AEE: Fine or Okay? How Taylor Swift’s Lyrics Teach the Difference

Summary

---

Episode Overview

Title: Fine or Okay? How Taylor Swift’s Lyrics Teach the Difference
Podcast: All Ears English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan (with Aubrey Carter as guest)
Release Date: November 14, 2025

This episode unpacks the nuanced differences between the English phrases “I’m fine” and “I’m okay,” using a Taylor Swift lyric—"I might be okay, but I’m not fine at all"—as a springboard. Lindsay, Michelle, and Aubrey explore how tone, context, and phrasing shape meaning, offering roleplays and cultural insight to help English learners confidently choose the right expression for authentic connection.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Taylor Swift's Inspiration & Exploring “Fine” vs. “Okay”

• The episode was inspired by a line in Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” — “I might be okay, but I’m not fine at all.”

  “This line in this song kind of points out the fact that they actually have different, pretty different meanings.” (Aubrey, 03:53)

• Many English learners are taught “I’m fine” in school as the default response, but this is often a conversational dead end.

  “That’s just sort of the giveaway. Like if you don’t really into it, we’ll just be like, ‘I’m fine.’ No one’s going to ask for details.” (Aubrey, 04:10)

• The team emphasizes that tone and context shape the intent behind these words.

---

2. Meaning & Usage: “I’m Okay”

• Definition: Usually means "not great, but not terrible." Tone is key—it can invite follow-up or subtly close off conversation.

• Roleplay Example 1:

  • Neutral/Slightly Negative Tone:
    • “I’m okay.” (sounding down)
    • Response: “Oh man. What’s going on? Anything I can help with?” (05:39–05:44)
    • Explanation: This invites empathy and connection.
  • Upbeat/Positive Tone:
    • “I’m okay.” (cheerful)
    • Response: “Yeah. Busy week.” (06:21)
    • Explanation: Tone signals if details are welcome.

• “If someone is honest with their tone…they are inviting you to help, to ask about it.” (Aubrey, 05:44)

• Using “I’m okay, what about you?” signals a desire to change the focus, often because someone doesn’t want to discuss their own feelings. (06:23–06:41)

---

3. Meaning & Usage: “I’m Fine”

• Definition: Slightly better than “okay” – good, but still not “amazing.”

  • “It means good but still not amazing. Better than okay.” (Aubrey, 07:05)

• Roleplay Example:

  • Interviewer: “Hey, how are you?”
    Aubrey: “I’m fine.”
    Lindsay: “Yeah? Tough week?”
    • Explanation: Even with “fine,” tone can reveal underlying stress or exhaustion. (07:24–07:27)

• “If someone is using a tone that is sharing that really they’re not fine at all, it would be strange and awkward and uncaring to just move on and not ask, you know, what’s going on.” (Aubrey, 07:57–08:10)

• “I’m fine” in response to injury:

  • After falling while playing tennis:
    • “Are you okay?”
    • “Yes, I’m fine. I think I just rolled it.” (08:24–08:28)
  • Here, “I’m fine” communicates “I’m not seriously injured.”

---

4. Context Matters: “Are you okay?” vs. “Are you fine?”

• “Are you okay?” is standard for checking on health or after an accident. “Are you fine?” sounds off or is rarely used in these situations. (08:55–09:41)
• “Fine” carries a more positive and definitive tone, so it’s not suited for tentative situations.

---

5. Shifting Perspective: “You’re Okay” vs. “You’re Fine”

• “You’re okay” is supportive, used to reassure someone, often a child who’s hurt but not seriously:

  • “You could see in his eyes, he was, like, about to cry...my partner stepped in, is like, oh, you’re okay, you know...” (B, 13:28–14:12)
  • Used to prevent panic or emotional escalation.

• “You’re fine” can sound dismissive or condescending, especially if someone is genuinely hurt:

  • “We have to be really careful with the tone…when someone’s injured, it can be dismissive or condescending.” (Aubrey, 15:27)
  • More acceptable among kids, or between close friends in a joking context, but not with adults or in serious situations.

