Lecture Language

Stock Phrases

Watch the video above about and notice how the professor uses a lot of phrases in the spoken lecture. In spoken English, speakers use a lot of common phrases that really have no meaning but serve to introduce more important chunks of language. We use stock phrases like spices or flavors in cooking. They help make the main dish more interesting.

( 1 ) There's been a great deal of (0:08) 
This just means there has been a lot of talk or discussion.

• In the media, there’s been a great deal of talk about when to reopen schools. 

( 2 ) What I want to do today is (0:32) 
We use this noun clause to introduce topics or intentions.

• Good morning. Are you ready? What I want to do today is look at trends in shopping. 

( 3 ) It turns out that  (0:44, 1:20) 
We use this phrase to show that something is unexpected but important.

• It turns out that 50% of college students do not have a computer. 

( 4 ) as you might expect (1:26) 
We use this phrase to show that what is said is known by most.

• The university decided to move all classes online. As you might expect, some students were not happy. 

( 5 ) The really interesting thing (1:35) 
We use this phrase to highlight something and give it extra attention.

• Online classes have had many implications. The really interesting thing is that attendance has gone up. 

( 6 ) before we move on (1:45) 
We use this phrase when we want to add one more point.

• Next we will look at the text scores. But before we move on, I want to discuss the homework. 

( 7 ) The reason for this is
This phrase just is just filler and only used in spoken English. In written English you would just omit it and use because.

• Many electronics stores are out of computers. The reason for this is because students are studying at home. 

( 8 ) They have a sense that
This phrase just means that people think or feel a certain way. 

• Animals can detect emotion in people. They have a sense that something is wrong.

( 9 ) let’s just call it
We use this phrase as well as 'let's just say ...' when something is not easily labeled.  

• Many students do not like English. Let’s just call it a lack of motivation. 

Study Tip

Go to Youglish and put one of the phrases in the search engine. Notice how freqently these words come up.