Preface

The information in this file (―The On-screen English‖) is meant to supplement, not
replace, the actual English training/communicative courses. This electronic file is
created to spread the knowledge of using easy English sentences according to
appropriate situations. This never urge anyone to memorize all the thousands of
sentences. You can only get the idea of how to use the sentences. Hence it shows hints
to its learners. This work is purely based on research available on Internet, so
obviously it does not possess any copyrights. You can share this freely to anyone
without a second thought only for the purpose of sharing the knowledge. Any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, any religion or its occasions such as
festivals, the copyright words, or animals or actual events is purely coincidental. While
every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this file,
if found any errors, feel free to discuss, its compiler will not be held liable under any
circumstances
-Mohammed Mushtaq.

Important tips on how to use : This is a pdf file, you must use a good “pdf viewer app” in
your phone. This file has lot of situations and role plays. You can search any situation by
using appropriate word like shopping, friend, wedding and remember the page number for
easy access in your app. If you want the whole topic then use # before the word without
space. For example, #Airport #phone #Complaint etc.
(Please note that this # search feature will work slower in phones than in laptops/desktops.)

Topics and their page nos.

General phrases 1-17

Situational conversation 18-70
Airport / Train 49-54-57
Telephonic conversation 71- 79
Visiting Doctor 79-87
Other Conversation on phone (workplace) 87-98
General situational conversation 98-183
Only questions 183-190
General formal conversation 190-202
Bank 203-206
Other 206-218
For teachers (in school) 219-224
Other 224-230
Discussion 230-233
Other 233-241
Situational dialogues 242-264
Other 264-268
General phrases 268-276
Hotel/Lodge/Restaurant 276-287
Useful phrases 287-324
Other 324-328
Grammar with examples 328-363
Other exercise 363-368
Interview practice 369-407
Meetings & Presentations 408-427
Everything about workplace 427-459
Corporate phrases with idioms 459-520
Idioms 520-544
Silent letters 544-545
Useful vocabulary 545-556
Mispronounced words 556-559
~ Beginner Phrases ~

10 Ways to Say #Hello & #Goodbye

1. Hello

2. Hi

3. (informal) Hey

4. Hi there

5. (informal US.) Howdy

6. Bye

7. Bye-bye

8. (informal) See ya later

9. Take care

10. Have a good one

10 Informal Ways to Say Yes and No

1. Yeah

2. Yup

3. Mm-hmm!

4. Uh-huh!

5. Sure!

6. Nope
7. Nah

8. Mm-mm

9. Uh-uh

10. No way!

10 Ways to Ask How Someone Is

1. How are you?

2. How‘s it going?

3. How ya doin‘?

4. How are things?

5. How‘s life?

6. How have you been?

7. How‘s your family?

8. What‘s up?

9. What‘s new?

10. What have you been up to lately?

10 Ways to Say How You Are

1. I‘m fine, thanks. How about you?

2. Pretty good.

3. Not bad.

4. Great!

5. Couldn‘t be better! (couldn‟t is short for could not)

6. Can‘t complain. (can‘t is short for cannot)

7. I‘ve been busy. (I‟ve is short for I have)

8. Same as always.

9. Not so great.

10. Could be better.

Note: The way to respond to “What‟s up?” and “What‟s new?” is typically “Not much.”

10 Ways to Say #Thank You

1. Thanks.

2. Thanks a lot.
3. Thank you so much.

4. Thanks a million!

5. Thanks for your help. / Thanks for helping me.

6. I really appreciate it.

7. I‘m really grateful.

8. That‘s so kind of you.

9. I can‘t thank you enough. (for extremely important things)

10. I owe you one. (this means you want/need to do a favor for the other person in the future)

Certain expressions for thanking:

Formal:
It‘s very kind / nice of you.
I am really very grateful / obliged to you.
Neutral:
Thank you, thank you very much.
Thanks, a lot.
Informal:
Thanks, thanks a lot.

10 Ways to Respond to “#Thank You”

1. You‘re welcome.

2. No problem.

3. No worries.

4. Don‘t mention it.

5. My pleasure.

6. Anytime.

7. It was the least I could do.

8. Glad to help.

9. Sure!

10. Thank you. (use this when you ALSO have something to thank the other person for)

5 Phrases for #Apologizing

1. I‘m sorry that… [ex. I was so rude yesterday]

2. It‘s my fault. (= I am taking responsibility for the problem)

3. Oops, sorry.

(for very small problems)

4. I should have… [ex. called you and told you I‘d be late]
5. (formal) I apologize for… [ex. the delay]

5 Ways to Respond to an #Apology

1. That‘s OK.

2. It happens.

3. No problem.

4. Don‘t worry about it.

5. I forgive you. (for serious problems)

10 Phrases for #Introductions

1. I just wanted to introduce myself. I‘m… [your name]

2. I don‘t think we‘ve met before. My name‘s… [your name]

3. This is…

4. I‘d like you to meet…

5. Have you met… ?

6. I‘d like to introduce you to… (I‟d is short for I would or I had)

7. Nice to meet you.

8. It‘s a pleasure to meet you.

9. Likewise.

10. And you.

#1 and #2 are used to introduce yourself; #3-#6 are used to introduce someone else. #9 and
#10 can be used as a response to #7 and #8.

6 Ways to Show #Interest

1. Really?

2. That‘s interesting.

3. Uh-huh.

4. Right.

5. Gotcha. (I have got you)

6. Sure.

5 Ways to #End a Conversation #Politely

1. It was nice chatting with you.

2. Well, it‘s getting late.

3. Anyway, I should get going.

4. (formal) Sorry, but I‘m afraid I need to…

5. I‘m sorry to cut you off, but I actually gotta run. (cut you off = interrupt you)(gotta means have got a
or have got to.>> "you gotta be careful")

10 Phrases for #Telephone Calls

1. Hi, this is Jane.

2. (formal) May I speak with Joseph Smith?

3. (informal) Is Joseph there?

4. I‘m calling about…

5. I‘m returning your call.

6. (formal) One moment, please.

7. (informal) Hang on a sec.

8. He‘s not here. Would you like to leave a message?

9. Could you ask him to call me back?

10. Thanks for calling.

10 Phrases for #Asking for #Information

1. Can you tell me...?

2. Could you tell me...?

3. I'd like to know...

4. Do you know...

5. Do you have any idea...?

6. Could anyone tell me...? (use this phrase when asking a group of people)

7. Would you happen to know...?

8. I don't suppose you (would) know...?

9. I was wondering…

10. I‘m calling to find out… (use this phrase on the telephone)

Use #4, #5, #7, and #8 when you‟re not sure if the other person has the information.

Giving / # responding to #Information

Giving counterarguments / #Refusals
Expression for #offering #help:
Format:
Would you like me to do it for you?
Shall I do it for you?
Informal:
Can I do it for you?
How about my doing it for you?
I‘ll do it for you.
#Responding to offer of help:
Positive responses:
That‘s very kind of you.
Thanks a lot.
Negative responses:
No, don‘t bother.
No, thanks. I can manage

5 Ways to Say “I don‟t know”

1. I have no idea/clue.

2. I can‘t help you there.

3. (informal) Beats me.

4. I‘m not really sure.

5. I‘ve been wondering that, too.

10 Phrases for Asking for Someone‟s #Opinion & Giving Your Opinion

1. What do you think about...?

2. How do you feel about…?

3. What's your opinion of...?

4. What are your views on...?

5. In my opinion…

6. I'd say...
7. Personally, I think/believe...

8. If you ask me...

9. The way I see it...

10. From my point of view…

5 Phrases for Not Having an Opinion

1. I‘ve never given it much thought.

2. I don‘t have strong feelings either way.

3. It doesn‘t make any difference to me.

4. I have no opinion on the matter.

5. (very informal) Whatever.

10 Phrases for Agreeing

1. Exactly.

2. Absolutely.

3. That‘s so true.

4. That‘s for sure.

5. I agree 100%

6. I couldn‘t agree with you more.

7. That‘s exactly what I think. / That‘s exactly how I feel.

8. (informal) Tell me about it! / You‘re telling me!

9. (informal) I‘ll say!

10. I suppose so. (use this phrase for weak agreement – you agree, but reluctantly)

Note: Avoid the common error of saying “I‟m agree” – the correct phrase is “I agree” or “I‟m in
agreement” – the second one is more formal.

10 Phrases for Disagreeing

1. I don‘t think so.

2. I beg to differ.

3. I‘m afraid I don‘t agree.

4. I‘m not so sure about that.

5. That‘s not how I see it.

6. Not necessarily.

7. Yes, but… [say your opinion]

8. On the contrary.

9. (very informal) No way!

10. (very strong) I totally disagree.

5 Phrases for #Responding to #Good News

1. Congratulations!

2. That‘s great!

3. How wonderful!

4. Awesome!

5. I‘m so happy for you!

5 Phrases for #Responding to #Bad News

1. Oh no…

2. That‘s terrible.

3. Poor you. (Use this to respond to bad situations that are not too serious)

4. I‘m so sorry to hear that.

5. I‘m sorry for your loss. (Use this only if someone has died)

10 Phrases for Invitations

1. Are you free… [Saturday night?]

2. Are you doing anything… [Saturday night?]

3. Let me check my calendar.

4. (informal) Do you wanna…(wanna means want to ) [see a movie?]

5. (formal) Would you like to… [join me for dinner?]

6. I‘d love to!

7. Sounds great!

8. I‘d love to, but I have another commitment.

9. I don‘t think I can.

10. Maybe another time.

5 Ways to Make & Respond to an Offer

1. (more formal) Would you like a drink?

2. (informal) Do you want some water?

3. Can I get you something to eat?

4. That‘d be great, thanks.

(= yes)

5. No, thanks. I‘m OK.

(= no)

6 Phrases for Talking About Future Plans

1. I‘m going to…

2. I‘m planning to…

3. I hope to…

4. I‘d like to…

5. I might… / I may… Click here for the difference between may and might

6. I‘m thinking about… Click here for the different prepositions to use after “think”

10 Ways to Talk about Likes & Dislikes

1. I love… [soccer]

2. I‘m really into… [soccer]

3. I live for… [soccer]

4. [soccer] is my thing.

5. I‘m crazy about… [soccer]

6. I‘m not a huge fan of… [modern art]

7. [Modern art] isn‘t my cup of tea.

8. I don‘t really care for… [modern art]

9. I‘m not into… [modern art]

10. I can‘t stand… [modern art] (this phrase expresses strong dislike)

5 Ways to Make a Suggestion

1. How about… [ex. trying something new]?

2. Why don‘t you… [ex. talk to your boss]?

3. Maybe we should… [ex. do more research].

4. I‘d recommend… [ex. going to the doctor].

5. Have you thought about… [ex. buying a new computer]?

10 Phrases for Asking/Talking about Jobs

1. Where do you work?

2. What do you do? / What do you do for a living?

3. I work at… [Microsoft].

4. I‘m a/an… [accountant].

5. I‘m unemployed. / I‘m between jobs at the moment.

6. I‘m looking for work.

7. I‘m a stay-at-home mom/dad.

8. I run my own business.

9. I‘m a freelance… [writer/designer/etc.]

10. I‘m retired. 1. I‘m single.

2. I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.

3. We‘re engaged. (= going to get married)

4. We‘re getting married in June.

5. I‘m married.

6. I‘ve been married for… [10 years].

7. I‘m divorced.

8. I‘m widowed. (= my husband/wife has died)

9. I‘m not looking for anything serious.

10. I‘m not quite over my ex. (= I still have feelings for my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)

~ Intermediate Phrases ~
5 Ways to Ask for Clarification

1. Pardon?

(if you didn‟t hear or understand what the person said)

2. Would you mind repeating that?

3. What do you mean?

(asking for more information)

4. I‘m not sure I follow you.

(= I don‟t understand)

5. Could you explain… ?

5 Ways to Check if the Other Person Understands You

1. Do you understand what I‘m saying?

2. Does that make sense?

3. Do you know what I mean?

4. Are you with me so far? (often used in the middle of a long explanation or instructions)

5. Is that clear? (often used after giving orders, or expressing disapproval or another negative
attitude)

5 Ways to Ask for Help

1. I need a little help.

2. Could you help me out?

3. Could you give me a hand? (usually used for physical tasks)

4. Could you spare a couple minutes?

5. Could you do me a favor?

5 Ways to Ask Someone Else to Do Something

1. (more formal) Would you mind… [opening the window]?

2. Could you please… [turn off the lights]?

3. (informal) Can you… [pass me the chicken]?

4. Please… [send me the information].

5. I‘d appreciate it if you could… [wash the dishes].

5 Ways to Interrupt Someone

1. Sorry to interrupt, but…

2. Excuse me – could I talk to you for a minute? / do you have a minute? (when interrupting a
conversation between two other people, to talk to one of them)

3. Could I jump in here? (use this when interrupting a discussion among many people)

4. Sorry – I just want to say that…

5. (formal) May I have a word?

10 Ways to Encourage Someone

1. Keep up the good work!

2. That was a nice try. (say this after someone made a good effort but failed)
3. That‘s a real improvement.

4. You‘re on the right track.

5. You‘ve almost got it.

6. You‘re doing great.

7. Don‘t give up! / Hang in there!

(when someone is currently having difficulties)

8. You can do it!

9. Give it your best shot. (best shot = best try, best effort)

10. Nice job! / You did great!

(after the person has done something good)

5 Phrases for #Complaining

1. I‘m not happy about this.

2. I‘m sorry, but this is unacceptable.

3. I‘m not very satisfied with... [ex. this product / this situation]

4. (informal) I can‘t stand it when… [ex. the internet is slow]

5. (informal) This sucks.

10 Phrases for #Remembering, #Reminding, & #Forgetting

1. I‘ll always remember… / I‘ll never forget…

2. If I remember correctly… / As far as I can recall…

3. I have a vague recollection of…

4. It‘s on the tip of my tongue. (=I‟m trying to remember, but I can‟t quite remember)

5. My mind went blank. (= I couldn‟t remember/think of anything)

6. It doesn‘t ring a bell. (=it doesn‟t sound familiar)

7. Please remember to… / Please don‘t forget to…

8. I‘d like to remind you about…

9. You haven‘t forgotten to/about… have you?

10. It completely slipped my mind! (= I completely forgot about it!)

10 Phrases for Saying Something is #Easy & #Difficult

1. It‘s a piece of cake.

2. It‘s a cinch.
3. It‘s a breeze.

4. Anyone can do it.

5. There‘s nothing to it.

6. It‘s hard.

7. It‘s a bit tricky.

8. It‘s really tough.

9. It‘s not a walk in the park.

10. It‘s very demanding. (= it takes a lot of time and energy)

10 Expressions about Age

1. She‘s in her early twenties. (=20-23 years old)

2. He‘s in his late thirties. (=37-39 years old)

3. She just turned six.

4. Act your age! (use this when an adult is being immature, acting like a child)

5. I‘m not as young as I used to be.

6. I‘m not over the hill yet! (over the hill = an informal expression to say “old”)

7. He‘s no spring chicken. (= he‟s not young)

8. She‘s wise beyond her years. (she is young, but she has the wisdom of an older person)

9. I‘m having a senior moment. (= I‟m being forgetful)

10. He lived to a ripe old age. (= a very old age)

10 Phrases for #Shopping

1. Do you have… ?

2. Where can I find… ?

3. I‘m just browsing. (browsing = looking casually)

4. I‘m looking for…

5. How much is this?

6. Is this on sale?

7. Can I try it on? (use this to ask if you can put on clothing to see if it‟s the right size)

8. I‘ll take it!

9. Do you take credit cards?

10. I‘d like to return/exchange this.

 10 Phrases for Talking about #Food

1. I‘m starving! (= I‟m very hungry)

2. Let‘s grab a bite to eat.

3. How about eating out tonight? (eat out = eat at a restaurant)

4. I brought some snacks.

5. This soup is delicious!

6. Could I have another helping of… [potatoes]? (another helping = another portion)

7. I‘ll have… (use this phrase for ordering in a restaurant)

8. Could we get the check, please?

9. I‘m full. (= I‟m satisfied)

10. I‘m stuffed. (= I ate a LOT, maybe too much!)

Saying #sorry (#Apologize)

1. Sorry.
2. I'm (so / very / terribly) sorry.
3. Ever so sorry.
4. How stupid / careless / thoughtless of me.
5. Pardon (me)
6. That's my fault.
7. Sorry. It was all my fault.
8. Please excuse my (ignorance)
9. Please don't be mad at me.
10. Please accept our (sincerest) apologies.

The expressions asking for and showing #preferences are

detailed below:
Neutral Situations
Asking for preferences : Would you prefer ……. or ……..?
Which would you prefer …. or ….. ?
Do you like … better than ……?
Showing preferences : I think I like ……… better.
I would go for ……………
I‟d rather have …………. anytime.
4
Informal Situations
Asking for preferences : We can …… or …; what do you say?
Do you prefer ……. or ……?
What‟s your favourite …….?
Showing preferences : I think I like ……..
I would go for ………..
I‟d rather have ……. anytime.
Formal Situations
Asking for preferences : Do you find … or …. more
enjoyable?
The choice is yours; ….. or ……. ?
Which appeals more ……. or …….?
Showing preferences : I have a strong preference for ………
I generally find ….. more satisfactory.
I‟d generally choose …… in
preference to ………
(ii) Meeting for the first time

Sita : Hello, I am Sita Sharma. What is your name?

Gita : I‘m Gita.
Sita : Where do you live?
Gita : Varanasi.
Sita : Oh, really? I‘m also from Varanasi. I live on the Benares Hindu University
campus. My father is a teacher there.
Sita : What a small world! My mother is also a teacher, but she teaches in a school.
Gita : I‘m also receiving training to be a teacher.
Sita : That‘s nice. A family of teachers! It has been nice meeting you.

(iii) Meeting after a #long time

Rohit : Where have you been all these days? We haven‘t met for ages.
Amit : I‘ve been very busy with preparations for our Annual Day function.
Rohit : Oh I see! Yes, that does require a great deal of hard work. When is the function?
Amit : It‘s next week and I still have a lot to do.
Rohit : Good luck. I hope to see more of you after the function is over.
Amit : Yes, I look forward to seeing you.
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. been ages a long time
2. a great deal of a lot of
3. see more of to meet more often
4. look forward to will be happy to
-------------------------------------------------------------
(v) Meeting in the #market

Ravi : Good evening, ma‘am.

Teacher : Good evening, Ravi.
Ravi : Nice to see you here, madam!
Teacher : I‘ve just moved to a new house and this shopping complex is the closest for us.
Ravi : Please meet my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Mrs. Kaul, our History teacher.
Parents : Glad to meet you, Mrs. Kaul. If you need any help, please feel free to ask us.
We live in K – 92, Greater Kailash.
Teacher : That‘s wonderful! I‘m in G –13. I‘m sure we‘ll be seeing more of each other.
Thank you very much for your offer.
Parents : Good-bye!
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. shopping complex : a group of shops in a building

(i) Short #Conversations

Conversation 1

Sita : Hello! I‘m Sita.

Daya : I‘m Daya.
Sita : Happy to meet you, Daya.
Daya : Glad to meet you, too.
 Conversation 2
Rita : Hello! I‘m Rita.
Binti : I‘m Binti. I‘m from Baroda.
Rita : A pleasure meeting you. I‘m from Ranchi.
Binti : Very pleased to meet you, too.

Conversation 3
Ragini : Hello, Binti. How are you?
Binti : Very well, thank you. And you?
Ragini : I‘m fi ne. It‘s good to see you again.
Binti : I‘m very happy to see you, too.

Conversation 4
Sita : I‘m so happy to see you again, Gita.
Gita : Yes, it‘s been ages since we met.
Sita : How have things been with you?
Gita : Good. I‘ve finally wound up my thesis.

Conversation 5
Rita : Hello, Gita! I‘m so pleased to meet you!
Gita : I‘m so glad to meet you, too!
Rita : What have you been doing lately?
Gita : Nothing much, just reading books.

Conversation 6
Binti : What a pleasant surprise! When did you come back?
Sita : I got back last night.
Binti : Did you enjoy the vacation?
Sita : Yes, I had a wonderful time. Thank you.

Conversation 7
Sita : May I introduce myself ? I‘m Sita.
Gita : I‘m Gita. Lovely meeting you, Sita.
Sita : Do you live in Delhi?
Gita : No, I‘m on a short visit to the capital.
---------------------------------------------------
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. pleasure: feeling of joy or happiness
2. it‘s been ages: a long time
3. wound up: completed, finished
4. lately : in the past few days
5. pleasant: surprise unexpected joy
6. vacation: period of rest, holidays
7. wonderful : excellent, very good

(iv) Meeting a new #student in school

Rina : Hi, I‘m Rina.

Ragini : I‘m Ragini.
Rina : Haven‘t seen you around. Are you a new student?
Ragini : Yes, it‘s my first day today and I‘m a little nervous.
Rina : What class are you in?
Ragini : Class XI. I‘ve taken Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Rina : Oh! That‘s great. I‘ve also opted for the same subjects, so we‘ll be together.
Ragini : Good! After talking to you I‘m feeling a lot better.
Rina : Come, I‘ll introduce you to the rest of the class.
Ragini : Thank you very much.
In the classroom
Rina : Hello, everybody. This is Ragini. Today is her fi rst day in school.
Students : Hello, Ragini. Welcome to the class.
Ragini : Thank you. I‘m looking forward to being here.
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. nervous worried, tense
2. opted selected, decided on
3. looking forward to thinking with pleasure about something
that is going to happen

(viii) #Meeting at an #office

Receptionist : Good morning Sir. How can I help you?

Mr Das : I‘d like to meet Mr Sarkar, the General Manager of the Fans Division.
Receptionist : May I know your name and the purpose of your visit?
Mr Das : My name is Ravi Das. I was advised to see Mr. Sarkar regarding the
formalities for joining the company.
Receptionist : I will check if he is free. Please have a seat, Mr Das.
Mr Das: Thank you.
Receptionist : (On the intercom) Sir, Mr Ravi Das is here to see you.
Mr Sarkar : Send him in.
Receptionist : Mr Das, the General Manager will see you now. Please go down this
corridor, turn left and it‘s the second room on the right.
Mr Das : Thank you, ma‘am.
In Mr Sarkar‟s office
Mr Das : May I come in, Sir?
Mr Sarkar : Yes, come in Mr Das. Welcome to the organization. Please sit down.
Mr Das : Thank you, Sir.
Mr Sarkar : Would you like some tea or coffee?
Mr Das : Tea will be fi ne, thank you.
Mr Sarkar : I‘ll call Mr Gopal who handles administration. He‘ll help you complete the
joining formalities and show you around the offi ce .
Mr Das : Thank you sir.
Mr Sarkar : I‘ll see you later. I‘m sure you‘ll enjoy working with us. All the best!
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. formalities paperwork, official procedure
2. intercom internal communication system
3. corridor passage or gallery with doors
leading into many rooms
4. organization a group of people working
together
5. handles administration looks after the working of the

Boy: Do you like folk music, Tina?