• “You're fine” to an adult sounds like you’re belittling their response or experience. (15:45–16:14)

• "You're okay" keeps the possibility open for care and follow-up; "You're fine" closes the topic.

---

6. Roleplays Illustrating Connection vs. Disconnection

• Park Run Example:

  • Friend: “You look stressed. Is everything okay?”
  • Response: “Oh yeah, I’m okay, I guess. It’s just been a long week...” (17:48–18:00)
  • Follow-up builds connection, doesn't dismiss concerns.
  • “I was tempted to say, you’re fine. Just like, I would just feel how bad that would feel. Right.” (Aubrey, 19:11–19:32)

• When asking about someone else’s injury, “Is she okay?” is correct; “Is she fine?” is not. (20:03–20:15)

• Key takeaway: Saying “you’re fine” often signals you want to avoid or dismiss the topic, while “you’re okay” shows support.

---

7. Connection, Not Perfection

• These small language choices can either foster connection or harm it. The episode stresses that “fine” and “okay” are not universally interchangeable.

  “These tiny little words can be great for connection or detrimental for connection if we don’t know which one to use in the right moment.” (B, 22:41)

---

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Taylor Swift reference:
  “I might be okay, but I’m not fine at all.” (Aubrey, referencing Taylor Swift, 03:19)

• On tone’s importance:
  “Tone matters so much.” (Aubrey, 02:56)

• On English textbooks vs. real life:
  “That’s why it’s so erroneous that we learn [‘I’m fine’] so early. Because that’s generally not really what you want to say.” (B, 04:23)

• On avoiding ‘one-upping’:
  “If the person we’re talking to is sharing all this negativity, we don’t want to one up how bad things were. This would be not great.” (Aubrey, 21:40–21:49)

• On connection:
  “If someone is honest with their tone…they are inviting you to help, to ask about it.” (Aubrey, 05:44)

• On being dismissive:
  "‘You’re fine’...it does sound patronizing or condescending. I wouldn’t say it to an adult…” (Aubrey, 15:53)

---

Useful Timestamps

• [03:19] - Taylor Swift lyric as inspiration
• [04:10] - Why “I’m fine” closes conversation
• [05:39] - Roleplay: “I’m okay” (honest tone)
• [06:19] - Roleplay: “I’m okay” (positive tone)
• [07:05] - “I’m fine” explained
• [08:24] - Injury scenario: “I’m fine” to mean not seriously hurt
• [09:09] - Why “are you okay?” (not “are you fine?”) is correct after injury
• [13:28] - “You’re okay” for reassurance
• [15:45] - “You’re fine” as dismissive
• [17:46] - Big roleplay: friends at the park
• [20:24] - Injuries: “is she okay?” vs “is she fine?”
• [22:41] - Summary: importance of choosing words for connection

---

Conclusion

This episode gives English learners practical, real-world guidance on when and how to use “I’m fine” and “I’m okay,” as well as the importance of reflective listening and cultural nuance. Through roleplays and memorable anecdotes, the hosts clarify that these subtle language choices have a big impact on connection and communication—not just grammatical correctness.

---

If you want to deepen your listening and fluency in American English, this episode is a goldmine for mastering everyday nuance, with plenty of fun pop-culture and real-life examples.

Transcript

[A]

This is an Allers English podcast Fine or okay? How Taylor Swift's Lyrics Teach the Difference.

[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, 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 what is the difference between saying I'm fine and I'm okay? It seems simple, but it's not not get the details Today the countdown is on. Holiday shopping season is officially here. Uncommon Goods takes the stress out of gifting with thousands of unique, high quality finds you won't see anywhere else. Don't wait. The most meaningful gifts get scooped up fast and now's the perfect time to cross names off your list. Uncommon Goods looks for products that are high quality, unique, and often handmade or made in the U.S. many are crafted by independent artists and small businesses, making every gift feel meaningful and truly one of a kind. Just like learning the basics of grammar is key to getting started with English, I've heard that knife skills are the foundation for good cooking. Since I want to learn to cook this year I went to Uncommon Goods and found an authentic Thai chef's knife called the Moon Knife. Created in a small village in Thailand by talented artists, it's perfect for cutting pork or poultry. With a hand forged tool like this, I feel even more excited to improve my cooking. So don't wait. Cross those names off your list before the rush. To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongs.com a e e that's u n c O M M O n G o o d s.com a e e for 15 off Uncommon Goods we're all out of the ordinary. Hey Aubrey, how are you today?

