging role-play scenarios, making it an essential episode for those aiming to speak American English with greater assurance and flair.

Transcript

[Lindsay McMahon]

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2324. This is indisputably the best way to talk about your opinions in English.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection, with your American hosts, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl coming to you.

[Sophia]

From Colorado and New York City, usa.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe.

[Sophia]

When you are asked about your opinion, there are a lot of fun vocabulary.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Phrases that you can add to emphasize.

[Sophia]

That you're confident in your stance. Listen in today to find out what.

[Michelle Kaplan]

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[Sophia]

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[Michelle Kaplan]

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[Sophia]

Hey, Michelle, how's it going?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Good, Lindsay. How are you?

[Sophia]

I am feeling great. I'm feeling great. Yeah. Michelle, I have a question for you. I'm going to ask you this question because you may have a stronger perspective.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay.

[Sophia]

What do you think is hands down the best TV show of all time? I think I know what you're gonna say.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay, so no, you may think you know, but I. Okay, so a long time ago, I remember there was an actual countdown. It was a special TV special. And they, they talked about what is the best show of all time. And do you want to know what it was?

[Sophia]

What was it?

[Lindsay McMahon]

It was Seinfeld.

[Sophia]

Ah, yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So, yeah, this is. I thought, and I remember my mom was angry because she loves Seinfeld too, but she thought that I Love Lucy was actually the best show of all time.

[Sophia]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So that, that was. It was. It had more recently we talked about, you know, yeah. Staying power. Standing the test of time, right?

[Sophia]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So she felt that that was just such. More of a classic and just so she was. She. Even though she loved Seinfeld. So I think that TV shows are just different in what their strengths are. And obviously I love Friends too, but I. I don't think it's the best show of all time. It's my favorite. But I would say Seinfeld is the better show. That's how I feel for sure.

[Sophia]

Now that makes sense. I. I could see how your mom was feeling upset because maybe at that time when this ranking was done, Seinfeld was still kind of new or trendy or current, but this is a long time ago. She is so classic, you know, one of the most famous shows of all time. So I can. I can get how she was feeling. I get it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Did you watch I Love Lucy or did you.

[Sophia]

No, I. I've seen a few episodes maybe in the past or linked clips to them, but no, I never got into it. But Seinfeld. Yeah, I mean, Seinfeld is. Is a piece of work for sure.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Sophia]

Piece of art. A piece of art.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It is it really. Today, we are going to answer a great listener question dealing with this expression, hands down. And this is from Sophia. Lindsay, would you like to read the question?

[Sophia]

I would love to, Michelle. We love our listener questions. So here we go. Hey, Allers English team. I'm Sophia. Just wanted to say thanks for all the awesome content you guys put out. I have a quick question about the phrase hands down. Could you break it down for me with some examples? Thank you so much. Best. Sophia, what a great question.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Great. Very specific, really great question. Thank you, Sophia. Guys, make sure that you hit the follow button to make sure that you never miss any episodes from us. We also do bonus episodes that you'll get notifications for. So make it easy. Get the episode sent to you every day with a little bow. It'll be.

[Sophia]

Yeah, you got it. You got it. And Michelle, we did. We did attack this question, this, this phrase from a different angle a long time ago. And we're coming back for another round today with a very different episode today. But our listeners could go back after they finish up today and check out the other episode. And what was that? What number was that all the way back?

[Lindsay McMahon]

So, guys, this is episode 23, 24. That was over a thousand episodes ago. 11:38 was one handy phrase to show confidence in your suggestions. So that. That's a long time ago, but I actually do remember that one.

[Sophia]

I remember all of Them, Michelle. All them. I think the best way to get to this episode, by the way, guys, is to go to allers english.com and type in 1138 in the search bar. That's the best way to fight. It'll take too long.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So. Absolutely. So go ahead and listen to that one. So today we're going to answer your question because it's been over a thousand episodes, but we're going to give you also some new ways to share a similar idea, ones that were not done on the previous episode. So you definitely do want to listen to that one to get kind of the basics. So basically, what does hands down mean, Lindsay?

[Sophia]

All right, so it means to basically say that some you feel a certain way and you are confident in your opinion without question. And there's no competition, there's no questioning it. You are?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Sure.

