English grammar
Talking about customs: generic you / people
Explain everyday customs using generic you or people.
From the scene People have dinner late here
In short
For customs, use people + verb (no the) or general you: here people have dinner late; in Colombia you give one kiss.
Your turn
Which one goes with generic you?
Options: Here people have dinner at ten. · That's how people greet in Spain. · In Colombia you give one kiss.
Show answer
generic you → In Colombia you give one kiss.
How it works
To describe what people in general do — a custom, not one specific person — English uses generic you or people + verb.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
That's how (blank) say hello in Spain: one and then the other.
Options: peoples · people · persons
Show answer
That's how people say hello in Spain: one and then the other.
Así se saluda en España: uno y luego otro.
Good to know
People have dinner late here, you give one kiss. No article: just people, not the people.
people + verb (no 'the') Here people have dinner at ten.
generic you In Colombia you give one kiss.
Your turn
What goes with In Colombia you give one kiss.?
Options: that's how people… · generic you · people + verb (no 'the')
Show answer
In Colombia you give one kiss. → generic you
that's how people… That's how people greet in Spain.
what do you say? What do you say when someone buys you a drink?
Javi
And what do you say when someone buys you a drink?
¿Y qué se dice cuando alguien te invita?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank)?
Options: Here people have dinner at ten · In Colombia you give one kiss · what do you say when someone buys you a drink
Show answer
Javi
And what do you say when someone buys you a drink?
¿Y qué se dice cuando alguien te invita?
emphatic do A little, but you do leave one.
Elena
A little, but you do leave one. A few coins.
Poca, pero se deja. Unas monedas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). A few coins.
Options: Here people have dinner at ten · In Colombia you give one kiss · A little, but you do leave one
Show answer
Elena
A little, but you do leave one. A few coins.
Poca, pero se deja. Unas monedas.
Common mistake
Not persons or peoples here. Generic, no article.
She's asking why people here have dinner so late.
Pregunta por qué aquí se cena tan tarde.
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
| people + verb (no 'the') | Here people have dinner at ten. |
|---|---|
| generic you | In Colombia you give one kiss. |
| that's how people… | That's how people greet in Spain. |
| what do you say? | What do you say when someone buys you a drink? |
| emphatic do | A little, but you do leave one. |
More lines from the story
- JaviShe's asking why people here have dinner so late.Pregunta por qué aquí se cena tan tarde.
- ElenaThat's how people say hello in Spain: one and then the other.Así se saluda en España: uno y luego otro.
- JaviAt seven. My parents are at the hotel eating biscuits.A las siete. Mis papás están en el hotel comiendo galletas.
- ElenaTell me, dear. What does she want to know?Dime, cariño. ¿Qué quiere saber?