[A]

I'm okay, how are you?

[B]

You're okay?

[A]

All right.

[B]

Okay, I'll take that. So Aubrey, what would be different if you said I'm fine. I mean I'm fine.

[A]

Oh, this is really interesting. I'm excited to dive into this today because they are different. They're especially depending on your tone. Right? Because I could say I'm okay or I'm okay. Like you can really add a lot of tone to share. Really if you're okay or not, tone matters so much.

[B]

We can't just listen to the vocabulary words. Right?

[A]

But this is actually inspired by a Taylor Swift Song I know the Life of a Show Girl just came out, but this actually isn't from that album. This is from her new version, Taylor's version of All Too well, which was a 10 minute song, like the original song. And then she had cut it down. And there's a lyric that says, I might be okay, but I'm not fine at all. And when I first heard that, it really made me think, because native English speakers and English learners, we sort of have a tendency to think of okay and fine as really similar, kind of interchangeable. I'm okay. I'm fine.

[B]

Right. This.

[A]

This line in this song kind of points out the fact that they actually have different, pretty different meanings.

[B]

Yeah. And we want to know the right context to use each one. I know a lot of people learn when they're in school learning English from a very young age, you know, how are you? I'm fine.

[A]

Right, exactly. And it's kind of the. That's just sort of the giveaway. Like if you don't really into it, we'll just be like, I'm fine. No one's going to ask for details. That's more just like, don't. We don't want to talk about it.

[B]

That's why it's so erroneous that, that we learn that so early. Because that's generally not really what you want to say. Right. You want to engage in. In a conversation with the person. You don't want to feel like you're closing the door on someone.

[A]

Exactly. Interesting. So we're going to dive into not only what this means when you say I'm okay and I'm fine, but we're also going to talk about what it means when you say to someone, you're okay or you're fine. Which. This is really interesting. These have very different meanings as well.

[B]

Yes. I'm excited to get into that. All right, well, good stuff. So let's start with I'm okay. I mean, what. What should we make of that? Aubrey?

[A]

Yeah, so, and this will change depending on tone, but it really sort of means like, not great but not terrible. I'm okay. Right. This tone will change the implication of, of how positive or negative this is. We can say I'm okay and it can sound like actually, I'm. Yeah, okay.

[B]

Tone is everything in this. Everything.

[A]

Right. Yeah. So let's do a little mini role play. And I'll first give that first intonation where I'm saying okay. But I really, I mean, like, I'm not great.

[B]

Not so good. And I'm gonna recognize that in your tone of voice. So here we go. Hey, how are you?

[A]

I'm okay.

[B]

Oh, man. What's going on? Anything I can help with?

[A]

Nice. And this is really the perfect response for connection. Because if someone is honest with their tone, that way, even if they' saying I'm okay, they are inviting you to help to ask about it. Cuz otherwise, like you said, Lindsay, we'll just say this. Throw away. I'm fine.

[B]

Yeah, I'm fine.

[A]

We don't want to get into it.

[B]

Move on. Or they might move on with a new topic or something. Yeah, good point. I love it. So if we're looking for the connection moment, which we always are on this show, that's it right there. Right. Follow up with a good question.

[A]

Okay. Yeah. Let's do another mini roleplay. And here the an it'll be a more positive tone. Let's hear what that sounds like.

[B]

Hey, how are you?

[A]

I'm okay.

[B]

Yeah. Busy week. Yeah.

[A]

And then it could just go from there. Right. And it's interesting. If they don't. If a person does not want you to ask, like, follow up details, they would say something else. They probably wouldn't even. Yeah. Or they would say like, I'm okay, what about you? Yeah, they're gonna immediately flip it to you if they don't really want to get into it.

[B]

Yeah. Because sometimes people just have a lot of drama going on in their lives and they're bored of talking about it maybe.

[A]

Right.

[B]

They just don't want to talk about their own drama. They just want to know about the other. So. Yeah, be ready for that.

[A]

You know, you want to be honest. You're like, I'm okay. What about you? You just immediately switch it to them. We don't want to get into it.

[B]

All right, now let's flip. Let's change gears over to I'm fine. Tell us about this one. Aubry.

[A]

Yeah. So this is more positive than I'm okay. Right. It means good but still not amazing. Better than okay. And again, the tone will change and how fine you are depends on the tone you're using.

[B]

Yeah. So let's see what we get in terms of tone from you here. So. Hey, how are you?

[A]

I'm fine.

[B]

Yeah? Tough week.

[A]

Right. Because maybe I've, you know, just been slammed at work, and so I'm being a little more honest here in my tone of like, okay, I'm. I'm fine.

[B]

Yeah, there's something there. Right. And so I'm gonna dig into it just a little bit. And maybe it make a small assumption and throw it out there by thinking maybe you had a tough week and you can let me know. You kind of just have to respond somehow we have to say something. Right. And so I said, yeah, tough week. It doesn't really matter what you say, as long as you open that space for the person.

[A]

That's such a good point. If someone is using a tone that is sharing that really they're not fine at all, it would be strange and awkward and. And uncaring to just move on and not ask, you know, what's going on.

[B]

Exactly. Exactly. So in this next role play, you have just injured your ankle, which is not a fun thing.

[A]

So maybe we're playing tennis together and I fall, you see that I've injured my ankle, so this will go a little bit differently. You're going to ask me if I'm okay.

[B]

All right. Are you okay?

[A]

Yes, I'm fine. I think I just rolled it.

[B]

Oh, I'll grab an ice pack.

[A]

Yeah. So this is interesting too, when we'll often say, I'm fine to say, like, I'm not extremely injured. If so, if, like, the bone were sticking, if I were really, you know, a broken ankle, really serious, I wouldn't. Probably wouldn't say, I'm fine. I'd be like, no, no, no.

[B]

Get me to the hospital. Yeah.

[A]

Could you call the ambulance? Can you call an ambulance?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So here, of course, you're not saying, I'm having a nice day. Right. You're not. You're not addressing your mood. You're just addressing the injury.

[A]

Right, Right. And what's really interesting, I thought about this for a while, how we use okay and fine differently. We would never say, are you fine? To check on someone's health or an injury. We do say, are you okay? Are you okay? But we wouldn't say, are you fine?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, we say that a lot. Are you okay? So common. So common.

[A]

Or checking it, everything okay?

[B]

Or maybe, are you all right? But I think the most common is are you okay?

[A]

Just, are you okay? Yeah. Which this is so interesting because if you're thinking of okay and fine as being super similar, we use them in the same context. You probably would ask someone, are you fine? After they're injured. And because fine has such a more positive connotation, we wouldn't say this. Right. You're not fine if you just really hurt yourself.

[B]

Exactly. Exactly. So important to know these nuances. Aubry, this is a great topic today.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Hiring is not just about filling a position in your company, it's about finding someone who will actually drive revenue or improve your business. If you're in charge of hiring at your company, stop struggling to get your job seen on other sites. Give your job the best chance to be seen with Indeed Sponsored Jobs. It makes a big difference. According to Indeed data, Sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed are 90% more likely to report a hire than non sponsored jobs because you reach a bigger pool of quality candidates. If I needed to hire a new blog writer to join our team here at Allers English, I'd be super specific. I would look for someone with two years of experience and WordPress expertise. Indeed can deliver on these specifications. Spend more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results. Now with Indeed Sponsored Jobs and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves@ Indeed.com AEE just go to Indeed.com SL AEE right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. I n-d e e d.com ae terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the Right way with Indeed.

