How to say “at home” like a native speaker
In the place where you live. Figuratively, it can mean comfortable or familiar with a situation.
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Hear “at home” in real speech
Clip 1 · Patrick Winston (MIT)
How to Speak · 21:43
About this video
Patrick Winston teaches a lecture about speaking and communicating ideas. He discusses the role of knowledge and practice, and uses presentation slides to illustrate choices that help or hinder an audience.
In context
And so you have many seconds to think, this guy really believes in the conservation of energy.Do not try this at home.
The problem is that, the first time you do this, you may not just let go.
Clip 2 · David Foster Wallace
This is Water · 10:16
About this video
The speaker in this commencement address, uploaded by le néant as This is Water, opens with a story about two young fish. He discusses noticing everyday realities and uses a supermarket checkout to describe routine frustration.
In context
and all you want is to go home and have a good supper and maybe unwind for an hour, and then hit the sack early because, of course, you have to get up the next day and do it all again.But then you remember there's no food at home.
You haven't had time to shop this week because of your challenging job, and so now, after work, you have to get in your car and drive to the supermarket.
Clip 3 · Sir Ken Robinson
Do schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson | TED · 14:04
About this video
Ken Robinson asks whether schools give creativity enough room. He discusses different forms of human ability and questions an education system that he says places university professors at the top.
In context
There's a raft of research, but I know it from my personal life.If my wife is cooking a meal at home, which is not often ...
thankfully.
When to use “at home”
- Telling a caller where you are: “I'm at home this afternoon.”
- Describing a comfortable setting: “I feel at home in this little café.”
Common learner mistake
With movement, say “go home”; do not say “go at home”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “at home”
“At” is usually weak before “home”. Keep the H audible when carefully copying the phrase.
Related phrases
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A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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