[Sophia]

Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yep. Yeah, Yep. Exactly. Exactly. So if we say that movie was the best comedy I've seen all year, Hands down, or Lindsay asked me, what do you think Is hands down the best TV show of all time?

[Sophia]

Yeah, yeah. It's interesting where it comes from.

[Michelle Kaplan]

What.

[Sophia]

What does hands up mean? Like, is that challenging the suggestion or the winning. The winning item? What does that even mean? We don't have the etymology today, but our listeners could look it up, guys.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And we also don't say hands up. Like, that's half.

[Sophia]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right. But think about it, guys. If you're watching us on YouTube, Lindsay, what about when people go like, wait.

[Sophia]

Hold on, hold on. I'm not seeing you. Okay. Hands up. Yeah, it could. It could be that.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I mean, shrug. Right?

[Sophia]

It could, it could be that. I'm thinking maybe it could just be like a unanimous vote. No one's. That doesn't make sense, though, because it would be hands up. Everyone's voting for it. That makes no sense. Okay, well, all we know is we.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Know here my hands are out of the picture. I'm thinking, like when you shrug and you're like, I don't know. Right. So maybe that's hands up. So anyway, well, whatever, who knows?

[Sophia]

But this is an important. Even though we don't know exactly where it comes from or why this phrase was created, we don't need to know that to use it to connect. Right, Michelle? Yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yep. So today we're going to talk about additional ways you can express a confident opinion. And these were not used in the other episode, like I said. So, Lindsay, what's the first word we can use?

[Sophia]

I like this easily. So, for example, this is easily the best chocolate cake I'VE ever had. Yes. I love chocolate lava cake. I love it when the lava's in.

[Lindsay McMahon]

The middle, gooey and warm. So good.

[Sophia]

So good. Next one's really high level.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. This is a high level one, guys. So indisputably. I'll say it again, indisputably.

[Sophia]

This one is going to be great for our high level C1 students who just joined our C1 course. Everyone, if you're in that course, I want you to write this one down because this is advanced English. This will get you a band 7 or higher on IELTS. It is fantastic. Articulate. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So what's an example? How would we use indisputably.

[Sophia]

We are indisputably much better at sales calls than the other team. It's a mouthful. I will say that word is a mouthful.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Indisputably. Yeah. So if something is indisputable, it can't be disputed. It can't be argued the other way. There's no argument. This is what it is. So it is the same idea as hands down, but so much more high level.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I don't know.

[Sophia]

There are times when we need a more articulate phrase, a more formal sounding, articulate phrase. And it depends on who you're in front of and who you're talking about. Maybe talking to. Sorry. Maybe you're in a job interview and you're using this to talk about your numbers in your last company that you achieved for sale, your sales department. Right. Yeah, we were indis. Had indisputably the best sales team in the entire region. Right. You might, but in front of your friends, maybe you're not going to worry about that deeper vocabulary. You're just going to use something like easily. We easily had the best sales team. Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Yeah, Absolutely. Yep. So the next one is by a mile. So this one is slightly different, but similar idea. So you could say I like living here much more than my old place by a mile.

[Sophia]

So you're just saying the. The intensity with which you like it is.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Is big. Yeah.

[Sophia]

Right, Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So I could say hands down, but here, maybe I'm stressing more the intensity or comparison.

[Sophia]

Love it.

[Gemini]

This episode is brought to you by Google Gemini. With the Gemini app, you can talk live and have a real time conversation with an AI assistant. It's great for all kinds of things, like if you want to practice for an upcoming interview, ask for advice on things to do in a new city or brainstorm creative ideas. And by the way, this script was actually read by Gemini. Download the Gemini app for iOS and Android today. Must be 18 + to use Gemini live.

[Sophia]

Okay, Michelle, we are back. Another one we could say is what?

[Lindsay McMahon]

So have you ever heard this one? This is when I was doing research and I saw this and this is adorable.

[Sophia]

No, this is totally new for me.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I don't know. It kept on coming up in my research. It's as sure as eggs. Is eggs.

[Sophia]

As sure as egg. That's even. Not even correct grammar.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I know. I'm looking it up again here.

[Sophia]

Yeah, well, this is sure. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Anyway, hold on, let me look at as sure as eggs. Yeah, as sure as eggs. And apparently it's a song too. As sure as eggs.

