In this mini episode, you will learn the common expression “on a first-name basis.”
Episode 440 of the Everybody ESL podcast is a mini episode that teaches you the common expression “on a first-name basis.” Send your questions about English and your comments and suggestions to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)
Intro
“Hi! This is Meirong, 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. You can subscribe to the Everybody ESL podcast at Apple podcasts and wherever you find your podcasts. If you like Everybody ESL, leave it a good review so other people can find out about it too. And if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for me, please send an email to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. Okay! Let’s get on with this mini episode.
The 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-i-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 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.
Outro
This is the end of episode 440 of Everybody ESL. Remember: If you have any 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 Meirong recorded the introduction you heard at the beginning of this episode—send an email to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. 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!