Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei…
Roy ..and me, Roy.
Feifei In this programme, we have an expression which describes when someone has read the message you’ve sent them, but hasn’t replied. That reminds me, Roy - did you get my message yesterday?
Roy Oh yes, I did. I read it and then I totally forgot to answer you. Was it something important?
Feifei I can’t believe it! You completely ignored my message. I got left on read!
Roy What’s the colour ‘red’ got to do with the fact I forgot to reply? Red is actually my favourite colour.
Feifei Not red the colour, but ‘read’ as in the past of ‘read’.
Roy Ahhh, got you. Sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you on read. It’s just I was in the middle of something … and then got distracted ….and then…
Feifei OK. Roy. I understand! What was so important that you couldn’t reply?
Roy I was eating a really nice banana, and then I just forgot… sorry.
Feifei That’s a terrible excuse – it’s a good thing we’re friends or I might think you were ignoring me. Anyway, let’s listen to these examples…
Examples I can’t believe I was left on read. I sent him a message and I can see he’s looked at the message, but he hasn’t replied!
My partner always leaves me on read. They get really distracted and then don’t message me back.
You shouldn’t assume the worst if you get left on read. If someone reads your message and doesn’t reply, they might be really busy and planning to respond later.
Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we’re talking about the expression ‘left on read’. We use this when someone has read a message, but hasn’t replied. So, were you really eating a banana and that’s why you left me on read?
Roy Yeah, sorry. Well, I was also playing video games which might have been the main reason.
Feifei Haha – I knew it! Well the next time I want to offer you free tickets to the ‘Rob’s Rolling Biscuits’ rock concert, hopefully you’ll reply and not just leave me on read!
Roy What!?! Free tickets?! Let me read the message again! Can I still have the tickets?
Feifei Sorry, it’s too late now. I gave them to Neil. He didn’t leave me on read. Bye, Roy.
Roy Bye.