Speaking: Fluency and Coherence A1
Using "and" to Connect Simple Ideas
Listen to the examples here.
Connect Your Ideas with "and" 🔗
In the last lesson, we learned to speak in full phrases. Now, we will connect two phrases together. The easiest way to do this is with the word "and". This stops your speaking from sounding choppy.
Tips for Using "and"
🗣️ Pronouncing "and" for Fluency
To sound more fluent, native speakers often pronounce "and" very quickly and softly. It can sound like "an" /ən/ or even just "n" /n/. Click 🔊 to hear the difference.
- Slow Pronunciation: "I like rice... AND... fish."
- Fluent Pronunciation: "I like rice-an-fish." (This is smoother.)
Listen carefully to the fluent examples. Try to copy the fast, connected pronunciation.
💡 Three Ways to Use "and"
Here are three easy patterns for using "and".
1. To connect two nouns (things/people)
Formula: Noun + and + Noun
- I like mangoes and bananas.
2. To connect two adjectives (describing words)
Formula: Adjective + and + Adjective
- The weather today is hot and sunny.
3. To connect two simple sentences (actions/ideas)
Formula: [Full Sentence 1] + and + [Full Sentence 2]
- I work at a hotel and I study English.
Practice Connecting Ideas 🎯
Activity 1: Combine the Sentences (Self-Check)
Read the two short sentences. Combine them into one fluent sentence using "and". Click "Show Answer" to check.
- My friend is tall. My friend is handsome.
Show Answer
My friend is tall and handsome.
- I can speak Khmer. I can speak a little English.
Show Answer
I can speak Khmer and a little English.
- The food is delicious. The food is expensive.
Show Answer
The food is delicious and expensive.
- He studies hard. He works hard.
Show Answer
He studies hard and works hard.
Activity 2: Tell Me Two Things
Work with a partner or practice alone. Take turns answering these questions using "and". Click 🔊 to hear example answers.
- What are two foods you like?
Example: "I like noodles and chicken." - What are two words to describe the weather today?
Example: "The weather is hot and humid." - What are two things you did this morning?
Example: "I ate breakfast and I came to school."
Vocabulary
- and A word used to connect words, phrases, or sentences.
- delicious Tasting very good. (Stress: de-LI-cious)
- cheap Not costing a lot of money.
- hot Having a high temperature.
- sunny Bright with light from the sun. (Stress: SUN-ny)
- fluent Able to speak or write a language easily and smoothly. (Stress: FLU-ent)
- choppy Speaking with lots of stops and starts, not smooth. (Stress: CHOP-py)
Your Connection Mission ⭐
This week, your mission is to make sentences with "and". Try to say at least three sentences that connect two ideas.
For example, when someone asks what you like to eat, don't just say "pork." Say, "I like pork and rice."