Name: How to read between the lines in English – a Mini English Lesson
Uploaded: 2026-01-24T14:23:10.000Z
Duration: 3 min 42 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

To-infinitive

You know when people say something and they expect you to understand more than just their words?

In today's mini English lesson, we're going to talk about what people really mean by beyond the words they use.

When people expect you to read between the lines, it can be really difficult, especially if you're learning English as a second language.

I'm going to share with you three tips to help you decode the meaning behind what people say.

Are you speaking in person face to face, or is it on a text message?

The same sentence can mean different things in different contexts.

For example, if you're on the phone and you ask, is Sara there?

But if you're sending a text and you say, is Sara there?

You could possibly be wanting to share a secret, and

you don't want Sara to know, so you're checking if she's physically there.

Tip number two, who are the people speaking and what's the relationship?

Or maybe they don't even know each other.

Look at this conversation between two colleagues.

Oh, I. Ooh, I think she wants me to turn the air conditioning off.

Let's look at the same scenario, but now between two partners.

Oh, I think she wants me to do something about that.

What about if you're meeting someone for the first time?

Oh, I think they're just making a conversation.

In some cultures, direct communication is preferred.

But in some cultures, maybe indirect communication is used, and that could be difficult.

If you're coming from a culture that uses direct communication and you're just used to saying what you mean.

Imagine you see someone who is struggling with a heavy bag.

A direct communicator might ask, can I help you with this bag?

But someone from an indirect culture, when they see someone with a heavy bag, they might say, oh, that looks like a heavy bag.

To a direct communicator, that might be confusing because they might think that they're just stating.

But in indirect communication, there's an implication here that they're happy to help if you asked.

So remember, in a lot of English speaking countries, indirect communication is often used.

Remember not to take everything they say word for word.

Keep in mind the culture they come from, means of communication and the relationship you have with them.

But don't worry if something is not clear for you.

Don't feel afraid to ask for clarification.

Subtitles ListPlay Video

How to read between the lines in English – a Mini English Lesson

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