Hi-fi repairs

Do you know a good, local engineer to go to when an electrical device breaks?

Hiroshi's hi-fi stopped working, so he took it to a local shop. The engineer was experienced and competent, but was unable to repair it. Instead, he kindly lent Hiroshi a spare CD player until he could buy a new one.

Words and usage: 'stop working' is usually used for electronic devices or machines, such as electrical appliances, computers, tablets or mobile phones.
For big mechanical things like cars or trucks, in the UK we often say 'break down'.

Other forms and uses can be found at Oxford Dictionaries. Different informal phrases we might use include 'blow up' and 'die'.

Grammar point:  'stop working''.
In this case, the hi-fi always worked when it was switched on, so its service was continuous (...ing), ......until it stopped working.
We can also use this form for other continuous actions by people, such as driving, smoking or playing computer games, which we may start or stop doing for reasons of time, money or health.
More explanation can be found at The British Council website.

Practice: Think of things you have at home that have stopped working in the past, or activities which you stopped doing. Write a short topic about it.

Quiz Me! Conversation card:  Card A1 below is from the new 'Fortunately' game pack.
(to be released 2018)
(Future) Available to buy at englishbooks.jp

#大人 #英会話