Learners study written grammar: full sentences, every word in place. Then they speak in full sentences at home too: "Would you like to have a cup of tea?" "Yes, that sounds good to me." It is correct, but in a British kitchen it sounds stiff, like reading aloud. Researchers who study recordings of real conversation, called corpus research, find that spoken British English has its own grammar. In this episode: • Ellipsis: leaving words out • Heads: the topic first • Tails: adding it at the end • Vague language and short replies • A home scene • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Fancy a cuppa? — do you fancy a cup of tea? (casual) Sounds good. — that sounds good (casual) Seen my keys? — have you seen my keys? (casual) Lovely day, isn't it. — it's a lovely day (small talk) Done it! — I've done it (casual) Want a lift? — do you want a lift? (casual) Got a minute? — have you got a minute? (casual) Coming? — are you coming? (casual) Bit cold in here. — it's a bit cold in here (casual) Told you! — I told you so (casual, teasing) Nice one! — well done (casual) Your brother, does he still live in Leeds? — about your brother That new café on the corner, have you been? — the café is the topic Sam's mum, she's a nurse, isn't she? — the topic, then the question The car keys, where did you put them? — finding the topic first He's lovely, your brother. — your brother is lovely It was brilliant, that film. — that film was brilliant They're so noisy, those kids next door. — a mild complaint She makes a great curry, my nan. — praise with warmth Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.