Girl: No, I don‘t like it very much, do you?
Boy: Yes, I love it. Kumar Basnet is my favourite singer.
What kind of music do you like?
Girl: Well, I like pop music a lot.
Boy: Really? Who‘s your favourite singer?
Girl: Sugam Pokhrel. How about you? Do you like him?
Boy: He‘s OK. But I‘m fond of Nima Rumba.
Girl: Do you like playing cricket, Max?
Boy: Yes, I love it. What about you?

(ii) Two persons #introducing themselves

Sita : Hello, I am Sita. I‘m from Uttar Pradesh and I live in Agra.
Manjeet : Hello, I am Manjeet. I‘m from Punjab. How old are you Sita?
Sita : I‘m twelve years old. What about you?
Manjeet : I‘m twelve years old too! I live and study in Bhatinda. Where do you study?
Sita : I study in Class VI in Tiny Tots Public School.
Manjeet : What are your hobbies?
Sita : I like to read books and play chess.
Manjeet : I too love to play chess .
Sita : We have a lot in common. We can be good friends.
Manjeet : That sounds great! I‘d love to be friends with you.

(iii) #Introducing a #friend

Rina : Hello, Riya. Do come in. I hope you didn‘t fi nd it diffi cult to locate the house?
Riya : Not at all. The directions you gave me were perfect.
Rina : Riya, come and meet my family. These are my parents. This is my younger sister
Shiraz and this is Riya, my classmate.
Riya : Good morning Aunty, good morning Uncle. Hello Shiraz. I‘m really pleased to
meet you all. I‘ve heard so much about you from Rina.
Shiraz : We are pleased to meet you too.
Rina : Come Riya let‘s go up to my room and complete the project. Then we can relax.
Riya : That‘s a good idea.
Word Meaning
1. locate : find
____________________________

Sam: Hello! I‟m Sam.

Mahendra: Hi! I‟m Mahendra. You are new here, aren‟t you?
Sam: Yes, I‟ve joined the school today. Have you been teaching
here long?
Mahendra: Not very long. I joined this school a year ago. Welcome to
the school. I hope you like it here.
Sam: Thank you.
Mahendra: Come, I‟ll introduce you to some teachers here. She‟s Tina
Kumar. Tina, this is Sam. He has joined our school today
in place of Sunita who left last month.
Tina: Hello! Nice to have you in the school.
Sam: Thanks.
(i) A family get #together

Grandfather : What a nice family get-together!

Ramesh (elder son) : It‘s so nice to have Raghu, his wife Rani, and our nephew Hans here
today.
Grandmother : It‘s the best way to celebrate Holi.
Laxmi (Ramesh‟s wife) : What fun! Look Hans is happy with his new cricket bat.
Jaya (Ramesh and Laxmi‟s daughter) : Come Hans, let‘s play cricket with your new bat.
Hans (Raghu and Rani‟s son) : Thank you didi, I‘d love to play with you!
Raghu (younger son) : Jaya looks happy to have her cousin, Hans here.
Grandmother : Wait children! Haven‘t you forgotten something?
Raghu : What have we forgotten?
Grandmother : It‘s your niece Jaya‘s birthday today.
Rani (Raghu‟s wife) : Oh yes! It‘s the 19th of March. How old are you today Jaya?
Jaya : I am twelve years old today.
Everyone : Happy birthday Jaya. God bless you.
Ramesh : Where is the cake Laxmi?
Laxmi : Just a minute. Let me bring it.
Hans : May I please put the candles on the cake?
Laxmi : Of course you may. Now Jaya, blow out the candles.
Rani : Jaya, cut the cake and give grandmother and grandfather a piece
fi rst.
Grandmother : Let‘s have a family photograph
Word Meaning
1. get-together : meeting/gathering
2. nephew : the son of ones brother or sister
3. niece : the daughter of one‘s brother or sister
4. cousin : a child of your aunt or uncle
Here are some questions you can ask when talking about #family.

"How are your parents doing?"

"Are your parents healthy and well?"

"Do you still live with your parents?"

"Do you live near any family members?"

"Where do your in-laws live?"

"Do you see your family frequently?"

"Do you ever have family reunions?"

You can respond to these types of questions in multiple ways. Here are some examples.

"My parents are doing well."

"My father is getting old, but otherwise, healthy."

"My mother has been complaining about chest pains. I hope it isn't anything serious."

"Yeah. I live with my parents. It saves me some rent money."

"Just for another year until I get back on my feet."

"No. I moved out several years ago. I have my own apartment now."

"My in-laws are in Ohio." (pronounced as „Ohie-O‟)

"I grew up in Florida, so my in-laws are there. We moved to California 5 years ago."

"My family lives in the area so I usually see them once a month."

"My family lives pretty far away, so I only see them a couple times a year."

"We have a family reunion every 5 years."

"No, but I wish we could."

"We used to, but everyone is too busy these days, so we haven't had one in a while now."

"How do I find a good gym?"

"What vitamin supplements do you use?"

"How often do you go to the doctors to get a regular check up?"

"Now that I am getting older, I wonder what I have to do to stay healthy."

"I need to find a good way to exercise without putting too much pressure on my knees."

You may also find yourself asking some of these questions:

"Have you ever been on a successful diet?"

"Have you ever tried yoga?"

"Have you ever used a personal trainer?"

"Do you belong to a gym?"

"How do I find information on diet?"

"What is some healthy food?"

"Should I use a weight loss system/company?"

__________________________________________

How can I stop smoking?"

"How can I cut down on drinking?"

"How can I reduce my eating?"

"I should stop smoking."

"I think I drink too much."

"I have to watch what I eat."

"I have a bad habit of interrupting people when they speak."

"I have a habit of smoking when I drink."

"Why are most habits bad for you? I wish I had a habit of eating vegetables."

#Birthday

"My birthday this year is on a Monday. Should I have the party on a Saturday instead?"
"Should we have a surprise birthday party?"
"Who do I invite?"
"What's the best way to send out invitations?"
"Should we have people RSVP? RSVP means 'Please respond.' You are asking people to let you
know if they are attending beforehand so you can plan ahead."
"Should we reserve a room for the party?"
"Where should we get a cake?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"I would have the party on Saturday then more people might be able to come."
"It does not really matter, have it whenever you like."

"He does not like surprises so I would just do a regular party."

"A surprise party would be fun, just make sure he does not find out."

"I would just invite family since it's a small party."

"You could invite friends and family. Make it a big party this year."

"You could just pass out invites when you see the people."
"I would mail them since it is a surprise party."

"I would have people RSVP so you will know how many people are coming."
"Having people RSVP lets you plan the party easier."

"I would reserve a room so no one else is using it."

"They require a reservation so they can plan ahead for your party."

"We should get a cake at the bakery."

"We should get an ice cream cake from the ice cream store."

******** R.S.V.P. stands for a French phrase, "répondez, s'il vous plaît," which means "please reply."
The person sending the invitation would like you to tell him or her whether you accept or decline the
invitation. That is, will you be coming to the event or not? ******

"Should we reserve a room?"

"Should we get there early to decorate?"

"Should we buy decorations?"

"Should we have the party catered?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"If we reserve a room we can have them decorate for us."

"Let's just have the party here at home to save money."

"Yes if we get there early we can decorate and be done with it."

"Not really, we can decorate anytime."

"Yes we should go out and buy lots of decorations."

"We can just use stuff we have around here. We can just make a couple signs."

"Having it catered would be great! Then we do not have to cook."

"Catering is too expensive. Let's just cook the food ourselves."

Listen to two people talking.

A: Do you live in a flat?

B: No, I don‘t. I live in a house.
A: What‘s it like? Does it have a garden?
B: Yes, it does. And it has a beautiful view. It‘s just next to
the river.
A: That sounds good. Do you live alone?
B: No, I don‘t. I live with my parents and my sisters.
A: How many sisters do you have?
B: I have three sisters.
A: That‘s a big family. Do you have a big house?
B: Yes, we do. It has twelve rooms.
A: Twelve rooms! How many bedrooms does it have?
B: It has five bedrooms.
A: Do you have your own bedroom?
B: Yes, I do. In fact, everyone has their own bedroom.
A: That‘s very nice.

(ii) #Cleaning the house

Mother : Thank God for Sundays!

Daughter : Mummy, today I can help you with the cleaning of the house.
Father : I‘ll wash the car and do a bit of gardening, too.
Son : I also want to help. I‘ll separate the wet garbage from the plastics and put
the wet garbage into the compost pit.
Mother : (to the daughter) Sita, get all the dirty clothes and woollens. You can hand
wash the woollens and put the heavy clothes into the washing machine.
Daughter : I must remember to clean my closet and dust my room.
Father : Son, will you remove the cobwebs?
Son : Yes Dad. I‘ll do that as soon as I‘ve cleared the garbage.
Mother : I‘m off to the kitchen. It needs a very thorough cleaning.
Father : It needs to be organized as well. Yesterday I spent about ten minutes
looking for a can-opener, and couldn‘t fi nd one!

(iv) #Helping in the #kitchen

Mother : Rina, I want some help today.

Rina : Are we having visitors?
Mother : Papa has invited some colleagues for dinner.
Rina : Oh! What do you want me to do?
Mother : Your regular chores.
Rina : Alright, I know. I have to knead the dough, wash and chop the vegetables and
lay the table in the evening .
Mother : Rina, take out the blue plates and the napkins that go with them. The cutlery
has to be taken out too.
Rina : Is that all?
Mother : Thank you Rina. I really don‘t know what I‘d do without your help.
Now let me get into the kitchen and start cooking. I‘m making a special dessert.
Rina : Is it kheer?
Mother : Yes, it is.
Rina : Good!

Word Meaning

1. colleague : person with whom one works.

2. chores : tasks, responsibilities.
3. Knead : : press with the hands to form a paste.
4. Dough : thick mixture of fl our, water, etc.
5. Cutlery : knives, forks and spoons for eating and serving food.
6. Dessert : pudding, sweet dish.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A: This soup is delicious. How do you make it?
B: Well it‘s very simple. You need some fresh vegetables like
cauliflower, carrots and peas. You also need some flour.
A: OK, then?
B: First cut up the vegetables and shell the peas. Then boil
some water. After that put the vegetables in the water. Let
them boil for about two minutes.
A: All right. What next?
B: Next add some flour and stir for some time. Then add salt
to taste and simmer the soup until it becomes thick.
Finally chop up some onions and cut some coriander
leaves and put them in the soup. Now the soup is ready
to serve.
A: That‘s it! Thanks for the recipe.
B-Now make notes about your own favourite dish.
What is it?
What ingredients do you need to make it?
How do you make it?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Situation: Mrs. Anderson is baking cakes when her daughter Debbie gets home from school.

Debbie: Mom, I am home.

Mrs. Anderson: How was school? How did you do on the test?
Debbie: School was OK, and I did great on the test. Mom, I was so worried about that test , but
now I feel great. What a relief!
Mrs. Anderson: I am glad to hear that. You have been studying so hard the past few weeks.
Now, you can relax and enjoy life.
Debbie: What are you cooking? It smells so good.
Mrs. Anderson: I am baking cakes. This is your favorite carrot cake.
Debbie: It looks really yummy. And I see muffins over there too. You were busy, weren‘t you?
Mrs. Anderson: Yes. Jeff has to take something to school tomorrow. So, those muffins are for
him. Don‘t touch them.
Debbie: Can I have a piece of carrot cake? I want to enjoy life right now.
Mrs. Anderson: You don‘t want to wait until after dinner?
Debbie: It looks inviting, and I bet it is delicious. No, I don‘t want to wait. Can I, mom?
Mrs. Anderson: OK, go ahead.
Debbie: Did you see the new recipe that was posted on Today Cooking‘s website? I believe it
was called Scrumptious Pie.
Mrs. Anderson: No, I did not. But I want to try that recipe. Your dad loves pie.
Debbie: So do I.
Mrs. Anderson: So does Jeff. Our whole family is crazy about pie.
Debbie: When do you want to try the new recipe? I want to learn too. Should we bake a cherry
pie or an apple pie?
Mrs. Anderson: Since this is the cherry season, let‘s make a cherry pie. Tomorrow, I will get
some cherries at the supermarket, and we can start baking in the afternoon when you get home
from school.
Debbie: I need to finish a science project, and I will not get home until 3:30. Will it be too late to
start baking, mom? If it is, you can start without me.
Mrs. Anderson: 3:30 PM is fine. I will prepare dinner early, and then I will have everything
ready for our baking session before you get home.
Debbie: Make sure that we still have enough sugar and eggs, mom. It seems like you were using
a lot of sugar and eggs baking the cakes and muffins today.
Mrs. Anderson: Don‘t worry. We still have plenty of sugar and a lot of eggs, enough to make at
least ten pies.
Debbie: Ten pies, huh? Ten sounds like a good number, but let‘s not overdo it. Let‘s make nine
and a half pies instead.
Mrs. Anderson: OK, we will make nine and a half pies tomorrow. No more, no less.
Debbie: It is a deal.
Mrs. Anderson: Enough about baking pies. I need to start working on today‘s dinner. It is three
o‘clock already. Your dad and Jeff will be home soon. I am sure they will be very hungry and
will want dinner right away.
Debbie: What do we have for dinner tonight?
Mrs. Anderson: I will make roast beef and cream of mushroom soup.
Debbie: It has been a long time since you made cream of mushroom soup. Do you need any
help, mom?
Mrs. Anderson: No, go do your homework and leave the cooking to me.
Debbie: Thanks, mom. Call me whenever dinner is ready. I do not want to be late for roast beef,
cream of mushroom soup, carrot cake and muffins.
Mrs. Anderson: The muffins are for Jeff. Do not touch them!
Debbie: I know, mom. Just kidding

Questions/Answers Practice

Pair the students and have them practice the following questions and answers. Ask them to come
up with similar questions and answers.
Q: What are you doing? A: I am preparing breakfast.
Q: What is she cooking? A: She is cooking steak.
Q: What is your plan after work? A: I plan to bake a cake for Mary.
Q: Is the turkey ready? A: No, it is not done yet.
Q: How do you like your steak? Rare, medium A: Well done, please.
or well done?
Q: What happened to the ribs? A: I overcooked them, and they were
burned.
Q: How should I bake the cherry pie? A: Bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Q: How is my chicken soup? A: It is very tasty.
Q: How is my fish? A: It tastes very good.
Q: How is my stew? A: Not too sweet, not too salty. Just perfect.
Q: Do you like my muffins? A: I love them.
Q: What should I put in my stew? A: A lot of ingredients besides salt.

(v) Sharing the day‟s #experiences

Ravi : Good to have you back early today, Dad.

Father : Yes, it feels good . What about your presentation, Ravi?
Ravi : It was pretty good. The examiner asked me a few tricky questions towards the
end of the presentation but I managed alright.
Mother : How was your day at the office?
Father : Oh ! I had a very busy day. The boss was on leave so I had to take
care of his work too.
Rina : I had the most fantastic day in school. Two of our teachers were absent.
So another teacher made us play games which we enjoyed.
Father : Neena , did you go shopping with your sister?
Mother : No, she called to say she was unwell. So we postponed our shopping trip till
tomorrow.
Father : Then it must have been a relaxed day for you?
Mother : Yes, I watched TV and also got time to catch up with my reading.
I did a lot of cooking too.
Ravi : So we can look forward to an exotic meal!
Word Meaning
1. tricky: problematic, diffi cult, complicated
2. postponed : to arrange for an event to take place at a later time or date
3. exotic :out of the ordinary

(vi) At the #dining table

Rohit : Mother, I‘m hungry. Can we have dinner please?

Mother : Dinner‘s ready. Rohit, please lay the table.
Rohit : Alright, I‘ll do that.
Mother : Remember to put a plate for each person, two bowls, a spoon and a glass. Also
take out three serving spoons. Now call Kajal and papa to the table.
Kajal : The food smells delicious!
Rohit : My favourite peas and potato curry.
Father : Serve yourselves and pass the dishes around.
Word Meaning
1. bowls : deep, round hollow dishes.

(vii) #Consoling a friend

Ravi : Sumit, What‘s the matter? Why are you looking so down and out?
Sumit : My cycle was stolen from school yesterday.
Ravi : Where did you park it?
Sumit : The usual place, behind the canteen.
Ravi : Don‘t worry. Somebody must be playing a prank. I‘m sure you‘ll fi nd it.
Sumit : I hope so.
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. down and out: worried, upset
2. playing a prank : practical joke

Receptionist : Good morning, Dr. Gupta‘s clinic.

Mr. Rao : I‘d like to take an appointment with Dr. Gupta please.
Receptionist : Kindly hold on. I‘ll just check.
Will tomorrow afternoon suit you?
Mr. Rao : No, I‘m in a lot of pain and I really must see him today.
Receptionist : Just a moment please.
I think you can come in at 1:30 this afternoon. Will that be alright?
Mr. Rao : Yes, that will be fine.
Receptionist : May I know your name, please?
Mr. Rao : Raghu Rao.
Receptionist : Please be here at 1.30 Mr. Rao.
Mr. Rao : I will. Thank you very much.
Word Meaning
1. appointment: arrangement for meeting

#Accident 

Ramesh : Ratan, your leg is in plaster! What happened?

Ratan : I was hit by a speeding three-wheeler.
Ramesh : Oh no! Were you on your bicycle?
Ratan : No, I was walking to college.
Ramesh : So, how did this happen?
Ratan : It was entirely my fault. I was holding the cellphone to my ear with one
hand and I was carrying books in the other.
Ramesh : And …………., if I may complete the story, you were not paying attention
and did not use the zebra crossing either.
Rattan : That‘s right. I was very careless.
Ramesh : This is a small price you have paid. Don‘t use your cell phone on the road
again.

(iv) A #fracture

Amit : Ratan, how did you manage to fracture your leg?

Ratan : I fell off a tree.
Amit : Is it a hairline fracture or a compound fracture?
Ratan : Unfortunately it‘s a compound fracture.
Amit : So your leg will be in plaster for many weeks?
Ratan : Yes, Amit. No school and no football for six weeks.
Amit : Don‘t worry too much. It will pass.

#Stomach #ache

Ravi : Ram, what‘s the matter? You don‘t look well.

Ram : I have a severe stomach ache.
Ravi : For how long have you been having this pain?
Ram : For the past three days.
Ravi : You mean it‘s persistent?
Ram : Yes.
Ravi : Don‘t neglect it. You may have appendicitis or a stone in the kidney.
Ram : Don‘t frighten me!
Ravi : Go and consult a doctor. I hope it‘s nothing serious.
Ram : I hope not. I‘ll go for a check up.
Ravi : If you need any help just give me a call.
1. severe: very bad, intense
2. ache: pain
3. persistent : continuing, carrying on
4. appendicitis: infl ammation of the appendix

(i) #Shopping for #stationery

Customer : I‘m setting up a new offi ce. I need some stationery.

Shop keeper : Sir, we are very well stocked. Please tell me what you need.
Customer : Good. Please give me two reams of paper, a clip board, a dozen
blue and a dozen black gel ball point pens, a box of erasers, two
dozen pencils and two bottles of correction fl uid.
Shop keeper : We have a new all-purpose correction pen also. Would you like to
try it?
Customer : Yes, give me two please. I also need a stapler, a tape dispenser and
a punching machine. Please add these to the list.
Shop assistant : Is that all?
Customer : I think that‘s all for the present. Please make the bill in the name of
Usha Sales Corporation, New Delhi.
Shop assistant : Right sir. I‘ll have your things packed and ready in a few minutes.

(ii) #Shopping for #clothes

Customer : Good morning.

Shop assistant : Good morning sir. Can I help you?
Customer : Yes please. I‘d like to see some shirts.
Shop assistant : For formal wear or casual wear?
Customer : Formal. Something that I can wear with a dark suit.
Shop assistant : What is your collar size?
Customer : It‘s 42 cms.
Shop assistant : Any colour preference?
Customer : Yes I‘d like something in blue.
Shop assistant : I‘ll show you the entire range. Do you like any of these?
Customer : That one looks nice.
Shop assistant : Yes sir. It is guaranteed fast colour, pre-shrunk, and wrinkle-free.
Customer : How much does it cost?
Shop assistant : _ 450/- only.
Customer : That seems quite reasonable. I‘ll take it.
Shop assistant : Please pay at the cash counter. Do come again.
Customer : Thank you
Mira : Excuse me.
Shopkeeper : Yes madam. What can I show you?
Mira : I‘d like a pair of sandals.
Shopkeeper : Any particular colour?
Mira : Yes, a brown or an off-white with low heels.
Shopkeeper : What is your foot size?
Mira : It should be a Bata size 6.
Shopkeeper : Right. I‘ll show you the full range.
Mira : Let me try on this pair. I prefer one with a buckle.
Shopkeeper : These seem to fi t you well.
Mira : Yes thank you. What is the price of this pair?
Shopkeeper : It will cost _ 275.
Mira : Please pack these.
Shopkeeper : You can make the payment at the cash counter.
Mira : Thank you.

Shopping for #fruit

Mrs A. : I want you to prepare a good fruit basket for me. Could you show me some
fresh seasonal fruit?
Lala ji : Yes madam. I have some very good mangoes, pears and peaches.
Mrs A. : What is the cost of these mangoes?
Lala ji : The langra mangoes are _ 40 per kg and the dasheri are _ 35 per kg.
Mrs A. : Do you have apples?
Lala ji : Yes, I have a variety of apples. I also have pineapples and apricots. Shall I
add them to the fruit basket?
Mrs A : Yes please do.
Lala ji : I‘ll also put in some pomegranates and peaches too.
Mrs A. : Alright. Pack these and please cover the basket with red cellophane paper.
Lala ji : Yes madam.
Mrs A : How much will that be?
Lala ji : _ 650, which includes the packing cost.

#Vegetables

Customer : Please show me some fresh green vegetables.

