AEE 2364: When Right is Especially Right in English

Summary

All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2364 - "When Right is Especially Right in English"

Release Date: February 26, 2025

---

Introduction

In episode 2364 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the versatile usage of the word "right" in American English. This episode is particularly beneficial for intermediate to advanced English learners aiming to enhance their conversational skills by understanding natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs. The hosts address common feedback from listeners about the frequent use of "right" and explore its various applications to help learners use it confidently and appropriately in different contexts.

---

Understanding the Multiple Uses of "Right"

1. "I'll Be Right [Place/Action]"

One of the primary focuses of the episode is the phrase structure "I'll be right [up/down/over/away/in/out/here/back]." This structure is commonly used to indicate immediate action or response in various situations.

• Examples:
  • Right Up/Down:
    • [03:03] Michelle: "I'll be right up."
    • [03:34] Lindsay: "I'll be right down."
    • Context: Indicating movement between floors in a building.
  • Right Over:
    • [03:38] Michelle: "I'll be right over."
    • Context: Moving to a nearby location, such as a neighboring store or house.
  • Right In:
    • [04:24] Michelle: "I'll be right in."
    • Context: Entering a room, such as when a doctor is about to join a patient.
  • Right Out:
    • [04:52] Michelle: "I'll be right out."
    • Context: Exiting a room promptly, often used by parents responding to children.
  • Right Here/Back:
    • [06:23] Lindsay: "I'll be right here."
    • Context: Staying in place to wait for someone, showing readiness and patience.

Notable Quote:

• [05:25] Michelle: "I'll be right here. It's very friendly."

2. Politeness and Connection

The hosts emphasize that these phrases serve as crucial connection skills in English, facilitating smooth and polite interactions. Using phrases like "I'll be right back" or "I'll be right with you" helps prevent awkward silences and shows consideration for the other person's time and presence.

Notable Quote:

• [13:30] Michelle: "It's almost like those sign posts. It's just giving people signals of what's going on so people aren't totally lost."

3. "Right on" as an Expression of Encouragement

Another usage explored is "right on," a phrase used to express encouragement or approval, similar to saying "awesome" or "great." While popular in the 80s and 90s, it remains relevant in casual conversations.

• Role Play Example:
  • [07:45] Michelle: "Right on. That's awesome."

Notable Quote:

• [08:12] Lindsay: "That's a good idea for a follow-up episode."

4. Nuances and Contextual Appropriateness

The hosts discuss the subtle differences and appropriate contexts for each phrase to avoid sounding repetitive or unnatural. For instance, "right on" may be too informal in professional settings, whereas "I'll be right here" conveys readiness without implying departure.

Notable Quote:

• [11:35] Michelle: "I'll get that right away. I just need to unlock this case."

---

Role Play Demonstration

To provide a practical understanding, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role play scenario set in a department store. This exercise illustrates the correct usage of various "right" phrases in a real-life context.

Role Play Highlights:

• Michelle (Sales Associate): "I'll be right with you." (Indicating immediate assistance)
• Lindsay (Customer): "I'll be right back up." (Combining "right back" with "up" to indicate returning to a different floor)
• Michelle: "I'll have it right here for you." (Assuring the customer that the item will be ready)

Notable Exchange:

• [10:08] Michelle: "I'll be right with you."
  [10:14] Lindsay: "I was hoping to look at one of those necklaces."
  [10:17] Michelle: "Great. I'll get that right away. I just need to unlock this case."

Through this role play, the hosts demonstrate how these phrases facilitate clear and polite communication between customers and service providers.

---

Key Takeaways

1. Versatility of "Right":
   The word "right" serves multiple functions in English, from indicating immediate action to expressing encouragement. Understanding its various uses can significantly enhance conversational fluency.

2. Politeness and Connection:
   Using "right" in phrases helps maintain politeness and connection in conversations, preventing awkward silences and showing attentiveness.

3. Contextual Appropriateness:
   It's essential to choose the correct phrase based on the context to ensure natural and effective communication. For example, "right on" is suitable among friends but may be too informal in professional settings.

4. Natural Usage:
   Native speakers use "right" so frequently and in so many ways that it often goes unnoticed. Learners are encouraged to incorporate these phrases into their speech to mimic natural English patterns.

