’Hey, how long have you and Patty been a couple? If you don’t mind me asking?'
’That’s OK. We’ve been going out together for nearly two years (= meeting regularly as a couple). I remember it was March when we decided to be together.'
’So, it’s going to be your second anniversary soon. You’d better not forget. Girls don’t like it.'
’Yeah, I know. By the way, are you dating anyone now? (= are you meeting with anyone)'
’Let’s say so. I met a fantastic girl at a New Year’s party and I’ve already asked her out a couple of times. (= invited her to a restaurant, cinema etc.)'
’When is the next date? (= a meeting with someone you are having a romantic relationship with)'
’You are being nosey! But OK, I’ll tell you, I’m taking her to a restaurant. I know, that’s nothing original, but I don’t care. Speaking of dates, I’ve heard that Charles had a go at speed dating. You know, a meeting in which a few guys and a few girls have something like a minute to talk to one another to get to know the person.' 

’Are you kidding? He did it for fun, I bet?'
’Not really, he is desperate to find a girlfriend, but admitted speed dating is no good.'
’I would never decide to find a partner on a speed date, blind date or anything weird like that (= a date when you have never seen the person you are meeting before). Anyway, I must run. I’m going on a date with Patty tonight!'


More contexts for the new words: 

  • Are there any facilities for the blind in your school? (= people who can’t see) 
  • The letter was dated 15 January. (= write the date on something) 



Match the conversation halves.


  1. How long have you been going out together?
  2. When is your next date?
  3. Would you ever try speed dating?
  4. Which anniversary is it?
  5. Would you ever go on a blind date?
  6. Can a girl ask out a boy she fancies?

a) Why not? I wouldn’t waste much time.
b) Sure, but it’s usually the other way round.
c) For five years.
d) No, I wouldn’t be able to eat dinner with a complete stranger.
e) The 25th.
f) On Monday.



Complete each gap with one word, then answer the questions.


  1. Is it okay for a woman to ask …………………………… a man she likes? Why/ why not?
  2. How long should a couple go …………………………… together before getting married?
  3. Would you ever try speed ………………………….? Why/ why not?





’I’m taking her to a restaurant tonight.'
’I’m going
on a date with Patty tonight!'

In both sentences quoted above, PRESENT CONTINUOUS is used for talking about the future, in fact about things that have been arranged to do in concrete social arrangements/ appointments. It’s more than just a plan, it’s a fixed arrangement.

We are playing a game of tennis on Saturday. Would you like to join us?
I’m having a party next weekend and you are invited.
Tom is meeting
his father-in-law tonight.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS and GOING TO are both used in English for plans and arrangements, and on frequent occasions either of them is possible, e.g.

We are going to move/we are moving to a new flat soon.

Remember, however, that GOING TO suggests that the details are not fixed yet, it is still more of a plan. PRESENT CONTINUOUS, suggests that the arrangements are more fixed, often with a time and place.





A/ Claire has been in the bathroom for over an hour.

B/ I think she has A HEAVY DATE tonight.


A heavy date is a planned meeting between two people who are very interested in having a romantic or sexual relationship. This a humorous expression in American and Australian English.





  1. When you MAKE OUT, you kiss someone passionately, for an extended amount of time, or you succeed in having sex with them.


Monica and Tom were making out at the party. Everyone saw them!

Boys at that age are only interested in making out with pretty girls.


  1. When you CUDDLE UP with someone, you sit or lie very close to them in an affectionate way.


I love cuddling up with my husband.

He cuddled up to her on the sofa.



Choose the best option to complete each sentence.


  1. We cuddled off/ up/ out together and tried to get warm.
  2. They ended up making/ doing/ kissing out on the sofa.
  3. Sarah is preparing for a weighty/ fatty/ heavy date tonight.






Sarah Collins, 30-year-old single mum from Texas, has just had the worst date of her life – and made the headlines at the same time.

‘I met the guy at a dating site,’ she explains. ‘In the photo he looked gorgeous, like a real celeb, and it never crossed my mind that the photo might be fake. He sounded all charming and flirty, so I agreed to meet up.’

Sarah then went to the park, where a stranger was waiting for her. He claimed to be the guy, although he did not look the part – short, plain and paunchy. He started off by asking Sarah for a loan – he said he had forgotten his wallet, and he wanted to buy her some flowers.

‘I thought, why not?’ says Sarah. ‘I gave him $100 – I had no loose change, and he went to the florist’s. I spent the next hour waiting, and waiting, and waiting. And I never saw him again.’

Well, well, who would have thought…



make the headlines become famous by being reported in the news

a dating site – a website where you can meet people and date them

celeb – celebrity (informal)

look the part – appear suitable 

plain – not very attractive

paunchy – with a fat stomach 



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  1. c
  2. f
  1. e
  2. d
  3. b


Ex. 2

  1. out
  2. out
  3. dating



  1. up
  2. making
  3. heavy