Shedloads

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei and joining me is Sian. If she ever arrives. Where is she?

Sian Hi everyone. Sorry I’m late Feifei.

Feifei That’s OK, you’re here now. How was your trip to France?

Sian The holiday was lovely thanks - but it’s not so great being back! I’ve returned to a shedload of emails. That’s why I’m so late.

Feifei A ‘what’ load of emails? - did you forget how to speak English on your holiday Sian!?

Sian Of course not! ‘A shedload’ just means ‘a lot’. So, ‘a shedload of something’ is ‘a very large amount or number of something’.

Feifei Hmmm, so I can say ‘I’ve got shedloads of money’?

Sian Yes - that’s right. Lucky you! We can also use the singular form ‘a shedload’, as in ‘you’ve got a shedload of money’. Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples Jim gets paid shedloads of money, so don’t worry, I’m sure he can afford it.

We don’t need to go out for dinner tonight; we’ve got a shedload of food in the fridge!

Sian We can also use ‘shedload’ or ‘shedloads’ without ‘of’ if it’s clear what we’re talking about. Like in these examples.

Examples He spent shedloads on his new car.

I can’t go anywhere. I’ve got shedloads to do today.

Feifei Great, so shall we go and get some lunch now?

Sian I told you I’ve got all those emails to get through.

Feifei Yes - but you’ve got shedloads of time! There’s no rush.

Sian OK, but as you’ve got shedloads of money, you’re paying!

Feifei I didn’t say that.

Sian Yes you did, you said it a few minutes ago - we all heard you!

Feifei But it was just an example… Oh never mind. Come on - lunch is on me!