Shopkeeper : What would you like? Everything is fresh.
Customer : Alright, please give me one small caulifl ower and half a kilo of brinjals.
Shopkeeper : What else can I give you?
Customer : 1 kilo of potatoes, 1 kilo of onions, 250 grams of ginger, 100 grams of
garlic, and half a kilo of tomatoes. Don‘t forget to put in some green chillies
and coriander.
Shopkeeper : What about a watermelon?
Customer : Alright give me this small one.
Shopkeeper : I will weigh it. It‘s 2 kilos and 250 grams. It‘ll cost you _ 18.
Customer : Okay, how much does the total come to.
Shopkeeper (Starts weighing and packing into polythene bags)
Customer : Oh no!! No polythene bags. I have brought my cloth bags along.
Shopkeeper : That‘s very thoughtful of you. Your bill is _ 78.

#Medical

Father : Suniti, why are you in bed?

Suniti : I have fever and a stomach ache too.
Father : We must consult a doctor at once.
They consult a doctor. The doctor examines Suniti and writes out a prescription.

Short #courses during a #vacation

Student 1 : I have a three week break after this semester. Can you suggest something I
can do in that time?
Student 2 : There are a number of short courses that you can take during this period.
Student 1 : In what subjects?
Student 2 : Well….if for example, you want to brush up your skills in spoken and
written English, then enroll for the crash course beginning on May 22nd
in the English Department.
Student 1 : What are the timings?
Student 2 : From 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Student 1 : That will be really useful, and I will have the day ahead to do something
else.
Student 2 : If there is not too much pressure of work then you can also enroll for a
Computer Course from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Student 1 : I‘ll take up the challenge. It‘ll be a well utilized holiday. Thanks for all the
information.

Word/Phrase Meaning

1. semester: term
2. brush up your skills: to improve
3. enroll : join, register for
4. the day ahead : the remaining hours of the day
5. too much pressure : too much work
6. take up the challenge: try my best to do it
7. utilized: spent, used

#Career #counselling

Counsellor : Hello, Mrs Kumar. How can I assist you?

Mrs. Kumar : I spoke to you over the telephone yesterday about career guidance.
Counsellor : Oh yes! I remember. I have been through your résumé. I notice with great
appreciation your excellent work as a volunteer with rural women
and disabled children.
Mrs. Kumar : Thank you. I have always enjoyed such work. But now I‘ve come to a stage
in my life where I need guidance.
Counsellor : What are your options?
Mrs. Kumar : The options are to continue working in the charity sector or go back to a
salaried job at a hospital.
Counsellor : How are you placed with regard to fi nances?
Mrs. Kumar : Not very sound unfortunately.
Counsellor : In that case you should go back to your part-time salaried job and spend
the rest of your time doing voluntary work.
Mrs. Kumar : Thank you very much for all the help. I appreciate your guidance.

Word Meaning
1. assist: help
2. résumé : a short summary of a person‘s personal profi le
3. appreciation : admiration
4. rural : countryside, village
5. disabled : unable to use a limb or limbs
6. guidance: help or advice that is given

For a #promotion

Ravi : Good morning Sir. Heartiest congratulations!

Manager : Thank you, Ravi.
Ravi : Sir, it is a well deserved promotion.
Manager : Thank you once again.

#PROMOTION

Situation: Tom was just promoted to a managerial position, and he is concerned about the fact
that he has never managed people before. Lucy is trying to reassure Tom that he will be doing
fine in the new position.
Tom: I have really good news today. Oh! I am so happy.
Lucy: What is your good news, Tom?
Tom: I got a promotion today. You are looking at the new supervisor of the Marketing
department.
Lucy: Wow, this is great news! I am so glad for you. So, you will start your new job this coming
Monday?
Tom: No, I need to finish my current projects in the Sales department before I move over to
Marketing. I probably will start my new job a week from Monday.
Lucy: You have a lot of experience with this company. They will be very helpful to you in your
new position.
Tom: I know. However, I have never supervised people before. I hope I will be able to cope with
all the new responsibilities.
Lucy: You will do fine. You are a natural leader, and you will lead well.
Tom: You think so, Lucy?
Lucy: I know so. You are always good at coaching people. You led your soccer team to victory
last year, didn‘t you?
Tom: Leading a soccer team and leading a Marketing department are not quite the same.
Lucy: Yes, they are in a way. First, being a supervisor means building a good team where
members work well with each other, right?
Tom: Right. If members of a team do not understand their own tasks as well as the tasks of their
teammates, it will be chaos.
Lucy: Second, a supervisor needs to identify his employees‘ working habits and the job
requirements in order to build a better work environment, right?
Tom: Yes. In order for me to improve my employees‘ performance, I need to understand their
working habits and their skills. Then, I can give them a little bit of coaching if the need arises.

Lucy: Third, you need to find out what motivates your employees, right?
Tom: Yes again. Everybody needs to be motivated, either to find a better way of doing one‘s job
or putting in extra effort to perform better.
Lucy: Things will not always run smoothly. There will be problem employees. So, fourth, you
need to know how to coach, or how to counsel, or even how to discipline, right?
Tom: Right. This is the worst part of being a supervisor. You need to be strong enough to cope
with problem employees, to be wise enough to counsel them, and even be ―mean‖ enough to
discipline them.
Lucy: Things will change, and your department needs to be able to adapt to changes, right?
Tom: Yes, technological changes happen every day. I need to get my employees ready for
changes as well as to reinforce the need for change sometimes.
Lucy: And if you come up with new ideas, you need to be able to ―sell‖ your ideas to your boss
and your employees, right?
Tom: There is no need to come up with new ideas if you cannot convince people of their value.
Lucy: You need to set yourself out as an example for your employees. Therefore, you should
have a good understanding of your responsibilities, work hard and work well with others, be alert
of changes, and last but not least, understand the values and goals of your company.
Tom: If I want to lead, then I need to prove that I am a good leader.
Lucy: Those are the things that you need to do in your new position. Even though they are not
exactly the same as coaching a soccer team, you will do fine. All you need to do is change your
leadership style a little bit in this new environment.
Tom: Thanks for the note of confidence, Lucy.
Lucy: You are welcome, Tom.

GIVING A #SPEECH

Situation: Jennifer is going to give a speech on Global Warming, and she is quite nervous about
the whole process. Mary is trying to calm Jennifer down by giving her some tips on how to
deliver a good speech.
Jennifer: I will have to give a presentation on global warming on Friday, and I am so nervous.
Mary: There are a lot of things you can do to make you feel more confident and less nervous.
Jennifer: What should I do, Mary?
Mary: First of all, you need to understand the subject matter thoroughly. You need to know what
is global warming, what causes global warming, and what people should do to abate the effects
of global warming.
Jennifer: I have done a lot of research on the subject, and I know I can answer any questions I
will receive from the audience.
Mary: The next thing that you need is an outline of your presentation. You should think about
how to effectively present the subject matter.
Jennifer: You mean what I should talk about, or more precisely the sequence of my
presentation?
Mary: Yes, what you should present first, second, third…
Jennifer: If that is the case, then I already have an outline. To make it easy for my audience to
follow the presentation, I intend to post the outline on the board at all time during my speech.
Mary: Good idea! By the way, do you have any facts to back you up? For example, change of
climate, yearly disasters…
Jennifer: No, I have not thought about that. I better get some statistics from the Internet. I
should not have any problems since the Internet has all kinds of data.
Mary: Good. It is easier to convince people and to hold their attention with actual data. It would
be even better if you show some pictures along the way. Do you have any?
Jennifer: No, it is another thing to add to my To Do list. I guess I will need at least two or three
pictures to persuade people about the dangers of global warming.
Mary: Pictures will keep your audience from being bored. In order for you to succeed, you need
to keep them interested and involved Jennifer: What else do I need? Is there anything else I can do
to help me relax and be at ease
during my presentation?
Mary: You need to practice your presentation. Just pretend that you are standing in front of your
audience and start to give your speech.
Jennifer: Pretending is one thing; actually giving a speech is another thing.
Mary: Think positive. Tell yourself that you can do it without any problems.
Jennifer: I guess I can look at this as a presentation of my point of view to my friends. I mean a
lot of my friends. I mean all the friends that I have made since kindergarten, plus all the relatives
that I have on both my mother and father‘s sides.
Mary: If you are really prepared, it will be a piece of cake. You will be able to speak with ease
and confidence, and you will be amazed by how well you can express yourself.
Jennifer: I need to do this presentation really well. This is my first presentation in front of a big
audience, and it is so important to me.
Mary: This is only the beginning, Jennifer. Being able to express your ideas with confidence and
clarity is one of the best skills to possess.
Jennifer: You are absolutely right. I will take time to practice and to learn to relax and express
myself really well. Wish me luck, Mary!
Mary: I know you. You can do it. Good luck, Jennifer!

(iii) For getting #admission

Rina : Rajini you look very excited?

Rajini : Yes, I‘ve cleared the Medical Entrance Test.
Rina : That‘s great. Congratulations!
Rajini : Thanks.
Rina : I hope you get admission in a college of your choice.
Rajini : I hope so too.

For a new #car

Ravi : Rakesh, when did you get this new car?

Rakesh : Just a few minutes ago. I‘m driving straight from the showroom.
Ravi : Congratulations! The colour is very pleasing.
Rakesh : Thanks Ravi.

(v) For a new #house

Rajesh : Hello Anil, how are you?

Anil : Very well thank you.
Rajesh : I was taking a walk through the colony and I noticed that your house is
almost ready.
Anil : Yes, it is almost complete, just a few minor loose ends.
Rajesh : It looks grand. You‘ve put your heart and soul into making it. When are
you moving in?
Anil : We will move in on Saturday. In fact, that‘s why I‘m here. I‘ve come to invite
you to the house warming party on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Rajesh : Thanks. We‘ll be there and congratulations!
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. loose ends: work which is incomplete
2. heart and soul: with full enthusiasm
3. house warming party: a party thrown when one is moving into a new house

(vi) For getting an #award

Aunt : Sita, I hear that you‘ve won an award in an All India competition.
Sita : Yes aunty.
Aunt : What was the award for?
Sita : I participated in the All India Essay Writing Competition sponsored by the
Tata Group of Industries. I got the second prize.
Aunt : That‘s really great. Congratulations!
Sita : Thank you aunty.
Aunt : What was the topic?
Sita : We had to write on - ‗Building a new India‘
Aunt : That sounds very challenging.
Sita : Did you know that half a million students, from a thousand schools
participated?
Aunt : Really!
Sita : And they were from thirty one cities across the country.
Aunt : My goodness! That‘s a very wide coverage.

Request for #leave from #office

Asst. Mgr. : May I come in, sir?

Gen. Mgr. : Yes.
Asst. Mgr. : Sir, I have come to request you to grant me three days leave from July 6th
to 9th.
Gen. Mgr. : I hope all‘s well?
Asst. Mgr. : Sir, my mother had a minor accident. She slipped and fractured her ankle.
Gen. Mgr. : Give me the application. If you need any help please don‘t hesitate to ask.
Asst. Mgr. : Thank you, sir. That‘s very kind of you.

Taking #leave from a #get-together

Uday : I‘m sorry I must leave. My meeting starts in exactly fi fteen minutes from now.
Anand: I wish you could have stayed longer.
Uday : I too wish I could have stayed. I was enjoying the afternoon, but all good things
come to an end.
Anand: Bye. We will get together again.
Uday : Yes, we must. Thanks for coming even though it was for a short while.
Good bye.

Word/Phrase Meaning
1. Get-together: informal meeting or a party
2. a short while: very little time

#STUDYING FOR A #TEST

Situation: Two college students, Mary and Alexis, are studying for an upcoming sociology test.

Mary: Hey Alexis, I am glad you decided to come over to my house to study for our upcoming
exam. The sociology test seems to be very difficult. I have studied all the materials, but I am
still not confident about my performance this Friday.
Alexis: Yes, this test is going to be hard, but since you have covered all the materials, you
should be adequately prepared. I have read all the chapters, but I have not studied the notes from
the lectures. Let‘s do a review starting from chapter one and then we will work our way up
through chapter three. Does that sound OK to you?
Mary: That sounds like a good idea. Let‘s start!
Alexis: Well, in chapter one, the book covers the three fundamental points of view on sociology.
Do you know what these three points of view are?
Mary: Yes, I think I do. They are the Functionalist, the Conflict, and the Interactionist
perspectives. Is that right?
Alexis: Yes! You got it! Good job!
Mary: Thanks, Alexis! But what does each perspective believe?
Alexis: Well, you know what the Functionalist Perspective talks about. It is the easiest to
remember.
Mary: Oh yes! That one talks about how everyone has a function in society. It states that
everyone has a function in life where their collective actions will be put together for the benefit
of society.
Alexis: That is correct! No need to ask, but I think you understand very well what the other two
perspectives are all about, right?
Mary: Yes, I can explain very precisely what they are. There is no need for me to do a review
on them. Let‘s finish the other chapters.
Alexis: Well, how about you quiz me on chapter two.
Mary: Sure. Well, in chapter two, the book discusses Max Weber. Who was Max Weber and
what was his opinion on the issue of organization?
Alexis: Well, Max Weber was one of the founders of the modern study of sociology. He
believed that organizing requires communication, coordination, and control.
Mary: That is correct! You are doing really well too, Alexis!
Alexis: Thanks Mary! I feel pretty good about chapter two. Let‘s take a break right now and
we will finish going over the main parts of chapter three when we come back.
Mary: Chapter three is the most difficult chapter. I have read the chapter twice on top of
reviewing all my lecture notes, and it is still quite confusing. Maybe I just made a big deal out of
nothing.
Alexis: Chapter three covers quite a few different concepts. It might be better for us to write
down each concept and then carefully do a comparison of their similarities and differences. I bet
our teacher will ask us to write a short essay on each concept as part of the exam.
Mary: Do you think so? I better get myself prepared since we only have an hour to finish the
exam. I am never good at writing as I always have difficulties putting my thoughts on paper. I
have worked so hard to overcome this problem, but I still have not improved much. Maybe, I
have a tendency of over analyzing things.
Alexis: I do not think that is your problem. It is probably a case of anxiety. Try to relax and take
it easy. Things get worse when you do not have control of yourself.
Mary: I know, I know. However, I cannot help it. It is good that you suggested we take a break.
I need to have a clear mind when we start on chapter three. Let‘s go find something to eat and
listen to some soothing music for a while.
Alexis: OK, Mary.

#GRADUATION

Situation: Annie met Liz after she had purchased a graduation gift for her sister Veronica. Both
of them are talking about the graduation ceremony and Veronica‟s plan of action after finishing
four years of studies.
Liz: That is a very lovely bouquet of flowers. Who is it for?
Annie: These flowers are for my sister Veronica. Today is her graduation day.
Liz: It must have cost you a fortune.
Annie: I paid sixty dollars for it.
Liz: That is expensive.
Annie: Yes, but it is worth it. My sister worked very hard for her degree over the last four years.
Today is a very important day for her, and I want it to be special.
Liz: That is very nice of you. I wish it is our graduation day also.
Annie: Another three years and we will be done also. Three years seems to be a long time. Yet,
it is not too bad.
Liz: Where are they going to hold the graduation ceremony?
Annie: The ceremony will be held on upper campus near the library at 3:00PM.
Liz: I believe the school of Business and the school of Engineering hold the same graduation
ceremony.
Annie: That will be a big ceremony. Imagine all the graduating students from both schools along
with their relatives and acquaintances.
Liz: You better show up early; otherwise, there will not be a seat left for you.
Annie: I better get a seat close to the stage if I want to get good pictures of my sister.
Liz: I think all the seats up front are reserved for the graduating students. If you want to be close
to the stage, you probably will have to stand close by.
Annie: That will be good enough for me. I can snatch pictures of her when she walks by.
Liz: The University always has at least two professional photographers to take pictures of the
students when they go upstage for their diploma.
129
Annie: Yes, I heard that the photographers usually take a couple of pictures of each student—
ordinarily, when the students receive their diploma and when the school‘s President shakes their
hands in congratulation.
Liz: That will take care of the whole thing then. All the important moments will be captured on
film.
Annie: And after the ceremony, there will be plenty of time to take pictures of my sister with our
family and her friends.
Liz: The university store usually does not require the students to return their graduating gowns
and caps right after the ceremony.
Annie: Yes, Veronica has the option of returning them the next day.
Liz: She will be wearing a black gown and cap with a gold tassel, right?
Annie: Yes. I wonder how she will feel. She will probably be very excited, very happy, and also
very relieved to be done with her studies for now.
Liz: What do you mean by ―for now‖? Is she planning to pursue graduate studies?
Annie: Yes, but she plans to find a job first, and then she will go back to school for her Masters
degree.
Liz: You mean she will work for a while and then quit to go back to school full-time?
Annie: No, she needs to work to support herself. She will work full-time and go to school parttime
at night.
Liz: It will be hard to hold a full-time job while going to school.
Annie: I know it will not be easy; however, lots of people have done it. So, she can too.
Liz: I am sure she will be able to do that. She is such a smart person, and hard-working too.
Annie: I wish I am as disciplined as she is.
Liz: Have fun, Annie. Tell your sister that I send my best wishes.
Annie: Thanks. Bye, Liz.
Liz: Bye, Annie.

#Invitation for a #farewell #party ( #Invite )

Mr. Rao : We are planning to have a farewell party for Mr. Gupta. I‘d like you to look
into the arrangements and send the invitation to him. If it‘s convenient for
him, then please fi x it for the 5th of September at six in the evening.
Ravi : Yes, sir I‘ll do that. I‘ll also make all the arrangements.
Mr. Rao : Don‘t forget to inform the rest of the staff.
Ravi : I‘ll take care of that also.
Ravi (on the telephone): Good afternoon. May I speak to Mr. Gupta, please?
Mr. Gupta : Yes, it‘s Gupta speaking. May I know who‘s calling?
Ravi : Sir, this is Ravi from Jay Engineering.
Mr. Gupta : Hello, Ravi. How are you and how are things at the offi ce?
Ravi : Very well, thank you. Sir, we want to arrange a farewell for you on the 5th of
September at six in the evening. Does that suit you?
Mr. Gupta : Oh! That‘s very nice of you. Thank you. Yes, the date and time are fi ne. I‘ll
be there.
Ravi : Thank you sir. We look forward to seeing you. Good day.

#Invitation for a get-together

Sita : Reena, I‘m having a small get together on Saturday evening, at 4:30 p.m. I
would like you to join us.
Reena : Thank you very much for inviting me. What‘s the occasion?
Sita : It‘s the last day of school, so I thought we could get together and celebrate.
Reena : Who else is coming?
Sita : Probably the entire class.
Reena : That‘s great. I‘ll be there at 4:30 p.m. Do you need any help?
Sita : Oh yes! I will need a lot of help.
Reena : Alright, I‘ll come a little early.
Sita : That will be simply wonderful. Thanks.

#Invitation ( #Invite )
Neutral

I was wondering if you would like to join us for a meal.

Perhaps you would like to have dinner at my home.
Perhaps you would like to come round for a meal.
We wanted to invite you to dinner.
I thought you might like to try some of our local cuisine.
There‘s a really nice place just a few minutes from here/ round the corner/ down the road.
There‘s a pretty good place you might like which specializes in fish.
There‘s a great new place with a fantastic view of the city.

#Informal

Why not come round for a drink?

What about going out for a meal?
Why not join us for a drink?
Fancy going for a drink/ a meal?
There‘s a really nice place just a few minutes from here/ round the corner.
Shall we meet later tonight to discuss it over dinner?
Let‘s discuss it later over a drink.

#Accepting

That‘s very kind of you.

Thank you for inviting me.
I‘d like that very much.
I‘d be delighted to come.
Thank you. That‘d be very nice.
I‘ll look forward to it.
Yes, please.
Thanks.
That‘s/ What a good idea.
That sounds good/ fun.

Setting the details

What time should I come?

Where shall we meet?
Shall I pick you up?
What time/ Where shall I pick you up?
Shall we meet at half past seven?
Say at half past seven.
#invite #Invitation

A : Would you like to come and watch a game of cricket with

me tomorrow?
B : Thank you, I‟d love to.
What time does the game start?
A : It‟s at nine in the morning.
B : Shall I come and pick you up around half past eight?
A : That‟s fine.
II
A : We should be delighted if you could come and have dinner
with us this evening.
B : Thank you. That‟d give me great pleasure but what‟s the
occasion?
A : My daughter has passed her MCA Exam with distinction.
B : O great! My congratulations to her.
A : Thank you.
III
A : We‟re going to Ooty Flower show tomorrow.
Do you fancy coming along?
B : I‟d love to, but I‟ve got an exam tomorrow afternoon.
A : Its OK. Join us next time.
A : We are going out for dinner on Sunday. How about
joining us?
B : Thanks a lot. I‟ll come along.
2. A : We‟d be happy if you could attend my son‟s marriage
next Monday.
B : That‟s very kind of you to invite me, I‟d be delighted to
attend.
3. A : You‟ll enjoy being with us for high tea at the „Residency‟
day after. Won‟t you?
B : I wish I could, but I‟m afraid I am away for a conference
that day; but thank you very much.
 #Eating Together

Preparing a meal and eating together is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. While
doing this activity not only can you share foods you love but it is also a good opportunity to talk and
learn about one another. In this lesson, we will be covering everything you need to know from coming
up with a meal to prepare, cooking it together, and sharing a conversation.

#Invitation and #Planning

First you must choose a meal to share. Breakfast is eaten in the morning, lunch in the afternoon and
dinner in the evening. The steps for planning a menu are relatively the same for all three. When
planning a meal it is also important to try and come up with something you all will enjoy.

Here are some questions commonly used when asking someone to cook a meal and have dinner.

"Would you like to come over to my house and have dinner with me?"
"Maybe we could cook dinner together?"
"What time should we plan on getting together?"
"Do you have any suggestions on what we could make?"
"We should probably make a grocery list."
"Do you want to go to the grocery store together?"
"What grocery store do you prefer?"
"If we could go together do you want me to drive?"
"Should we pick up any wine or beer to drink at dinner?"
"Maybe we can split the grocery bill?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"Sure, I would love to come over for dinner. I really love to cook and it might give us some time to
catch up with one another."
"That sounds great. I am free tonight so I can definitely make it."
"Cooking dinner together sounds fun."

"I think that is a good idea, maybe we can share recipes."

"How does 5 o'clock sound?"
"I get off work at 5. I can go straight home to grab a few things and meet you around 6."

