In this podcast, you’ll learn when to use ‘for me’ and when to use ‘to me’.
We also warn you about expressions such as ‘respectfully’, ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but…’ and ‘please don’t be offended’ that should put you on your guard because you should be suspicious of what comes next.

Voice message from Mamen from Badajoz. Passed her language school exam.
I want to work (ON) my listening skills.
The Chat Box on Facebook – good pro-active community

Voice message from Erik from Ecuador
Listening for the Cambridge exam: How to improve your listening skills – AIRC256

What’s the difference between ‘for me’ and ‘to me’?
“It sounds/looks good to me”
“This podcast is very useful for me.”

FOR me means it benefits you in some way, or is allotted to you.
My wife went to a lot of trouble for me on my birthday – she organised a surprise party.
If that’s for me, thank you very much – I’ll take it.

TO me is more of your personal thoughts on something.
You can say, ‘To me, she’s an idiot.’ but not X’For me, she’s an idiot.’X)
This new virus suddenly spreading so easily seems very strange and suspicious to me.

Thanks for doing this for me. (something nice)
Why did you do that to me? (something bad)

Expressions that should put you on your guard

I don’t want/mean to be/seem/appear rude, but….
Examples:
I don’t want to be rude, but….I can’t eat this
I don’t want to appear rude, but….I’m afraid I can’t accept your gift.
I don’t want to seem rude, but….I can’t listen to any more of your bullshit!

Respectfully, / with (the greatest) respect, ….
Examples:
Respectfully, you may not have got the point.
With (the greatest) respect, I have to say you’re quite wrong. (…you’re talking a load of rubbish!)

Please don’t be offended but, …. / no offence meant but, … / please don’t take offence but,.. / I don’t mean to offend you but,…
Examples:
No offence meant but, …that dress does nothing for you.
Please don’t be offended but, …you haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.
Please don’t take offence but,… you need to improve your pronunciation.
I don’t mean to offend you but,… I don’t think you should dance in public again.

Don’t take this the wrong way, but…
Examples:
Don’t take this the wrong way, but……your suggestion isn’t very good.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but……you should stay out of this.

To be honest,.. / To be frank,… / Honestly,…/ Frankly,…
Examples:
To be honest,…that’s the worst idea I’ve heard all day.
To be frank,…I’d rather go to a restaurant than eat your mum’s cooking.
Honestly,…I think you should find a new hairdresser.
Frankly,… I think we should pay a professional designer and not create the logo ourselves.
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!
Famous film scene:

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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On next week’s episode: 10 National parks we’d like to visit

The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’

Photo by Marliese Streefland on Unsplash