Do you have a favorite English phrase you use in the workplace?
Your English vocabulary can determine how successful you are at work.
Listen in to today’s episode as Lindsay and Michelle talk about different phrases you can use to talk about moving to the next level at work.
Taking it to the next level
In today’s episode, Lindsay and Michelle talk about taking things to the next level.
This was inspired by a conversation in a live speaking session Lindsay hosted.
Open Conversation Club is held weekly for all students in All Ears English courses.
A student asked to clarify the phrase “it is one thing to X, but it is another thing to Y”.
An example is: “It is one thing to join a course but it is another thing to log in every day and practice.”
Lindsay was impressed as that is very high level.
Michelle asked Lindsay which one was better: joining the course or practicing every day.
Lindsay answers that it’s more challenging to practice every day but pays off more in the end.
You can join a course and never use it, but constantly studying and doing something every day is difficult.
In this phrase, X is more basic and Y is changing the game.
Y is usually more extreme and refers to doing more.
With that said, it can be either positive or negative.
The use of the expression
Lindsay and Michelle break down this phrase and how you can use it in different ways.
They share positive examples first:
Positive:
- It’s one thing to reach out to your clients via email, but it’s another thing to call them personally.
- It’s one thing to organize the files, but it’s another thing to do it alphabetically.
- It’s one thing to network online, but it’s another thing to actually go out and do informational interviews and go to events.
In this way, you can use this to compliment someone and compare a simple thing to another gesture they did that was above and beyond.
You can also use it to show the impact of an improvement they’ve done.
The most common way to use this in a positive way is comparing something easy versus something difficult.
Here are the negative examples:
Negative:
- It’s one thing to make a mistake, but it’s another thing to not even try to fix it.
- It’s one thing to leave your job, but it’s another thing to quit and try to steal all the passwords.
- It’s one thing to accept lunch from your coworker, but it’s another thing to not even say thank you.
Just as we use the phrase in a positive light, you can make it negative by showing the severity of the damage or weight of the error.
Michelle asks Lindsay if she thinks this is used more frequently in the first context or the second.
Lindsay responds that both are equally common.
It’s just about the second thing which refers to something more extreme or specific.
This can be very useful for business to talk about work, about a colleague, or about a project you’re working on in a meeting.
It’s a creative way to compare things and emphasize impact, whether good or bad.
Roleplay
Here is a quick roleplay from Lindsay and Michelle using the tips and vocabulary shared in today’s episode.
In this scenario, Lindsay and Michelle are coworkers in a meeting.
Michelle: So, you’re telling me Sheila’s figures are wrong?
Lindsay: Yes.
Michelle: And we didn’t know this until now?
Lindsay: Unfortunately, no.
Michelle: Yeah. It’s one thing to have some incorrect numbers, but it’s another thing to not even notify us before this meeting.
Lindsay: I agree.
Takeaway
You want to have enough vocabulary for very interesting conversations, especially in the business setting.
You don’t want to use boring expressions or keep saying the same words over and over.
The phrase, “It’s one thing to X and it’s another thing to Y” is very native and natural.
It’s a good way to compare and put emphasis on something either positively or negatively.
Use the tips and vocabulary shared by Lindsay and Michelle today to create great connections with co-workers.
You can also check out episode BE 375: Improve Your English Around the Margins to learn more helpful English vocabulary to use in the business world.
What are your favorite phrases in English that you use at work?
Share one in the comments below.