"I have this new recipe I have been dying to try. Do you like Italian food?"
"I am not too picky. I have some steak and chicken we can use."

"Yes we probably should make a list. I don't want to forget anything."

"I am pretty sure I will remember everything we need, but if you want to jot a few things down that is
ok with me."

"Sure, we can go to the grocery store together."

"Let's see what we both have at home to cook and maybe we can skip the grocery."

"I usually shop at Albertsons."

"I don't have a preference where we go."

"If it's ok I can just meet you there."

"Sure, you can drive if you don't mind."

"I do not drink alcohol but maybe we could grab some soda."
"Sure, wine sounds good with dinner. I prefer white wine."

"I think splitting the bill is a good idea."

"No big deal. I can buy the groceries this time and if we do this again you can treat."
 #Concert

Ravi : Sumit I have two tickets for Pandit Ravi Shankar‘s concert. Would you like to
join me?
Sumit : I would love to. When is it?
Ravi : It‘s at six this evening at the Kamani Auditorium. We‘ll leave at fi ve, so that we
make it on time.
Sumit : I‘ll be ready.
Ravi : I never miss any of his concerts.
Sumit : It will be my first experience today, thanks to you.

#Condolences 
(i) #Passing away of a #grandparent

Rina : Ragini, you haven‘t been coming to work. Is everything alright?

Ragini : Not really. My grandfather passed away, so I had gone to Jaipur for a week.
Rina : I‘m extremely sorry to hear that. When I met your grandfather earlier
this year, he seemed to be in perfect health. Did he take ill suddenly?
Ragini : Yes, it was very sudden. Last Friday, after he returned from his morning
walk, he felt a little uneasy and complained of a chest pain. Before any
help could be given, he had a massive cardiac arrest and collapsed.
Rina : That‘s very unfortunate. Even at 80, he was so jovial, energetic and full of
life.
Ragini : I know. Father has taken it rather badly.
Rina : Losing a parent at any age is diffi cult but they say, time is the best healer.
Ragini : Yes, it will take some time for him to accept the situation.
Rina : Take special care of him.
Ragini : Yes we will, and thanks so much for your concern.
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. uneasy: uncomfortable
2. cardiac arrest: heart failure
3. collapsed: fell down because of illness
4. unfortunate: unlucky, ill-fated
5. jovial : cheerful, jolly
6. taken it rather badly : to be very upset

#Passing away of a #spouse

Sunil : I was so shocked to hear about the sad demise of your wife. She was so young.
What happened?
Ravi : It was a brain haemorrhage that caused her death . It was very sudden
and unexpected.
Sunil : I can imagine the pain of losing a spouse specially when the children are so
young.
Ravi : Yes, it is extremely diffi cult. She was a loving mother and a very devoted wife.
Sunil : Ravi, my family and I are with you in this hour of grief. May God give you
courage to bear this loss.
Meanings
1. demise : death, the end
2. haemorrhage : severe bleeding inside a person‘s body
3. sudden : quick, at once
4. unexpected : something that comes as a surprise
5. spouse : a husband or wife
6. hour of grief : a time of sadness

#Death #upset
Student : May I know why you look sad, Sir?
19
Teacher : I‟m really upset; you know, my uncle passed away
day before yesterday.
Student : I‟m very sorry to hear that, Sir.
Teacher : In fact, it was he who brought me up. He was my
godfather too.
Student : How sad, Sir!
Teacher : We‟ll miss him a lot.
Student : Time is the best healer, Sir.
Teacher : Thank you for the comforting words.
Student : It was the least I could do.
Taking #advice on #cooking

Sujata : Hi Kavita! How are you?

Kavita : I‘m well thank you, Sujata.
Sujata : I‘ve been calling you but the line just doesn‘t connect when needed most.
Kavita : Anything urgent?
Sujata : Nothing really. Sunil has called some colleagues over for dinner. I thought I‘ll try
out one or two of your special dishes. You know I‘m not much of a cook.
Kavita : Come on Sujata! What are you planning to serve?
Sujata : I thought I‘ll try my hand at some Chinese cooking. Give me the recipe for
spring rolls and sweet and sour vegetable.
Kavita : You can borrow my Tarla Dalal‘s recipe book and follow the recipe to the letter.
You will be able to turn out the most exotic dishes.
Sujata : Thanks, Kavita. You‘ve really saved the day.
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. colleagues : a person you work along with
2. try my hand : try making
3. to the letter : follow precisely, exactly
4. exotic : out of the ordinary
5. saved the day : been a great help

#Cooking Together

Cooking the meal together is a fun time to talk, share recipes and work together.

Here are some questions commonly used when cooking a meal together.

"You have a preference on which job to do?"

"Do you mind heating up some water on the stove?"
"Do you have any different ways to prepare this meal?"
"Would you like something to drink while we are cooking?"
"Do you mind setting up the table for us?"
"Can you turn the oven on to 360 degrees?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"No, I really don't have a preference."

"Yes, I would really like to prepare the salad."

"No problem, I will heat the water up now."

"Sure I can heat it up. Do you mind it boiling?"

"I have a way to prepare this that my mom taught me."

"I don't really have any other ways. Let's just do what the recipe says."

"Sure, can I have a glass of water?"

"No thanks. I might just wait until dinner."
"Sure I can set the table."
"I have never set the table before. Do you have a particular way of doing it?"

"Yes, I can turn on the oven."

"No problem."
#Ask #Permission

Expressions for seeking, granting and refusing permission in

various situations are given below:

Formal Situations
Seeking permission : Might I have your permission to ……
With your permission I should like to…
Would it be all right if I …………
Granting permission: Permission is granted ……….
We are pleased to permit …..
Refusing permission : I‟m afraid we couldn‟t allow.
I‟m afraid we don‟t have the authority.
Informal Situations
Seeking permission : Any chance of borrowing …….
Mind if I borrow ……..
All right if I use …………..
Granting permission : It‟s OK / fine / all right
Go ahead.
Of course, you can.
Refusing permission : I‟d like to, but I can‟t ….
I can‟t possibly.
Sorry that‟s not on.
No way, I‟m afraid.
Neutral Situations
Seeking permission : Would it be possible ………..?
I wonder if you could ………
Do you mind if ……….. ?
Granting permission: By all means do ……..
Please don‟t hesitate.
Yes, certainly, you can.
Refusing permission : I don‟t really think you can.
I‟m afraid that‟s not possible.
I‟m sorry I‟m not supposed to allow…..

Arthi : Sheela, I lost my calculator. Mind if I use yours?

Sheela : No, not at all. You can have it.
Arthi : OK if I have this until this evening?
Sheela : Oh, sure.
Formal
#Permission for an #outing

Ravi : Dad !
Father : Hello, Ravi. How come you are up so early today?
Ravi : Dad, my friends are going for an outing to Badhkal Lake. Can I also go
with them?
Father: Have you forgotten that your Aunt is coming from Mumbai and she‘ll be with
us just for two days?
Ravi : Oh! I completely forgot. I don‘t think I‘ll go then. I‘ll persuade my friends to
postpone the trip to next Sunday.
1. persuade : convince, infl uence
2. postpone : put off, reschedule

#Eating and #Clean Up

Here are some questions commonly used while eating and then cleaning up afterwards.

"Do you mind if we pray before we eat?"

"I love your recipe for the chicken. Where did you get it?"
"Can you pass me the salt?"
"Would you like some dessert?"
"Can you help me clear the table?"
"Do you want to take home any leftovers?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"I normally do not pray but you can if you want."

"That sounds good. I will let you pray if that is ok."

"I found the recipe in a cookbook I have."

"My mom gave me the recipe a few years ago."

"Sure, here you go."

"Yes I can."

"Dessert sounds awesome."

"No thank you, I am too full to have dessert."

"Yes, let me help you clear the table."

"Sure, I will just put the dishes on the sink."

"Sure, I will take home some leftovers."

"No thanks. You can just save it so you can have something for tomorrow."

Here is a list of a few other statements you can say after eating.

"Thank you for a wonderful dinner."

"Thank you for your help."
"Thank you that was delicious."
"I sure am full."
"Thank you for inviting me."
"Thanks for accepting my invitation to come over."
"We should do this again sometime."

#Police #Accident

Police Inspector : Madam, you say you saw the accident.

Where were you at that time?
Reena : I was on the pavement near the place of
the accident.
Police Insepctor : How did the car hit the van?
Reena : The car driver was quite unmindful of the
traffic and he didn‟t reduce the speed while
overtaking the van.
Police Inspector : Was the van driver also driving very
fast?
Reena : No, the speed might be less than 20kmph.
Police Inspector : What‟s the car number?
Reena : It‟s TN 13V 111 White Maruti.
Police Inspector : TN 13 V 111? That‟s my car. Good heavens!
How am I going to recover my car!

A #burglary #Thief #Police

(Enter neighbour whose door bell has been rung.)

Mr. Singh : You look worried. Any problem?
Mr. Sharma : My house has been burgled.
Mr. Singh : Have you called the police and lodged a complaint?
Mr. Sharma : No, I‘m still in a state of shock.
Mr. Singh : Then I‘ll report it to the police immediately.
(Enter Police Inspector)
Police : Who is the house owner?
Mr. Sharma : I am. My house has been burgled.
Police : When did you discover it?
Mr. Sharma : After I got back from night duty around 6 a.m.
Police : Was nobody home?
Mr. Sharma : Nobody, sir.
Police : Do not touch anything in the house. We must look for fi nger prints.
Mr. Sharma : I have not touched anything.
Police : Anything missing?
Mr. Sharma : Yes Sir. An envelope with money in it. The locker was broken.
Police : Other valuables, jewellery?
Mr. Sharma : I‘m checking with my wife who is out of station.
Police : Alright, my men will be on the job

Making #plans for the #weekend

Vishal : What are you doing this Sunday? Do you want to go see a fi lm?
Kapil : I don‘t think so. I am not too fond of movies. Don‘t really enjoy them. Besides, I
am tied down with work over the weekend. I will probably work through it.
Vishal : It would be a good idea to have a short break after that. We could go to Badhkal
Lake. It‘s just 30 kms from here. We can leave in the morning and be back in the
evening.
Kapil : That would be a good change. I think I‘ll do that. So we meet next weekend.
See you Vishal.

A #business #trip

Gaurav : (to travel agent) I need to make bookings for a flight to London. I will also
be making a stop at Frankfurt.
Travel agent : Well, we have several fares on offer at the moment. Could I see your papers
please? Is this a holiday or a business trip?
Gaurav : Business.
Travel agent : Right. You will need business visas for the UK and one for Germany.
Gaurav : I have the UK visa but will have to apply for the other one.
Travel agent : That‘s fine.

#Plan for #weekend

Laurie, Christie, and Sarah are making plans for the coming weekend.

Laurie: So, what are your plans for this weekend?

Christie: I don‘t know. Do you want to get together or something?
Sarah: How about going to see a movie? Cinemax 26 on Carson Boulevard is showing
Enchanted.
Laurie: That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we should go out to eat beforehand.
Sarah: It is fine with me. Where do you want to meet?
Christie: Let‘s meet at Summer Pizza House. I have not gone there for a long time.
Laurie: Good idea again. I heard they just came up with a new pizza. It should be good because
Summer Pizza House always has the best pizza in town.
Sarah: When should we meet?
Christie: Well, the movie is shown at 2:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
Laurie: Why don‘t we go to the 2:00PM show? We can meet at Summer Pizza House at noon.
That will give us plenty of time to enjoy our pizza.
Sarah: My cousin Karen is in town. Can I bring her along? I hate to leave her home alone.
Christie: Karen is in town? Yes, bring her along. Laurie, you remember Karen? We met her at
Sara‘s high school graduation party two years ago.
Laurie: I do not quite remember her. What does she look like?
Sarah: She has blond hair, she is kind of slender, and she is about your height.
Laurie: She wears eyeglasses, right?
Sarah: Yes, and she was playing the piano off and on during the party.
Laurie: I remember her now. Yes, do bring her along Sara. She is such a nice person, and funny
too.
Sarah: She will be happy to meet both of you again.
Christie: What is she doing these days?
Sarah: She graduated last June, and she will start her teaching career next week when the new
school term begins.
Laurie: What grade is she going to teach?
Sarah: She will teach kindergarten. She loves working with kids, and she always has such a
good rapport with them.
Christie: Kindergarten? She must be a very patient person. I always think kindergarten is the
most difficult class to teach. Most of the kids have never been to school, and they have never
been away from mommy for long.
Sarah: I think Karen will do fine. She knows how to handle young children.
Laurie: I think the first few weeks will be tough. However, once the routine is set, it should not
be too difficult to teach kindergarten.
Christie: You are right. The kids might even look forward to going to school since they have so
many friends to play with.
Sarah: There are so many new things for them to do at school too. They do a lot of crafts in
kindergarten. I am always amazed by the things kindergarten teachers do.
Laurie: Yes, I have seen my niece come home with so many neat stuff.
Christie: Maybe we can ask Karen to show us some of the things that we can do for this
Halloween.
Laurie: Maybe we can stop by the craft store after the movie. What do you think, Sara?
Sarah: I will talk to her. I think she will like that. It will help her with school projects when
Halloween comes.
Christie: Michael‘s is a good store for crafts. It always carries a variety of things, and you can
find almost anything there.
Laurie: There is a Michaels store not far away from Cinemax 26. I believe it is just around the
corner, on Pioneer Avenue. We can even walk over there.
Sarah: So, we plan to meet for pizza at noon, go to the movies at two, and shop at Michael‘s
afterward. Right?
Laurie and Christie: Yes.

A #conversation between 2 #friends

Laurie: So, what are your plans for this weekend?

Christie: I don‘t know. Do you want to get together or something?

Sarah: How about going to see a movie? Cinemax 26 on Carson Boulevard is showing
Enchanted.

Laurie: That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we should go out to eat beforehand.

Sarah: It is fine with me. Where do you want to meet?

Christie: Let‘s meet at Summer Pizza House. I have not gone there for a long time.

Laurie: Good idea again. I heard they just came up with a new pizza. It should be good
because Summer Pizza House always has the best pizza in town.

Sarah: When should we meet?

Christie: Well, the movie is shown at 2:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM and 8:00PM.

Laurie: Why don‘t we go to the 2:00PM show? We can meet at Summer Pizza House at
noon. That will give us plenty of time to enjoy our pizza.

Sarah: My cousin Karen is in town. Can I bring her along? I hate to leave her home alone.

Christie: Karen is in town? Yes, bring her along. Laurie, you remember Karen? We met her at
Sara‘s high school graduation party two years ago.

Laurie: I do not quite remember her. What does she look like?

Sarah: She has blond hair, she is kind of slender, and she is about your height.

Laurie: She wears eyeglasses, right?

Sarah: Yes, and she was playing the piano off and on during the party.

Laurie: I remember her now. Yes, do bring her along Sara. She is such a nice person, and
funny too.

Sarah: She will be happy to meet both of you again.

Christie: What is she doing these days?

Sarah: She graduated last June, and she will start her teaching career next week when the
new school term begins.

Laurie: What grade is she going to teach?

Sarah: She will teach kindergarten. She loves working with kids, and she always has such a
good rapport with them.

Christie: Kindergarten? She must be a very patient person. I always think kindergarten is the
most difficult class to teach. Most of the kids have never been to school, and they have never been
away from mommy for long.

Sarah: I think Karen will do fine. She knows how to handle young children.

Laurie: I think the first few weeks will be tough. However, once the routine is set, it should not
be too difficult to teach kindergarten.

Christie: You are right. The kids might even look forward to going to school since they have so
many friends to play with.
Sarah: There are so many new things for them to do at school too. They do a lot of crafts in
kindergarten. I am always amazed by the things kindergarten teachers do.

Laurie: Yes, I have seen my niece come home with so many neat stuff.

Christie: Maybe we can ask Karen to show us some of the things that we can do for this
Halloween.

Laurie: Maybe we can stop by the craft store after the movie. What do you think, Sara?

Sarah: I will talk to her. I think she will like that. It will help her with school projects when
Halloween comes.

Christie: Michael‘s is a good store for crafts. It always carries a variety of things, and you can
find almost anything there.

Laurie: There is a Michaels store not far away from Cinemax 26. I believe it is just around the
corner, on Pioneer Avenue. We can even walk over there.

Sarah: So, we plan to meet for pizza at noon, go to the movies at two, and shop at Michael‘s
afterward. Right?

Laurie and Christie: Yes.

Q&A

Q: What are you going to do this weekend? A: I am going to the movies this weekend.
Q: What do you plan to see? A: I am going to see Spider Man.
Q: Which theater are you going to? A: I am going to the one in Long Beach.
Q: Which show are you going to? A: I plan to go to the 2:00PM show.
Q: How much are ticket prices these days? A: Six dollars for shows before 5:00PM,
and eight dollars for after five.
Q: Do they offer discounts to students? A: I am afraid not.
Q: What is Karen doing these days? A: She is a teacher at Jefferson high school.
Q: What subject does she teach? A: She teaches English.
Q: What grade does she teach? A: She teaches twelfth grade students.
Q: Does she enjoy her work? A: She really enjoys being a teacher.
Q: Does she have the summer off? A: Yes, she does. She plans to travel during
the summer.
Phrases for Talking About #TV

1. Where‘s the remote? (remote = remote control)

2. Is there anything good on?

3. Can I change the channel?

4. I‘ve already seen this episode.

5. This is a rerun. (rerun = an old episode that was already shown on TV previously)

6. I love this show!

7. There are too many commercials.

8. Stop channel-surfing. (channel-surfing = changing the channel quickly)

9. Check the TV guide. (the TV guide has the information about the TV programming and schedule)

10. It‘s the season finale! (= the final episode of the season)
 #Airport ( ) ( #Flight ) ( #Plane ) ( #Boarding )

10 Phrases You‟ll Hear in the Airport

1. Do you have any bags to check?

2. Would you like a window seat or an aisle seat? (aisle = corridor)

3. Here‘s your boarding pass. (boarding pass = the paper that permits you to enter the plane)

4. Your flight leaves from gate 15. Other Questions you will hear at the check-in
5. Your seat number is 8F. counter:
Ticket please.
6. Flight 800 is now boarding. May I see your ticket?
(boarding = passengers can enter the plane)
Do you have an e-ticket?
7. Your flight has been delayed. Do you have some photo ID?
How many bags are you checking?
8. Your flight has been canceled.
Did you pack these bags yourself?
9. This is the final call for flight 800. Do you have a carry-on bag? (a bag or purse to take
on the airplane)
10. What is the purpose of your trip?
Do you require special assistance? (example a
_________________________________________________
flight? “wheelchair”)
Have you paid your airport improvement fee/tax?
Please check if there is space on
the flight. Would you like a window or an aisle seat? (aisle is
Could you please check if there pronounced “eye + L”)
are any free seats?
Are there any places available on
the plane?
-------------------------------------------------
Suresh : Yes of course. Here they are. Have you started checking in for the flight
to New York? Is it on time?
Airline Staff : Yes Sir, we have and it is on time. May I have your passports, please? I
need to check the visas. Is that your daughter? Does she have a
separate passport?
Suresh : Yes she does. Here are both of them.
Airline Staff : Thank you. Your papers are in order. Do you have a seat preference?
Suresh : Could you give us a front row window seat and one centre seat?
Airline Staff : Let me see. That‘s not a problem. Here are your boarding cards, sir. You
can now go through immigration and security. Have a good fl ight.
Suresh : Thank you.

Word/Phrase Meaning

1. check-in : register at hotel or airport or work place

2. visas : a travel document, permission to enter a country
3. papers are in order: papers are okay
4. preference : something that you like more than the other
5. row : line
6. immigration : permission to enter into another country
7. security : safety check at the airport

Airport - At the #boarding area

Suresh : Are we going to start boarding soon?

Airline staff : Yes sir. We are just about to announce the fl ight.
Suresh : Good. My daughter is a little tired. She had to wake up early this morning.
Airline staff : Give me a minute sir. We‘ll get you on board soon.
Announcement : Flight XZ 222 to JFK is now ready for boarding. We are calling
passengers in rows 10 to 30. Please give way to passengers.

Problems you may hear:

Your baggage is overweight. (Remove some contents or pay a fine.)
Your carry-on luggage is too large.
Your flight is delayed. (It‘s late.)
Your flight has been cancelled. (You must rebook a new flight)
Your connecting flight/connection has been cancelled/is delayed.
Your ticket is expired.
Your passport is expired.

Commands and questions at the #Security Checkpoint:

Boarding pass, please.

ID please. (show your photo ID)
Spread your arms out please. (Put your arms up and out to the sides of your body)
Take your shoes off.
Open your bag.
Take off/remove your belt.
Do you have any change in your pockets?
Do you have any metals?
Do you have any food/produce?
Do you have any liquids or medicine?
Walk through.
You must dump all food or beverages. (You can‘t bring it through the gates.)

Questions you may need to #ask:

Is my flight on time?
When should I be at the gate?
Where is the boarding gate?
Where is the washroom?
Can I get a window seat?
Is there somewhere to eat?
Can I get a coffee at the gate?
Is my connection on time?
Where do I collect my baggage?
Where can I find a taxi?
Where is the departure gate?
Where is the arrival gate?
Where is the check-in desk for ….airlines?
Where is the domestics level?
Where is the international level?

Airport conversation between 3 people

Checking in desk: Welcome. Please can I see your tickets?

Mr Mrs Jones: Yes here you are.

Checking in desk: Is it just you two traveling or is there anyone else?

Mr Mrs Jones: No. It's just the two of us.

Checking in desk: Do you both have your passports with you?

Mr Mrs Jones: Yes. Here they are.

Checking in desk: I will be going to ask some questions. Just answer with a simple yes or a no.

Mr Mrs Jones: OK, no problem.

Checking in desk: As anyone you don't know asked you to take anything on the plane for
them?

Mr Mrs Jones: No.

Checking in desk: Have you have sole possession of all your luggage since you packed?

Mr Mrs Jones: Yes.

Checking in desk: Have you at any time left your luggage unattended while being in the airport?

Mr Mrs Jones: No.

Checking in desk: Do you have any weapons or firearms in your possession?

Mr Mrs Jones: No.

Checking in desk: Have you any flammable material in your luggage?

Mr Mrs Jones: No.

Checking in desk: Do you have any perishable food items in your bags or suitcases?

Mr Mrs Jones: No.

Checking in desk: That's good. Can you put your luggage here please

Mr Mrs Jones: OK.

Checking in desk: What seat would you like an aisle seat or a window?

Mr Mrs Jones: Can I have 2 seats near the emergency exit.

Checking in desk: Wait I will check for you. Yes that's OK, I am placing you two in 21A and
21B. The gate number is A22. You can start boarding the plane in 30 minutes and the plane will take
off in 1 hour.

Mr Mrs Jones: Can you tell me how to get to gate A22?

Checking in desk: yes, go straight ahead and turn left at the end turn right and A22 is there
follow the signs for your gate number on the bottom of ticket

Mr Mrs Jones: Thank you for all your help.

Is that a non-stop flight?

Before the final destination does the flight stop somewhere?
Are there any stop-overs?
Is there a lay-over?
How early must I be at the
airport?
How early should I be at the
airport? Taking a #cab
How early should I check in for the
flight? Please, drive me to the airport. How long does it take
to get to the airport?
I must be at the airport at what
time?
I have to be at the airport at what
time?
When do I have to check in?
What time do you recommend
showing up at the airport?
When is boarding time?
What time do we board the plane?
When do we get on the plane?
What time does the flight begin
boarding?
What time does the plane begin
boarding?
What time does the plane start
boarding?
What time does the plane leave?
What is take-off time
Will this flight leave on time?
Will we have to wait for a long
time?
Will the flight be delayed?
What is the gate number?
Which gate for the flight to…?
What gate does this flight leave
from?
Which gate does this flight leave
from?
What is the number of the gate?

#CHECK IN
1. To check in is to show your ticket at an airport so that the airline knows you have arrived, and they
can put your bags on the aircraft.
Examples of use:
a) We have to check in at 8 o'clock.
b) Please check in at least one hour before your flight leaves.

The check-in (noun) is the place at the airport where you show your ticket and let the airline know that
you have arrived.

2. To check in (or check into something) is to arrive at a hotel reception desk and tell the hotel staff
who you are, and collect your room key.

Examples of use:
a) We need to check into our hotel before 10pm.
b) I'll meet you in the hotel restaurant in 10 minutes. I'll just check in and put my suitcase in my room.
Where is this seat?
Please direct me to this seat.
Could you show me where to sit?
Please don't smoke here.
Smoking is not allowed here.
Smoking is not permitted here.
Smoking on board is not
permitted.
Smoking on board is not allowed.
This is a no-smoking flight.
How was your flight?
(i) It was all right.
(iii) The plane was a bit late but it didn‘t matter.
___________________________________________________________
Check- in #Clerk : Good morning.
Passenger: Good morning .
Check-in Clerk : May I see your ticket , please?
Passenger : Oh yes. Here it is.
Check-in Clerk : Thank you Mr. Robinson.
Passenger: I was wondering if I could have a smoking seat, please?
Check-in Clerk: I´m afraid this is a non-smoking flight, Sir. Would you
prefer an aisle seat or a window seat?
Passenger: Well, I´m not sure. You see, it´s the first time that I will
be flying by airplane and I´m feeling a bit uneasy about
it. What I really want is the safest seat.
Check-in Clerk: Oh I see, well there´s really nothing to worry about.
Let´s see, I can give you an aisle seat right next to one
of the exits. Then you´ll have more leg room, too.
Passenger: Oh good! That sounds alright.
Check-in Clerk: And could I see your passport, please?
Passenger: Oh yes, here it is…….
10 Phrases for #Bad #Travel Experiences

1. My flight was overbooked. (overbooked = there were too many passengers and not enough seats)

2. My flight was delayed/canceled.

3. My luggage was lost.

4. I was jet-lagged. (= I felt tired because of the time zone difference between my origin and
destination)

5. My hotel was in a seedy area. (seedy = possibly unsafe)

6. I was mugged. (= I was robbed on the street)

7. The weather was miserable.

8. I got the runs. (= diarrhea)

9. The place was a tourist trap. (= made only for tourists; not authentic)

10. I couldn‘t wait to get back home.

#Wishing #goodbye

Rohit : Flight 204 to Calcutta has been announced. Passengers have been asked to
board the plane. You better check in.
Amit : I‘ll do that but the queue is still very long. I‘ll wait a bit. Thanks so much for
all your help, Rohit.
Rohit : You‘re most welcome. Have a good trip.
Amit : See you soon, take care!

#Custom
• May I have another customs
• form?
• Give me another customs form,
• please.
• Can you give me a new customs
• form?
• I need a new customs form.
• Please show me how to fill in
• this form.
• I don't understand how to
• complete this form.
• Can you explain how to answer
• these questions?
Can you show me what to write?

( #Train ) ( #Railway )
Train:
Sahil : Hello, I‘m Sahil Gupta from Delhi. I work for the State Bank of India.
Vikram : I am Vikram Mehta. I work for B.H.E.L. in Haridwar.
Sahil : Where are you going Mr. Mehta?
Vikram : I‘m joining my family in Agra. We want to see the Taj Mahal. Where are you
going?
Sahil : I‘m going to Gwalior on business.
Vikram : I think we are approaching Agra. I better start moving my luggage closer to the
door.
Sahil : It was nice meeting you, Vikram.
Vikram : It was nice meeting you too. Here‘s my card. Let‘s keep in touch. Goodbye and
all the best.

Word/Phrase Meaning

1. approaching nearing, coming close to

2. keep in touch : keep contact

#Passengers on a railway station

Passenger 1: Which platform will the Goa Express arrive on?

Passenger 2: Platform No.4. You will have to take the over-bridge to get to it.
Passenger: In that case I‘ll hire a coolie. He will be able to help me locate my
compartent and seat.. Passenger 2 : The announcements say that the train is running an
hour late.
Passenger 1: Oh no! This will upset my plans. I think I‘ll buy a newspaper and magazines
to while away the time.
Passenger 2: You can also get hot tea, cold drinks and snacks at the stall in that corner.
Passenger 1: Yes! That‘s a good idea. I‘ll go to the waiting room fi rst and have a quick
wash.
Passenger 2: Sure.
Passenger 1: Thank you for your help.

Word/Phrase Meaning

1. over-bridge: a bridge over the railway lines connecting one or more platforms
2. hire: engage, employ
3. locate : to find
4. upset: disturb
5. to while away : pass the time

Do I have to change trains?

Do I have to switch trains?
Is it necessary to change trains?
Do I make a change?
Do I need to board another train?
Where should I change trains?
Which platform does the train
depart from?
Which platform does the train
leave from?
Where does the train leave from?
Where does the train depart from?
Which is the departure platform?
When is the first train for…?
When is the earliest train for…?
How early does the first train
leave?
How early does the first train
depart?
What time does the first train
depart?
What time does the first train
leave?
When is the last train?

What time does the last train

depart?
When is the latest I can leave?

• I'd like to reserve a seat on this

• train.
• I'd like to book a seat on this train.
• I want to make a reservation for
this train.
• I want to change my reservation.
• I'd like to change my booking.
• I'd like to change my ticket.
I'd like to change my reservation

When Gerald and Denise get to the lobby of the train station, they are tired. Fortunately, they spot
two empty seats in the lobby....

Gerald: Excuse me. Is this seat taken?

Manager: (Put off the headphones.) I'm sorry. What did you just say?
Gerald: Oh. Will someone be using this seat?
Manager: No. You can take it.
Gerald: Would you mind moving over one seat so my wife and I can sit together?
Manager: No, not at all.

Tom is waiting in the lobby to get on the train. But suddenly nature is calling, and he has to ask his
friend who is sitting right next to him for help....

Tom: Can you do me a favor?

Jamie: Sure. What is it?
Tom: Can you keep an eye on my bag, please? Nature's calling.
Jamie: Sure. Will you be long?
Tom: No. I just want to use the bathroom.
Jamie: Go ahead. It'll be safe with me.

Jill is waiting in line to buy some tickets for a concert coming up in a few days, but suddenly....

Jill: Excuse me, can you do me a favor?

Stranger: Sure. What can I do for you?
Jill: Can you save my place for me, please? Nature's calling.
Stranger: Sure. But hurry. The line is moving fast.
Jill: Thanks. It won't be long. I'll be right back.
 On the train, while getting down

Gentleman : Can I carry this luggage for you?

Old man : If you‟re sure it‟s no trouble for you.
Gentleman : Not at all.
Old man : Thanks a lot.
Where does the shuttle bus
stop?

How #long does it take to get

there?

How long will it take to get there?

How soon will we arrive there?
How soon will we get there?
When do we get there?
How long is the ride?

10 Ways to Talk About #Price

1. It cost a fortune.

2. It cost an arm and a leg.

3. That‘s a rip-off. (= overpriced; far more expensive than it should be)

4. I can‘t afford it. (= I don‟t have enough money to buy it)

5. That‘s a bit pricey.

6. That‘s quite reasonable. (= it‟s a good price)

7. It‘s 20% off. (= there‟s a 20% discount)

8. That‘s a good deal. (= a good value for the amount of money)

9. It was a real bargain.

10. It was dirt cheap. (= extremely inexpensive)

5 Phrases for #Hot #Weather

1. It‘s nice and warm today.

2. It‘s absolutely boiling! (boiling = extremely hot)

3. We‘re having a real heat wave. (heat wave = many consecutive days of hot weather)

4. The sun‘s really strong today.

5. It‘s hot and humid.

5 Phrases for #Cold #Weather

1. It‘s a little chilly.

2. It‘s freezing. (= extremely cold)

3. The temperature‘s dropping.

4. Make sure to bundle up. (bundle up = put on warm clothes for protection against the cold)

5. We‘re expecting some winter weather. (winter weather = snow, hail, sleet, ice, etc.)

5 Phrases for Talking about #Rain

1. It‘s drizzling. (= raining lightly)

2. It‘s pouring. (= raining heavily)

3. It‘s raining cats and dogs. (= raining heavily)

4. I got caught in a downpour.

5. I think the rain‘s letting up. (letting up = getting lighter and stopping)
 10 Ways to Say You‟re #Tired

1. I‘m exhausted.

2. I‘m dead tired.

3. I‘m pooped.

4. I‘m spent.

5. I‘m beat.

6. I‘m running on fumes. / I‘m running on empty.

7. I can hardly keep my eyes open.

8. I‘m off to bed.

9. I‘m gonna hit the sack. (hit the sack = go to bed)

10. It‘s bedtime for me.

5 Phrases for #Promises & #Resolutions

1. I really should…

2. I promise that I‘ll…

3. I swear I‘ll / I won‘t… (a very strong promise)

4. No matter what happens, I‘m going to…

5. Come hell or high water, I‘ll…

#4 and #5 express your determination to do something, even if obstacles appear.

10 #Excuses for Being #Late

1. Sorry I‘m late.

2. I overslept. (= I slept longer than I should have)

3. My alarm didn‘t go off.

4. I had to wait ages for a bus. (ages = a very long time)

5. The bus was late.

6. The traffic was terrible.

7. I couldn‘t find a parking spot.

8. I got lost coming here.

9. I was tied up in a meeting. (tied up = occupied, impossible to escape)

10. I just lost track of time. (= I didn‟t notice what time it was)

#Manager : Pranesh,why are you late?

Pranesh : I missed the usual bus, Sir.
Manager : This is not the first time!
Pranesh : I understand. I should be punctual. I regret
being late, Sir.
Manager : That‘s all right.

5 Ways to Say Someone is #Correct

1. That‘s right.

2. That‘s spot on.

3. You‘ve hit the nail on the head. / You‘ve nailed it.

4. I suppose so. (use this when you agree, but you are not completely convinced)

5. I‘m afraid you‘re right. (use this in response to bad news, to say the bad news is correct)

5 Ways to Say Someone is Wrong

1. I‘m afraid that‘s not quite right.

2. I‘m afraid you‘re mistaken.

3. No, you‘ve got it wrong.

4. No, that‘s all wrong.

5. (informal – rude) Baloney. / Bullshit.

5 Ways to Say Someone is #Smart

1. He‘s really sharp.

2. She‘s brilliant.

3. He‘s very bright.

4. She‘s a genius.

5. He‘s a smart cookie.

 #5 Ways to Say Someone is #Stupid

1. He‘s not the sharpest tool in the shed.

2. She‘s a few cards short of a deck.

3. He‘s a bit slow.

4. She‘s a complete idiot.

5. He‘s really dumb.

~ Advanced Phrases ~
10 Ways to #Avoid Answering a Question

1. No comment.

2. I‘m not at liberty to say. (= I don‟t have permission to give the information)

3. Wait and see. (= you will discover the answer later)

4. Let me get back to you. (= I will give you the answer later)

5. I‘m sorry, that‘s confidential.

6. I‘m sorry, that‘s personal.

7. I‘d rather not talk about it.

8. It‘s none of your business.

9. Mind your own business.

10. Why do you want to know?

#8 and #9 are rather rude – telling the other person to stop inquiring about your life

15 Phrases for Being #Rich & #Poor

1. He‘s short on cash.

2. He‘s broke. (= he has no money)

3. His bank account is overdrawn.

4. He‘s just scraping by. (= he is just barely surviving on little money)

5. He makes minimum wage. (= he earns the minimum salary)

6. He‘s pinching pennies.

7. He‘s scrimping and saving.

8. She‘s very wealthy.

9. She‘s quite well-off.

10. She‘s loaded.

11. She‘s filthy rich.

12. She inherited a fortune.

13. She‘s making a killing.

14. She‘s raking in the cash.

15. She‘s rolling in dough.

#6 and #7 express the idea that the person is trying to conserve money, when they have very little
money.

10 Phrases for Talking about #Statistics

1. The crime rate rose.

2. The crime rate went up.

3. There was a sharp increase in crime. (sharp = sudden and large)

4. There was a gradual rise in crime.

5. There was a spike in crime. (spike = a sudden increase and then decrease)

6. The crime rate reached its peak. (peak = the highest point)

7. The crime rate plateaued. (plateaued = stayed at the same level)

8. There was a slight decrease in crime.

9. The crime rate dropped.

10. The crime rate plummeted. (= decreased a lot, very quickly)

10 Ways to Say Someone‟s #Talented

1. She was born to… [dance].

2. He‘s a natural.

3. She could do it in her sleep.

4. He knows it inside out.

5. She knows [New York] like the back of her hand.

6. She‘s a walking encyclopedia of… [philosophy].

7. He‘s in a class of his own.

8. He‘s the best in the business.

9. She‘s very gifted.

10. He‘s a [chemistry] whiz.

10 Phrases for Telling Someone to #Wait

1. Could you give me a minute?

2. (informal) Hang on a sec / Just a sec.

3. Hold on...

4. Let me see/think…

5. I'll be right with you.

6. Bear with me.

7. That‘ll have to wait.

8. Be patient.

9. Not so fast!

10. Hold your horses!

#9 and #10 are used for cautioning someone to wait and not make a bad decision or take reckless
action. ~ 29 ~
 10 Phrases for #Estimating & #Guessing

1. If I had to take a guess, I‘d say… [she‘s about 35 years old].

2. It‘s difficult to say, but I think… [our customers are more satisfied].

3. Off the top of my head, I‘d say… [the company has 500 employees]. (= what I remember/estimate,
without checking the actual statistics)

4. It‘s about… [10 miles away].

5. It‘s around… [three hours long].

6. I wouldn‘t be surprised if… [Peter asks Jill to marry him].

7. There‘s a good chance… [it‘ll rain tomorrow].

8. I have a feeling/hunch… [the boss won‘t be happy about this]. (hunch = an instinctive feeling)

9. I bet… [he‘ll be late].

10. Your guess is as good as mine. (= I don‟t know)

10 Phrases for #Decisions

1. I‘m debating between… [option A and option B]

2. I can‘t make up my mind.

3. I‘m on the fence. (= I‟m in the middle, I don‟t know what to decide)

4. I‘ll take that into consideration.

5. On the other hand…

6. I‘m having second thoughts. (= I‟m reconsidering my decision)

7. I changed my mind.

8. He convinced/persuaded me to…

9. Looking back, I know it was the right decision.

10. It‘s up to you. (= You can decide)

 10 Phrases for #Good #Luck & #Bad #Luck

1. Good luck!

2. Better luck next time. (say this after someone fails, and you hope they do better next time)

3. Just my luck! (this is a sarcastic phrase meaning that something UNLUCKY happened)

4. Lucky you!

5. That was a stroke of luck. (= a sudden event of good luck)

6. Some people have all the luck. (say this when someone else is constantly lucky, and you feel like
you‟re not lucky)

7. As luck would have it… (= by chance)

8. He‘s down on his luck. (= he‟s having a long period of bad luck or difficulty)

9. No such luck. (= something good that could have happened, didn‟t happen)

10. What rotten luck!

10 Phrases for #Worries & #Relief

1. I‘m scared that…

2. I can‘t help thinking that… (use this for thoughts that you try to avoid, but they keep coming into
your mind)

3. It‘s been keeping me up at night. (use this when you‟re so worried about something that you can‟t
sleep)

4. What if… ?

5. Whew!

6. Thank goodness!

7. What a relief!

8. You had me worried for a moment.

9. You have no idea what a relief it is.

10. That‘s a huge load off my mind.

10 Phrases for Talking about the #Future

1. It‘ll happen any day now.

2. It‘s right around the corner.

3. …in the near future.

4. It will/won‘t happen in our lifetime. (= in the next 40-50 years)

5. It‘s a sign/taste of things to come. (= it indicates how things will be in the future)
6. I‘m counting down the days until… (= I‟m excited about the future event, I can‟t wait for it to
happen)

7. Sooner or later… / It‘s bound to happen eventually. (= it will definitely happen sometime in the
future)

8. I‘ll get around to it. (= I‟ll do it sometime in the future, but I don‟t know exactly when)

9. I‘ll do it right away. / I‘ll get right on it. (= I‟ll do it immediately)

10. Time will tell. (in the future, we will know if something is true/false or good/bad)

#1, #2, and #3 are used to say something will happen soon.

10 Phrases for #Compliments

#1-3 are used for complimenting a person‟s appearance #4-6 for complimenting a person‟s cooking
#7-8 for complimenting a person‟s home #9-10 for complimenting a person‟s children.

1. You look nice. / You look amazing!

2. What a beautiful [necklace/dress/etc.]!

3. I like your [shirt/shoes/haircut/etc.]

4. The biryani is delicious.

5. You‘re a fantastic cook.

6. My compliments to the chef!

7. What a nice apartment!

8. You have a beautiful home.

9. He‘s/She‘s so cute!

10. Your kids are a lot of fun.

15 Phrases for Certainty & #Probability

1. I‘m absolutely sure.

2. I‘m positive that…

3. I have no doubt that…

4. I‘m a hundred percent certain.

5. I‘m convinced that…

6. Chances are that… (= this will probably happen)

7. Odds are that… (= this will probably happen)

8. I seriously doubt it.

9. I don‘t think so.

10. Probably not.

11. It‘s not very likely.

12. There‘s not much chance of that.

13. I‘d be very surprised if that happened.

14. I wouldn‘t bet on it. (= there‟s a small chance it could happen… but it probably won‟t happen)

15. That‘ll never happen.

10 Ways to Say Something is #Interesting/#Boring

1. It‘s fascinating.

2. It‘s intriguing.

3. I couldn‘t tear myself away.

4. I couldn‘t put it down. (this phrase is used for en extremely interesting book)

5. I was so into it, I lost track of time.

6. It does nothing for me.

7. I was bored to tears.

8. I was bored to death.

9. I was dying of boredom.

10. It‘s about as exciting as watching paint dry. (= it‟s very boring)

10 Phrases for #Cheering Someone Up

1. What‘s the matter?

2. What‘s wrong?

3. Are you all right?

4. You look a bit down. (= a little sad)

5. Is there anything I can do to help?

6. Cheer up! / Chin up!

7. It‘s not so bad.

8. Everything will be OK.

9. Look on the bright side. (= consider the positive aspects)

10. It‘s not the end of the world. (this phrase is used when someone is upset about something small
and trivial)

7 Phrases for #Disappointment

1. What a pity!

2. What a shame.
3. How disappointing.

4. That‘s too bad.

5. Bummer.

6. It was a real letdown.

7. It didn‘t live up to my expectations.

10 Ways to Say You Don‟t #Believe Someone

1. Yeah, right.

2. You're kidding.

3. You're pulling my leg.

4. That's a bit of an exaggeration.

5. He‘s stretching the truth.

6. He‘s not telling the whole truth.

7. She‘s being economical with the truth. (= she‟s lying or not telling the entire truth)

8. His story is fishy.

9. That's an outright lie.

10. That's a pack of lies.

Expressions for #Bad People

1. He‘s a creep. (= unpleasant, suspicious, makes you afraid/uneasy)

2. He‘s a pervert. (= someone with disgusting sexual tendencies)

3. He‘s a sicko.

4. He‘s a scumbag.

5. He‘s an asshole. (a stupid, irritating person)

6. He‘s a jerk.

7. He‘s a bastard.

8. She‘s a bitch. (= she‟s irritating and unpleasant)

9. She‘s a psycho. (= crazy, irrational)

10 Words for Describing #Speaking

1. He yelled.

2. She screamed.

3. I whispered. (= spoke in an extremely quiet voice)

4. We chatted. (= had an informal conversation)

5. He mumbled. (= spoke in a low voice, not clearly, without opening his mouth much)

6. My kids whined. (= complained)

7. He rambled. / He went on and on. (= talked too much without stopping)

8. She stammered.

9. I snapped at my husband. (= said a quick and angry remark)

10. He muttered. (= spoke in a low voice, usually making complaints or negative comments)

10 Phrases for Facial Expressions

1. She was beaming. (= she had a big, radiant smile)

2. The kids were smiling from ear to ear.

3. He looked puzzled. (= confused)

4. She grinned. (= had a small smile)

5. He winced when the doctor gave him an injection. (= had a quick expression of pain)

6. She gave me a dirty look. (= looked at me angrily)

7. She blushed. (= her face turned red because she was embarrassed)

8. His eyes were glazed over. (= he appeared

9. Why the long face? (an informal expression to ask why someone looks sad or upset)

10. Her expression was unreadable. (= you can‟t know what she is feeling)

10 Phrases to Describe #Offending or #Upsetting People

1. They got off on the wrong foot. (= when they first met, they didn‟t get along)

2. He got on the teacher‘s bad side.

3. She took offense at his comment.

4. He has a chip on his shoulder. (= he is easily offended)

5. She got bent out of shape.

6. He left in a huff.

7. She got her panties in a wad.

8. He has a short fuse. (= he gets angry easily)

9. She dissed my mother. (= she insulted/disrespected my mother)

10. He got his nose out of joint.

#5, #7, #10 all mean the person got irritated/annoyed

 Comparative #Idioms

1. It‘s as light as a feather.

2. It‘s as dry as a bone.

3. It‘s as flat as a pancake.

4. He‘s as mad as a hornet.

5. It‘s as old as the hills.

6. It‘s as quick as lightning.

7. She‘s as sick as a dog.

8. He‘s as strong as an ox.

9. They‘re as different as night and day.

10. She‘s as stubborn as a mule.

11. He‘s as proud as a peacock.

12. She‘s as white as a sheet. (usually used when someone is very afraid or very sick)

13. It‘s as solid as a rock.

14. It‘s as good as new. (used after something broken has been repaired)

15. It‘s as clear as mud. (= it‟s not clear at all)

( #Book )
Book

Here are some questions you might ask while at a bookstore.

"What are some of the bestsellers?"

"What are some new releases?"
"Where can I find books by a particular author?"
"Where is the children's section?"
"Do you have books on animals?"
"Do you offer a membership for customers?"
"Does this magazine have monthly or yearly subscription?"
"Can I get a subscription sent to my business?"
"Can I reserve a book?"

You can also make many statements about books to your friends.

"I just finished reading a book on money management. It was very informative."
"I love reading. If I am not out, I am usually in my room reading a book."
"My favorite types of books are autobiographies."

"The new fiction bestseller was fun. You have to read it."
"Buying books as a present is not appreciated by the kid, but the parents usually love them."
"I really like getting books as a gift."

_________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Formal #Greeting:

JAMES: Good morning, Professor Austin, how are you doing?

PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Good morning, James. I am doing well. And you?
JAMES: I‘m great, thank you. This is my friend Emma. She is thinking about applying to this college.
She has a few questions. Would you mind telling us about the process, please?
PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Hello, Emma! It‘s a pleasure to meet you. I‘m more than happy to speak with
you. Please stop by my office next week.
EMMA: It‘s a pleasure to meet you, professor. Thank you so much for helping us.
PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Don‘t mention it. Hopefully, I will be able to answer your questions!
JANE: Hi, Helen! How‘s it going?

HELEN: Fine, thanks — and you?

JANE: Just fine. Where are you off to?

HELEN: To the library. I‘ve got a history exam next week and need to start studying. Ugh.

JANE: Oh, no. Well, I‘ll see you later then. Good luck!

HELEN: Thanks. See you later.

Formal #Introductions

MARGARET: Mr. Wilson, I‘d like you to meet Dr. Edward Smith.

MR. WILSON: It‘s nice to meet you, Dr. Smith.

DR. SMITH: Pleasure to meet you, too.

MARGARET: Dr. Smith is an economist. He just finished writing a book on international trade.

MR. WILSON: Oh? That‘s my field, too. I work for the United Nations.

DR. SMITH: In the Development Program, by any chance?

MR. WILSON: Yes. How did you guess?

DR. SMITH: I‘ve read your articles on technical assistance. They‘re excellent.

Formal Introduction

JIM: Who‘s the tall woman next to Barbara?

CHARLES: That‘s her friend Mary. Didn‘t you meet her at Steve‘s party?

JIM: No, I wasn‘t at Steve‘s party.

CHARLES: Oh! Then let me introduce you to her now. Mary, this is my friend Jim.

MARY: Hi, Jim. Nice to meet you.

JIM: You, too. Would you like a drink?

MARY: Sure, let‘s go get one.

What time is it? We‘re going to be late!

TONY: It‘s a quarter after seven. We‘re on time. Don‘t panic.

NATASHA: But I thought we had to be at the restaurant by 7:30 for the surprise party. We‘ll never
make it there with all this evening traffic.

TONY: Sure we will. Rush hour is almost over. Anyway, the party starts at 8:00. But I do need help
with directions. Can you call the restaurant and ask them where we park our car?

( #Phone ) ( #Telephone ) ( #Mobile ) ( #Telephonic ) ( #Phone #Conversation )

Phone Conversation

Making contact

Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon

This is Jason Brown speaking

Could I speak to Jane please

I'd like to speak to..........

I'm trying to contact..........

Introducing yourself in a work environment.

Good morning, Mc Donalds how can I help you?

Hello, the Grand Royal Hotel. Sarah Brown speaking what can I do for you?

Hello, this is John from Manchester college.

Hello, my name‘s Peter . I‘m calling from Microsoft .

Asking for the caller‘s name

Who‘s calling, please?

Can I have your name, please?

Saying who you want

Can I have the accounts department? I‘d like to speak to … .

Could I speak to Linda, please?

Is David there, please?

I‘m calling about the dog you have for sale .

Responding

I‘ll put you through. Hold the line, please.

I‘m sorry he/ she is not available.

I‘m afraid he/ she‘s busy at the moment.

I‘m afraid he/ she‘s away/ not in at the moment/ in a meeting.

Reason for calling

I‘m ringing to … . I‘d like to …

I need some information about … .

Leaving and taking a message

Can I leave a message? Can I take a message?

Would you like to leave a message?

Please tell him/ her ….

Could you ask him/ her to call me? Could you tell him/ her I called?

Asking for repetition

I‘m sorry, but I didn‘t catch your name/ your number. Sorry, I didn‘t hear that.

Could you repeat it, please?

Could you say it again? I‘m afraid I didn‘t understand. Could you spell that, please?

Could you speak up?

A: "Hello? This is Steve."

B: "Hi Steve, this is Mary from ABC Company. I'm returning your call."

A: "Hi Mary. How are you doing?"

B: "I'm doing great thanks."

A: "Thanks for returning my call. I couldn't figure out why the ending balance on fiscal year 2003 didn't
match the beginning balance on of 2004."

B: "When I checked, it was matching. How much is the difference?"

A: "The amount is exactly $42,000."

B: "Oh. I know what the problem is. We opened another bank account at the end of fiscal year 2003. I
might not have included the new bank statements when I sent over the information."

A: "That makes sense. I'm just glad it wasn't out of my miscalculation. Can you send over the
statements? I should be done by end of day since everything looks good."

B: "Sure. I'll fax them to you immediately. Is 555-123-4567 the number I should fax it to?"

A: "Yes. That is the correct number."

B: "I'll do it right now."

A: "Thank you for your help."

B: "I should have sent them over to you the first time. I apologize for that."

A: "No problem."
B: "Thank you."

A: "Thank you. Bye."

_________________________________________________

A: "Hello, ABC Company."

B: "Hi, this is Janet from Consult R Us. May I speak with Alex please?"

A: "He's in a meeting right now. Would you like to leave a message?"

B: "Yes. Can you have Alex call me back when he is available? My name again is Janet, and he can
reach me at 555-987-6543."

A: "It's Janet at 555-987-6543. Can I tell him what this is regarding?"

B: "He sent over a fax, and the last page didn't print out. I will need for him to resend the fax to me."

A: "I'll let him know."

B: "Thank you."

A: "Thank you for calling ABC."

B: "Good bye."

A: "Microsoft, this is Steve."

B: "Hi Steve, this is Richard from Third Hand Testing. I'm calling in regards to the MSN assignment.
Do you have a minute to answer a couple of questions?"

A: "Sure. What can I help you with?"

B: "We originally agreed on 5 testing procedures, but our program manager received a mail indicating
4 testing procedures. Is 4 the correct number?"

A: "Yes it is. We found that we can do the last one here."

B: "Great. Does the timeline change because we reduced one of the testing procedures?"

A: "We don't have to change the timeline. Our original timeframe was very aggressive."

B: "That makes our job a little easier."

A: "Do you have any other questions?"

B: "No. That's all I had. Thanks for your time."

A: "No problem."

B: "Ok. Good bye."

A: "Bye."

A: Hello. May I speak to (the name of a person: for example, Mr. Kim, Managing Director).
 B: Who‗s calling, ma‗am/sir?

A: This is (your name) from (your company).

B: He/she is on the other line…do you mind holding for a moment?

(i) With the #operator

Operator : Hello, how can I help you?

Ankita : This is Ankita. Can I have Extension 3421, please?

Operator : Certainly, hold on a minute. I‘ll put you through.

Ankita : Is this Extension 3421? May I speak to Mr. Mathur?

Sumesh : I‘m afraid he‘s out at the moment. Can I take a message?

Ankita : Yes, please. Could you ask him to call me at 9337291? It‘s urgent.

Sumesh : I‘ll repeat the number. It‘s 9-3-3-7-2-9-1 Please let me know your name.

Ankita : I‘m Ankita Gupta.

Sumesh : Alright Ms. Gupta. I‘ll make sure that Mr. Mathur gets in touch with you.

(ii) #Introductions on the telephone

1. Hello, this is Kamal on the line. Is that Sumesh?

2. Hello, this is Kamal calling! Sumesh are you able to hear me?

3. Hello, it‘s Prem from the dentist‘s offi ce here. I‘d like to speak to Mr Mehra regarding

his appointment.

(iii) Taking a message

1. I am sorry, Smita is not here at the moment. May I know who is calling?

2. Raghav is not in. Would you like to leave a message?

Do you have a phone? May I call you? Can I reach you by phone?

Making contact : ■ Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon ...

■ This is Joseph Brown speaking

■ Could I speak to ......... please?

■ I'd like to speak to ..... .....

■ I'm trying to contact ..........

Giving more information: ■ I'm calling from Tokyo / Paris / New York / Syed ...

■ I'm calling on behalf of Mr. X ...

Taking a call : ■ X speaking.

■ Can I help you?

Asking for a name / information : ■ Who's calling please?

■ Who's speaking?

■ Where are you calling from?

■ Are you sure you have the right number / name?

Asking the caller to wait : ■ Hold the line please.

■ Could you hold on please?

■ Just a moment please.

Connecting : ■ Thank you for holding.

■ The line's free now ... I'll put you through.

■ I'll connect you now / I'm connecting you now.

Giving negative information : ■ I'm afraid the line's engaged. Could you call back later?

■ I'm afraid he's in a meeting at the moment.

■ I'm sorry. He's out of the office today. /

He isn't in at the moment.

■ I'm afraid we don't have a Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss. ... here

■ I'm sorry. There's nobody here by that name.

■ Sorry. I think you've dialed the wrong number./

I'm afraid you've got the wrong number.

Telephone problems : ■ The line is very bad ... Could you speak up please?

■ Could you repeat that please?

■ I'm afraid I can't hear you.

■ Sorry. I didn't catch that. Could you say it again please?

Leaving /

Taking a message :

■ Can I leave / take a message?

■ Would you like to leave a message?

■ Could you give him/her a message?

■ Could you ask him/her to call me back?

■ Could you tell him/her that I called?

■ Could you give me your name please?

■ Could you spell that please?

■ What's your number please?

I'm calling to + (verb)

When using the words 'I'm calling' you are stating that you are actually using the phone to call and relay
information.

Here are some examples:

"I'm calling to tell you about my day."

"I'm calling to accept your invitation."
"I'm calling to answer your question."
"I'm calling to book a reservation at your restaurant."
"I'm calling to complain about something."
"I'm calling to thank you."
"I'm calling to support your decision."
"I'm calling to remind you of our dinner plans."
"I'm calling to report a lost wallet."
"I'm calling to receive my prize."

(iv) #Ending a #conversation

1. Thanks for calling, I must hang up now.

2. I‘ll speak to you again!

3. It was nice speaking to you.

4. Do call again.

( #Complaint )

Office : Rambagh Police Station. How can I help you?

Ravi : Officer I‘m calling from Vatika Kunj, Phase I, Apartment Number 201.
Officer : Yes.
Ravi : I can hear some strange noises from the apartment above mine.
Officer : Where are the occupants?
Ravi : They‘ve gone on a holiday and won‘t be back till next week. They left the
house keys with me.
Officer : Is there any suspicious movement around your building?
Ravi : I can see an unknown black car parked at the entrance of our block.
Officer : Keep a watch. We‘ll be there in no time.
Ravi : I‘ll do that.
The #police arrives
Ravi : I‘m Ravi. I made the phone call.
Officer : Where‘s the apartment?
Ravi : It‘s 301, located just above mine.
Officer : Come with me. Inspector, you wait downstairs and report immediately any
untoward happening.
In #Apartment 301
Officer : Open the door.
Mr. Gupta : Who‘s there? (opens the door)
Offi cer : It‘s the Police, hands up and don‘t move.
Mr. Gupta : What?
Ravi : Oh! Mr. Gupta it‘s you. Offi cer, this is Mr. Gupta, the occupant of the
house. I thought it was a burglar. When did you get back?
Mr. Gupta : My leave got cancelled so we got back just a few hours ago. But what‘s
all this?
Officer : You are lucky to have such a vigilant neighbour. Good night!
Ravi : Thank you Sir.
I‘ll explain the whole story to you Mr Gupta.
Word/Phrase Meaning
1. occupants : residents
2. suspicious: having a feeling that something is wrong
3. in no time :very soon
4. untoward: unusual, unexpected
5. burglar: thief, intruder
6. vigilant: alert, watchful

#Describing #Material #Objects #Bag to #Police #FIR

Mrs. Gayathri : Good morning Inspector! I‘d like to report

a missing handbag.
Inspector : Good morning madam. Sit down and give
me the details as to where you lost the
handbag, when you came to know it was
lost and how it can be identified.
Mrs. Gayathri : Sir, I was in the ‗Route 9M‘ bus this
morning. As it was the peak hour, the bus
was packed. When the bus reached my
stop at Egmore I had to get down jostling
through the standees with the handbag on
my shoulder and a few files in my arms.
I was pushed along till I reached the
footboard and managed to get down just
as the driver drove off. It was only then I
real sed that my handbag was missing.
Inspector : Please describe your handbag, ma‘am?
Mrs. Gayathri : It is a black rectangular leather bag with
a long tabular strap of the same material. It
is of patent leather with a glossy finish. The
bag is about 18" x 12" in size with three
compartments. The centre compartment
has a zip while each of the outer ones is
closed with flaps and brass clasps. In the
centre of the clasps are five red stones in
a ring. In the right hand corner of one side
is stuck a tiny cluster of yellow plastic
flowers with green velvety felt leaves. The
compartment on this side contains my
phone-book, diary, several old bills and
receipts. The compartment on the other
side contains a Revlon Burgundy red
lipstick, a beige face compact, a small
square pocket mirror, a packet of Premier
paper handkerchiefs and a pair of round
sunglasses in its case. In the centre
compartment are my HSBC credit card,
ICICI ATM Card and an SBI Debit-cum-
ATM Card. My office ID card and a copy
of my salary slip are in a zipped pouch
along with Rs. 1500/- in cash of hundred
rupees denomination. There may be other
items like a Cello gripper blue ball-point
pen, some hairclips. toothpicks - I‘m not
too sure!
Inspector : OK Ma‘am. You have given us a fairly
good description. We‘ll do our best to
help you. Just hand in a formal complaint
to the constable who is seated in the next
room and get a copy of the First
Information Report.
Mrs. Gayathri : Thank you. Sir!
Inspector : And don‘t forget to leave your phone
number and address for contact.
Mrs. Gayathri : Of course! 1 shan‘t forget! Thank you
once again.

( #Fire ) ( #Flame )
A fire

Rohit : Anand look up! Can you see smoke coming out from that tall building?
Anand : Yes, I can see the flames. The building is on fire. Let‘s report it quickly!
Rohit : There‘s a PCO booth at the end of the road.
At the booth
Rohit : I‘m calling to report a fire.
Fire Station : Your name please?
Rohit : Rohit Handa.
Fire Station : What is the location of the fire?
Rohit : It‘s on Station Road in the tall insurance office building near the
traffi c signals.
Fire Station : This fi re has already been reported. A fi re brigade is on its way.

Making a #complaint – #water

Ms. Sharma : Hello. Is it the Essential Services, Chirag Delhi?

Officer : Yes, this is the service section. Your complaint, please.
Ms. Sharma : A leaking cistern needs to be repaired and a tap has to be replaced.
Officer : Please let me know your name, address and telephone number.
Ms. Sharma : I am Madhu Sharma calling from B-126 Greater Kailash and my telephone
number is 2528067. Please treat this as urgent as a lot of water is
being wasted.
Officer : I have noted your complaint Ms. Sharma. I will send the plumber tomorrow
at 10:30 am

Meaning
Fluctuation : rising and falling, changing irregularly
2. complaint: statement showing dissatisfaction
3. rectified : repaired, set right
1. cistern: water storage tank
2. plumber( b is silent ) : person who repairs taps

Ravi : My telephone has been out of order for the past two days.
 Complaints Asst. : Your number please?
Ravi : It‘s 2571284.
Complaints Asst. : I‘ve made a note and the complaint number is 246.
Ravi : Please treat it as urgent. Someone in the house is seriously ill.
Complaints Asst. : Yes, I‘ll send the linesman over today.
Ravi : Thank you.
Complaints Asst. : You‘re welcome.

Ravi : I‘m Gupta calling from house number C-509.

Secretary of Residents‘ Society : Yes, Mr. Gupta, how can I help you?
Ravi : The residents of C Block have been complaining about voltage fluctuation.
I have also sent two written complaints but no action has been taken so far.
Secretary : I have contacted the Electricity Department and they have promised to send
their linesman to check the transformer and the supply line. We are
hopeful that it should get rectified today.
Ravi : Thank you. Please look into it urgently as our appliances may get damaged
due to this fluctuation in voltage.
Secretary : Sure, Mr. Gupta and don‘t worry, I am working on this.
#Friend on #Phone

A :Hello, could I speak to Mr. Dinesh?

B :May I know who I am speaking to?
A :I‟m his friend Satish.
B :I am afraid he isn‟t here at the moment. Just a minute!
Yes, here he comes.
Dinesh : Hello, Satish. How are you?
Satish : I‟m fine and you?
Dinesh : I‟m fine too.
Satish : By the way, where are you now?
Dinesh : I‟m in my office at the moment.
Satish : When will you be available at home?
Dinesh : I hope I‟ll be at home on Friday.
Satish : What time shall I come?
Dinesh : Either in the evening or at night.

( #Doctor #Patient #Hospital #Nurse )

A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR‘S OFFICE

Situation: Laura has not been feeling well lately. Today she goes to see her doctor for a physical

checkup.

Laura: Good morning, I have an appointment with Doctor Clark at 8:30.

Clerk: Let me pull your record. In the meantime, please sign-in and have a seat.
Nurse: Laura Nicholson.

Laura: Here.

Nurse: Follow me to Room A please.

Nurse: Here we are. What are your reasons for seeing Doctor Clark today?

Laura: Well, lately I have been feeling tired, and occasionally I have had really bad headaches

and an upset stomach. On top of that, I have had this persistent cough for the last two weeks.

Nurse: When did you start having these symptoms?

Laura: I started feeling tired about two months ago; then, a little bit after that the headaches

came. I got the upset stomach long before feeling tired.

Nurse: Are you taking any medications?

Laura: Only my vitamins.

Nurse: What vitamins are you taking?

Laura: I am taking a multi-vitamin tablet and extra Vitamin C every day.

Nurse: OK, let me take your vital signs.

Laura: How am I doing?

Nurse: Everything is good—normal blood pressure and no high temperature. Please wait here

for a minute. Doctor Clark will be with you in a moment.

Laura: Thank you.

Doctor: Good morning, Laura.

Doctor: I see here that you started feeling tired two months ago, and then you started having bad

headaches. You also have had an upset stomach and a persistent cough. Did you run a fever too?

Laura: No, doctor.

Doctor: Let me do a quick physical check up.

Doctor: Please take a deep breath, hold your breath, and exhale. Do it again please.

Doctor: Were there any changes in your diet or your weight lately?

Laura: I ate the usual things, but I lost five pounds recently.

Doctor: Did you suffer from insomnia?

Laura: Well, it is pretty hard for me to fall asleep when I go to bed. I also woke up many times

during the night.

Doctor: Do you drink? Do you smoke?

Laura: No.

Doctor: How are things at work?

Laura: There was a change of ownership three months ago, and I had to work a lot of overtime,

even during the weekend.

Doctor: It looks like you have pneumonia. Other than that, I do not see any problems. You are

probably under stress from changes at work, and the stress causes headaches, upset stomach, and

sleeplessness. For now, try to relax and exercise. It may solve your problems. Come back to see

me again if the symptoms persist, and I will do further tests. I am going to give you a

prescription for your pneumonia. Are you allergic to any medications?

Laura: Not to my knowledge.

Doctor : OK, take this medication three times a day after you eat. Also, I want you to have some

blood tests. Stop by the laboratory on your way out and have the nurse draw your blood.

Laura: I am anxious to know my cholesterol level. When will I get the results of the blood test?

Doctor: The results will be available in two weeks. Don‘t stress yourself. I think everything will

be OK.

Laura: Thank you, Doctor.

The following are doctor-patient interactions:

Patient : Doctor, I've hurt my toe, bruised my knee,

scraped the elbow, cut the chin,

Doctor : Wait, wait! Now, how did all this happen?

Patient : You see, I was in a hurry. I got off a moving bus,

at the signal.

Doctor : You should have been patient.

....................

Patient : Doctor, I'm not able to see clearly.

Doctor : I see.

Patient : My vision is blurred.

Doctor : I see.

Patient : When I read, the letters are hazy,

Doctor : I see.
Patient : Even when there is a bright light, it looks dim

Doctor : I see.

Patient : Sometimes, even from at a very short distance

I'm not able to see clearly what is in front of me.

Doctor : I see.

Patient : I know that you can see. But the fact is that I

cannot see.

Doctor : I see.

..............

Patient : Doctor, I have a bad toothache.

Dentist : Open your mouth. Mmmm that's a cavity.

You'll need a filling. Do you eat a lot of sweets?

Patient : Yes, I do. When can I have the filling? Tomor

row?

Dentist : You can have it right now.

Patient : That's sweet of you.

Glossary

bruised : injured

scraped : injured the skin by rough contact

blurred/hazy : unclear

filling : material used to fill something (here) substance

used to fill the holes in the teeth.

______________________________________________________________

DOCTOR: What seems to be the problem?

CATHY: Well, I have a bad cough and a sore throat. I also have a headache.

DOCTOR: How long have you had these symptoms?

CATHY: About three days now. And I‘m really tired, too.

DOCTOR: Hmm. It sounds like you‘ve got the flu. Take aspirin every four hours and get plenty of rest.
Make sure you drink lots of fluids. Call me if you‘re still sick next week.