Notable Quote:

• [14:03] Lindsay: "Yes, exactly. That's a good point, Aubrey. So don't be afraid to use these."

---

Conclusion

In this insightful episode, Lindsay and Michelle provide a comprehensive exploration of the word "right," showcasing its importance and versatility in everyday American English. By understanding and practicing these phrases, learners can enhance their conversational skills, making their English more natural and connected. The episode reinforces the podcast's motto: "Connection NOT Perfection," encouraging learners to focus on meaningful interactions rather than flawless language.

Final Remarks:

• [14:16] Michelle: "Yeah. See you next time."
• [14:17] Lindsay: "All right, bye bye."

---

Additional Resources

• Episode 2360: "Your Grammar Questions Answered: Past Simple or Past Progressive"
  Lindsay and Aubrey tackle complex grammar questions to help listeners master tricky aspects of English.

• Take the Fluency Score Quiz:
  Assess your English level with a free 10-question quiz at allearsenglish.comfluencyscore.

---

Connect with All Ears English Podcast:

• Website: allearsenglish.com
• Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms to receive weekly transcripts and updates.

Join Lindsay and Michelle to continue improving your American English skills with engaging and practical lessons!

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2364, when right is especially right in English.

[B]

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 host, Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, and Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz, coming to you from Arizona and New York City, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe.

[C]

I'll be right up or right down or right away. Today, learn the many ways you can use right in your English conversations. I have a question for you. Does knowing your English level like B1 or B2 matter? The answer, my friends, is yes. You need to know where you are to get to where you're going. So take our free 10 question quiz and find out your English level immediately. With tips on getting to the next level. Go to allearsenglish.comfluencyscore now that's fluency score. One word. Allearsenglish.com Fluency score. Hello, Michelle. How are you?

[A]

I'm good, Aubry, how are you? Oh my gosh. We're having fun recording together.

[C]

I know. I'm so excited to be back and I have a question for you. Okay, let's hear. You use the word right a lot.

[A]

Yes, I do.

[C]

Probably too much. I've actually heard from a couple of our listeners. They're like, you say right a lot. When? Sort of to confirm that I agree with what Lindsay says or what someone else says, I'll be like, right. Or at the end of what I say right.

[A]

I'm. I apologize too. I think I sometimes even use it as a filler so I'll say right. And so. But I've, when I have listened to episodes, I, I have heard myself using it a lot.

[C]

I know today we're going to dive into not only do we use it as a filler like that, we use it in so many ways in English. It comes up all the time. And there's some very native natural chunks that we're going to teach you today that you should be using with the word right, but be sure to hit follow. Guys, we've had so many amazing episodes lately and we have a lot of fun one fun ones planned coming up. So be sure to hit the follow button so they drop right into your queue.

[A]

Absolutely. So I'm excited about this episode because it's an excuse for Aubry and I to use the word right without any guilt.

[C]

Exactly right.

[A]

Right.

[C]

So let's dive in. This first way that we use it is to say, I'll be right, and then blank. There's so many ways we say this depending on where we are. So, for example, if you're on the first floor of a building and you're on the phone, tell someone that you're coming upstairs, you might say, I'll be right up. Or downstairs, going upstairs. I'll be right up.

[A]

Right. I'll be right up. Or let's say you're. I'm upstairs in my house right now, and let's say my kids were calling me. I could say, I'll be right down.

[C]

Exactly right. And this is really the most common natural way that we would say that. Or if I'm at a neighbor's house and my husband asks me to come home for something, I might say, I'll be right over. That's often, like if you're in a nearby space at a nearby home, or maybe like a coffee shop next to somewhere, and you're gonna go to this, like, a neighboring store. I'll be right over.

[A]

Right. It usually involves some sort of transportation, whether it's walking or driving or just.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And we wouldn't say this room to room. Right. If I'm in one room next to another room, like at work, I don't. Would you say, I'll be right over? I probably would say, I'll be right there.

[A]

Right. I'll be right there. That's a good one. Yeah.

[C]

Interesting, these little nuances between which one we choose.

[A]

Right. Or I'll be right in. Right. So let's say you're outside of a room where somebody is. Or let's say you're meeting someone for a lunch. You could say, I'll be right in. You're out. And now you're gonna go in.

