Three Step English for Intermediate Learners - Learn #11 - Talking About Past Actions in Sequence - Dialog
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Do you know how to talk about past actions in sequence? Hi, my name is Alisha, and this is 3-Step English by EnglishClass101.com. In this lesson, you'll learn how to talk about past actions in sequence through a quick conversation. Let's look at the dialogue. As you listen, pay attention to how they ask about the topic and how the other person responds.

Thank you for coming in today. Maybe you can start by telling me a little bit about yourself and your business. I'm from New York originally, but after college, I moved to Mexico. I started doing some personal training there about 10 years ago. And then you came back to New York?

Yes, this time with my family. My wife is Mexican, but her family is originally from the States. We came to New York, moved in with my wife's grandmother, and then started looking for a house to live in. I see. And now you're starting up as a personal trainer all over again. Where do you operate your business? Do you have a gym? Most of my clients want me to train them at home. I got insurance for this and applied for certification.

Hmm, it sounds like you've checked most of the boxes. What can I help you with? Well, the business isn't growing as expected. I found someone who might be able to help, but she wants us to form a partnership. I see. That does make things a little more complicated. Let's go over the dialogue again, more slowly this time. Thank you for coming in today. Maybe you can start by telling me a little bit about yourself and your business.

I'm from New York originally, but after college I moved to Mexico. I started doing some personal training there about ten years ago. And then you came back to New York? Yes, this time with my family. My wife is Mexican, but her family is originally from the States. We came to New York, moved in with my wife's grandmother, and then started looking for a house to live in.

I see. And now you're starting up as a personal trainer all over again. Where do you operate your business? Do you have a gym? Most of my clients want me to train them at home. I got insurance for this and applied for certification. Hmm, it sounds like you've checked most of the boxes. What can I help you with?

Well, the business isn't growing as expected. I found someone who might be able to help, but she wants us to form a partnership. I see. That does make things a little more complicated. Let's focus on the key part of the conversation. We came to New York, moved in with my wife's grandmother, and then started looking for a house to live in.

This is a sequence of events that happened in the past. The speaker connects three past tense verb phrases with commas and connects the final one with "and then" to show that it happened last in the sequence.