EF Level 9, Unit1 Describing jobs

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED

1.1 work Stuff

Talking about work issues
Here are some ways to talk about your present job situation.
	I need to do lots of overtime.	I need to do lots of overtime.
	I have a lot of responsibility.	I have a lot of responsibility.
	I need to deal with people's problems.	I need to deal with people's problems.
	There's no time to work on my own projects.	There's no time to work on my own projects.
	I spend so much time in meetings.	I spend so much time in meetings.
	I get a say in what we decide.	I get a say in what we decide.
	I often get stressed out.	I often get stressed out.
	It's a well-paid job.	It's a well-paid job.

My new job requires me to do lots of overtime .
The new position comes with a lot of responsibility .
A manager has to deal with other people's problems.
Do you have time to help me work on this project?
We spend too much time in meetings.
He gets a say in what we decide.
I can see that she's stressed out .
The position is very well- paid . 

 

MAN: So, how are things? Are you enjoying the new job?
WOMAN: Yeah, fine, thanks. It's been OK. A lot of changes.
MAN: I know. Moving into a management position ...
WOMAN: Yeah, I certainly never used to be as busy or do so much overtime !
MAN: It'll be like that for the first couple of years.
WOMAN: And, obviously, I didn't have as much responsibility before.
MAN: You find that stressful ?
WOMAN: A little. I feel like I spend more time dealing with other people's problems these days.
MAN: Yeah, I remember these things from when I got my promotion. I used to have more time to work on my own projects, and it was frustrating when I had to spend all my time in meetings.
WOMAN: Oh, yes, the meetings!
MAN: Still, I didn't use to get so much say in what happens in our department either – it's not all bad.
WOMAN: No, there are definitely benefits. Being better paid , for a start.

 

Reminiscing Use expressions like these to reminisce:
	Remember when we would make believe that we were married?		Remember when we would make believe that we were married?
	Those were the days. I'd swim all summer!		Those were the days. I'd swim all summer!
	Life was simpler back then.		Life was simpler back then.
Notice that for past events that only happened once, you can't use would.
	Gale took her first step when she was 10 months old. She would walk and fall around each room of the house, and then she'd start again.		Gale took her first step when she was 10 months old. She would walk and fall around each room of the house, and then she'd start again.

Talking about then and now
Use used to to describe routines from the past that do not happen anymore.
	I used to complain a lot about this job, but it's taught me so much.	I used to complain a lot about this job, but it's taught me so much.
	I used to have more responsibility before, but now I'm much more relaxed at work.	I used to have more responsibility before, but now I'm much more relaxed at work.
Use didn't use to to describe things that happen now that did not happen in the past. Notice, in the negative form, there is no d in use to.
	I didn't use to spend so much time dealing with other people's problems.	I didn't use to spend so much time dealing with other people's problems.
	In the other department, I didn't use to get a say in the bigger decisions.	In the other department, I didn't use to get a say in the bigger decisions.

DISCUSSING WORK-LIFE BALANCE 

• 2.1 Working

  Vacation expressions with 'off' Use these expressions with off to talk about time off and vacations:
  	A: Are you taking any time off?	Are you taking any time off?
  	B: Yes. I have a week off in May.	Yes. I have a week off in May.
  	Brent gets New Year's Day off.	Brent gets New Year's Day off.
  	She's off next week.	She's off next week.

  

   

   

  Sense verbs with 'as if' and 'as though'

• Sense verbs with 'as if' and 'as though' Use a sense verb + as if or as though to talk about your perception of a situation.
  	I feel as if I don't have enough time off.	I feel as if I don't have enough time off.
  	It looks as though I'll be compensated well.	It looks as though I'll be compensated well.
  	It sounds as if you worked a lot of overtime.	It sounds as if you worked a lot of overtime.
  In informal conversation, you will hear like used instead of as if or as though. This is technically incorrect but very common.
  	It seems like he's been off for a month.	It seems like he's been off for a month.
  	It looks like we'll have to work on the weekend.	It looks like we'll have to work on the weekend.

  

 

Expressing doubt and certainty

CHANGING LIFESTYLES

 

Phrases to describe lifestyles
Here are some words and phrases to describe typical routines many people have.
	I'm on the go all day.	I'm on the go all day.
	I usually just grab fast food on my way home.	I usually just grab fast food on my way home.
	I get to the gym as often as I can.	I get to the gym as often as I can.
	I don't meet up with friends so often.	I don't meet up with friends so often.
	You've got to make time for something you enjoy.	You've got to make time for something you enjoy.
	I stay in most nights.	I stay in most nights.
	I try to chill out in the evenings.	I try to chill out in the evenings.
	I meet people for brunch on the weekend.	I meet people for brunch on the weekend.
	I try to keep in touch with my friends.	I try to keep in touch with my friends.

 

Changing situations

Changing situations
To describe situations that are changing, we can use phrases like these:
	These days, I'm noticing that it's more difficult to stay in touch with everyone.	These days, I'm noticing that it's more difficult to stay in touch with everyone.
	I think it's getting harder and harder to make time for myself.	I think it's getting harder and harder to make time for myself.
	I'm finding myself spending more time staying in and chilling out.	I'm finding myself spending more time staying in and chilling out.
	Right now, I'm struggling to find time to cook in the evening. I usually just grab takeout.	Right now, I'm struggling to find time to cook in the evening. I usually just grab takeout.
	I haven't gotten to the gym in ages.

 

 

Now read the conversation between the man and woman that you heard earlier.

Move the text to the correct gap.

I need help

MAN: How're you finding life in the city?
WOMAN: It's OK. I just notice that these days I'm spending so much more time on the go.
MAN: Yes. Grabbing fast food on the way home rather than eating properly?
WOMAN: Exactly. And I'm finding it harder to get to the gym too. It just feels like there's no time.
MAN: Yeah, I know what you mean. I struggle with that as well.
WOMAN: I think it's getting harder and harder to make time for other things I enjoy too.
MAN: I haven't met up with some of our friends in ages .
WOMAN: I'm noticing that  too!  It's been a while since I've seen the guys, but they're all just super busy too.
MAN: Yeah, but I guess you've just got to make time for these things, right?