[A]

Can you believe it? The holiday shopping season is officially here. Uncommon Good Goods takes the stress out of gifting with thousands of unique, high quality finds you won't see anywhere else. The best gifts disappear quickly, so start crossing names off your list now. Uncommon Goods has something for everyone. From moms and dads to kids and teens. From book lovers, history buffs and die hard football fans to foodies, mixologists and avid gardeners. You'll find thousands of new gift ideas that you won't find anywhere else. We've all been running out the door with no time to brew coffee or stop somewhere to grab one. I found the perfect solution on Uncommon Goods, an insulated to go coffee press. You pour in grounds and water, put in the dual filter press and then the leak proof lid allows you to throw it in your car or bag and go. Instant delicious coffee that stays hot or cold for hours. I had never seen a to go coffee press like this and am loving the convenience. It would be a perfect gift for any coffee lover, especially if you're constantly on the go like me. So don't wait. Cross those names off your list before the rush. To get 15 off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com AEE that's U N C O M M O N G o o d s.com AEE for 15 off Uncommon Goods we're all out of the ordinary.

[B]

All right, so let's get into other ways we might use these phrases to actually send a message to people.

[A]

This is interesting. So when we say I'm okay or I'm fine, this has a very different meaning than when we say you're okay or you're fine. And these have very specific context, too.

[B]

Yes. So, for example, we might say this. You're okay, to encourage someone, again, to keep them from panicking, like we said. Right. So, for example, a good example of this is just on Saturday, my nephew, My partner's nephew came over. Nephew and niece. And my dog went up to him, and he's little, he's like 4 years old. My dog went up and knocked him over, and he, like, fell against the door. And you could see in his eyes, he was, like, about to cry. Or trying to decide whether to cry. My partner stepped in, is like, oh, you're okay, you know, or, good job, Aiden, good job. Like, good job. Okay, you just got knocked over by a dog. Good job. Or something like that. Just so he wouldn't respond in that way of, oh, my gosh, I was hurt, you know?

[A]

Exactly. I used to say this to my kids all the time, and they, like, would look at me to see if they. How upset they should be. And if I'm like, you're okay, Jump up. Then. Then they would not cry. They'd be like, okay, I'm okay.

[B]

But otherwise you might have a whole crying session.

[A]

Right? Yeah, exactly. So it's interesting. We'll say you're okay to keep someone from panicking, even if it's an adult that has just, like, broken their leg. Someone'd be like, you're okay. You're gonna be okay. Or everything is going to be okay.

[B]

Yeah. You see this on TV dramas. Maybe someone does come in with the bone sticking out of their leg. But you might have the nurse still say something or. Or a family member say, you're gonna be okay.

[A]

Right, Exactly Right. Or those hospital dramas and the doctor's like, yeah, you know, you're gonna be okay. It's gonna, It's.

[B]

Or it's gonna be okay.

[A]

It's another gonna be here. So there are lots of little mini role play here. Yeah, I just broke my leg. So this is a more serious injury here. Okay. So it's just happened. And I'll. I say, oh, no, I think it's broken. Can you see the bone? I can't look. I'm like, panicking.

[B]

You're okay. It's gonna be okay. Let me help you. Right. So, yeah, because, yeah, panic probably isn't good for an injury, right?

[A]

All that adrenaline coming through the body, calm. Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So here's what's interesting. We're going to contrast this to your fine, which we have to be really careful with the tone, and we won't use this nearly as often. When someone's injured, it can be dismissive or condescending. Someone's hurt, and we're like, you're fine. You're fine. No, I'm not fine.

[B]

I'm hurt. Yeah, sure, sure, sure. So what do you. Do you find yourself using this with your kids? Aubry. Sometimes, yes.

[A]

I will say this. If they're, like, complaining or whining, I'd be like, you're gonna be fine, or, you're fine. But I wouldn't say this to an adult. It's very. It does sound patronizing or condescending. I wouldn't say someone's injured, and I wouldn't say it to an adult. Like, we do treat kids a little more well. An adult usually wouldn't be, like, whining and complaining, like, oh, hopefully.

