AEE 2368: Learning English is Difficult Enough, Let Alone With Idioms!

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2368: "Learning English is Difficult Enough, Let Alone With Idioms!"

Introduction

In Episode 2368 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the complexities of mastering English idioms, focusing specifically on the phrase "let alone." Aimed at intermediate to advanced English learners, this episode provides insightful explanations, practical examples, and engaging discussions to help listeners enhance their conversational skills and understand nuanced expressions used by native speakers.

Exploring "Let Alone"

The episode begins with Lindsay and co-host Aubrey Carter addressing a common challenge faced by English learners: understanding and correctly using idiomatic expressions. The primary focus is on the idiom "let alone," which is often perplexing for non-native speakers.

Definition and Usage

Aubrey explains, “This indicates that something is far less likely or possible or maybe suitable than what has already been mentioned” [03:22]. Essentially, "let alone" is used to emphasize that the second item is even less achievable than the first.

Practical Examples

1. Everyday Context:

   • Aubrey: “I couldn't lift this box, let alone that couch” [03:48].
   • Lindsay: “I can't even lift this box. I definitely couldn't lift this couch” [03:58].

   Here, Aubrey highlights that if lifting a box is difficult, lifting a couch is even more so.

2. Visual Impairment Example:

   • Aubrey: “He can't see to the sidewalk without his glasses, let alone to the stop sign” [04:17].
   • Lindsay: “They can't see a few feet in front of them, let alone several yards” [04:26].

   This illustrates how "let alone" emphasizes a greater difficulty in seeing the stop sign compared to the sidewalk.

Comparing Similar Phrases

Lindsay introduces alternatives to "let alone," such as "not to mention" and "forget about," discussing their distinct uses and nuances.

1. "Not to Mention":

   • Used predominantly for adding positive or additional information.
   • Example:
     • Aubrey: “She’s such a talented musician, not to mention her acting” [05:54].
   • Lindsay clarifies, “Not to mention could be used for both positives and negatives, making it more flexible” [05:15].

2. "Forget About":

   • More informal and suitable for casual conversations.
   • Example:
     • Aubrey: “I couldn’t lift this box. Forget about that couch” [07:15].
   • Lindsay: “I can't even pay rent this month. Forget about going to Disneyland” [08:55].

Role-Playing Scenario: Applying Idioms in Conversation

To demonstrate practical usage, Lindsay and Aubrey engage in a role-play set in an upscale restaurant:

• Scenario:
  • Lindsay: “Should we get a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon?”
  • Aubrey: “I can’t afford a glass of that, let alone the bottle” [12:05].

This exchange showcases how "let alone" enhances the statement by emphasizing the impossibility of affording the bottle after stating the difficulty in affording a glass.

Formal Alternatives: "What is More"

Aubrey introduces "what is more" as a more formal alternative suitable for professional settings:

• Example:
  • Lindsay: “I’m impressed with your dedication to this company. What is more, you have shown true growth over the years” [11:17].

Aubrey contrasts this with informal scenarios, explaining that "what is more" would be out of place in casual settings like moving furniture.

Additional Insights and Tips

• Emphasizing Points: Using idioms like "let alone" and "not to mention" helps reinforce points and add depth to conversations.
• Flexibility of Usage: While "let alone" is typically used in negative contexts, "not to mention" can adapt to both positive and negative scenarios.
• Redundancy for Emphasis: Lindsay points out that sometimes redundancy is used intentionally to emphasize a point, such as saying, “I can’t even afford a glass of that, let alone the bottle” [13:03].

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, Lindsay and Aubrey emphasize the importance of incorporating these idiomatic expressions into daily conversations to sound more natural and native-like. They encourage listeners to practice these phrases to build confidence and enhance their English fluency.

Key Takeaways:

• "Let Alone" is used to highlight that the second statement is even less possible than the first.
• "Not to Mention" adds additional information and can be used for both positive and negative contexts.
• "Forget About" is an informal alternative suitable for casual conversations.
• "What is More" serves as a formal alternative, ideal for professional or polished settings.

Notable Quotes:

• Aubrey Carter: “This indicates that something is far less likely or possible or maybe suitable than what has already been mentioned” [03:22].
• Lindsay McMahon: “You can completely get away with it” [13:23].
• Aubrey Carter: “It's definitely emphasizing even more” [13:38].

Conclusion

Episode 2368 of the All Ears English Podcast offers valuable insights into the usage of idioms that can significantly enhance English learners' conversational skills. By understanding and practicing phrases like "let alone," "not to mention," and "forget about," listeners can achieve a more nuanced and fluent command of English, bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world application.

For more episodes and resources, visit AllEarsEnglish.com.

Transcript

[Aubrey Carter]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 2368. Learning English is difficult enough, let alone with idioms.

[Lindsey McMahon]

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, Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz, and Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe in English. Sometimes you want to make a statement even more extreme to explain the situation you're in today. Get FREE 4 High Level and precise phrases to do this in conversations.

[C]

What's the fastest way to achieve a goal to know where you're starting from? Find your English fluency level now and we'll show you the next steps to take to achieve the next fluency level in 2025. Go to allearsenglish.com fluencyscore to take our free quiz, go to allearsenglish.com SLF L U E N C Y S C O R E.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Hey there, Aubrey. I have a question for you.

[Aubrey Carter]

Okay, let's hear it.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Are you busy this week?

[Aubrey Carter]

Oh, yes. I've got so much going on at home with soccer games, lacrosse games, let alone work. Got a to do list a mile long, so lots going on. Wow.

[Lindsey McMahon]

How do you handle it? All right. Sometimes it can feel so overwhelming. Sometimes it's a lot.

[Aubrey Carter]

It's true. Right. We have to make to do lists and compartmentalize, but.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

It's tricky. It's a lot interesting.

[Lindsey McMahon]

All right, Well, I. It's interesting what you said here. You said, I've got so much going on at home, let alone work. So tell me about that. That is really interesting for a list.

[Aubrey Carter]

This came up in one of our Q and A sessions for students in our courses, a student asked about this phrase, let alone they had heard native English speakers use it. And it is a little tricky because it kind of does feel like there should be more words like that' all you just say let alone and then the next thing. So we're going to talk about this today, give you lots of examples and share some other similar ways that we do this in English.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yes. And hopefully our students, our listeners, are just still getting kind of a clue already as to what it means before we even get into the explanation. But first, I want to remind you guys to go ahead and hit that follow button. Aubrey, why should they take that time to hit follow on the show.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. We have so many amazing episodes every week, five new episodes full of vocabulary and strategies. You don't want to miss a single one. So hit follow. So they drop right into your listening queue.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yes. I love it. All right, well, it's time to get into number one, which is let alone. Right. We're going to explain exactly what this means. Aubry. What does it mean?

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. This indicates that something is far less likely or possible or maybe suitable than what has already been mentioned. So the way we do this in English is we mention one thing, and then we say let alone, and we say something else that is even more impossible or unlikely or would be surprising, for example. So let's give some good. Some fun examples here.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Okay, so how about this one? I couldn't lift this box, let alone that couch. So I had a hard time doing this, and there's no way I'm going to be able to do that.

[Aubrey Carter]

Exactly right. And you could say it that way. You know, I can't even lift this box. I definitely couldn't lift this couch. It means the same thing with less words. Right. It's just a very native, natural chunk for that same meaning.

[Lindsey McMahon]

It's incredibly native and natural. That's why I'm glad we're teaching this today. What's the second example?

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, he can't see to the sidewalk without his glasses, let alone to the stop sign. So this is like someone needs their glasses to see very far.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah.

[Aubrey Carter]

And, you know, they can't see a few feet in front of them, let alone several yards. Right. They can't see, see close, and they definitely can't see that far.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Right. So this one's good because we know it's easier to see to the sidewalk than it is to the stop sign. Right?

[Aubrey Carter]

Right.

[Lindsey McMahon]

So the thing you say first is the thing that's more achievable, and the second thing is the more unlikely or harder thing. Good.

[Aubrey Carter]

Right. And the main tricky thing is to notice that I think a lot of speakers will assume that after you say let alone, it seems like you need another subject or verb here. I know you don't. Right. So if you look at the words, we're the construction here. It's just let alone and then your preposition and the noun. So it's sort of less words than you would expect.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yes, that's a good point. It feels like there should be something there, but this is the chunk. This is how we say it, and it works. So. But there are other options, Aubrey, like number two. Not to mention not to mention.

