English, baby!

Third Wheel

Date: Nov 09 2010

Themes: Romance, Soap Opera

Grammar: Present Progressive Tense

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Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Couples like to go on double dates with other couples. And single people often hang out in groups. But it can be a little awkward for a single person to hang out with a couple. That person is called a third wheel.

If the couple likes to cuddle and be affectionate, it can make the third wheel uncomfortable. Similarly, if a couple enjoys one-on-one time and being alone together, having a third wheel around can really cramp their style.

Mason is recently heartbroken, so he wants to spend time with his friends. Two of his friends, Jason and Devan, happen to be a couple. Watch what happens when the three of them hang out.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Jason

Mason

Devan: ...the way he paints on metal is kinda reminiscent of Mexican art work in the early eighteen hundreds…

Jason: Totally.

Mason: That dude’s skull isn’t right. Over there, I found a snail that looks a lot like Jeff. I think you should come check it out!

Devan: How did you even know we were here?

Mason: ...I just come here all the time. I didn’t know you were here.

Jason: So when you see the game is over you have to slap and that means you win.

Devan: OK. So as soon as I get my second pair.

Jason: Right, right.

Devan: OK.

Jason: It’s a bummer about Mason and Ella, huh?

Devan: I guess… I kinda like Ella and Jeff together. I think they make a good couple.

Jason: Yeah, but Mason’s so lonely, you know? Just always hanging out by himself…

Devan: Yeah, well, we were both there before we met each other.

Jason: Yeah…it’s a little…

Mason: Hey guys! Hey guys! You totally missed that pair! I just slapped in! So…

Jason: It’s sort of a two-person game, Mason.

Mason: Well, I heard about this awesome new version of this game that has three people in it.

Jason: I actually gotta go do something, but maybe you can show us later.

Mason: Oh! OK, well, so, you put down another card…

Devan: I’m actually going to go help Jason with that thing he’s doing. But you can play solitaire! That’s a good one-person game!

Jason: Alright! I’ve been so psyched to watch this movie all week. Here we go!

Mason: What are we watching, guys?

Jason: Whoa! Where did you come from?

Mason: I…I’ve been here the whole time. What, you didn’t notice?

Jason: Mason, there’s something I gotta tell you.

Mason: Yeah?

Jason: You’re a third wheel. You know what I mean? Like, when two people are hanging out it’s kinda like a bicycle. You’ve got two wheels, it works! But when you have a third wheel it just kinda gets in the way and runs into stuff, and doesn’t function quite right.

Devan: Maybe we can work on finding you your own wheel!

Jason: Good call!

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Devan and Jason are out at an art gallery together discussing art. Suddenly, Mason appears and tries to take Jason to look at an interesting snail he found.

Later, Devan and Jason are playing cards. They are discussing how Mason is sad because he and Ella didn’t get together. Then, Mason interrupts their game and wants to play. The problem is, it’s a game for only two people. Jason leaves and Devan follows, suggesting Mason could play a card game alone.

Finally, Devan and Jason are about to watch a movie. But they discover that Mason is hiding under their blanket! Jason tells Mason that he’s being a third wheel. It isn’t working for Mason to hang out with him and his girlfriend all the time. Devan suggests they find a girl for Mason.

Have you ever been a third wheel? Have you ever had a single friend interrupt your couple time?

The artwork in the video is by James Wigger.

Comments

azzdine

Morocco

i have never been a third wheel hahahah that is really degrading

Bluma

China

totally, and it’s more when i don’t even know anything about my friends’ boyfriends. i have never been a third wheel, and will never be.

Marcelolic

Brazil

Oh no! It is pretty awkward! Imagine the scene,your friend with his girlfriend in a affection moment and you between them :P No way! I prefer to hang out myself or hanging with single friends :P

xiaomonv621

China

i agree with you

xiaomonv621

China

i agree with you

Mr.Zooka

Egypt

I never been a third wheel, i dunno!

Golden Lena

Russian Federation

I lost almost all my single friends for this reason. They don't want to spend their time with me and my husband and other couples.

When I invite my single friends to join our trip or tour of the city, they usually refuse for this reason.

rebel lee

China

I never been a third wheel. If there are just me and another couple, I will just leave. I don't like to be a third wheel. That makes even more lonely. When I am with my girlfriend, I don't like somebody else to be a third wheel either. It makes everybody uncomfortable.

hasan_afifi1

Egypt

I like very much to know a bout the customs and traditions of all people all over the world if posible.

with the best of luck

tamago

Japan

Mason is so funny ,but looks so sad ~

marya88

Saudi Arabia

I thank that Mason dosent have pride !

spacedragon

Brazil

ahahahaha this mason is bloody craaaazy !!!!!! looool

lolekesh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I hate to do it .

Zaccarias

Brazil

In Brazil, we usually say: holding a candle! It is another way to say when someone is disturbing a romantic moment.

It happened with me when I was dating my wife (before we get married), and with her cousins nearby.

Now we have sons! But they are blessing of the Lord…

May God Bless you all.

fikas

Azerbaijan

How do you do.no i have never been a third wheel.I have been third wheel among with my friends not married people.Married couples want to be free and i understand them though i m not married.

fikas

Azerbaijan

How do you do.no i have never been a third wheel.I have been third wheel among with my friends not married people.Married couples want to be free and i understand them though i m not married.

dearpesar

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

no i wasn’t third wheel and i don’t let any one to be

gyltby

China

The machine won't function properly if you don't oil it well, so do your best for your girlfriend or boyfriend, you will never lose what you have gotten and get the work finished on time, even you will get the pink book you want. And you will still get ready to face something special and different even difficult with her or him, to try to do your best for getting along well after getting married. So you will never be the third wheel any more…...

But in fact, things is not so easy like what we talk about. So if you want to meet your friends who were married, you would better to make a appointment to depend on the time to share friendship. I think it is better for a man or woman who is single, and you will have wonderful and happy time with your friends.

Do you think so?