[Sophia]

Gosh.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So this might be more British. So it says the definition says British English without any doubt.

[Sophia]

Okay. Love it. So as so I would challenge our listeners. Ask a British English speaker about this phrase. Right. Ask them about it and they can.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Very cute.

[Sophia]

Yeah, we just want to build your awareness that it exists. But yeah, here we're mostly on American English. But ask. This is a conversation starter, right?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Absolutely. It's fun. And then we'll do one more which is irrefutably. So the other one was indisputably. Here we have irrefutably.

[Sophia]

This could make a poem here. These terms rhyme. I love it. And they're both mouthfuls. They're both C1 level, high level vocabulary. She is irrefutably our strongest employee. Nice.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Wow.

[Sophia]

If our listeners can get some of these high level vocabulary words in their back pocket, very useful, don't you think?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Oh, for sure. Lindsay, which one of these do you feel most connected to? Which is your favorite?

[Sophia]

I like easily. I use easily a lot. You know, this is easily the best chocolate cake I've ever had. I, I easily live in the best neighborhood in Denver. Right. Obviously that's my opinion, but I like to express my opinion in a strong, definitive way. Otherwise, what's the point of having an opinion?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Exactly. Be confident in your, in your opinions. Yeah. Lindsay, just before, before we start to head out and do a role play, let's do a couple conversation questions. So let's try and use a word in each one.

[Sophia]

Wow. Okay. Good fun. Okay. So, Michelle, what is your favorite sport?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, my favorite sport is basketball, hands down. I actually just took my son to a Knicks game and that was really fun last week.

[Sophia]

Oh, very nice.

[Lindsay McMahon]

What about you?

[Sophia]

Well, for me, skiing is easily my go to sport because it's the way I want to spend my time on the weekend with my family, you know, outdoors. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So it's easily the best Easily the best for you. Okay, Lindsay, what is the most rewarding part about your career?

[Sophia]

Wow. Indisputably. It is exactly what we're doing right now, Michelle. Recording the podcast and actually. That's true. That's true. Yeah, it's true. It's my favorite thing about what we do at allers. We do so many things. We build courses, we do marketing, we do so much here. But it actually comes down to just being on the microphone.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I love it too. Yeah, Irrefutably, it's my favorite part as well. And just also, you know, hearing from our listeners, just knowing that, you know, like, we had that reviewer, Amir, who had said that we are his fuel. I mean that to me, that's indisputably. When I hear that, that's like.

[Sophia]

Yeah, it's huge. Yeah. We're very heart centered here at Dollars English.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes.

[Sophia]

Aren't we? Yeah, we are for sure. And that comes to the next question, is who is the best singer of all time?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I know who you're gonna say. I know who you're gonna say.

[Sophia]

You know it? Yeah. Oh, you answer though, first, please.

[Lindsay McMahon]

See this? Okay, so the best singer of all time. All right, you know what, I'm gonna. I'll agree with you. I know what you're gonna say. Let's say at the same time, 1, 2, 3. Whitney Houston.

[Sophia]

Sure. If you were gonna say Adele. If you thought I was gonna say Adele. But no, Adele is somewhere in the top five, I think. But hands down, Whitney Houston's a great. Ah, Freddie. Freddie. What's.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Freddie Mercury.

[Sophia]

Freddie Mercury could be in there somewhere, too.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Incredible. Well, Mariah Carey, not so much anymore, but she was amazing.

[Sophia]

And then I still think Whitney takes the top. Takes a top spot.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, Yeah, I. I agree. Nowadays, I would say also Kelly Clarkson has moved up there.

[Sophia]

Really interesting. Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I mean, that's. I think she's thought of as having.

[Sophia]

Interesting. The best interesting. So I mean, what I love about today's episode and these phrases is that we can. This is another way to assert who you are. Right. Another really useful way to say yes. Hands down, I live in the best neighborhood in Denver. That means I like to walk. I like an urban environment. This says. That says so much about me as a person, more than my opinion about the. It shows so much more than just what you're saying.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Sophia]

Whitney Houston. Right. So there's so much that you can say by being strong when you deliver your opinion.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. It just makes it. Yeah. It's a different sound when you add it. It gives a different feeling, this feeling of confidence when you can add in one of these. So should we do a role play?

