Video meetings: using adverbs of frequency
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Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.
- How often do you use video calls for work, study, or talking with friends and family? Which do you do most often?
- What are some common problems that can happen during a video meeting? Think about sound, video, or your internet connection.
- In your opinion, what is one good thing and one bad thing about having meetings online instead of face-to-face?
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A Bad Connection
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
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Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the article.
01According to the article, what are two types of challenges you might need to handle during a video meeting?
Sample answerThe article says you might need to manage the conversation and also solve technical problems.
02What are some examples of vocabulary words the article provides for talking about video conferencing?
Sample answerIt gives words like 'muted' for when you can't be heard, 'participants' for the people in the meeting, and 'internet connection'.
03In what way do adverbs of frequency help us understand actions better?
Sample answerThey help by telling us how often something happens, like if it's all the time or just sometimes.
04How does the article explain the difference between an adverb like 'usually' and an adverb like 'rarely'?
Sample answerIt uses percentages to show the difference. 'Usually' is for something that happens 90% of the time, but 'rarely' is only for about 10% of the time.
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Key vocabulary for video meetings
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic.
Examples
To share your screen — to show the other people in the meeting what is on your computer screen.
This is a standard phrase used in all video conferencing software. You can say, 'Let me share my screen so you can see the report.'
You're breaking up — a phrase used when someone's audio or video is unclear because of a bad internet connection.
This is more natural than saying 'Your connection is bad.' You can say, 'Sorry, could you repeat that? You're breaking up a little.'
To have a stable connection — to have a reliable and strong internet signal that doesn't stop or fail.
Use this to talk about the quality of your internet. For example: 'I hope I have a stable connection for the interview.' The opposite is an 'unstable connection.'
To get cut off — to be suddenly disconnected from a phone call or video meeting, usually because of a technical problem.
This is a common phrasal verb. You can say, 'We were in the middle of a discussion when I got cut off.'
Let's wrap up — a phrase used to signal that it's time to finish a meeting or discussion.
This is a common and polite way to end a meeting. A manager might say, 'We have five minutes left, so let's wrap up.'
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01Could you please your screen so we can all see the presentation?
02Sorry, could you repeat that? You're a little and I can't hear you clearly.
03I think I need to move closer to my router to get a more internet connection.
04I'm worried I might get if my internet fails again.
05We only have five minutes left, so I think we should the discussion now.
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Grammar: adverbs of frequency
Grammar
Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. We use them to talk about routines and habits, like how often you have video meetings. Their position in a sentence is very important.
Examples
I usually check my microphone before a meeting starts.
The adverb ('usually') goes before the main verb ('check').
My internet connection is sometimes unstable during calls.
The adverb ('sometimes') goes after the verb 'to be' ('is').
I have never been in a video meeting with more than 50 people.
The adverb ('never') goes between the auxiliary verb ('have') and the main verb ('been').
Key points
- Adverbs of frequency go before the main verb.
- They go after the verb 'to be' (am, is, are, was, were).
- They go between an auxiliary verb (e.g., have, will, can) and the main verb.
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Find the mistake
Read the sentences below about video conferencing. Can you spot the errors?
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01I check often my audio settings before joining a call.
Corrected version
I check often check my audio settings before joining a call.
02My colleague never forget to mute her microphone when she isn't speaking.
Corrected version
My colleague never forget forgets to mute her microphone when she isn't speaking.
03I'm sorry, I'm having some problems for my internet connection.
Corrected version
I'm sorry, I'm having some problems for with my internet connection.
04Yesterday, the manager get cut off in the middle of his presentation.
Corrected version
Yesterday, the manager get got cut off in the middle of his presentation.
05It's important to be an active participate in team meetings.
Corrected version
It's important to be an active participate participant in team meetings.
06You should to make sure you have a stable connection before sharing your screen.
Corrected version
You should to make sure you have a stable connection before sharing your screen.
07We was in a video call for three hours this morning.
Corrected version
We was were in a video call for three hours this morning.
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Useful phrases: managing a video meeting
Vocabulary
Here are some practical phrases for when you are in a video meeting. Use them to solve common technical problems and manage the conversation.
Examples
'Sorry, could you say that last part again?' — to ask someone to repeat something you didn't hear clearly.
Register: neutral. Use this when you missed a few words because of a brief sound problem. It's more polite than 'What?' or 'I can't hear you.'
'Can everyone see my screen okay?' — to confirm that your screen share is working for all participants.
Register: neutral. Use this immediately after you start sharing your screen to make sure the technology is working correctly.
'I think there's a bit of a delay.' — to politely point out that the audio and video are not synchronized.
Register: neutral. This is a good way to explain why the conversation feels slow or why people might be accidentally interrupting each other.
'Sorry to jump in, but I have a quick question.' — to politely interrupt the speaker to ask for clarification or add a point.
Register: neutral/formal. This is a key phrase for participating actively in a meeting without being rude. You can also say '...but I'd like to add something quickly.'
'It looks like Maria's screen has frozen.' — to inform the group that one person is having a technical problem with their video.
Register: neutral. Use this to help a colleague who might not realize they have an issue. It's seen as helpful and collaborative.
'I'll put the link in the chat.' — to offer to share information by typing it into the text box.
Register: neutral. This is very useful when you need to share a website, email address, or a name that might be hard to understand when spoken.
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Video meeting vocabulary
Learn some common words and phrases for online meetings.
Match each word or phrase with its definition.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- Think about the work culture in your country. Do you believe companies should always offer remote work options with video meetings, or is it sometimes better to require face-to-face meetings? Explain your reasons.
- Some people say it's impossible to build strong team relationships with only video meetings. Do you agree or disagree? How often do you think remote teams need to meet in person to work well together?
- Imagine you are in a meeting and a colleague is trying to 'share their screen', but they have a technical problem. How long should the team wait for them before moving on? What is the most polite way to handle the situation and 'wrap up' that part of the discussion?