[B]

Yeah, you wouldn't have that same scenario where it would merit saying that. Hopefully. Yeah, that's so true. Let's. Let's do an example of what not to do in this role play. Perfect.

[A]

Are you ready?

[B]

Yes. All right. Oh, I think I just sprained my wrist.

[A]

You're fine. Imagine, right? We don't say this when someone's injured. And I could say, you're okay if I'm, like, letting her. Like, it's not, you know, it's not that serious. You're gonna be okay. So fascinating how like. Like that one works, but it is really sounds condescending.

[B]

That is really, because you're okay. It makes it sound like we're gonna further address this, but you're fine. It sounds like you're closing the door on it and moving on.

[A]

Why are you. Why are you complaining? You're fine.

[B]

Move on, get up and keep playing. You know, Exactly.

[A]

Or even for something more minor, maybe we're at the beach, right? Let's show what we should not do. If I jump in, I'm like, oh, wow, the water is so cold.

[B]

Oh, you're fine. Yeah.

[A]

So this is. I'm kind of complaining as an adult about the cold water, but, like, another adult wouldn't be like, you're fine, because it's very dismissive.

[B]

It's dismissive, though, with that one. I think it's a little more benevolent. Like, you could probably say it, like, to your adult sister or something. Right. Like, if you have a close relationship, maybe. Yeah, you're fine. Just get your head underwater. You'll be okay. Maybe.

[A]

But it is sort of a little critical of them being like a baby. Yeah. Depends on your relationship.

[B]

Depends. Right, right, right. Okay, let's do a full role play now. So we are friends meeting at a park, and we're gonna go running. Okay.

[A]

All right, I'll start us out.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Hey, Lindsay. You look a little stressed. Is everything okay?

[B]

Oh, yeah, I'm okay, I guess. It's just been a long week. My car broke down and I had friends visiting from out of town, so it was terrible timing.

[A]

Oh, no, I'm sorry to hear it. Were you able to get your car fixed?

[B]

Yeah, it's fine now. I had to get a rental while it was in the shop. On top of all that, we're playing soccer and. And my friend that's visiting sprained her ankle.

[A]

Wow. Crazy. Is she okay?

[B]

Yeah, she thought it was broken and freaked out. I was trying to calm her down, saying, you're okay. It's gonna be okay. We took her to get it x rayed and they gave her a brace. She's been on crutches the past few days.

[A]

What, a week.

[B]

What about you? Hopefully your week has been nothing like mine.

[A]

Yeah, I'm fine. I've had a bit of a hectic week too, but nothing like what you've been going through.

[B]

Yeah. So. Okay, so let's go through this. And so the first thing. So you asked me, you seemed. You said, you look a little stressed. Is everything okay? And I said, I'm okay, I guess.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And that, I guess, is very important. I'm gonna give you more now.

[A]

Exactly right. And if you didn't, I would ask, oh, man. What's. What's going on? Yeah. And this is where they're a little more interchangeable. If you're saying, I'm okay or I'm fine with a little bit of a tone, maybe you're going to give more information. There are a lot of instances here where we would not say, are you fine or you're fine?

[B]

Right. Totally. 100%. And then what did I say after that?

[A]

Yeah. So then it's interesting, as you read this, you're like, it's been a long week. My car broke down. I had friends visiting from out of town. I was tempted to say, you're fine. Just like, I would just feel how bad that would feel. Right. If someone's sharing how negative things are going or how negatively or if they're Injured. Right.

[B]

I feel like that would have led to a fight. We could do that one time, have the role plays, lead to a fight, a little fight between friends.

[A]

Kind of fun. See what they say. But, yeah, you wouldn't say, you're fine there. Instead, I said, oh, no, I'm sorry to hear it. Right. Someone's sharing with me that they're upset. They've had this terrible week. The last thing I want to do is say, you're fine.

[B]

Pretty funny, though. But, yeah, do not say that. That would be really bad here. And then you're asking how the car is, was it fixed? And I said, yeah, it's fine now. Right. And then I explained I had to get a rental. I have a whole drama to tell you about here. Right?

