When we want to repeat exactly what someone has said, how do we show this? Jiaying and Neil are here to tell you what to say!
Jiaying
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Jiaying…
Neil
….and hello, I’m Neil. So, what English phrase shall we talk about today?
Jiaying
Well, Neil, earlier you said “quote ‘leave it with me, I’ll sort out a phrase’ unquote.”
Neil
Did I? I don’t remember saying that.
Jiaying
Well, Neil, don’t worry because I’ve already got one – quote… unquote.
Quote means to repeat the words that someone else has said or written.
Neil
Yes, and we use quotation marks before and after what someone has said when it’s written down. So, when you say quote… unquote, it’s like you are quoting what I said. You can use the phrase before you quote someone or around what they are saying.
Jiaying
Exactly, Neil. When we say ‘quote… unquote’ we are repeating what someone has said, sometimes because we don’t like or agree with it. I knew you wouldn’t find a phrase for us even though you said you would – that’s why I am quoting exactly what you said!
Neil
Hmmm. Well, don’t quote me, but I’m sure I said, “I’m too busy, I’ll leave it to you”.
Jiaying
Well, we have our phrase now, so let’s hear some examples of it being used…
Examples
She told me, quote, unquote “they’re just good friends” – but they look more than that to me!
You told me, quote “this car will last you a lifetime” unquote, but after a few months, it’s already broken down!
The company said, quote “staff will get a pay rise in August” unquote – but it’s September and we’re still waiting.
Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We’re talking about the phrase ‘quote… unquote’ which people say when they are repeating something someone has said, often when they don’t agree with it. So, have you got it, Neil?
Neil
So, you’re saying, quote, “I didn’t do what I said I’d do” unquote?
Jiaying
Exactly – but that’s a great use of the phrase.
Neil
Oh, thanks very much. To quote a famous writer: “Using a phrase is better than finding one.”
Jiaying
Oh, which famous writer said that?!
Neil
Me! I just wanted to get the word quote in the script one more time.
Jiaying
Well done, Neil! It’s time to go.
Neil
Bye.
Jiaying
Bye.
The story An investigation by the United Nations, called a 'commission of inquiry', has found…
The story A boy who died at the age of 15 has been made a…
The story A major aftershock has hit eastern Afghanistan, just days after an earthquake measuring…
The story A study in Taiwan has found that peoples' biological age increases when they…
The story Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House on Monday to meet…
The story The charity Prostate Cancer UK, says that the UK is treating too many…