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Back to Speak English With Vanessa

Work & Business

Advanced English Conversation: Vocabulary, Grammar, Pronunciation

Download the free PDF worksheet for this lesson here: https://speakenglishwithvanessa.ck.page/7697f9796e

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa and Dan have a long, personal conversation about expecting another baby and how family decisions can change over time. Rather than presenting a scripted dialogue, they react to one another, explain their thinking, and ask follow-up questions. This gives learners a chance to hear conversational pacing, interruptions, short acknowledgments, and phrases that help people express uncertainty or add emphasis.

“Cherry on top” describes an extra positive detail that makes an already good situation even better. In the conversation, it is used figuratively rather than literally. “High hopes” means strong expectations or optimism about a future outcome. A speaker can have high hopes while still acknowledging that the result is uncertain. “As close to out of the question as possible” is an emphatic way to say something is extremely unlikely or not being considered. Because it is a long phrase, listeners should focus on its overall meaning rather than translating each word separately.

The speakers also use “that’s a given” for something they consider certain or already understood. The tone and context matter: it may sound matter-of-fact, playful, or overly confident if the outcome is not actually certain. Personal conversation often includes fillers and revisions, and the speakers sometimes adjust or clarify what they mean. That is normal spoken English, not a sign that a conversation has gone wrong.

The subject is sensitive and personal, so learners should not treat the expressions as permission to ask others intrusive questions about family planning. The language can be reused for neutral topics: a project, a trip, a celebration, or a goal. For example, a person might say that good food was the cherry on top of a great weekend, or that they have high hopes for a new course. Listen for the speaker’s attitude, then choose an expression whose strength matches the situation. These cues help keep a personal conversation considerate and easy to follow.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English43:01

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Shares family news and talks about expectations for another child.

Vanessa We are going to have a baby another baby Dan Yay Vanessa Today I am here with my husband Dan Dan Hello Vanessa And we are going to give you a real English conversation I know that a lot of you love these conversations It's a great way to level up your listening skills and just have a good time with English And we have something special Today We asked you what questions you have for us about baby number three And boy oh boy did you deliver Ha ha ha Dan Boy oh boy I don't know about that Vanessa Girl oh girl Did you deliver We have- Dan Hello girl Vanessa 12 questions that you asked us about our third baby and our lives And we're going to answer them starting with the category

Try it: Choose a low-stakes personal topic and use one expression about hopes or expectations. Add enough context so the listener understands whether you are serious, joking, or uncertain.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

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6 phrases

guess what

Shares family news and talks about expectations for another child. · expression

A lively way to introduce news or information the listener may find interesting.

Tone and use: Informal and friendly. Use it before sharing a surprise or personal update.

May not fit: It creates anticipation; avoid using it for routine or serious news.

Example“Guess what—we finally booked the cabin.”

cherry on top

Discusses family decisions, hopes, and changing responsibilities. · expression

An extra positive detail that makes a good situation even better.

Tone and use: Informal, positive idiom. Use it when one bonus improves an already enjoyable experience.

May not fit: It usually describes an added benefit, not the main reason something is good.

Example“The sunny weather was the cherry on top of our beach weekend.”

high hopes

Discusses family decisions, hopes, and changing responsibilities. · expression

Strong optimism or expectations about a future outcome.

Tone and use: Common and neutral. Use it to describe positive expectations while the result is still uncertain.

May not fit: It communicates optimism, not certainty.

Example“We have high hopes for the new community program.”

out of the question

Continues a personal conversation about planning and support. · expression

Not possible, acceptable, or under consideration.

Tone and use: Common conversational expression. Use it to say a plan cannot be considered in the current situation.

May not fit: It can sound firm; explain the reason if a softer response is needed.

Example“Driving through the snowstorm is out of the question.”

the world's foremost experts

Explains whether a future baby would be planned and uses figurative phrases. · expression

People regarded as among the leading authorities in a field.

Tone and use: Neutral, often used for emphasis. Use it to describe people with exceptional knowledge or experience.

May not fit: It is a strong claim; use it only when the people truly have that standing.

Example“We asked the world’s foremost experts to review the research.”

at this point

Explains whether a future baby would be planned and uses figurative phrases. · expression

At the current stage or moment in a process.

Tone and use: Common and neutral. Use it to describe how a situation stands now.

May not fit: The situation may change later; it does not mean forever.

Example“At this point, we are still comparing the two options.”

Knowledge check

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1 / 6

Use it in a sentence · “guess what”

You have exciting news about a trip. Which opening sounds natural?