Video on what fluency actually is
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USING ADVANCED CONNECTORS IN SPEECH
USE OF:
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO
IN A NUTSHELL...
THE LONG STORY SHORT...
TO WRAP UP....
IN ADDITION TO THAT...
IN SHORT...
ON THE PLUS SIDE...
TO PUT IT STARKLY...
THAT SAID (WITH THAT BEING SAID --- more formal...)
FIRST AND FOREMOST....
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO
Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, here's the winner
of the award!
Without further ado, let's dive into the main presentation.
Without further ado, I present my new recipe for arepas.
IN A NUTSHELL
In a nutshell, the trip to Cartagena was amazing but
expensive.
In a nutshell, climate change affects coffee production in
Colombia.
In a nutshell, learn phrasal verbs daily to improve your
English fast.
THE LONG STORY SHORT (TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT)
To make a long story short, I missed the bus and arrived
late.
The long story short, the meeting was canceled at the last
minute.
To make a long story short, we fixed the WiFi issue in
Medellín.
TO WRAP UP
To wrap up, thank you for joining this English grammar
lesson.
To wrap up, the best visa option is the digital nomad one
for Colombia.
To wrap up, practice idioms like these every day.
IN ADDITION TO THAT
The food was delicious. In addition to that, the service was
excellent.
She studies grammar. In addition to that, she teaches online
classes.
In addition to that, we'll cover phrasal verbs next week.
IN SHORT
The concert was loud and crowded. In short, not my favorite.
In short, remote teaching via Preply works great from
Antioquia.
Prices rose, sales dropped. In short, business struggled.
ON THE PLUS SIDE
The rain ruined the hike, but on the plus side, we found a
great café.
On the plus side, English memes help with slang practice.
The flight was delayed, on the plus side, we got free
snacks.
TO PUT IT STARKLY
To put it starkly, the government's plan failed completely.
Corruption is widespread. To put it starkly, trust is low in
politics.
To put it starkly, without practice, you'll forget these
connectors.
THAT SAID (WITH THAT BEING SAID - more formal)
I love Medellín's weather. That said, traffic is a
nightmare.
The class was tough. With that being said, you all improved
a lot.
That said, we need more examples to master idioms.
FIRST AND FOREMOST
First and foremost, safety is our priority in language
travel tips.
First and foremost, focus on grammar basics before advanced
idioms.
First and foremost, register for the Aptis test early.
Traffic Congestion in Medellín
Medellín's rapid growth has led to severe traffic jams.
First and foremost, the city's narrow roads can't handle millions of cars and
motos daily. In addition to that, public transport like the Metro is
overcrowded. Without further ado, let's admit the problem worsens during rush
hour. In a nutshell, drivers waste hours stuck. To make a long story short,
infrastructure lags behind population booms. On the plus side, bike lanes are
expanding. That said, pollution from vehicles is skyrocketing. To put it starkly,
without more buses, we'll choke in gridlock. In short, solutions like
carpooling are urgent. To wrap up, what do you think—should Medellín ban
private cars downtown? How would you fix this?
Public Safety Concerns
Safety in Medellín has improved since the 90s, but
challenges remain. First and foremost, petty theft targets tourists in El
Poblado. In addition to that, nighttime streets feel unsafe in some comunas.
Without further ado, statistics show rising moto robberies. In a nutshell,
trust in police varies by neighborhood. To make a long story short, community
programs help but aren't enough. On the plus side, apps like "Denuncia
Segura" empower citizens. That said, with that being said more formally,
violence linked to gangs persists. To put it starkly, ignoring root causes like
poverty dooms progress. In short, education is key. To wrap up, do you feel
safe walking alone at night? What safety measures would you propose?
Air Pollution Issues
Medellín battles air pollution from traffic and industry.
First and foremost, PM2.5 levels often exceed WHO limits. In addition to that,
the valley's geography traps smog. Without further ado, construction dust
worsens it yearly. In a nutshell, health risks like asthma rise among kids. To
make a long story short, electric buses are a start but too few. On the plus
side, green initiatives plant thousands of trees. That said, with that being
said more formally, factories evade regulations. To put it starkly, we're poisoning
our lungs for growth. In short, stricter laws are needed. To wrap up, how does
pollution affect your daily life? Should fines for polluters increase?