[Aubrey Carter]

And so for let alone. It's interesting how it's really just for like negatives because it's something that's less possible or less easy. Right. Whereas not to mention, could be for positive things. The second thing you say could be like even more possible or even more suitable. Whereas you can't do that with let alone.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Let's give some examples. So here's the first example. She's such a talented musician, not to mention her acting. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

So this means like she's a talented men musician and her acting is also very impressive. Right. And what's interesting is you could not say day she's such a talented musician, let alone her acting. That doesn't make sense because let alone really means it's something worse. Something less impressive or less possible. But not to mention couldn't. Can be used for both positives and negatives. It's more flexible.

[Lindsey McMahon]

And it's funny because we are mentioning it. Right? Not to mention, but we are actually mentioning. Correct.

[Aubrey Carter]

Not to mention, but I'm going to mention. Exactly.

[Lindsey McMahon]

I always thought that was weird. How about the next one?

[Aubrey Carter]

You might say, I'm amazed you work such long hours. Not to mention the time you put into training for that marathon. So you're sort of saying like how do you find the time in the day to do all that you're doing? Right. So you're putting in long hours at work. Not to mention the thing I'm actually going to mention the time you spend training for a marathon.

[Lindsey McMahon]

I love that. So these are two really good options when we're veering towards more. The positive scenario, not to mention, is good. And with negative things you can't do, you're struggling with, let alone is great. Okay.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, exactly. And not to mention for both. And then we have another fun one here. This is more informal. This is for more sort of casual friendly conversations. Forget about.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah.

[Aubrey Carter]

Like for example, that, that's, you know, about the box. I couldn't lift this box. Forget about that couch.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Aubrey Carter]

And I say this, do you say this, Lindsay, forget about that couch instead of let alone.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah. It feels a little more casual, a little more friendly maybe just less organized. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

It's a little more sort of self deprecating in this way. Right. And let alone that kind of forget about. Forget about me lifting that couch.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Right. It's always awful. Like moving. Moving day. Awful. Moving couches up stairwells. No, thank you.

[Aubrey Carter]

Right. No. We discovered. I don't know what it's called, but there are these moving straps that you Put over your shoulders and attach to furniture. And then. And you, like, tighten them and then stand up and it lifts the furniture, and you can lift it between two people. They're probably just called moving straps. They are a game changer for moving really heavy things.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Wow. It makes you like an animal or something, kind of.

[Aubrey Carter]

Right? Exactly. It sort of forces you to lift with your legs because you tighten the straps and don't have a choice. It's really interesting.

[Lindsey McMahon]

What's the largest piece of furniture that you've strapped on?

[Aubrey Carter]

You have to. It has to be two people. Right. It's one person on each end, and you strap and then lift together for heavy object. Right. But really big, like couches and armoires. Like, things I would not expect to be able to lift with another person. I'm like, oh, I'm stronger than I thought.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Interesting.

[Aubrey Carter]

Because don't lift with your back. Right.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Oh, wow. So it's double up. Interesting. I've never seen that, huh?

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. Okay. Very interesting.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Quite a. Quite a good invention.

[Aubrey Carter]

It was probably on Shark Tank.

[Lindsey McMahon]

It's a confidence builder, right, Aubrey? It's a confidence builder.

[Aubrey Carter]

Exactly. Give us another example here. Forget about.

[Lindsey McMahon]

All right, so next example. I can't even pay rent this month. Forget about going to Disneyland. Right?

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. And it's interesting how it's sort of more literal, meaning, like, because we can't pay rent, forget about the possibility of going to Disneyland. Right. But it really is the same meaning as, let alone I can't afford rent, let alone going to Disneyland. It means the same thing. Like, that would be even more impossible.

[Lindsey McMahon]

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[Aubrey Carter]

Like if we want to use this.

[Lindsey McMahon]

At work, for example.

[Aubrey Carter]

Right, Exactly. For the same meaning, really, but really good for work interviews. When you're wanting to be a little more polished and professional, you could say, what is more, this is quite formal for daily conversations. So. Yes.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah. For example, I'm impressed with your dedication to this company. What is more, you have shown true growth over the years. Nice.

[Aubrey Carter]

Nice. Or we haven't been able to raise enough funds for the event. What is more, many of the vendors have canceled. So even though that might be, you know, a fundraising meeting, it's a little more informal. It still would work to say what is more? Whereas if I'm talking about moving furniture, it would be strange to say, I can't lift this box. What is more, the couch is really heavy. It's too formal for those formal conversations.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah, that's not for, like, a moving Saturday. That's for an office Monday. Right, right. Exactly. Love it. Exactly. Let's go into a role play. So here we're having dinner at an upscale restaurant, so something fancy.

