Bad Jobs
Akane, Canada
What is one job that you would hate to do? Well, I suppose one
job that I would really hate to do is to be a homemaker, and I know
that this is a very important job, and a very respectful one, but I
don't think it's for me. I really get irritated when I stay at home for
long periods of time, and I know that many homemakers do go out, but,
and I really do like making my own money, and that's something that's
really important to me.
Barbara, Australia
One job that I would really hate to do would be to be a salesperson.
Having to convince people to buy something, probably which they don't
need, and they can't afford. I would really hate to do that. If my
income depended
on selling, I think I would probably starve.
Naomi, Australia
One job that I wouldn't like to do is a office job, completely in the
office, all the time, 9 to 5, five-days-week office job. I think I
would get really bored after a short amount of time, and I would
probably need a bit more excitement in my life out of my job.
Simon, Canada
Yeah, hi, what job couldn't I do? I think to sit in an office
cubica and do data entry on a computer would be
something that I hate the most because the lights are usually
florescent. You're crunching numbers all day, everyday with no creativity, no energy, yeah.
Mark, United States
Ah, one job I would hate to do is I would hate to be a garbageman, a
garbage collector. I just, ah, it's gross, it stinks. I don't wish
that job upon anybody basically so, that would be my last choice
for occupation.
Ruth, England
One job I would hate? Oh, yeah, that has to be a vet. I would
absolutely detest that job, because primarily I would get really emotionally involved
with all of the animals and then if any of the animals died I would cry
and cry and, yeah, I would hate having to see people upset because
their cat was ill. No, I associate that as being a really awful job, and I have real respect for people who do it.
I suppose
I suppose one job that I would really hate is to be a
homemaker.
You can use the phrase 'I suppose' to say what your opinion about something is. It is similar to 'I think' or 'I guess.' Notice the following:
- I suppose it would be great to live in the suburbs if you liked a quiet life.
- I suppose I should go home now. It's getting really
late.
depended on
I think if my income depended on selling, I would probably starve.
When used like this 'depend on' refers to a connection between two things. In the example it is saying that if the amount of money this person made was decreased if he didn't sell anything then he would probably make no money. In other words, he is not a good salesman and he doesn't sell much. Notice the following:
- The university that you get into depends on your grades.
- I don't know if I will be there tomorrow. It depends on
how I feel.
office cubical
I would hate to sit in an office cubical all day.
A 'cubical' is a small square space with temporary walls around it that is separate from other work stations in an office. Notice the following:
- Chan Ho works in the cubical next to mine.
- The cubicals at work give you almost no privacy.
it's gross, it stinks
That job is gross, it stinks.
We use the word 'gross' to talk about something that is disgusting. 'Stinks' is used to talk about someone or something that is terrible or not fun. Notice the following:
- That food was gross. I'll never eat there again!
- Date your brother? No way, he's gross, he stinks!
I don't wish (something) upon anybody
I don't wish that job upon anybody.
We use the phrase 'I don't wish (something) upon anybody' to talk about a very negative situation that we hope never happens to ourselves or others. Notice the following:
- I don't wish a broken heart upon anybody.
- Jack lost his job last week. I don't wish that upon anybody.
detest
I would absolutely detest that job.
The word 'detest' has the same meaning as 'hate'. The two are interchangable. Because 'detest' is less commonly used than hate it has a stronger feeling when it is used. Notice the following:
- I detest rap music.
- She detests hot weater.
I associate that as
I associate that as being a really awful job.
When we 'associate' something, that means we connect it in our mind with something else. Notice the following:
- I associate expresso with outdoor cafés.
- People often associate Americans as being aggressive.
Vocabulary Quiz
gross • detests • don't wish • associate
