WE'VE GOT TO STOP MEETING LIKE THIS!

Use the words "meet" and "meeting" correctly

MISUSED AND MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS

Lesson 1: Look, Watch, See

Lesson 2: Talking Naturally About Nature

Lesson 3: We've Got to Stop Meeting Like This! Today's Lesson

Lesson 4: Get Married and Throw a Party

Lesson 5: Especially Strange

Lesson 6: Are you Coming or Going?

Lesson 7: To and Fro with To and For

Lesson 8: A, An, The,or....?

Meet has a much narrower use in English

than in other languages.

Have the student read slides 3-5 aloudAnswer any questions

FOUR USES FOR MEET:

1. To be introduced for the first time to a person, a pet, or creature with a name

NOTE: We can use the word “introduced” with concepts and things, but NOT “meet.“ I can be introduced to rock climbing, but I can’t meet it.

2. To meet someone somewhere

In this case the location or the purpose must be mentioned or implied.

“I will meet you in/at* the library after work.”

* Either in or at can be used in this sentence. “In” means inside the library, “at” means at that location.

If we normally meet in the library parking lot, I would say “at the library.”

FOUR USES FOR MEET:

3. To describe a formal meeting

NOTE: There is a difference between having a meeting, going to a meeting, and joining one. (We will look at this later)

All three of these expressions refer to “formal” meetings.

4. To refer to a surprise or “chance meeting"

A common expression,

“Fancy meeting you here!”

uses meet in this sense.

We can also say, "Imagine meeting you here!"

The word “fancy” has had various uses in English over the years. This expression uses fancy to mean “what a surprise!”

Sometimes a student will greet me with, “Nice to meet you!”

“We were meeting new things.”

Look at the sentences

Is this sentence okay? (Look at use #2 again) What can be done to improve the sentence?

“I will meet my friend from California.”

Is this sentence okay? (Look at use #1 again) What can be done to improve the sentence?

Is this sentence okay? (Look at use #1 again) What can be done to improve the sentence?

Teacher Answers: 1. No. You know the person, you aren't meeting them again. You can meet them somewhere., 2. No. We were introduced to new things., 3. Maybe. It's only okay for the first meeting/introduction. Better: It's good to see you again.

WE’VE GOT TO STOP MEETING LIKE THIS!This expression is used when people run into* each other several times within a short period of time. (*"Run into" is a synonym for the 4th usage of "meet" (an unplanned encounter).

Have the student read this slide aloudAnswer any questions

ABOUT MEETINGSWe can have or hold them, go to them, or join them

Demonstrate your understanding by explaining the differences in meaning to your teacher .

Have Hold Go to Join

to have a scheduled meeting

to host or "call"* a meeting

to attend a meeting

to "drop in" to a meeting in progress

* call a meeting:

to convene it (due to tardiness)

“I have a lunch meeting tomorrow."

"The meeting will be held in the breakroom."

"I'd like to go to that committee meeting."

"I will join that meeting after this one."

(OR, as a guest to the group)

“We need to have a meeting with the staff."

"I will hold a meeting to discuss the vote"

"I don't have a meeting to go to today."

"I'm joining you today to explain Company Z's services"

Have the student read each column aloud in the table below. Answer any questions

WHEN IT COMES TO MEETINGS AND OTHER GATHERINGS

(like parties), we say we are going or not going. We “join” the gathering when we come inside the door. Then, we are “joining” the others.

Have the student read slides 9-11 aloudAnswer any questions

To "meet someone in the middle" or "meet someone halfway" is to compromise

A FEW MORE USES OF "MEET"

To be present for the arrival of a plane, or train.Example:

"I met the train at Grant station .", or

"We waited to meet her plane."

To hear or see something unexpectedlyExample:

"Suddenly our eyes met.", or

"A familiar and welcome sound met my ears."

To "meet face to face" is to "meet in person"

It can also mean:

Example:

"We have spoken on the phone but never met in person."

TALK ABOUT THE FOLLOWING EXPRESSIONS WITH YOUR TEACHER

Our company will hold a "Meet and Greet."

I met this guy on the street.

Bonus Points: "Never the twain shall meet." *

This expression comes from a famous British writer: Rudyard Kipling. "Twain" is from Old English, meaning "two." This phrase is still quoted by modern day English speakers. Can you guess its meaning?

Demonstrate your understanding. Go back to slides 3 and 4 and create your own sentences.

Have the student explain their understanding of these expressions. Answers: 1.Meet and Greet = a reception, 2. met in this context = to encou

This slide presentation was created by Michele W. Snider, teacher for SkimaTalk, Inc., and author of

http://www.myvirtualenglish.com

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