smoking for love
Learn English With Jokes
The Two Cigarettes
Intermediate · Past Simple · Indirect Speech
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Survolez les mots en ambre pour voir les définitions en français (CAPS).
Every day, SiphoUN PRÉNOM MASCULIN COURANT EN AFRIQUE DU SUD was smokingINHALER DU TABAC BRÛLÉ two cigarettesFIN ROULEAU DE TABAC À FUMER at the same time. EventuallyFINALEMENT, AU BOUT D’UN MOMENT, one of his friends asked, "Why are you always smoking two cigarettes at once?"
Sipho replied, "My brother is in prisonENDROIT OÙ L’ON GARDE LES GENS EN PUNITION, and he asked me to smoke a cigarette for him every time I smoke one for myself."
A few weeks later, his friend saw Sipho smokingINHALER DU TABAC BRÛLÉ only one cigarette. Surprised, the friend asked, "Did your brother get out of prison?"
Sipho shook his head and said, "No, I just quitARRÊTER DE FAIRE QUELQUE CHOSE smoking."
📘 Key Vocabulary
📖 Grammar Points
1. Past continuous for background action
In “Sipho was smoking two cigarettes at the same time” — we use past continuous to set the scene. It shows an ongoing habit in the past, which the friend then interrupts with a question in past simple: “Why are you always smoking…?”
2. Indirect (reported) speech
When Sipho explains, “he asked me to smoke a cigarette for him”, the original request was likely “Smoke a cigarette for me”. In reported speech we shift the imperative to an infinitive: ask someone to do something. Note the backshift in time is natural in storytelling.
🔁 Synonyms & Alternatives
Both fit the tone: I gave up smoking or His brother was in jail.
💬 Mini Dialogue
Context: Two neighbours, Aisha and Tom, discussing gym habits.
Tom: “I saw you drinking two protein shakes after the gym. Why two?”
Aisha: “My sister is in hospital, so I promised I’d have one for her too.”
Tom: “But today you only had one. Did she get out?”
Aisha: “No, I just quitARRÊTER DE FAIRE QUELQUE CHOSE the gym.”
Uses past simple, reported promise, and vocabulary from the joke in a new situation.
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