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Gerardo
Could you please tell me if these sentences sound natural in everyday spoken English? Thank you! đ
- His cooking skills have improved a lot over the years.
- Over time, bad habits can become so deeply ingrained that they are very difficult to break.
- Over time, bad habits can become so deeply ingrained that it's very difficult to break them.
- Online scamming has gotten more and more sophisticated over the years.
- His passion for literature only grew stronger over the years.
- We haven't stopped laughing since the show started. It's a sure thing.
- He hasnât stopped complaining about the new manager since day one.
- Iâve been getting nonstop spam calls over the past few days.
- The prices of basic goods have kept going up over the past few years.
- The prices of basic goods havenât stopped rising over the past few years.
May 31, 2025 7:59 AM
Answers · 4
2
Hi,
These sentences mostly sound natural in everyday spoken English. Hereâs a quick check:
His cooking skills have improved a lot over the years.
Natural and common.
Over time, bad habits can become so deeply ingrained that they are very difficult to break.
Correct and natural.
Over time, bad habits can become so deeply ingrained that it's very difficult to break them.
Also fine and slightly more conversational than sentence 2.
Online scamming has gotten more and more sophisticated over the years.
Natural. "Gotten" is American English. In British English, use "has become."
His passion for literature only grew stronger over the years.
Natural and clear.
We haven't stopped laughing since the show started. It's a sure thing.
First sentence is fine. The second ("It's a sure thing") sounds odd here. You could say:
"Itâs been a hit" or "Itâs definitely funny" instead.
He hasnât stopped complaining about the new manager since day one.
Natural and common in speech.
Iâve been getting nonstop spam calls over the past few days.
Sounds natural and casual.
The prices of basic goods have kept going up over the past few years.
Correct, though more natural:
"Prices of basic goods have kept rising..."
The prices of basic goods havenât stopped rising over the past few years.
Natural and idiomatic.
Jun 1, 2025 6:32 PM
1
Hello - Native English speaker from the States. You did a great job, your sentences sound great The only sentence that sounds unnatural is "It's a sure thing". In this context it sounds unnatural.
Jun 2, 2025 3:50 AM
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Gerardo
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
English
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