[A]

Yes. And I said, you're talking about your friend that hurt their ankle. And I said, oh, is she okay? And I wouldn't say, is she fine? When we're asking about an injury.

[B]

Right.

[A]

This is sort of putting too positive of a spin on it to say, is she fine?

[B]

Right. That's a really good point. This is a real subtle, nuanced difference between fine and okay.

[A]

Right.

[B]

It doesn't apply to injuries. It just doesn't work. In that. In that case, Although. Although, I guess if. If you said, is she okay? I could say again, yeah, she's fine now. I could say that.

[A]

Yeah. You wouldn't say that. If she is fine, everything's okay. But I wouldn't. If I'm asking and I don't know, for all I know, she's hurt really badly, I wouldn't say, is she fine.

[B]

Right. No, no, no. Yeah, for sure, for sure. Because you're, like, leaning in the direction of, she's fine. If you say that, is she fine?

[A]

I'm trying to be sensitive to the fact that she might not be okay.

[B]

Right. It's like you're asking, can we move on to another topic already?

[A]

Exactly. That's kind of what it sounds like. Do we really need to be talking about that? She's fine. Right, Right. Let's talk about something else.

[B]

Oh, God. So bad. And then you said. I said I was trying to calm her down, saying, you're okay. It's gonna be okay. Right. So here, I'm reporting my own speech.

[A]

Right, Exactly. So when she was hurt, this would be what you would say, you're okay. It's going to be okay. Just to keep her calm.

[B]

Yeah. Yep. And then what's the last use of fine?

[A]

Yeah. And you were saying, I hope your week's Been better than mine. I was like, yeah, I'm fine. I've had a crazy week. But. Right. So I'm. I could just be like, I'm fine and then keep asking do things. But I'm sharing a little bit here. But I kind of love this connection skill at the end here. Even if we've had, like a tough week, if the person we're talking to is sharing all this negativity, we don't want to one up how bad things were. This would be not great.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, unless there's been something that's actually happened and they have to know, like, there's been like a death or something. Like, you have to share that if it's a close friend, but if it's just. Just like little things that you don't want.

[A]

Similar week. If you've kind of had, like, similar stuff going on. Yeah. You would just. It kind of undermines all of the support and care you're sharing if you're like, well, let me tell you about my week.

[B]

Yeah. And I think we actually did an episode on that. Aubrey. Yeah. Don't be a 1 upper. Right.

[A]

That was a good one. Scroll back if you missed it. Or maybe one upper in the app.

[B]

Yep, yep, yep. I love it. All right, Aubry, where should we leave our listeners today? This has been a really rich episode just by looking at one simple line of a song.

[A]

Exactly. Right, fine and okay. Have quite different meanings and there's so much implied depending on which one you choose. So I'm excited we were able to share these tips with role plays and examples. So you know which one to use.

[B]

Yeah. Because these tiny little words can be great for connection or detrimental for connection if we don't know which one to use in the right moment.

[A]

Absolutely. Exactly.

[B]

Yeah. Really interesting. All right, guys, hit follow if you love our style here on All Ears English. And we'll be back very soon. Awesome.

[A]

See you next time.

[B]

All right, take care. Bye. Thanks for listening to Allears English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our 2 minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com fluencyscore and if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.

[A]

Black Friday savings are here at the Home Depot, which means it's time to.

[B]

Add new cordless power to your collection.

[A]

Right now, when you buy a select battery kit from one of our top brands like Ryobi or Milwaukee, you'll get a select tool from that same brand for free. Click into one of our best deals of the season and stock up on tools for all your upcoming projects. Get Black Friday Savings happening now at the Home Depot limit 1 per transaction exclusion supply full eligible tool list in store and online. If we knew more about our sleep, what would we do differently? Would we go to bed at a consistent time or take steps to reduce interruptions to our sleep? With the all new Sleep Score, Apple Watch measures your bedtime consistency, interruptions and sleep duration. Then every morning it combines these factors into an easy to understand score from 1 to 100, so you'll know how to take the quality of your sleep from good to excellent. Introducing the new Sleep Score on Apple Watch iPhone 11 or later required.