Hi, this is Mei Rong from Shanghai, China.
You are listening to Everybody ESL.
Welcome to episode 440 of Everybody ESL, the podcast for everybody who wants to improve their English, practice their English or just learn more English.
My name is Ben and I have a mini episode for you today where I am going to teach you about one English topic.
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Okay, let's get on with this mini-episode.
In this episode, I am going to teach you an interesting and common expression.
The expression is on a first name basis.
On a first name basis.
That's on a first name, F-I-R-S-T hyphen N-A-M-E basis, B-A-S-S. on a first name basis.
What does that mean?
When do we use the phrase on a first name basis?
First of all, what is a first name?
We use first name to mean your given name, not your family name.
For instance, if someone is named John Smith, His first name is John.
And his last name is Smith.
John Smith.
His first name is John.
What does it mean if you are on a first name basis?
We use first name basis to describe certain kinds of relationships.
If you have a relationship where you and the other person use first first names with each other.
If you call each other by your first names.
That is a relationship that is close or friendly or informal.
A less close, less friendly and more formal relationship might involve people using words like Mr or Mrs or Miss or Ms or Doctor or other words like that, instead of using first names.
If you have the kind of relationship with somebody where you are close enough or familiar or friendly enough to use first names, we say that you are on a first name basis with that person.
For instance, let's say that you and your friends are talking about a celebrity.
You tell your friends that you actually know that celebrity.
Maybe you went to school with this person.
Maybe you are childhood friends with this famous celebrity.
You could say, oh yes, that celebrity and I are on a first name basis.
We are on a first name basis.
We are friendly and close enough to use first names when we talk to each other.
That celebrity actually knows my name and uses my name.
We are on a first name basis.
When we use this expression, we often use it with the word with.
We often say that someone is on a first name basis with somebody.
Or you could say those two people are on a first-name basis.
Or I think you could also say those two people are on a first-name basis with each other.
We use on a first-name basis when we are describing a relationship where people are friendly or close or familiar enough with each other to use first names.
And that is, on a first-name basis, an interesting and common expression that I think you should know.
This is the end of episode 440 of Everybody ESL.
Remember if you have questions about English or if you have comments for me, or if you would like to record an introduction that I can play at the beginning of future episodes.
The same way, Mei Rong recorded the introduction you heard at the beginning of this episode.
Send an email to everybodyesl at gmailcom.
I'll be back soon with a new episode and until then, keep going, keep practicing and keep learning.
I'll see you soon!
Goodbye!
