All Ears English Podcast Episode 2424 Summary: "You Strike Me As Someone Who Will Love This Episode"

In Episode 2424 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the nuanced use of the phrase "strikes me as" in everyday American English. This episode offers intermediate to advanced English learners practical insights into employing this expression to enhance conversational fluency and foster meaningful connections. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode's key discussions, insights, and examples.

Introduction to the Episode

The episode begins with an engaging prompt aimed at enhancing listeners' conversational skills:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "This is the All Ears English podcast, episode 2424. You strike me as someone who will love this episode." [00:00]

This opening sets the stage for the episode's focus on the phrase "strikes me as," illustrating its practical application in making conversations more engaging.

Understanding "Strikes Me As"

Exploring the Expression

Lindsay introduces the topic by presenting a real-life scenario where the phrase "strikes me as" is aptly used:

• Michelle Kaplan (B): "Well, I'm not sure if this is a great example, but this morning I accidentally hit the car against a brick wall when I was backing out. That was a little odd for me because I don't do that kind of thing very often." [01:47]

Aubrey validates the example, highlighting its relevance:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "That's a perfect example. That does strike me as odd that you would hit something cuz it's. You're not the type of person to make an error like that, right?" [02:03]

Variations and Contextual Use

The hosts delve deeper into the versatility of the phrase, discussing how it can be paired with various adjectives to convey different nuances:

• Michelle Kaplan (B): "And I was wondering if I could use this chunk with any adjective or only with odd or smart. Such a good question." [03:23]

They explore how "strikes me as" can be combined with adjectives like "strange," "peculiar," "bizarre," and "interesting" to express surprise or unexpectedness:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "It's definitely most comm. Like odd, weird, strange. That strikes me as strange. That strikes me as peculiar. Maybe bizarre." [04:22]

Present vs. Past Tense

Aubrey and Lindsay discuss the importance of tense when using the phrase:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "If we're saying it strikes me as odd, we're sort of talking about a general something that's always true. Usually." [06:43]
• Michelle Kaplan (B): "Right. So we do need to use different sort of variations of this word in the present and past tense." [07:15]

Practical Applications and Examples

Expressing Impressions

The hosts provide examples of how "strikes me as" can be used to convey first impressions or assessments of people:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "So she strikes me as the type of person who is a good leader." [07:26]

This example demonstrates how the phrase can be employed to share opinions about someone's character or potential.

Narrating Cognitive Processes

They illustrate how the phrase helps in narrating one's thoughts or feelings:

• Michelle Kaplan (B): "I find it odd that she never called." [08:33]
• Aubrey Carter (A): "I fear that they may have broken up." [10:07]

Connecting on Common Observations

The hosts emphasize using the phrase as a tool to connect with others over shared observations:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "If something strikes you as odd or interesting, strike up a conversation about it." [16:15]

Role Play: Applying the Phrase in Conversations

To illustrate the practical use of "strikes me as," Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role-play scenario:

• Michelle Kaplan (B): "I found it odd that Marie wasn't speaking to Jack. Did you notice that?" [13:45]
• Aubrey Carter (A): "I fear that they may have broken up. If that's the case, though, I'm surprised they both went to the party." [13:52]
• Michelle Kaplan (B): "Yeah, that does strike me as peculiar. You'd think they'd want to avoid each other for a while." [14:01]

This role-play effectively showcases how the phrase facilitates subtle and non-invasive conversations about others, avoiding the pitfalls of gossip while fostering meaningful dialogue.

Additional Insights and Tips

Avoiding Repetition of "I Think"

Lindsay and Michelle advise listeners on varying expressions to avoid the repetitive use of "I think," which can hinder fluency and vocabulary scores, especially in language proficiency exams like IELTS:

• Michelle Kaplan (B): "I find it odd... Or it seems odd. Or it strikes me as odd, too." [08:36]

Positive vs. Negative Connotations

They clarify that "strikes me as" is typically used in contexts that imply surprise or concern, rather than positive attributes:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "You wouldn't say, I fear something positive. That would be weird." [15:39]

Enhancing Conversational Depth

Using "strikes me as" allows speakers to introduce deeper topics and engage others in thoughtful discussions:

• Michelle Kaplan (B): "Issue, like anything about the way society is run. Maybe you want to question that and see if someone else agrees with you and you can start a conversation." [10:21]

Conclusion

Episode 2424 of the All Ears English Podcast offers valuable lessons on integrating the phrase "strikes me as" into everyday conversations. Through examples, discussions, and a practical role-play, Lindsay and Michelle provide listeners with the tools to express opinions, narrate thoughts, and connect with others more effectively in American English. By focusing on connection rather than perfection, the hosts empower English learners to engage in more natural and meaningful interactions.

Notable Quotes:

• Aubrey Carter (A): "It's like you're just sort of, saying I think this about this person. I think she's probably a good leader." [07:43]
• Michelle Kaplan (B): "We're just kind of like, this struck me as odd. What do you think?" [14:53]
• Aubrey Carter (A): "It's an interesting chunk just to say, I think this about this person." [07:55]
• Michelle Kaplan (B): "It's kind of like gossiping... You're just kind of floating above the gossip." [14:53]

By mastering the use of "strikes me as," learners can enhance their conversational English, making interactions more engaging and reflective of native speech patterns.