[Sophia]

Yeah, let's do it. So here we are, friends, talking about what we'll do over the weekend.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right. We're not going to use all of them today, but we'll use a bunch.

[Sophia]

A lot already. All right, so where should we go for brunch?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, we have to try jelly toast. I've heard it has the best brunch in town, hands down.

[Sophia]

Oh, really? Okay. Hopefully we can get a reservation.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I'll give them a call. What should we do after that?

[Sophia]

We have to check out the new Tom Hanks movie. He's easily the best actor of our time.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Agreed. By a mile.

[Sophia]

Wasn't he in a movie? The Green Mile. Oh, that's true.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, the Green Mile.

[Sophia]

Yeah. You could have done a little pun there, Michelle.

[Lindsay McMahon]

That's true.

[Sophia]

That's true.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I could.

[Sophia]

Fun. Fun. All right, cool. So that's funny, because there is a. A brunch or a breakfast restaurant in my neighborhood called Jelly. So that's fun.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Get out of here.

[Sophia]

Yeah, right down the street. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, well, I have the most fun for role plays coming up with names of restaurants and stores, so. Yeah, that's so funny.

[Sophia]

That is weird. But I'm not a brunch person.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, it's a brunch spot, though.

[Sophia]

It's. It's not a bougie brunch spot. It's more of a breakfast spot. Like you walk in. It's pretty cool. They have the walls covered in old school cereal boxes from the 90s.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, fun.

[Sophia]

You know, but it's not a place like you're going to wait in line. It's a.

[Michelle Kaplan]

A place to be seen.

[Sophia]

It's not like that. Well, a lot of brunch places are like that.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right, right, right, right, right. It's more casual.

[Sophia]

It's more. Give more of a feeling to it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, I love that. Oh, I love that.

[Sophia]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Cool. So, all right, so I said, you said we have to try jelly Toast. I've heard it has the best brunch in town, hands down. Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And then you suggested seeing the new Tom Hanks movie, and you said, he is easily the best actor of our time.

[Sophia]

And then I'm totally on board with that statement, and I say, agreed. Buy a Mile. Right. Buy a Green Mile. Now.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Buy a Green Mile.

[Sophia]

Cool, Michelle. So where should our listeners go? Remind them about that other episode. What is that number?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right, so that's 1138 so that's one handy phrase to show confidence in your suggestion. So to get more on this topic, definitely listen to that episode.

[Sophia]

And what's our takeaway today?

[Lindsay McMahon]

This is a great way to connect with people because you're showing confidence. You're showing that you have a strong opinion and it's just a good way to either share that opinion with someone or to agree with them. Right?

[Sophia]

Yeah. And I would also say reserve this for when you feel very strongly about your opinion. Don't say it for everything. Right. If you don't know very much about a topic or if you're just kind of on the fence, it just doesn't feel right using these definitive statements. But when you do feel strongly and you want to say something about a bit more about, you know that this could say something about you too and your taste and your knowledge. Right. It can be a really powerful tool to show people who you are and.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Not to bring something up at the very end of the episode. But I'm going to. Do you think. I feel. I'm just noticing, hands down, to me it sounds more when you're talking about things being good. Like, do you say that's the worst. The worst steak I've ever had, hands down? I guess you could.

[Sophia]

I think it's usually. Yeah, it's usually about like, again, like people.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Something being the.

[Sophia]

Being the best. People have voted for it. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

To me it's more positive sounding, I would say.

[Sophia]

I don't know. I would say a lot of these. Yeah. But some of these can go the other way.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right.

[Sophia]

Irreb or indisputably the worst.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right, Exactly. So it doesn't.

[Sophia]

Hands down for, for the positive things. Yeah, I think fair. I think that's fair.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Love it.

[Sophia]

All right, good stuff. We are discovering English together here on Allers English. And guys, hit the follow button right now so you don't miss our next episodes. All right, good stuff. All right, Michelle. All right, thanks, you too.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Bye.

[Sophia]

Bye. Thanks for listening to all ears. English.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Would you like to know your English level?

[Sophia]

Take our two minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com forward/fluencyscore.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss, miss anything. See you next time.