[C]

Yes. You're likely to hear this. When you go to the doctor, and maybe the nurse takes, like, your vitals, and they'll say, the doctor will be right in. Means they'll be, like, right in the room with you. They're not in the room now. They'll be right in.

[A]

Right, Right. Right.

[C]

If you're inside a room, inside a house, maybe. And maybe your neighbors out front. Oh, I'll be right out. Or like, if you're in the bathroom and your kids are yelling that they want you, I'll be right out.

[A]

Oh, yeah. I probably use this one a lot. I'll be right out.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Or. Or we already talked about Right there. But I'll be right here means kind of you're actually staying put. You're not actually going anywhere. It's more that you're waiting some for someone to come to you. So you'll say like whenever, whenever you're ready. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here.

[C]

Right. I use this a lot. Right. If someone's like, I'll be there in 10 minutes, no problem. I'll be right here. It's very friendly.

[A]

Yeah, very friendly. And this one actually brings me to. Can I add one?

[C]

Yes, absolutely.

[A]

I'll be right back. So this one is you go away and then you're saying, I'll be right back. Or remember when we were younger, Aubrey, the brb. Be right back.

[C]

Yeah, I still use that. Brb.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, brb. But so with. I'll be right back. So my parents always joke that when I was two years old, we were on a family vacation and I saw a gift shop and I'm two and I just stand up and we're outside and I just said, I'll be right back. Just to go buy myself to this gift shop. And now it's funny because my daughter. Yeah, my, My. My daughter says also be. Well, it was more not I'll be right back. But it was be right back. Just like, oh, I'm too. I can go by myself. That's fine.

[C]

So nonchalantly.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Really funny. And that is maybe of all the phrases we're using today, that's one of the most common. Be right back. Right. If you're at a store with someone and maybe they're checking out, so you go to look at something and you want to tell them that you're going to return to where they are. What we would always say, I'll be right back.

[A]

Exactly. Exactly. So, wow, these are all good. Aubrey. What else. What else do we want to get to?

[C]

Yeah. So we have a few more. We'll often say right with you. You've likely heard a receptionist say, I'll be right with you. This means they are occupied right now. Maybe they're helping someone else. But this is a very polite way that you can say you're sort of apologizing that it's taking a minute. I'll be right with you.

[A]

Right. I'll be right with you. Or right away. So this is asap. As soon as possible. Right. So I'll get to that right away. Right. You're not, you're not taking any time. You're getting to it. Maybe somebody's waiting. And you said, oh, sorry, I'll get to it right away. I'm doing it.

[C]

Yeah. I'm more likely to say this even than like, you know, very soon or asap. I. This would be more in my dial to be like, yeah, I'll get to. I'll do that right away.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's definitely a good one.

[C]

Right on.

[A]

That's fun.

[C]

Yeah, I feel like it was really trendy, maybe in the 80s or the 90s. I see it in older movies a ton for someone to say right on. But we still hear it.

[A]

So what does it mean? So it's just kind of like, it's.

[C]

Like, that's cool, right? Yeah, that's great. Awesome. But we usually use it as a response, so let's do a mini role play to show how that would look.

[A]

Okay. So I got the job.

[C]

Right on. That's awesome.

[A]

Hey.

[C]

Yeah, it's just like a way to encourage. This is actually a great connection skill. It's so friendly too, you know, because you're not always going to want to say congratulations. Awesome. You want a lot of ways to say that. And this is a fun one. Right on.

[A]

Yeah, that's a good idea for a follow up episode.

[C]

Aubry.

[A]

Maybe we'll do one on different ways to say congratulations.

[C]

Yes, I love that idea.

[B]

As a busy entrepreneur, I need reliable team members who have specific skills. And when I'm hiring, I want qualified candidates applying for the job fast. One of the best things about Indeed is that it streamlines hiring to make it fast because it allows you to look for very specific skills when you post your job. As we gear up to expand our team this spring, I plan to use Indeed. So if you're in charge of hiring at your company, stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites. Indeed's Sponsored Jobs helps you stand out and hire fast. With Sponsored Jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster and it makes a huge difference. According to Indeed data, Sponsored Jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this podcast will get a 75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility at indeed.com a e e just go to indeed.com aee right now and support our show by saying that you heard about Indeed on this podcast. One more time, go to indeed.com a e e Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[C]

All right, let's dive into a role play here. Michelle, you are standing at the counter of a department store, and I am there as a sales associate. I'll start us out.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

I'll be right with you.

