English grammar
Steering a conversation: by the way, speaking of, at the end of the day, anyway, put it this way
Steer a conversation: change topic, link, sum up and close.
From the scene By the way…
In short
Steer a chat: by the way (new topic), speaking of (link), at the end of the day (what matters), anyway (move on).
Your turn
Which one goes with linking to the last topic?
Options: speaking of signatures, … · by the way, have you seen who's in the queue? · at the end of the day, he pays
Show answer
linking to the last topic → speaking of signatures, …
How it works
By the way brings in a new topic.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
In other (blank), the one who wanted to kick us all out.
Options: sayings · words · ways
Show answer
In other words, the one who wanted to kick us all out.
O sea, el que quería echarnos a todos.
Good to know
Speaking of + noun links it to the last one; at the end of the day jumps to what really matters; anyway closes a topic and moves on; put it this way: … sums something up with a vivid example.
Good to know
In other words (rephrasing) you already know.
bringing in a new topic by the way, have you seen who's in the queue?
Tomás
Nuria, by the way, have you seen who's in the queue?
Nuria, por cierto, ¿has visto quién hace cola?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nuria, (blank)?
Options: at the end of the day, he pays · by the way, have you seen who's in the queue · speaking of signatures
Show answer
Tomás
Nuria, by the way, have you seen who's in the queue?
Nuria, por cierto, ¿has visto quién hace cola?
linking to the last topic speaking of signatures, …
Tomás
Speaking of signatures, what did you write in the dedication?
A propósito de firmas, ¿qué le ha puesto en la dedicatoria?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), what did you write in the dedication?
Options: He pays · Speaking of signatures · By the way
Show answer
Tomás
Speaking of signatures, what did you write in the dedication?
A propósito de firmas, ¿qué le ha puesto en la dedicatoria?
what really matters at the end of the day, he pays
closing a topic anyway…
Nuria
Anyway... And Marisa, Tomás? How is she?
En fin... ¿Y Marisa, Tomás? ¿Cómo está?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)... And Marisa, Tomás? How is she?
Options: By the way · Speaking of signatures · Anyway
Show answer
Nuria
Anyway... And Marisa, Tomás? How is she?
En fin... ¿Y Marisa, Tomás? ¿Cómo está?
summing up with an example put it this way: she no longer fits through the door
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
| bringing in a new topic | by the way, have you seen who's in the queue? |
|---|---|
| linking to the last topic | speaking of signatures, … |
| what really matters | at the end of the day, he pays |
| closing a topic | anyway… |
| summing up with an example | put it this way: she no longer fits through the door |
More lines from the story
- TomásIn other words, the one who wanted to kick us all out.O sea, el que quería echarnos a todos.
- ElenaI know. He's bought three copies. Signed, what's more.Ya lo sé. Ha comprado tres ejemplares. Firmados, además.
- ElenaBy the way, Tomás, the taxi's already at the corner.Por cierto, Tomás, el taxi ya está en la esquina.