Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles Imagine you're on a plane, your seatmate wants to know where you're from. What do you say? Hi! Alisha here. There's no need to worry, in this lesson, you'll learn how easy it is to tell somebody where you're from. Gustavo and Anna are having just this kind of conversation as their plane lands in New York City. Let's watch! Excuse me, but is that the Statue of Liberty? Yes, that's right. So are you from New York? Yes, I am. And you, where are you from? I'm from Brazil. Really? So are you from Rio? No, I'm not, I'm from Sao Paulo. Oh! Sal Paulo. Now the lesson focus. Here's how to talk about where you're from. Ready? Do you remember how Gustavo explained where he was from? I'm from Sao Paulo. First, is a contraction meaning "I am" - I'm. Next is the word "from" and last is a place named "Sao Paulo" Together, it's I'm from Sao Paulo. The structure is "I'm from" plus the place name. You can use it with cities, countries, or even with regions. Imagine your hometown is Shanghai, what would you say? I'm from Shanghai. now imagine you're from Egypt, what would you say? I'm from Egypt. Do you remember how Anna asked Gustavo if he was from Rio de Janeiro? Are you from Rio? First, is the second person singular form of the verb "to be" - are. Next, is the word "you" after this is the word "from" and last is a city named Rio. Together it's "are you from Rio?" The structure is "are you from" plus a place name. it's similar to the above expression "I'm from Sao Paulo" except that the verb to be which has been contracted with the word "I" to make "I'm" has been moved to the beginning of the sentence, and put in the second person along with the subject. Are you from Rio? Now imagine you meet someone on the plane, ask him or her if he or she is from Los Angeles. Are you from Los Angeles? now imagine you meet someone with an Australian accent, ask him or her if he or she is from Australia. Are you from Australia? Now, if you have no idea where someone's from you can ask "where are you from?" In this case, the place name has been removed and the sentence starts with "where" it's also said with a different intonation. Together it's "where are you from?" Imagine you meet someone new but have no idea where they're from, ask them where they're from. Where are you from? Like this quick lesson? Watch the full version at EnglishClass101.com to understand the whole dialogue. While you're there, learn all about American culture with our audio lessons and cultural wordlists. Sign up for your free lifetime account at EnglishClass101.com. See you next time!
A2 US paulo sao sao paulo gustavo imagine shanghai How to Describe Where You’re From in English - Innovative English 863 74 Samuel posted on 2018/04/30 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary