Big Apple Baby

doing pretty good

[How are you doing?] I'm doing pretty good.

The phrase 'doing pretty good' is a common answer to questions about how we feel. Notice the following:

1. She's doing pretty good for just having surgery.
   
2. He's doing pretty good in school now.
   

happened to (be)

My parents happened to be living in New York at that time.

We use the phrase 'happened to be' a coincidence or things that are suprising.  Notice the following:

1. I happened to be sitting at a coffee shop when the accident happened.
   
2. She happened to see Britney Spears crossing the street.
   

to be precise

My birthday is in May, May 25th to be precise.

We use the phrase 'to be precise' when we want to give exact information about something.  Notice the following:

1. It must be at least 90 degrees.  The thermometer says 92 to be precise.
   
2. He's in his 50's, fifty-four to be precise.
   

sit by

I used to love sitting by the kitchen windows.

If you 'sit by' something you sit near to it.  Notice the following:

1. She prefers to sit next to the door in class.
   
2. It's nice to sit next to the fire in the winter.
   

roll (the window) open

I used to roll the window open and just watch the airplanes take off and land.

To 'roll a window open' is to use a hand crank to open it.  Notice the following:

1. You have to roll the car window open because it's not electric.
   
2. It is cold. Please roll up the window.
   

take off and land

The airplanes take off and land all day.

When a plane takes off, it leaves the airport and when it lands, it returns to an airport. Notice the following:

1. You can't use a phone when a plane takes off or lands.
   
2. What time did the plane land?