All Ears English Podcast - Episode 2404: How Mixing Up Your Grammar Makes You a Better Storyteller

Release Date: May 7, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 2404 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Aubrey Carter delve into the art of storytelling in English, emphasizing how diversifying your grammatical structures can enhance the effectiveness and engagement of your narratives. This episode is tailored for intermediate to advanced English learners seeking to elevate their storytelling skills by leveraging various verb tenses and grammatical nuances.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. The Role of Diverse Verb Tenses in Storytelling

Lindsay and Aubrey begin by exploring the significance of using multiple verb tenses to create dynamic and engaging stories. They argue that relying solely on one tense, such as the past simple, can make narratives monotonous and less captivating.

Notable Quote:

Aubrey Carter [06:06]: "Present tense comes up a lot because you're trying to pull someone into the story, make them feel like they were there with you."

2. Breakdown of Essential Verb Tenses for Storytelling

The hosts outline several key verb tenses and their specific roles in crafting compelling stories:

• Present Perfect: Often used to introduce a story, setting the stage by providing background information.

  Example by Aubrey:

  "I've always loved finding new restaurants. And last night..." (00:46)

• Past Simple: Utilized for recounting specific events that occurred at definite times in the past.

  Example by Lindsay:

  "I never imagined that I would do what I did on this day." (12:05)

• Present Tense: Employed to bring listeners into the current moment of the story, making events feel immediate and real.

  Example by Aubrey:

  "This restaurant is right around the corner from my house, and it is seriously the best." (07:25)

• Subjunctive Conditional: Used for hypothetical scenarios, adding depth and interest by exploring "what if" situations.

  Example by Lindsay:

  "If I weren't wandering that area, I'd never have found this restaurant." (08:04)

• Conditionals: Help express contingencies and possibilities, enhancing the narrative's complexity and intrigue.

  Example by Aubrey:

  "If they did marketing, they would be busier." (08:40)

Notable Quote:

Lindsay McMahon [05:02]: "I've always been a traveler, for example. Right. I've always been adventurous when I travel."

3. Practical Application Through Storytelling

To illustrate the practical application of these grammatical concepts, Lindsay shares a personal story about her adventure volcano boarding in Nicaragua. Aubrey meticulously analyzes the verb tenses Lindsay employs, highlighting how each tense contributes to the narrative's flow and engagement.

Key Points from the Story Analysis:

• Present Perfect to Introduce: Sets up Lindsay's adventurous personality.

  "I've always been an adventurous person..." (12:05)

• Past Simple for Specific Events: Details her experience and actions.

  "I realized that the thing to do in Nicaragua is volcano boarding." (12:05)

• Present Tense to Immerse the Listener: Makes the events feel immediate.

  "You book a tour, you get up in the morning super early..." (16:21)

• Subjunctive and Conditionals for Hypotheticals: Adds depth and explores alternative scenarios.

  "If I weren't wandering that area, I'd never have found this restaurant." (08:04)

Notable Quote:

Aubrey Carter [17:00]: "This is such a great storytelling phrase to really build up excitement. Like, you're never gonna believe this."

4. Enhancing Stories with Additional Grammatical Tools

Beyond verb tenses, Lindsay and Aubrey touch upon other grammatical tools that enrich storytelling:

• Reported Speech and Thoughts: Narrating what characters say or think adds layers to the narrative.

  Example by Lindsay:

  "I'm thinking, how the heck am I going to control my board?" (17:53)

• Present Progressive/Continuous Tense: Indicates ongoing actions, making the story more vivid.

  Example by Aubrey:

  "We're driving, and the terrain is getting more bumpy..." (16:21)

Notable Quote:

Lindsay McMahon [19:07]: "You can still tell an incredible story while making some grammar mistakes. Obviously not tons of grammar mistakes, but some."

5. Emphasis on Connection Over Perfection

A recurring theme in the episode is the importance of prioritizing connection with the listener over flawless grammar. The hosts encourage learners to focus on making their stories engaging and relatable, even if it means making occasional grammatical errors.

Notable Quote:

Aubrey Carter [18:59]: "Way more important than if you're making grammar mistakes is that you are engaging the people you're listening and telling these interesting stories."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode 2404 of All Ears English Podcast effectively underscores the power of varied grammatical structures in storytelling. By mastering the use of different verb tenses and incorporating additional grammatical tools, English learners can craft narratives that are not only grammatically rich but also engaging and compelling. Lindsay and Aubrey's insightful discussion serves as a valuable guide for anyone looking to enhance their English storytelling abilities, reinforcing the podcast's motto: Connection NOT Perfection.

Final Quote:

Lindsay McMahon [20:03]: "Think about how boring that story would have been if the whole thing had been in the past tense."

Additional Resources

• Previous Episode Mentioned:

  • AEE 2401: How to Be a More Interesting Storyteller – Focused on narrating speech and thoughts in the past.

• Upcoming Episodes:

  • Future discussions will continue to explore storytelling techniques and other vital English language skills.

Engage with the Community

Listeners are encouraged to practice their storytelling skills by sharing their own stories using diverse grammatical structures. Engaging with fellow learners and practicing consistently will lead to improved fluency and confidence in English narration.

For more episodes and resources, visit AllEarsEnglish.com.