[A]

No worries.

[C]

Sorry about that. How can I help you?

[A]

I was hoping to look at one of those necklaces.

[C]

Great. I'll get that right away. I just need to unlock this case.

[A]

Actually, I need to find my friend downstairs. But then we'll be right back up.

[C]

No problem. I'll have it right here for you. All right. So we used a lot of them here. One you didn't notice was right on. Why do you think we didn't have right on in this roleplay?

[A]

So maybe it's. This could be a little too informal or casual. Right. Because I'm talking to you. It sounds like I'm at a nice store and I'm looking for this necklace. It's a little too casual. It's more for using it with friends.

[C]

Yeah. I thought about trying to squeeze it into this role play. Either to have the sales associate say, right on, or maybe the other. I'm like, that feels very strange. It is more informal. Right. If someone's trying to be professional, they're speaking to a stranger, a sales associate. They wouldn't. I don't think they would say right on. That would be very rare.

[A]

Right? Exactly. Right. Right. It would be.

[C]

So let's go through this. I first said, I'll be right with you. So that's when we shared where, you know, I'm maybe helping someone else, putting something away and letting them know, as soon as I can, I will come and help you.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. And then I asked you for to. To get me one of the necklaces that's probably in the case. And you said, I'll get that right away. I just need to unlock this case. So I'll get that immediately asap.

[C]

Exactly right. It would be strange to say this and then go leave them waiting and go do other things. That means you're going to do it right now, right? Right.

[A]

I can't stop saying right now.

[C]

Right. Because I would like to actually go back and count how many times we say it in this episode.

[A]

Oh, my gosh, that would be interesting.

[C]

And you said, oh, I need to run get my friend downstairs, and then we'll be right back up. So you're saying you could just say, we'll be right back, but you can say, we will be right back up because you're going downstairs and then Back upstairs.

[A]

Yeah. So it's interesting, you. We combined the right up and right back. Made it right back up.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

And then I said, I'll have it right here for you. So this is. You can say, I'll be right here, meaning I'll be here waiting. Or like this. You can say it this way. She'll have the necklace right here for you, meaning, like it will be here ready for you.

[A]

Exactly. Exactly. So it's. It's not going anywhere. Basically, we want to share.

[C]

We want to make sure you guys didn't miss an episode Lindsay and I recorded. It was 2360 right here on Allers English. Your grammar questions answered past simple or past progressive. I get a lot of questions for students about this, so I want to make sure you guys don't miss that episode. That is tricky grammar.

[A]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. It's really important, guys to listen to these episodes so you can get your grammar top notch with Aubrey and Lindsay.

[C]

Absolutely. So let's just give a takeaway here. I feel like a lot of these phrases, though, we use Right. A ton. A lot of them are chunks that are really great connection skills. Right. Even just the politeness, but sort of the cur. The courtesy of telling someone, I'll be right back or I'll be with you right away. All of these are things that if you didn't say it, if there was just silence, often it would be sort of rude. These are things that we say in order to be more friendly and polite.

[A]

Exactly. It gives. It's almost like those sign posts. It's just giving people signals of what's going on so people aren't totally lost. But yeah, try. I mean, these are. You can use these immediately. So practice adding them to your conversations to connect and, you know, show that courtesy in English.

[C]

Yeah. And these are not the type. Even though we had so many different ones in this role play, it doesn't feel strange and repetitive. They all have very different meanings. The word right comes up all the time and natives don't even notice because it's so common. It has so many different uses.

[A]

Yes, exactly. That's a good point, Aubry. So don't be. Don't be afraid to use these.

[C]

Yes. Awesome. Michelle, thanks for joining me today. This was very fun.

[A]

Yes. A great topic. Thanks, Aubry. And thanks to everyone for listening.

[C]

Yeah. See you next time.

[A]

All right, bye bye.

[B]

Thanks for listening. To all ears. English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our 2 minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com fluency score and if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.