Welcome to Fluent American Conversations “ROME: Lesson 2!” Any questions or comments? Please write us at: support@realenglishnow.com

Please watch the video below. Remember: Don’t write anything. Just watch and listen. By the end of the lesson you will understand everything!

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Greg: That never really gets its due justice because I don’t think I’ve ever seen the dome aspect of this particular building.

Mark: It’s funny. I didn’t even preview the pictures that I sent to you, so it might be the next picture. Or – because there’s so much to show in Rome, I’m not sure if it is – but if we talk for another 30 seconds, when I’m making the video, I’ll be able to put in some of the other shots we have of the dome itself. The thing about the dome – so now I’m talking as if you’re seeing the inside of it – it’s just…It’s so high, and it’s so big, it’s actually quite hard to photograph because you basically have to put your camera on the floor. And even then, it’s just – unless someone is standing up there in the, in the ceiling which is you know, 100 feet high or whatever – you just, you don’t get a sense of perspective, you know? It’s so important when you try… That’s why I had Dasha stand by the…pretty close to this thing, to get a sense of scale. Because without it, you don’t really sense the size.

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1.

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to get its due justice = to get proper recognition…or punishment

Remember, in these four groups of sentences below, a native speaker will usually use the 2nd version. So, “get its due justice” is the advanced phrase we want to learn.

I don’t think Stephen King ever gets proper recognition for being a great writer.
I don’t think Stephen King ever gets his due justice for being a great writer.

Almost forty years after the end of World War II, my Grandfather finally received his medal of honor.
He finally got his proper recognition.
He finally got his due justice.

When the police finally caught the bank robber, he at last got his proper punishment: 35 years in prison.
When the police finally caught the bank robber, he at last got his due justice: 35 years in prison.

That never really gets its proper recognition because I don’t think I’ve ever seen the dome aspect of this particular building.
That never really gets its due justice because I don’t think I’ve ever seen the dome aspect of this particular building.

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2.

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aspect = part

Remember, the 2nd version (using “aspect”) is how a native speaker will probably say these sentences.

My favorite part of Rembrandt’s paintings is his use of symbolism.
My favorite aspect of Rembrandt’s paintings is his use of symbolism.

I never noticed that part of his work before.
I never noticed that aspect of his work before.

The architect designed every part of the building.
The architect designed every aspect of the building.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen the dome part of this particular building.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the dome aspect of this particular building.

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3.

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the thing about = the important point about

The important point about puppies is that they chew everything.
The thing about puppies is that they chew everything.

The important point about pizza is that it’s so salty.
The thing about pizza is that it’s so salty.

The important point about my grandfather is he loves to tell jokes.
The thing about my grandfather is he loves to tell jokes.

The important point about the dome is it’s just so high, and it’s so big.
The thing about the dome is it’s just so high, and it’s so big.

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4.

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basically = approximately speaking

Cola is, approximately speaking, just colored sugar water.
Cola is basically just colored sugar water.

The lady, approximately speaking, said, “I don’t care.”
The lady basically said, “I don’t care.”

Rap music is, approximately speaking, just poetry with a drum beat.
Rap music is basically just poetry with a drum beat.

It’s actually quite hard to photograph because you, approximately speaking, have to put your camera on the floor.
It’s actually quite hard to photograph because you basically have to put your camera on the floor.

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5.

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or whatever = but, I’m not certain

The subway in Kiev costs twenty-five cents but, I’m not certain. So it’s a very cheap city to travel in.
The subway in Kiev costs twenty-five cents or whatever. So it’s a very cheap city to travel in.

We had a two-hour layover in Frankfurt or Berlin but, I’m not certain. Some German airport, anyway.
We had a two-hour layover in Frankfurt or Berlin or whatever. Some German airport, anyway.

They were serving these cappuccinos or mochachinos but, I’m not certain. And they were delicious!
They were serving these cappuccinos or mochachinos or whatever. And they were delicious!

The ceiling which is you know, 100 feet high but, I’m not certain.
The ceiling which is you know, 100 feet high or whatever.
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6.

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a sense of perspective = a feeling for the distance, length, depth, etc

If you take the picture from an angle, you’ll get a better feeling of the length of the palace.
If you take the picture from an angle, you’ll get a better sense of perspective of the palace.

During the Renaissance, artists began to truly give a feeling of depth in their paintings.
During the Renaissance, artists began to truly give a sense of perspective in their paintings.

The feeling of height is much stronger if you are on the roof looking down, instead of on the ground looking up.
The sense of perspective is much stronger if you are on the roof looking down, instead of on the ground looking up.

Unless someone were to stand up there in the ceiling, you don’t get a feeling for the height.
Unless someone were to stand up there in the ceiling, you don’t get a sense of perspective.

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7.

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a sense of scale = feeling for the size

When I took the photo, I placed a pencil near the object to give it a feeling for the size.
When I took the photo, I placed a pencil near the object to give it a sense of scale.

I know those redwood trees are huge, but without a person in the photo, it’s hard to get a feeling for the size.
I know those redwood trees are huge, but without a person in the photo, it’s hard to get a sense of scale.

The galaxy is so big, it’s almost impossible to get a feeling for the size.
The galaxy is so big, it’s almost impossible to get a real sense of scale.

That’s why I had Dasha stand pretty close to this thing, to get a feeling for the size.
That’s why I had Dasha stand pretty close to this thing, to get a sense of scale.

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Easy: I don’t think Stephen King ever gets proper recognition for being a great writer.

Advanced: I don’t think Stephen King ever gets his ___ _____ for being a great writer.

Easy: My favorite part of Rembrandt’s paintings is his use of symbolism.

Advanced: My favorite ______ of Rembrandt’s paintings is his use of symbolism.

Easy: The important point about puppies is that they chew everything.

Advanced: ___ _____ _____ puppies is that they chew everything.

Easy: Cola is, approximately speaking, just colored sugar water.

Advanced: Cola is ________ just colored sugar water.

Easy: The subway in Kiev costs twenty-five cents but, I’m not certain. So it’s a very cheap city to travel in.

Advanced: The subway in Kiev costs twenty-five cents __ ________. So it’s a very cheap city to travel in.

Easy: If you take the picture from an angle, you’ll get a better feeling of the length of the palace.

Advanced: If you take the picture from an angle, you’ll get a better _____ __ ________ of the palace.

Easy: When I took the photo, I placed a pencil near the object to give it a feeling for the size.

Advanced: When I took the photo, I placed a pencil near the object to give it a _____ __ ______ .