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Two Cents

The Modal Verb Could

Date: Nov 22 2011

Themes: Romance, Soap Opera

Grammar: Modal Verbs

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Intro

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liability

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Everyone has an opinion. If you’ve ever asked people for advice on a decision, you know that not everyone agrees. It can be hard to decide what to do with everyone around you offering their two cents.

The phrase “two cents” doesn’t have anything to do with money. When you offer your two cents, you give someone your opinion. Sometimes people ask their friends for their two cents. “What do you think I should do? Give me your two cents.” Other times, people offer their two cents without being asked. “I think you should get a job. That’s my two cents.”

With all these cents, you might expect to feel rich. But usually, if people keep offering your their two cents, you just feel confused. Devan is planning a wedding. Naturally, there are a lot of decisions to make. Watch as her friends offer their two cents.

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Dialog

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Marni: So, how are the wedding plans going? Have you and Jason found a venue yet?

Devan: Yeah, I think we found one. There’s a public park near our place that’s really special to us, so…

Marni: Oh. Uh…that’s interesting.

Devan: What? Do you think that’s a bad idea?

Marni: No. It sounds lovely, really.

Ella: Yeah, a park sounds nice. But have you considered a ballroom? There’s a grand staircase, beautiful chandeliers...You could decorate with flowers everywhere. I mean, that would just be more elegant than a public park. That’s just my two cents though, you know.

Marni: Well, as long as we’re giving you our two cents, I just always pictured you and Jason getting married on a beach, you know, with the waves crashing behind you, and the sunset. It just…

Mason: I don’t know, guys. I like the water idea, Marni, but there’s just so much sand on the beach. It’s gonna get everywhere. Why don’t you get married on a boat? I mean, you and Jason could, like, ride up on jet skis and…and…the bridesmaids would have to wear bikinis. Hmm?

Jeff: Woah. Did I just hear something about Devan and Jason getting married on a boat? I’m gonna have to advise you against that. The liability is way too high. That’s my two cents. But as your legal counsel, that’s gonna cost you 200 bucks.

Devan: Alright, that’s enough. I don’t want to hear anyone else’s two cents. I know you guys have a lot of opinions about the wedding, but I’m the one that’s getting married, so I get to make the decisions.

Jeff: Well, technically it’s Jason’s wedding too. Shouldn’t he get to be able to put his two cents in as well?

Devan: No. I’m the bride, so I get to decide. So from now on, you guys just need to do everything I say, OK?

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Marni asks Devan if she has found a venue for her wedding yet. She says she and Jason plan to get married in a park. One by one, Devan’s friends all offer their two cents about where she should get married: in a ballroom, on the beach, on a boat.

Devan says she doesn’t want their two cents. It’s her wedding and she’ll make the decisions. Jeff asks if Jason gets to add his two cents, because it’s his wedding too. Devan says no.

Where do you think is the best place for a wedding? Do you like to offer people your two cents or do you keep your opinions to yourself?

Comments

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jerryjeff

United States

Devan’s character is proven fact that some people are more receptive to advice than others. On the flip side, some folks fail to realize when their opinions aren’t needed. It’s a vicious cycle. So if you don’t wish to be snapped at by a self-centered bride-to-be (;) for sharing your two cents just keep your mouth shut; opine when you are invited to do so or when you deem it necessary. Many times people already have their minds made up and just want to hear others’ thoughts just for the sake of it or to evaluate their own.

Christianny, Just you and the broom huh? no wedding sermon, nobody to bless the ceremony :). May I suggest a lily pad for that mysterious “green place”?, just my two cents…

I think Julito has made a good point here…what Devan really needed was two cents from each of her friends, the real cents,money!. not the expression “two cents”.Me personally I would like to get hitched while I’m sky diving and land on a remote isle just me and my spouse…awww

julito

Argentina

Well, couples that are going to tie the knot have to furnish the house , clothes, party, honeymoon, they would be way more happy to receive money than a two cents advice. Devan´s friends should be be generous with her , she deserves it.

Christianny

Brazil

Frequently i found myself sinking in doubts about when to do or how to do something. but hardly ever i ask people for their two cents.

An important point to consider when asking people two cents is: is this person reasonable? because if you have doubts, is not reasonable to ask advice from people who don’t know how to decide their own live!

Second point is: don’t ask two cents about important things you have to do in your life… if it is so important you have to decide it by yourself. (i think like that) at least, is your life! “mainly if the issue is your wedding.”

I’d like getting marry in a place where just be me and my fiance. Nothing to much showy. Or maybe a green place, together just the closely relatives.

That’s my two cents ;)

FUN777

Egypt

Well, i think i wouldn’t offer my two cents because the people who will get married have enough things in their minds and i think they should only decide all things in their wedding the clothes, the venue and all things. For me, i’d prefer to get married in a beautiful park.

CatcheR

Iceland

I don’t liKe to offer my two cents, unless there’s discussion in class or thing to do with a big matter, you know guy loves to be quiet :D,

dkattleya

Indonesia

i like this conversation..two cents is a new idiom word for me

bonniewang99

China

very good , I like this text ,and I can listen follow it .

Bruce_zhou

China

It’s new words for me ,to be honest ,i really don’t know this mean about “two cents”,two cents ,menas that little and not enough advise,actually ,people can not live without other people’s two cents when you want to make some decisions,maybe you will tell me ,you have never get two cents from other people in your life,actually it’s wrong,you remember ,when you was a child,you go to school ,you want to buy something which you like ,and you choice your school,when you graduated from primay school ,also you choic your college after u finished your high school,you get such advise with your parent and you classmater,so that’s why i have to say you can not live without other people ’s two cent advice.because people always need to contact with other people together every day,have to change the informantion in daily work and routing life.as for me ,i like make friends with all kinds of people and like sharing my happy and my feeling with my friend,in this way i feel more happy and feel better,i don’t like keep alone.

julito

Argentina

Who wouldn´t like to chip in his two cents advice .Geting married or having to choose a doctor to check on you, don`t asked your friends` opinion unless you want to add a lot of confusion to your life.