Reacting to the Past: The Debate
Should have. Could have. Would have. Now let's argue about it.
Today you'll add new ways to talk about regret, and use everything you know to defend a real position in a debate.
Look at this photo. React with one sentence.
Use should have, could have, or would have. What do you think this person is thinking?
Share your reaction out loud with the group.
Today, we go further
You already know how to react to the past. Today you'll add new expressions for talking about regret - and use all of it to defend a real opinion in a debate.
Your 3 Reaction Lenses
Talking About Regret
Talking About Regret
Talking About Regret
Game: Regret Chain
In groups of 3, react to the photo in a chain. Each person must use a different chunk - a Reaction Lens OR one of today's new expressions - without repeating what a teammate already said.
If someone hesitates for more than 3 seconds, the chain breaks. Your group's goal: build the longest chain before time runs out.
Start your chain. What happened here? Why?
Word Bank
Three Fast Rounds
Round 1 - Match the Reaction: Pick the chunk that fits the situation.
Round 2 - Combine & React: Build a full sentence using a Reaction Lens plus a new expression.
Round 3 - Spot the Trap: Catch the near-native mistake.
Match the Reaction
It's been two years since the breakup, but Elena still talks about her ex-business partner every single day.
A - dwell on. She keeps thinking about it repeatedly, every day - that's dwelling on it.
Match the Reaction
After missing the deadline, Marco finally admitted to his boss that the mistake was his.
B - own up to. Admitting responsibility for a mistake is "owning up to" it.
Match the Reaction
It took Sofia almost a year, but she finally stopped feeling sad about losing that big client.
C - get over. Emotionally moving past something is "getting over" it.
Match the Reaction
Carlos realized he could have gotten the promotion if he had just asked. Now he can't stop thinking about it, frustrated with himself.
A - kick yourself. Ongoing frustration with yourself over a missed chance is "kicking yourself."
Combine & React
Miguel quit his stable job to start a business. It failed six months later.
React using a Reaction Lens + hindsight is 20/20
He should have saved more before quitting. But hindsight is 20/20 - he couldn't have known the market would crash.
Combine & React
Sandra moved across the country for her dream job, away from her aging parents.
React using a Reaction Lens + water under the bridge
She could have looked for something closer to home, but that's water under the bridge now - she has to make the most of her decision.
Combine & React
Carlos lent his brother-in-law $15,000. The business failed, and the money was never paid back.
React using a Reaction Lens + I blew it + rookie mistake
"I blew it. I should have written a real business plan first - that was a rookie mistake."
Combine & React
David accidentally replied to the whole company with a complaint about his boss.
React using a Reaction Lens + total facepalm moment
That was a total facepalm moment. He should have double-checked before hitting send.
Talking about a hard breakup from years ago.
A is correct. "Get over" is never followed by "of" - the object comes right after.
Describing someone who can't stop thinking about an old mistake.
A is correct. "Dwell on" means to think about something repeatedly. "Dwell in" is only for literally living somewhere.
Admitting responsibility for a mistake.
B is correct. "Own up to" always needs "to" before the object.
Someone made the exact same mistake for the fifth time.
B is correct. "Rookie mistake" implies a beginner's first error - the fifth time isn't "rookie" anymore, but it's still a facepalm moment.
Something from 10 years ago that truly doesn't matter to anyone anymore.
A is correct. "Kick yourself" means ongoing regret - that contradicts "doesn't matter anymore."
Reflecting that it's easy to judge a decision now that we know how it turned out.
A is correct. "Hindsight is 20/20" is specifically about clarity after the fact - not just "no longer matters."
Time to Debate
Your coach will assign your group ONE of the three dilemmas below. Take a side - even if it's not your real opinion - and defend it using at least 2 Reaction Lenses and 2 of today's new expressions.
One person from each group will share your strongest argument at the end.
The Three Dilemmas
1. The Career Risk
Miguel quit a stable job of 10 years to start his own business. Six months later, it failed and he's still looking for work.
Was the risk worth it?
2. Family vs. Opportunity
Sandra was offered her dream job in another state, far from her aging parents. She took it and moved away.
Should family always come first?
3. Money and Family
Carlos lent his brother-in-law $15,000 for a food truck business. It failed, and the money was never paid back.
Should you ever mix money and family?
Share Your Case
One representative from each dilemma group: share your group's strongest argument with the whole class.
Everyone else: listen for should have / could have / would have and today's new expressions.
Great debating today
Today's full vocabulary set:
PHRASAL VERBS
- dwell on - keep thinking about the negative past
- get over - stop feeling upset about it
- own up to - admit you did something wrong
IDIOMS
- kick yourself - feel annoyed with yourself
- hindsight is 20/20 - easy to judge after the fact
- water under the bridge - it no longer matters
SLANG
- I blew it - I failed at something
- total facepalm moment - an embarrassing mistake
- rookie mistake - a beginner's error
Keep using your Reaction Lenses and today's new expressions whenever you reflect on real decisions.
