All Ears English Podcast: "One Way to Encourage Your Friends in English" (January 25, 2025)

Hosts:

• Lindsay McMahon: The English adventurer from Colorado
• Michelle Kaplan: The New York radio girl from New York City

Introduction

In the January 25, 2025 episode of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into a listener-submitted question focusing on encouraging friends through English expressions. This episode is tailored for intermediate to advanced English learners aiming to enhance their conversational skills, idiomatic understanding, and cultural fluency.

Listener Question: "It's a Matter of When, Not If" ([00:57])

The episode kicks off with a warm introduction to a question from a loyal listener, Omid Zakari from Iran, who has been tuning in for nine years. Omid's question centers around the usage and applicability of the phrase:

Omid Zakari ([03:21]): "Could you please tell me about this phrase? 'It's a matter of when, not if,' in which situations can we use this? Thank you in advance."

Lindsay and Michelle express their excitement to address this insightful query, emphasizing the importance of such phrases in building connections and conveying confidence.

Understanding the Phrase: "It's a Matter of When, Not If" ([03:21] - [05:22])

Meaning:
The phrase "It's a matter of when, not if" conveys certainty that an event will occur, with uncertainty only regarding its timing. It shifts the focus from doubt to inevitability, fostering a positive and encouraging outlook.

Lindsay McMahon ([03:59]): "It just means that things are gonna happen eventually. It's not, it's just you can be sure that the thing is gonna happen. It's just a matter of we're not sure the timing of the thing."

Usage Scenarios:

• Hypothetical Situations: When outlining future possibilities with an optimistic tone.
• Expressing Determination: Reinforcing personal goals and aspirations with confidence.

Michelle Kaplan ([04:10]): "For example, trying to get into a tough restaurant that's very popular, you might say, 'Oh, we will get into the restaurant. It's a matter of when, not if.'"

Examples in Different Contexts ([05:07] - [09:12])

1. Professional Settings:

• Job Prospects: Encouraging a friend during a job search.

  Omid Zakari ([07:57]): "When somebody is searching for a job, 'It's a matter of when, not if,' you know."

2. Personal Development:

• Fitness Goals: Motivating oneself or others to achieve personal targets.

  Lindsay McMahon ([05:09]): "If you are determined to build more muscle, for example, 'I'm going to build more muscle. It's a matter of when, not if.'"

3. Everyday Scenarios:

• Health Precautions: Discussing the inevitability of minor illnesses.

  Lindsay McMahon ([08:17]): "He's going to catch a cold if he doesn't get more sleep and practice proper hand hygiene. It's a matter of when, not if."

4. Family Dynamics:

• Parenting Challenges: Addressing common household sicknesses.

  Omid Zakari ([08:33]): "A matter of when, not if. We all know that we're gonna get the [common cold]."

Similar Expressions to "It's a Matter of When, Not If" ([10:23] - [11:43])

The hosts explore alternative phrases that convey a similar sense of certainty and encouragement:

1. "It's only a matter of time." ([10:33])

   • Usage: Reinforcing the inevitability of positive outcomes over time.

     Lindsay McMahon ([10:33]): "We'll find the house of our dreams. It's only a matter of time."

2. "It only takes one." ([11:04])

   • Usage: Highlighting that a single positive event can lead to desired outcomes.

     Lindsay McMahon ([11:15]): "If your friend's really struggling with the dating world, 'It only takes one,' to encourage them."

3. "No question." ([11:43])

   • Usage: Affirming certainty about a positive result.

     Omid Zakari ([11:43]): "With a little bit of hard work, we will ace this. No question."

These expressions serve as powerful tools for fostering optimism and reinforcing confidence in various situations.

Role Play Demonstration ([11:51] - [14:24])

To illustrate the practical application of these phrases, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role play scenario centered around party planning. This segment demonstrates how to seamlessly incorporate encouraging phrases into everyday conversations.

Scenario: Planning a party with uncertainties about the band and RSVPs.

Omid Zakari ([12:00]): "If the band shows up, we will be in great shape."

Lindsay McMahon ([12:04]): "Oh, they will show up. It's a matter of when, not if."

Omid Zakari ([12:15]): "Do we have all the RSVPs?"

Lindsay McMahon ([12:20]): "Well, not yet, but the deadline is tomorrow, so it's only a matter of time. I'm feeling very confident about this."

Omid Zakari ([12:45]): "This is going to be a good one."

Lindsay McMahon ([13:02]): "And I catch on to the if, and I say it's a matter of when, not if. I love that. So good."

This interaction showcases how using such phrases can alleviate uncertainty and build mutual confidence among friends or colleagues.

Key Takeaways and Conclusion ([14:24] - [15:07])

Main Points:

• Empowerment Through Language: Utilizing phrases like "It's a matter of when, not if" can significantly boost someone's confidence and foster a supportive environment.
• Building Connections: These expressions not only encourage but also help in creating a bond over shared optimism and understanding.
• Versatility: Such phrases are adaptable to various contexts, be it personal goals, professional settings, or everyday challenges.

Lindsay McMahon ([14:40]): "If you feel like you can get behind some positive message, you can express that and help them to deal with the kind of challenges in life."

Encouragement for Listeners: The hosts urge listeners to incorporate these confident and positive phrases into their conversations to enhance their English proficiency and build meaningful connections.

Additional Resources

• Previous Episode Recommendation:
  Lindsay refers listeners to episode 2331 titled "How are kids seen around the world?" for further engaging content.

• English Level Quiz:
  Michelle invites listeners to take a quick two-minute quiz to determine their English proficiency at allearsenglish.com fluency score.

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