CATHY: OK, thanks.

______________________________________________________________

A: "Jared, I just heard about your father. How is he doing?"

B: "He's in the hospital resting. The doctor's didn't give a clear answer yet."

A: "I'm so sorry to hear that. But this is a good hospital. I'm sure they will do whatever they can."

B: "I hope so."

A: "You must feel really worried right now. But you know your dad is a fighter."

B: "Yeah. I think my mom is the most worried. I'm basically worried about how she is doing."

A: "Where is she right now?"

B: "She's in the hospital with my dad. I have to go back tonight."

A: "Hey, I'll go with you."

B: "You don't have to."

A: "It's really no problem."

B: "Ok. Let's go right after dinner."

______________________________________________________

( # Hospital ) ( # Direction )

A: Excuse me. Is there a hospital near here?

B: No, there‘s no hospital here. But there‘s a doctors clinic.

It‘s in Rara Marg, just opposite the bank.

A: Thank you. Oh, just one more thing. Where‘s the nearest

pay phone?

B: Well, it‘s right over there, next to the hotel.

A: Thanks a lot.

Doctor: I've written you a prescription for your breathing difficulty.

Larry: How should I take it?

Doctor: I've prescribed an inhaler and some tablets. Take two puffs of the inhaler whenever
you feel tightness in your chest.

Larry: When do I take the tablets?

Doctor: The pills are just to control your allergies. Take one every morning on an empty
stomach.
Larry: I hope this will do the trick.

Doctor: Come back to see me in thirty days and I'll check on your progress.

Explanation : Do the trick - If something does the trick, it has the necessary or desired effect

Example : This sauce needs a bit of flavor - I know, some lemon juice should do the trick.

Doctor: What can I do for you today ?

Patty: I think I have a rare and fatal disease...

Doctor: Oh, really? How so ?

Patty: Well, my stomach hurts all the time, and my urine is greenish-yellow !

Doctor: Have you been eating anything out of the ordinary lately ?

Patty: No. And my hair is falling out. I think I'm going bald !

Explanation : Out of the ordinary - unusual

Example : For the police, the incident seemed nothing out of the ordinary

Patient : Good morning, Doctor.

Doctor : Good morning, Mr. Govind, Sit down. You usually drop
in after 7 p.m. You‟re rather early today!
Patient : Yes doctor. I couldn‟t bear the pain so I had to meet
you immediately,
Doctor : Tell me how you feel. Where does it hurt?
Patient : Doctor, I have this terrible pain on my left side and
my back. My mouth is dry and I fed nauseous, I throw
up whatever I eat.
(Doctor takes the patient’s temperature)
Doctor : Your temperature is normal. Have you been drinking?
(tests his heartbeat with the stethoscope)
Patient : Yes doctor. A little more than usual. You see these
endless official sales dinners expect one lo be
sociable.
(Doctor makes the patient lie down and checks his stomach)
Doctor : Your liver is slightly enlarged. Let me see your eyes.
Yes, your eyes too are discoloured -slightly yellow.
You are heading for a liver-infected problem. It
could be infectious hepatitis through a virus or a
starting process of damage through excessive and
destructive food habits. We‟ll go in for all the
required tests and start treatment. But as for now,
the nurse in the next room will give you an injection
to reduce your pain and I‟ll prescribe some
medicine for relief (writes the prescription). Keep
off spicy food and drinking for now. Avoid oil. You
have to go slow on these if you need to be fit.
Meet me again after two days. I advise full rest till
then.
Patient : Thank you Doctor - thank you very much- (Exits)
Arokya : Doctor, what is wrong with my mother?
Doctor : She has typhoid. I want you to monitor her
temperature.
Arokya : How often should I check her temperature?
Doctor : Once every four hours.
Arokya : What diet should I give her?
Doctor : Only liquid diet.
Arokya : When should I bring her for the review?
Doctor : After three days.
Glossary
monitor : watch carefully for a period of time
review : (here) check again

Patient : Is the surgery a major one?

Doctor : Yes, it is.
Patient : How long will it take?
Doctor : 1 1/2 ? hours.
Patient : Will I be given a local or general anaesthetic?
Doctor : General.
Patient : Will there be any after-effects?
Doctor : Except for weakness and a little nausea,
you'll be fine.
________

Patient : Will it be painful afterwards ?

Doctor : Yes. But don't worry, you' ll be given
pain-killers.
Patient : What will be the cost of the surgery?
Doctor : Rs.75,000/- including post-operative care.
Glossary
local anaesthetic : a drug that causes loss of feeling in one
part of the body
general anaesthetic : a drug that causes unconsciousness
after-effects : effects that follow the primary action of
something
post-operative : relating to the period after surgery

( #chemist ) ( # Medical )

Father : Excuse me. I need some medicines.

Chemist : May I have the prescription, please?

Father : Yes, here it is. Please check the expiry dates of the medicines.

Chemist : I‘ll do that Sir. So here‘s your analgesic, the antacid and a bottle of multivitamin

tablets. Is there anything else that you want?

Father : Yes, I need a thermometer, a roll of cotton wool and a small bottle of Dettol

or Savlon.
Chemist : The medicines, and the cost of the other items add up to _ 76. Anything

else sir?

Father : No, thank you.

Word/Phrase Meaning

1. prescription : a doctor‘s written directions for taking medicines

2. analgesic : medicine to reduce pain

3. antacid : that prevents or reduces acidity in the stomach

obstetrician : one who helps in childbirth

gynaecologist : one who has specialised in treating women
ophthalmologist : eye specialist
neurologist : one who has specialised in the treatment
of the nervous system
anaesthetist : one who has specialised in administering
anaesthetics
dermatologist : a skin specialist
ENT : ear, nose and throat specialist
geriatrician : one who has specialised in the treatment
of old people
gastroenterologist : one who has specialised in the treatment
of the stomach/intestines
nephrologist : one who has specialised in the treatment
of kidneys

Pneumonia: One-sided headache, nausea, sensitive to

sound and light

Chickenpox: High fever, nausea and rigors

Influenza(flu) Itching and soreness in the eyes, eyes red
and watery often with discharge of pus

Mumps : Burning pain in abdomen, pain or nausea

after eating

Gastritis: Swollen painful joints, stifness, restricted

rnovement
Conjunctivitis : Swollen glands in front of ear,ear ache,
pain on eating

Migraine :Rash starting on body, slightly raised

Temperature

Malaria : Dry cough, high fever, chest pain, rapid

Breathing

Rheumatism: Headache, aching muscles, fever, cough,

sneezing
"I wish I could sleep more, but I have too much to do."

"I usually sleep 6 hours a day."

"I have a hard time falling asleep, and also a hard time waking up."

"When I lay down to sleep, I am usually asleep in matter of minutes."

"I wake up automatically at 6am every morning."

"I am having a hard time sleeping."

"I got a new bed yesterday."

"My husband snores a lot."

"I am not getting a lot of sleep with our new baby at home."

"My neighbor's dog keep waking us up at night."

"The storm last night kept me from getting a good night sleep."

#Extra #phone Conversation ↓

Hello, could I speak to Mr. Raveendran?
B: I‟m sorry, would you mind repeating the name, please?
13
A: I said Raveendran.
B: Oh Raveendran. I‟m afraid he is away at the moment.
A: I‟d be grateful if you could pass on a message to him. I‟m
Livia. The book he wants is in my office with my personal
secretary.
B: I‟ve noted down the message. I‟ll pass it on to him as soon as
he arrives.
A: Thanks a lot.
B: Welcome.
.
other #Direction ↓↓
#Exercises to practice
 #Coincidences

Well, hello there, Julia! Long time no see!

JULIA: Meg! Hi! What a coincidence! I haven‘t seen you in ages! What are you doing here?

MEG: I just got a new job in the city, so I‘m shopping for some clothes. Hey, what do you think of this
shirt?

JULIA: Hmmm … well, you know how much I love blue. See? I‘ve got the same shirt!

MEG: You always did have good taste! What a small world

Sahil: Hi Shaheena!
Shaheena: Oh Hi, Sahil! What are you doing here?
Sahil: Glad to meet you here. It‟s my mother‟s birthday at the end
of the week and I have come here to get a gift for her. What
are you doing here?
Shaheena: Oh, what a coincidence! It‟s my mother‟s birthday early next
week. I have come here to shop for a present for her too!
Why don‟t we look for something for our mothers together ?
Sahil: That‟s a great idea. I was thinking of buying her a wrist
watch.
Shaheena: I could buy my mother a watch too. Shall we go to the
“Watches Section”.

#Weather

Jenifer: It‘s freezing outside! What happened to the weather report? I thought this cold front was
supposed to pass.

GABRIELA: Yeah, I thought so too. That‘s what I read online this morning.

JENNIFER: I guess the wind chill is really driving down the temperature.

GABRIELA: Can we go inside? I feel like my toes are starting to go numb.

Ordering a #Meal

Hello, I‘ll be your waiter today. Can I start you off with something to drink?

RALPH: Yes. I‘ll have iced tea, please.

ANNA: And I‘ll have lemonade.

WAITER: OK. Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes?

RALPH: I think we‘re ready. I‘ll have the tomato soup to start, and the roast beef with mashed
potatoes and peas.

WAITER: How do you want the beef — rare, medium, or well done?

RALPH: Well done, please.

ANNA: And I‘ll just have the fish, with potatoes and a salad.
 #Shop

Bella: If we buy more than 500 cases of the Reserve, what discount can you offer us?

Pierre: On 500, nothing. But if you buy 1000 cases, we'll offer 15%.

Bella: Let me think about that. Now, if I place an order for 1000, will

you be able to dispatch immediately?

Pierre: I don't know about immediately, but certainly this month.

Bella: Well, if you get it to us before the Christmas rush, it'll be OK.

I'll take it if your prices include insurance.

Pierre: Actually, no. You'd be responsible for that. If you can increase

your order, then we'd be willing to cover insurance as well.

Bella: I'll need to do some calculations.

Pierre: Let's look at methods of payment. Since we've not dealt with you before, we'd like to be paid

by banker's draft.

Bella: Well, this is a large order. We've done business with many well-known wine producers and

we've always paid by letter of credit.

Pierre: OK. If we agree to your paying by letter of credit, then you'll have to pay us within 30 days.

Bella: That should be fine.

#Directions

MARK: Excuse me. Could you tell me where the library is?

NANCY: Yes, it‘s that way. You go three blocks to Washington Street, then turn right. It‘s on the
corner, across from the bank.

MARK: Thanks! I‘ve only been in town a few days, so I really don‘t know my way around yet.

NANCY: Oh, I know how you feel. We moved here a year ago, and I still don‘t know where everything
is!

Calling for Help

PETER: Hey! That car just ran a red light and hit that truck!

GAIL: Is anyone hurt?

PETER: I don‘t know … let‘s call 911. … Hello? I‘d like to report a car accident near the post
office on Charles Street. It looks like a man is hurt. Yes, it just happened. OK, thanks. Bye.

GAIL: What did they say?

PETER: They‘re going to send an ambulance and a police car right away.
GAIL: Good, they‘re here. I hope the man is OK.

PETER: I know. You have to be so careful when you‘re driving

Request for #directions

A Chemist

Mr. Rao : Excuse me. Is there a chemist in this area?

Ravi : Yes, there‘s one quite close to the Central Hall Library.

Mr Rao : Where‘s the library?

Ravi : Go straight down this road and at the fi rst traffi c light take a right turn.

You‘ll see the Central Hall Library building on the left. Two shops

away is the chemist.

Mr Rao : Thanks.

( #Bus )

A bus stop

Mr. Rao : Excuse me. Where is the Inter State Bus Terminus?

Ravi : Oh! It‘s quite far from here.

Mr Rao : Can you tell me the quickest way of getting there?

Ravi : You‘ll have to go by an auto-rickshaw or take a local bus.

Mr Rao : Is there a direct bus?

Ravi : Yes, bus number 490 from the next stop will take you straight there.

Mr Rao : Thank you very much.

#Transportation

JOYCE: Should we take a taxi or a bus to the mall?

BILL: Let‘s take a bus. It‘s impossible to get a taxi during rush hour.

JOYCE: Isn‘t that a bus stop over there?

BILL: Yes ... Oh! There‘s a bus now. We‘ll have to run to catch it.

JOYCE: Oh, no! We just missed it.

BILL: No problem. There‘ll be another one in 10 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------

A: Excuse me. Are there any restaurants around here?

 B: Yes, there are. There‘s a good one on the corner of King

Street and New Park Road.

A: Thanks very much.

Your partner is a visitor in your town. Have a

conversation by asking and answering these questions

and other questions of your own..

# Pair work

A: Excuse me. Can you help me? I‘m on a holiday here. Is

there a post office nearby?

B: ...

A: Thanks. And I need to go to a travel agency. Is there one

around here?

B: ...

A: And how about restaurants? Are there any good ones in

the neighbourhood?

B: ...

A: Thanks a lot. That sounds good. And just one more

thing. Where‘s the nearest... ?

Super #market

#Grocery

LOUISE: Hey, Julia … Look at those desserts! How about baking some cookies today?

JULIA: Hmm … Yeah, that‘s a great idea! While we‘re here, let‘s pick up the ingredients.

JULIA: OK, what do we need?

LOUISE: The recipe calls for flour, sugar and butter. Oh, and we also need eggs and chocolate chips.

JULIA: Why don‘t you get the dairy ingredients? You‘ll find those in the refrigerated section in the back of the
store. I‘ll get the ingredients — they‘re in aisle 10.

LOUISE: Great! Let‘s meet at the checkout.

JULIA: OK. See you there.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Situation: Laura‟s mother had asked her to go grocery shopping before she went to work this

morning. Since Laura is still busy with her homework, she asks her sister Martha to go to the

market for her.

Laura: Mom had asked me to go grocery shopping before she left for work this morning, but I

need to finish my school project. Can you go for me, Martha?

Martha: I guess I can. I am done with my homework. What did mom want you to buy?

Laura: Well, she wanted me to buy enough groceries for the whole week. Besides meat, some

fish and vegetables, we can buy whatever else we want for snacks and breakfast.

Martha: What do you want for breakfast?

Laura: I guess some cereal as usual.

Martha: I do not want cereal every day. I will buy some pancakes and syrup then.

Laura: Get the new FineFood pancakes in the frozen food section please. I want to see how it

tastes.

Martha: Do we still have enough coffee and cream for mom and dad?

Laura: Yes, we do. Talking about coffee and cream, you better buy some milk also. We almost

ran out of it.

Martha: Next, what do you want for snacks?

Laura: Some chips would be fine with me. You probably want your chocolate cookies.

Martha: I better write down all these things; otherwise, I will forget them by the time I get to the

market. I would hate to make two trips to take care of things.

Laura: Right! As far as meat, mom wants some pork and some chicken.

Martha: Just any kind of pork?

Laura: I forgot to ask mom about that. Anyways, you can ask the butcher for his opinion. He

knows what is best.

Martha: How about fish?

Laura: Mom wants some salmon and some catfish. Make sure that they are fresh.

Martha: How much salmon and catfish should I buy?

Laura: Oh, buy four pieces of salmon filet and four pieces of catfish filet. Mom does not like to

get the whole fish.

Martha: Are these fish filets sold by weight or by the piece?

Laura: I am not very sure. Just buy four decent sized pieces. Not too big and not too small.

Martha: Do I need to buy some spices so mom can marinate the fish?

Laura: Yes, get some ground pepper and some garlic.

Martha: Now, how about vegetables? Mom probably wants carrots, potatoes, cabbages and

some lettuce.

Laura: That would be fine. We need some fruits also. What do you want?

Martha: Dad always packs an apple for lunch every day. I want the same thing.

Laura: We have already run out of eggs. So, get a carton of eggs also.

Martha: How about some soft drinks?

Laura: No, buy some bottled water instead. It is healthier for us. We need to cut down on our

intake of sugar, as too much sugar is not good for our bodies.

Martha: I need to put bread on the list before I forget. Should I get one loaf or two?

Laura: One loaf will be enough. Put down a bag of rice also.

Martha: Do we need anything for dessert?

Laura: Get a box of ice cream.

Martha: Ice cream? Isn‘t ice cream packed with sugar?

Laura: Yes, but since I already drink water instead of soft drinks, one or perhaps two scoops of

ice cream after dinner is not too bad. Besides, mom loves ice cream, especially cherry vanilla.

Martha: OK, I will put down one box of ice cream if you say so. Do you want me to buy some

pastries for you?

Laura: I know the pastries at the market are delicious; however, no is my answer. Do not tempt

me, Martha

Martha: Just asking, Laura.

Laura: You have quite a few items to take care of. You need to get going.

Martha: Yes, the list is quite long. By the time I get to the cashier to pay, I will probably have a

full shopping cart. OK, I am all set to go. I will be back soon.

Laura: Drive carefully please!

Martha: I will.

At The #Grocery

While at the grocery you could be asked by workers a variety of questions.

 "Do you need any help finding anything?"

"Would you like a sample?"

"Do you have any coupons?"

"Do you have your grocery card?"

"Would you like paper or plastic bags?"

"Would you like any help out to your car?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"Yes, can you please tell me where I can find your produce section?"

"No thanks, I know where to find what I need."

"What kind of samples do you have?"

"From the samples you offered me, where can I find them in the store?"

"No I do not have any coupons."

"Yes I do have coupons. Let me get them."

"I do not have a grocery card. What is that?"

"I do have a grocery card. Here it is."

A lot of grocery stores offer a plastic card you could present when checking out that can offer special prices and
s for how much you spend. These points can sometimes be used for special promotions and sales. You can usually
for one at the register.

"I would like paper bags please."

"I brought my own bags to use. Here you go."

"No thanks, I don't need any help out today."

"Yes, I would like some help taking my groceries out to my car."

You too, may have questions while at the grocery. Below are a few examples of things that you might ask.

"Can you tell me what isle the frozen food is in?"

"Can you help me reach that?"

"Can you tell me the difference between...?"

"Can I please have a pound of the oven roasted chicken breast?"

"Do you have any more of this in the back room?"

I NEED #HELP!

Situation: Henry is having problems with his homework. His friend Tim is having problems with
building a doll house. They are seeking each other‟s help.

Tim: Henry, what are you doing?

Henry: I have been trying to solve this physics problem for the last half hour, and I still have no

idea how to do it.

Tim: When do you have to turn it in?

Henry: It is due at the end of this week.

Tim: Well, it is only Monday. Why don‘t you get some after-school-tutoring tomorrow?

Henry: I have to sign up for it first. I guess I will go sign up for the Wednesday session

tomorrow.

Tim: You should reread the chapter before you show up for the session. It will help you

understand the subject matter better.

Henry: OK, I will do that.

Tim: Now that your problem is solved, I need you to lend me a hand with my problem.

Henry: What is up?

Tim: I need to build a new doll house for Nancy. I was putting her doll house away, and

somehow I accidentally dropped it. It was broken into pieces.

Henry: How clumsy of you! Does she know?

Tim: I told her about it. I could not lie to her.

Henry: How did she take it?

Tim: My sister really liked that doll house, and obviously she was not very happy. But, I told her

that I would build a better one for her. So, I need your help.

Henry: Me? Help you? I have never built anything in my life.

Tim: Me neither. But, don‘t worry. Putting together pieces of wood is not going to be difficult.

52

Henry: It is more than just putting pieces of wood together. You need to put in windows and

doors. Have you thought about how you would do that?

Tim: Who says houses need to have windows and doors?

Henry: So, you are going to build a doll house with no windows and no doors?

Tim: Yes, I do not see anything wrong with that. Do you?

Henry: No. It makes the project easier to handle now. But, are you sure that Nancy will not
mind having a doll house with no doors and no windows?

Tim: Yes, I am sure.

Henry: Are you sure that Nancy will find this doll house with no doors and no windows prettier

than the one you broke?

Tim: No, I am not sure. Why do you have to make things so complicated?

Henry: I am not trying to complicate things. You did tell Nancy that the new doll house would

be better than the one you broke. I just want to remind you of your promise.

Tim: Ah, I wish I have not touched her doll house! What should I do then?

Henry: Get help from somebody who knows how to build a doll house. I would not be of any

help to you in this project.

Tim: Who do you suggest I ask?

Henry: Mr. Brown used to be a carpenter. He will be glad to help you out. Why don‘t you give

him a call, and see whether he has some free time.

Tim: You are right. It will take us forever to build this doll house. With Mr. Brown‘s help, I can

finish it in no time.

Henry: OK, now that your problem is solved, can you help me trim the trees in the back yard?

Tim: Who? Me? Trim the trees in your back yard? It will take us ages to trim those trees. Let‘s

see who is good at trimming trees. Ah, you can ask Mr. Brown. He is also good at trimming

trees. And, when you ask for his help, please ask him to help me build a doll house also.

Son : I‟m sorry to bother you, I need a help daddy.

Father : What help?
Son : I want …some… money.
Father : What was that?
Son : I said I want some money.
Father : Money? What for?
Son : I‟ve lost my friend‟s cell phone Daddy.
Father : Your friend‟s cell phone? How did it happen?
Son : It was in my shirt pocket, Daddy. While travelling in a
crowded bus, some thief picked it from my pocket. I
have to buy a new one and give it to him.
Father : You‟re always careless. How much does it cost?
Son : Only Rs.3000 /-
Father : Go and get it from your mom.
Son : Thank you, Daddy.

LOOKING FOR AN #APARTMENT ( #House , #Rent , )

Situation: Joseph and James will start their first semester at the University of Southern California

soon, and they are trying to find an apartment before school starts.

Joseph: Hey, James. What are you doing here?

James: I am looking for an apartment to rent. What are you doing here? Looking for an

apartment also?

Joseph: Yes. Since my parents‘ house is so far away, I need to find an apartment closer to school. I

thought you were going to stay at the school dormitory.

James: I still have not decided whether to stay at the dormitory or not. I am looking at different

options to find the cheapest lodging.

Joseph: So, what are you looking for?

James: All I need is a place big enough for my bed, my desk and my television. Of course, the

place should have a kitchen so that I can cook my meals. I will be living on a very tight budget

and will have to watch every dime.

Joseph: Me too. I cannot work full-time like I did during the summer. I will cut down on my

workload in order to spend most of the time on my studies. So, a safe and decent apartment is all

I need.

James: How long have you been looking?

Joseph: I just started this week. Since school is going to start next month, I figured I better start

the process as soon as possible.