[Aubrey Carter]

Ah, let's do it.

[Lindsey McMahon]

All right. Should we get a bottle of cabernet sauvignon?

[Aubrey Carter]

Ooh, I can't afford a glass of that, let alone the bottle.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Oh, it's on me. You paid last time, so I owe you. Not to mention that your birthday was last week.

[Aubrey Carter]

Oh, well, I didn't celebrate my 38th birthday. Forget about celebrating this one. These are all really fun.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Celebrator.

[Aubrey Carter]

And you'll notice that what is more is not here, because this is friends at dinner. And it would be too formal and sort of strange.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah. It's almost too much work to say that for some reason, I don't know, you know, it is too formal. Yeah.

[Aubrey Carter]

Maybe the server could come over and say our specials are the holiday. What is more, we have a delicious.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yes. Back and sort of a fancy tuxedo.

[Aubrey Carter]

Very professional.

[Lindsey McMahon]

I could see that. So you said. I said, should we get a bottle of cabernet sauvignon? And you said, oh, I can't even afford a glass of that, let alone the bottle. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. Which means, like, I can't afford the glass. And I definitely can't afford the bottle. But just an interesting native way to say it.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah. And I want to point out something for our really high level listeners who listen very closely. I squeezed in a word that doesn't actually makes the sentence redundant. I said, I can't even afford a glass of that, let alone the bottle. But if you do that, you can get away with it. Totally get away with it. But it kind of makes it redundant, doesn't it, Aubrey?

[Aubrey Carter]

It's definitely emphasizing even more. Right. You're like, I can't even afford a glass. Like, yeah, it's kind of redundant because it's unnecessary. The meaning is already there in the sentence. But sometimes we are intentionally redundant in order to emphasize.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Right, exactly. Yeah, you can completely get away with it. So what's the next thing I said?

[Aubrey Carter]

And then you were saying, well, you paid last time, so I owe you not to mention that your birthday was last week. So this is the way we'd say that. Like I'm giving another reason that it would make sense for me to pay also. Right. It means the same thing as, also, your birthday was last week. Not to mention this thing that I'm going to mention.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Mention. It's kind of funny. There you go, mentioning that thing you're not going to mention again. Right, Funny. And then you said, I didn't celebrate my 38th birthday. Forget about celebrating this one. So you're saying it's even more unlikely that you'd celebrate this one if you didn't celebrate your 38th? Maybe a year ago.

[Aubrey Carter]

Maybe I stopped counting at 35. Right. So, like last year I didn't celebrate. So forget about celebrating this one. Let's not mention it. Yeah.

[Lindsey McMahon]

No, but you celebrate your birthdays, right? Your birthday.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, I'm. I'm not the person that's pretending to be 30 forever.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah, that'd be strange.

[Aubrey Carter]

I love celebrating birthdays. I think it's fun.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Yeah, it'd be weird. I think it'd be kind of weird to not celebrate your birthday. I don't know. Kind of strange.

[Aubrey Carter]

I know a lot of people don't, though. They kind of. They don't want to be reminded that they're aging. And so really they're like, oh, that's for kids or what? You know? But I've always been a birthday celebrator. Yeah.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Well, there's another episode we could go to to check out. Guys, it's 2365. Can you have your cake and eat it too? I think Michelle And I recorded and birthday.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Speaking of birthdays. Very connected. And that's a great expression to learn, right? To have your cake and eat it too. So Michelle and I talked about that in 2360. Go check that out.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. Scroll up if you missed it. That was amazing. With great vocabulary. And as a takeaway today, there are a few things here that are really interesting. Right. You can add interest to your conversations, make them more native and natural by using these phrases. But also it's a great connection skill to reinforce a point. Right. This is the way we're saying something and then emphasizing it by adding something else that would be even less likely. That's a fun way to connect.

[Lindsey McMahon]

It's also a very high. It's a high level skill. A high level connection skill. So go out and try it, guys. Let us know how it goes. All right.

[Aubrey Carter]

Good stuff. Awesome. So fun.

[Lindsey McMahon]

We'll see you next time. Have a good one.

[Aubrey Carter]

You too. Bye.

[Lindsey McMahon]

Bye. Thanks for listening. To all ears. English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com forward/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.