Learning English

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• think on your feet
• wood for the trees
• yap 

Introduction

There are some things that you can just assume to be true. This expression is for those. Learn how to use it expression with Feifei and Phil.

Transcript

Feifei 
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases and expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei.

Phil
And I'm Phil. Feifei, it feels like spring outside. I'm starting to get excited.

Feifei
Oh yeah? It sounds like you've got plans.

Phil
Yes, I'm going to spend this weekend away, walking in the mountains.

Feifei
The mountains? I hope you're prepared. The forecast is good, but you should take it as a given that the weather can change quickly up in the mountains.

Phil
I mean, that is what all the advice says, so yes, I probably should take that as a given. I'll make sure I take some proper outdoor clothes. I think we should take a closer look at that expression 'take it as a given'.

Feifei
Yes, something that you can 'take as a given' is something that you can assume to be true. You might not be 100% sure, but it's something that's very likely to be true.

Phil
Yes, if you're planning to drive somewhere nice on a sunny weekend, you should take it as a given that there'll be a lot of traffic and it will take longer than you expect.

Feifei
Yes, here's another example. If you change your computer password at work, you can take it as a given that it will take you two weeks to learn it by heart.

Phil
Yeah, let's hear some other people using 'take it as a given'.

Examples
Oh, we can take it as a given that nothing will work again today, the computers, nothing's working!

This work is for our most important client, so I'll take it as a given that you've checked everything really carefully.

Ooh, you're wearing your dancing shoes! I can take it as a given that you're coming to the party later.

Feifei
We've been learning the expression 'take it as given' to mean assume something is true.

Phil
Yes, a very similar expression is 'take it as read'. It means accept something is true without checking to make sure.

Feifei
OK. That's it for this programme, but join us next time to learn more English phrases and expressions.

Phil
You can take it as a given that it'll be a great opportunity to learn a new phrase or expression.

Feifei
That is right! Goodbye!

Phil
Bye!

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