English grammar
A topic you both know about: the Borja business, the thing with Montse, this business about…, all this -ing
Refer to a matter everyone already knows about.
From the scene The Borja business
In short
Point to a matter you both know: the X business, the thing with X, this business about -ing, all this -ing.
Your turn
Which one goes with a known matter about a person?
Options: the thing with Montse · the Borja business · this business about the idea being his
Show answer
a known matter about a person → the thing with Montse
How it works
Spoken English points to a matter both speakers already know with business or thing: the Borja business, the thing with Montse.
Good to know
This business about + -ing names the story itself: this business about the idea being his.
Good to know
All this or all that + -ing sounds a little impatient: all this recording people. In formal writing, the matter of or the question of sound better.
a known matter the Borja business
a known matter about a person the thing with Montse
Tomás
The thing with Montse? What's happened?
¿Lo de Montse? ¿Qué ha pasado?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)? What's happened?
Options: The thing with Montse · The Borja business · This business about the idea being his
Show answer
Tomás
The thing with Montse? What's happened?
¿Lo de Montse? ¿Qué ha pasado?
the story itself this business about the idea being his
Javi
Well, this business about the idea being his is easy to sort out.
Pues lo de que la idea es suya tiene fácil arreglo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank) is easy to sort out.
Options: this business about the idea being his · the Borja business · the thing with Montse
Show answer
Javi
Well, this business about the idea being his is easy to sort out.
Pues lo de que la idea es suya tiene fácil arreglo.
a known episode since all that business with the move
Javi
Since all that business with the move. She says she was keeping it "just in case".
Desde lo de la mudanza. Dice que lo guardaba "por si acaso".
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). She says she was keeping it "just in case".
Options: Since all that business with the move · The Borja business · The thing with Montse
Show answer
Javi
Since all that business with the move. She says she was keeping it "just in case".
Desde lo de la mudanza. Dice que lo guardaba "por si acaso".
an activity, a little impatient all this recording people
Tomás
And all this recording people... does she do that too?
Y lo de grabar a la gente... ¿eso también lo hace?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank)... does she do that too?
Options: all this recording people · the Borja business · the thing with Montse
Show answer
Tomás
And all this recording people... does she do that too?
Y lo de grabar a la gente... ¿eso también lo hace?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a known matter | the Borja business |
|---|---|
| a known matter about a person | the thing with Montse |
| the story itself | this business about the idea being his |
| a known episode | since all that business with the move |
| an activity, a little impatient | all this recording people |
More lines from the story
- JaviElena has your sketchbook. With dates.Elena tiene tu cuaderno de bocetos. Con fechas.
- TomásWhat Doña Elena does isn't spying, Nuria. It's a public service.Lo de Doña Elena no es espiar, Nuria. Es un servicio público.