SHARE YOUR INPUT ABOUT THIS VIDEO.... USE AS MANY CONNECTORS AS YOU CAN
ANALYZE THIS VIDEO AND SHARE YOUR INPUT
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Reading: "An Awakening in the Andes"
Never had I imagined that a solo trek through the misty trails of the Andes would redefine my understanding of solitude. Little did I realize, as I departed from Medellín at dawn, how challenging the ascent to the páramo would prove. Rarely does one encounter such profound silence, broken only by the whisper of condors overhead. Not only did the thin air test my endurance, but it also unveiled memories long buried. Had I heeded the warnings of locals about sudden fog, perhaps I would have turned back sooner. Under no circumstances, however, could I abandon the peak that promised panoramic views of Antioquia's emerald valleys. Seldom have I felt so alive amidst nature's raw indifference.
Comprehension and Practice Questions (C1)
What triggers the narrator's "awakening" during the trek? Support with textual evidence.
Identify two inversions in the text and rewrite each without inversion (e.g., "Little did I realize..." → ...).
How does "Never had I imagined..." alter the tone or emphasis compared to a standard structure?
Analyze the use of "Not only...but" in the fourth sentence. What effect does it create for the reader?
If rewriting the final sentence for an informal essay, which inversion would you remove and why? Suggest an alternative version.
Reading: "Medellín's Bold Reinvention"
Never before had a city so dramatically turned over a new leaf as Medellín did in the early 2010s. Little did planners realize, when they decided to step up cable car systems over slums, how these would knit communities back together. Seldom does urban renewal bite off more than it can chew, yet Medellín's escalators—carried out amid skepticism—lifted more than bodies; they boosted spirits. Not only did the mayor's vision transform Comuna 13 from a no-go zone, but it also drew tourists who now flock there. Had locals not rallied around the project, resistance might have derailed it. Looking back on those turbulent years, one can't help but marvel. Under no circumstances should other cities overlook such innovative fixes for inequality. Rarely have I seen a place so eager to leave its dark past behind and embrace a brighter horizon.
(Word count: 180)
Analysis Questions (C1)
How does "Never before had a city..." set the tone? Rewrite without inversion.
Identify the idiom "turn over a new leaf" and explain its contribution to the narrative.
Analyze "Not only did...but": What parallel structure enhances, and why is inversion key?
Trace the phrasal verb "step up" – how does it evolve in meaning across urban planning context?
"Had locals not rallied around" implies a conditional: Rephrase as a standard third conditional.
Discuss "bite off more than one can chew" – Does it undermine or reinforce Medellín's success? Justify.
For a formal essay, which inversion (e.g., Under no circumstances) would you adapt, and how? Propose a non-inverted alternative.
never
rarely
seldom
hardly
barely
scarcely
not only
not until
not since
not once
not for a moment
not in the least
under no circumstances
at no time
in no way
on no account
by no means
Inversion after a negative or restrictive adverb applies to the subject and the auxiliary verb. However, if there’s no auxiliary in the clause, we insert do/does/did.
For example:
I have never seen such chaos!
Never have I seen such chaos!
Here, the auxiliary was "have," so we switch the subject ("I") and "have" to say "have I."
With no auxiliary, we add do/does/did:
He works hard.
Rarely does he work hard.
But what about the verb "to be," which appeared in our grammar question yesterday? Well, that is treated the same as an auxiliary verb:
She is a teacher.
Not only is she a teacher, but...
Remember:
If clause has auxiliary/be → invert subject and auxiliary.
If clause has only main verb → insert do/does/did and then invert.
Reading: "Medellín: The Eternal Spring City"
Never had a city undergone such a dramatic transformation as Medellín, once dubbed the world's most dangerous, now a beacon of innovation and joy. Little did newcomers realize, upon first stepping into its eternal spring climate, how effortlessly daily life unfolds amid flower-filled streets and mountain vistas. Seldom does one encounter a place where public escalators in Comuna 13 not only ease steep climbs but also symbolize resilience. Not only has the metro system knit neighborhoods together, but it has also spurred economic booms in once-forgotten barrios. Had investors not poured resources into green corridors like the Jardín Botánico, urban heat might still plague the valley. Under no circumstances should expats overlook the vibrant salsa scene or weekend treks to nearby Guatapé—pure adrenaline. Rarely have I felt so alive, sipping tinto on a rooftop while the sun sets over Aburrá Valley. Affordable healthcare, youthful energy, and a "paisa" warmth make it paradise for digital nomads and families alike. Only then did I understand why Medellín tops livability lists worldwide.
Analysis Questions (C1)
Identify two inversions and rewrite each without inversion.
How does "Never had a city..." enhance the opening impact?
Analyze "Not only has...but": What does it emphasize about infrastructure?
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