James: It is not easy to find an apartment to your liking that does not cost a lot. I have been

looking at the ads in the newspaper for two weeks, and I still have not found anything yet.

Joseph: Really? Is it that difficult to find an apartment?

James: No, it is just that everything I like so far is too expensive and way beyond my reach.

Joseph: Is it because they are very close to school? I heard that the closer they are to school, the

higher the rental cost.

James: Maybe that is the problem. Since I do not have a car, I need to find something close to

school.

Joseph: Have you thought about sharing an apartment? If you want, we can find a two bedroom

apartment and share it. It may be cheaper that way.

James: That could solve our problem.

Joseph: Wait! Maybe we should talk this over before we decide.

James: Right. For this plan to succeed, we need to come up with some sort of agreement or set

of rules.

Joseph: Here is my first question: What do you do during the weekdays?

James: I have to work at Starbucks from 8:00AM to 12:00PM, and then I have school from

1:00PM to 5:00PM. After that I plan to go home, eat dinner, and work on my school

assignments. How about you?

Joseph: Well, I have class from 8:00AM to 10:00AM, and then I go to the library to work until

2:00PM. After that, it is school again until 4:00PM. I plan to stay on campus until 6:00PM to

work on my computer projects, and then go home to work on my other classes‘ assignments.

James: It is my turn to ask the second question. Do you plan to have your friends over at the

apartment very often?

Joseph: No, not on weekdays. I want to finish my homework during the weekdays as much as

possible. I think half of my weekend will also be reserved for homework. If my friends do stop

by, it will probably be during the weekend.

James: Good, I plan to do the same things during school time. I also plan to visit my parents

during the weekend. My mom is a great cook.

Joseph: My parents‘ house is too far to visit once a week. I will go home to see them and my little

brother during the holidays. I need to be happy with whatever foods I cook.

James: It seems that sharing an apartment with you may work. Do you want to try it?

Joseph: Yes. Let‘s go in and take a look at this one.

Tracy: So this is your new apartment.

Charlene: Yes, I moved in a month ago.

Tracy: Well, I have to say it looks fantastic. Did you decorate and furnish it yourself.

Charlene: Yes, I did. It took me quite a lot of time.

Tracy: Well, I must say you have such good taste in interior decor. It could have been done by a professional
designer.

Charlene: Oh ! I don't think so, but I'm glad you think it's nice.

Explanation : Taste - A person's ability to judge and appreciate what is good and suitable, especially in art, beauty,

and manners.
Example : Barbara has good taste in clothes.
 HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: Hi, there. How can I help you?

CLAIRE: Well, I‘m in town visiting for a few days, and I need to get some things done while I‘m here.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: Sure. What do you need?

CLAIRE: I need to get my hair cut. I also need to have my new pants hemmed.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: OK. Here‘s a map of the city. There‘s a good hair salon here, which is just a block away.
here‘s a tailor right here. Is there anything else?

CLAIRE: Yes. I‘ll need to have my car serviced before my long drive home!

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST: No problem. There‘s a good mechanic a few blocks away.

At the Post Office

POSTAL CLERK: What can I do for you today?

CAROL: I need to mail this package to New York, please.

POSTAL CLERK: OK, let‘s see how much it weighs … it‘s about five pounds. If you send it express, it will get there
rrow. Or you can send it priority and it will get there by Saturday.

CAROL: Saturday is fine. How much will that be?

POSTAL CLERK: $11.35 [eleven thirty-five]. Do you need anything else?

CAROL: Oh, yeah! I almost forgot. I need a book of stamps, too.

POSTAL CLERK: OK, your total comes to $20.35 [twenty dollars and thirty-five cents

Catching up after #class

LINDA: Hey! How did your physics exam go?

FAHIM: Not bad, thanks. I‘m just glad it‘s over! How about you … how‘d your presentation go?

LINDA: Oh, it went really well. Thanks for helping me with it!

FAHIM: No problem. So … do you feel like studying tomorrow for our math exam?

LINDA: Yeah, sure! Come over around 10:00, after breakfast.

FAHIM: All right. I‘ll bring my notes.

#Shopping

SALESPERSON: Can I help you?

GLORIA: Yes, I‘m looking for a sweater — in a size medium.

SALESPERSON: Let‘s see … here‘s a nice white one. What do you think?

GLORIA: I think I‘d rather have it in blue.

SALESPERSON: OK … here‘s blue, in a medium. Would you like to try it on?

GLORIA: OK … yes, I love it. It fits perfectly. How much is it?

 SALESPERSON: It‘s $50. It will be $53, with tax.

GLORIA: Perfect! I‘ll take it.

How #Old Are You?

PATTY: I‘m really excited for Aunt Mary‘s surprise birthday party this afternoon! Aren‘t you?

SUSAN: Yeah! How old is she?

PATTY: She‘ll be 55 on May 14 [fourteenth].

SUSAN: Wow! I didn‘t know that my mom was older — she‘s going to be 57 on September 2 [second]. Anyway,
Mary‘s going to be so surprised to see us all here!

PATTY: I know! But we still have to get all the food set up before she gets here … OK! We‘re all ready now. Shh!
s here!

ALL: Surprise!

#movies

BOB: We‘d like two tickets for the 3:30 show, please.

TICKET SALES: Here you go. Enjoy the movie!

[Inside the theater]

BOB: Would you mind moving over one, so my friend and I can sit together?

WOMAN: No, not at all.

BOB: Thanks a lot!

What Are You Good At?

SANDRA: So … what should we do?

JULIE: Well, I like to do arts and crafts, and I‘m really good at drawing. What do you think?

SANDRA: Hmm … how about playing a board game? That would be more fun.

JULIE: OK. Let‘s play Scrabble! I‘m really good at spelling, too!

SANDRA: Oh, yeah? We‘ll see about that!

• So … Notice how the ―o‖ sound is drawn out here, combined with the intonation, which shows boredom.

• I‘m really good at ―Really‖ means ―very‖ and is used to emphasize ―good.‖ It goes before the adjective.

• What do you Notice the pronunciation here — it sounds like ―Whaddaya.‖

• Hmm … is used to show that the speaker is thinking. It is also used to show that the speaker disagrees with an

• How about is used to make a tentative suggestion. The speaker is introducing an idea and doesn‘t want to sound
too strong.

• Let‘s is used to make a strong suggestion. The speaker feels confident about the plan.
 • Oh, yeah? We‘ll see about that! ―Oh, yeah?‖ is used in a joking way to show a bit of friendly
competition. Notice the emphasis on ―that,‖ which refers back to ―good at spelling.‖

PHIL: What time is that soccer game on? I thought it started at noon.

JACK: We must have had the wrong time. Oh, well … soccer‘s not my favorite sport anyway. I much prefer
basketball.

PHIL: Oh, really? I thought your favorite sport was tennis! I‘m a big fan of basketball, too.

JACK: How about a game sometime?

PHIL: Sure thing! Why don‘t we go shoot some hoops now since the soccer game isn‘t on?

JACK: Excellent idea. Let‘s go.

SHANNON: What a fantastic performance! Thank you for inviting me to the musical.

ELENA: You are welcome. I‘m happy you enjoyed the show. The choreography of the dancers was
iincredible. It reminds me of when I used to dance.

SHANNON: I know! You were such a talented ballerina. Do you miss dancing?

ELENA: Oh, that‘s very kind of you, Shannon. I do miss it sometimes. But I will always be a fan of the arts.
That‘s why I love going to musicals because it‘s the perfect combination of song, dance and theater.

SHANNON: Absolutely! I‘m glad you are still an art fan too. Thank you for the invitation. It‘s always
a pleasure to attend an arts event with you and learn something new.

Jack: Jane, do you like science-fiction movies?

Jane: Yes, I do. I love them.
Jack: Really? Me too. Have you seen the Matrix yet?
Jane: Nope. Not yet.
Jack: Would you like to see it with me?
Jane: I‘d love to.
Jack: Great. How about Saturday evening?
Jane: That sounds good.
Jack: OK! I will pick you up at 7 PM.
Jane: OK! See you then.
At the #Pet Store

CONNIE: Oh! What a beautiful cat. What do you think?

GARY: I think I‘d rather get a dog. Dogs are more loyal than cats.

CONNIE: Yes, but they‘re so much work! Would you be willing to walk it every single day? And clean up
after it?

GARY: Hmm. Good point. What about a bird? Or a fish?

CONNIE: We‘d have to invest a lot of money in a cage or a fish tank. And I don‘t really know how to take
care of a bird or a fish!

GARY: Well, we‘re obviously not ready to get a pet yet.

CONNIE: Yeah, you‘re right. Let‘s go grab some coffee and talk about it.
 #opinion

JAKE: Where should we take a vacation this year? Let‘s decide soon.

MELISSA: Well, I‘d like to go somewhere warm. How about the beach? Or we could rent a cabin on the
lake.

JAKE: You want to go to the beach, again? I want to ski this winter. How about a compromise? What about
traveling to the Alps in Europe next April? We can find a ski resort on a lake.

MELISSA: Oh, we‘ve never been to Europe before! But I don‘t know if it will be sunny and warm then. I need
to do some research first. That will help me make up my mind.

#Hobbies

AYAAN: I‘m so happy this week of midterm exams is finished.

TYLER: Same here. I‘m looking forward to relaxing in the mountains this weekend. I‘ve planned a little hike
in the woods. And I‘m gonna take a canoe trip down the river if the weather cooperates.

AYAAN: Oh, fun! I‘m going to Michigan. I‘m taking my camera because fall is coming fast. The leaves are
already turning all shades of red and orange. It will be awesome.

TYLER: Next time you go there, I‘ll join you. I‘ve heard Michigan is a great place to go canoeing.

Advice:

LAYLA: Thanks for meeting with me during your lunch hour. I appreciate it.

MONICA: No problem. I‘m happy to help. What‘s going on?

LAYLA: Oh you know, the usual. Should I take this new job? Or do I stick with my current one?

MONICA: Well, I think it‘s time for a change, don‘t you? They pay you late and you are unhappy.

LAYLA: Do you really think so?

MONICA: I know so. And I‘ve been listening to you complain for over a year now. Trust me. Take the job.
What do you have to lose.

#Close the conversation:

•. ―It has been a pleasure meeting you. I look

forward to seeing you again.‖

•. ―Sounds like you know a lot about this city.

Maybe you could show me around sometime?‖

•. ―Well, if you‘re ever having hamburger, let me

know and we can go to lunch.‖

A: May I get you anything to drink?

B: Yes, please. May I get a glass of lemonade?

A: Would you like an appetizer?

B: May I get an order of barbeque wings?

A: Sure, would you like anything else?

B: That'll be fine for now, thank you.

A: Tell me when you want to order the rest of your food.

B: Excuse me. I'm ready to order.

A: What would you like?

B: Let me have the baby-back ribs.

A: Sure, will there be anything else that I can get you?

B: That will be it for now.

Answer the question with either "yes" or "no."

3.3a Is she talking? Yes.

3.3b Was he standing? No.

3.3d Will he watch them leave? Yes.

(Yes, he will watch them leave

Will he watch them leave? Yes, he'll ______ .

(Yes, he'll watch them leave

Will the car start? No.

(No, the car will not start

Will we talk with them? Yes.

(Yes, we will talk with them

(Yes, we'll talk with them.) Yes

Are we glad to be here? Yes.

(Yes, we are glad to be here.) Yes

Are we glad to be here? Yes, we're ______ .

(Yes, we're glad to be here.)

Did he call the hospital? Yes.

Will she leave the groceries? No.

(No, she will not leave the groceries.)

Will she leave the groceries? No, ______ won't ______ .

(No, she won't leave the groceries.)
Will we call that phone number? Yes.
(Yes, we will call that phone number.)
Will we call that phone number? Yes, we'll ______ .
(Yes, we'll call that phone number.) Yes, we'll call that phone number. (Yes, we'll call that phone number.)
"May" asks #permission:
● May I see your driver's license? = I am asking permission to see your driver's license.
● May I see some personal identification? = I am asking permission to see your personal identification.
"Can" asks if someone is #able:
● Can you tell me where the store is? = I am asking if you are able to tell me where the store is.
● Can you tell me where to find groceries? = I am asking if you are able to tell me where to find groceries.
Example:
( #Direction ) ( #Way ) ( #Road )
Directions:
How do I get to Main Street?
Where is the closest BTS station?
Can you tell me where the shopping centre is?
I‘m looking for Silom Street.
Are you from around here?
Replies:
The easiest way is to go right on Commercial Avenue.
The quickest way is to take Road Number 1.
The best way is to turn right on Main Street.
Stay on Route 1 for about ten minutes
It‘s just around the corner (not far).
It‘s not far.
It‘s a bit of a way. (it takes a while)
It‘s about a five minute walk.
It‘s about a twenty minute bus ride.
It‘s on + street name
Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the Main Train Station?
Could you please tell me how to get to Siam Square?
How do I get from Pat Pong Bazaar to Sukuhmvit Road?
Could you please tell me how to go to Morchit Bus Station?
Can you please tell me the way to Klong Toey?
In which direction do I walk to get to Petburi/Asoke intersection?
Can you explain to me how I can get from here to the Regent Hotel?
How do I get from the Sheraton to the Oriental?
May I ask you to tell me how to get to Silom Road?
Would you be so kind as to tell me where to find the nearest ATM
machine?
Excuse me. I’m sorry to bother you, but can you direct me to the rest
room?
I’m lost. Can you help me to find my way back to the Landmark
Hotel?
I’m sorry. This is my first time in Bangkok. Is this the pier for the
express boat?
Where is a bus stop where I can catch the bus to Chinatown?
Forgive me. Sorry to disturb you, but where is the nearest police
station?
I hate to bother you, but could you direct me to a currency exchange
outlet?
I want to go to The Botanical Gardens. Can you tell me how to get
there?
Can you tell me the way to the National Stadium?
Do you know where I can go to buy a ticket for the Bad Boys’ Band
Concert?
Can you help me find my way to take a boat to The Crocodile Farm?
Is this the right way to walk to the Ambassador Hotel?
Does this boat go to Prapadang? How do I get to Prapadang?
Please tell me how to get from The Dusit Thani to New Road?
Which way do I walk to get to the Chao Praya River?
How would I get from Central Lat Prao to Rachadapisek ?
How long would it take to get to Pattaya by bus?
From which bus station can I take a bus to Siracha?
How would I have to drive to get from Lan Luang to Wat Prakaew?
Can you please give me directions from Rangsit to the Airport?
What is the way to Queen Sirikit Convention center?
How many blocks would I have to walk to get to the Royal Palace?
Which way is it to Victory monument?
Is this the right way to get to Fortune Town?
Which bus would I have to take to get over the Rama IX Bridge?
Where does the bus leave from to get to Kanchanaburi?
How do I pay to take the sky train?
It‘s across from

It‘s opposite

It‘s near

It‘s around the corner from

Arun is waiting for the bus. His neighbour, an elderly gentleman

stops his car.
Gentleman : Arun. I am going to Shastri Bhavan. Do you have
to come that way?
Arun : Yes uncle, I have to be at the Text book
Gentleman : Get in! I‘ll drop you there.

William: Excuse me, am sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me how I can

get to the train station?

Kate: Yes no problem, its that way. Keeping walking straight ahead then after

you pass the library you have to turn left. then take your first right and it‘s

across from the bus station. You cannot miss it!

William: Thank you so much! I have only been in Manchester for 2 days, so I

dont know how to get anywhere yet.

Kate: Oh, I know that feeling. Me and my husband moved here a 6 months

ago, and I still don‘t know how to find certain places! Manchester is so big.

William: So just to double check Keep walking straight ahead till I pass the

library, then I have to turn left and take the first right. Then it's across the bus

station. Is that correct?

Kate: Yes, that is correct.

William: Well thanks for helping me. I must go and catch my train, hopefully I

haven‘t miss it!

Kate: OK, bye.

Example on Asking for Direction

Offer #warnings when replying to #directions if possible

Stay in the right lane.

It‘s a very busy road.

It‘s a big hill. (if they are walking or on a bike)

There might be construction.

If you pass the … you went too far.

There‘s no parking.

Make sure that the other person understood your directions. Say:

―Did you get all that?‖

If you don‘t know the way…

Don‘t guess! Don‘t just shake your head and walk away. Use one

of these phrases:

I‘m sorry, I‘m not from here.

I‘m afraid I can‘t help you.

Sorry I don‘t know my way around here.

Offer another solution

You could ask the bus driver.

Ask the front desk clerk.

Follow me. I‘ll show you the way.

Do you want me to draw you a map?

A Longgg #Direction .....

Go straight ahead until you get to the next intersection,
then turn left and walk about ten meters until you get to the 711 store
then go right and walk two blocks until you reach the “T” junction
then turn left and walk to the first corner
then cross the road and pass through the big gateway and
go left along the one-way street until you come to the first corner
after that, turn right and walk around a big, long curve in the road
until you come to the roundabout then you have to follow the sign
that says Red Cross Hospital and turn right into a footpath
that leads you to a footbridge.
Go up over the footbridge.
Then, you will see another sign that says Emergency Room.
Then go in there and turn left and stagger towards the reception desk
and tell the nurse that you are suffering from shortness of breath and heatstroke
and you feel confused and disoriented and afraid that you are going to have a heart
attack because of the exertion that you have been expending
because of the all the stress of walking all around,
out in the sun, trying to find your way to this hospital.
 On second thought, next time, don’t be so cheap and take a taxi.   
In detail

Making a #Dinner #Reservation

Caller 1: Good Evening MK suki how may I help you?

Caller 2: Hello, I'd like to make a dinner reservation for Sunday.

Caller 1: Certainly, I'd be happy to help you with that. How many people

are there in your party?

Caller 2: There'll be five people.

Caller 1: ... and what time would you like to make a reservation for?

Caller 2: Let's say at six o'clock.

Caller 1: I'm afraid we don't have anything available then. We could

seat you at five o'clock or at seven o'clock.

Caller 2: Oh, OK. Let's make the reservation for seven o'clock.

Caller 1: Fine, seven o'clock on Sunday evening for five people. May I

have your name?

Caller 2: Yes, it's Roberto

Caller 1: Is that Roberto with an 'e' or an 'o'?

Caller 2: Roberto with an 'e'.

Caller 1: Thank you. Great. I have a table for five for the Roberto party

at seven o'clock on Sunday evening.

Caller 2: Thank you very much.

Caller 1: You're welcome. We'll see you on Sunday.

Caller 2: Yes, see you then. Good bye.

Caller 1: Good bye.

#SAYING THINGS #POLITELY

You shouldn't do that. Maybe you shouldn't do that.

You need to leave. Don't you need to leave?

You need to choose something. Can I help you choose something?

Listen to what he is saying. We need to listen to what he is saying.

Sit down. → Please sit down.

Listen to me.→ May I please have your attention?

You need to know this.→ I think you will want to know this.

We have finished our discussion.→ Have we finished our discussion?

You are wrong.→ I don't think that is correct.

Get out of my way.→ May I please come through?

That isn't any of your business.→ I don't believe that concerns you.

It's none of your business.→ I'm sorry, but we will take care of that.

I want to talk now. → Excuse me. May I say something?

Be more careful with that. → I would be more careful with that.

You don't need to know. → I don't want to answer that just now.

Don't do that.→ Please wait.

You are late.→ I think we need to hurry.

He is coming and you are not ready→. Isn't he coming soon?

Do it this way. → Let me show you how to do it.

We don't know that.→ We don't really know that.

He is always wrong→ . Sometimes we think he is wrong.

I don't want to do it now→ . Could we do it another time?

#Greeting Someone you Know

"Hey John, how have you been?"

"Hi Bob, how are you?"

"Hi Nancy, what have you been up to?"

"Andy, it's been a long time, how are you man?"

If you meet someone unexpectedly, you can say,

"Hey Jack, it's good to see you. What are you doing here?"or

"What a surprise. I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been?"

If you see the person at a restaurant, you can say, "Do you come to this restaurant often?"

Or at the movie theatre, "What movie did you come to see?"

 Appropriate #responses:

"Hi Steve, my name is Mike. It is nice to meet you as well."

"I heard a lot about you from John. He had a lot of good things to say."

"Wow. How long has it been? It seems like more than a year. I'm doing pretty well. How about you?"

A typical response to this type of greeting is simple.

"Not too bad."

If asked what you have been up to, you can respond with, "Same ole same ole." Or, "The same as usual."

Here are some other example responses.

"I'm pretty busy at work these days, but otherwise, everything is great."

"I'm doing very well."

"I finally have some free time. I just finished taking a big examination, and I'm so relieved that I'm done with
it."

#Restaurant Responses

"I've been here a couple of times, but I don't come on a regular basis."

"I come pretty often. This is my favorite restaurant."

"I can't believe we haven't seen each other before. I come here at least twice a week."

#Movie Response

"I came here to see Matrix Revolution. How about you?"

#Bored , #Boring - General Phrases

Being bored means having nothing to do. When someone is bored, they often call people and try to entertain
themselves or try to find something to do with a friend. So being bored is a good starting point for
conversational English.

There are a couple of situations you can express to someone that you are bored. Most commonly, you will
call a friend and tell them that you are bored or ask them to do something together. The other time is when
someone asks you how you are doing. We will cover both situations in this session.

General Phrases
"I'm dying from boredom."

"I hate being bored."

"I don't have anything to do."

"My life is so boring."

"Life is so boring."

"I'm just watching TV until I find something to do."

"I was bored all weekend."

"I am so bored today."

"I get bored very easily."

"I get bored all the time."

A common place to get bored is when you have to visit family members.

"It's always boring whenever we go to our relatives."

"It's nice to visit my grandmother, but it gets boring after a couple of hours."

"My cousins are so boring. All they do is watch tv."

"There's nothing to do in the country side. I'm always bored there."

If you think you are a boring person, here is a way to say that you are boring.

"I think I'm a little boring."

"I'm a boring person."

Boring can be used to describe someone.

"He is a boring person."

"His personality is very boring."

"It's boring whenever she's around."

Using bored to answer a question is very #common. Here are some general questions that
someone might ask.

Any of these types of questions can be answered with a simple answer.

"It was pretty boring."

"It was boring. I didn't do much."

 "It wasn't as fun as I thought. It was a little boring."

"I was bored most of the time."

"Because it was disorganized, we had too much extra time. I was bored during our free time."

_________________________________-

Person A: "Hi Jack. What are you doing?"

Person B: "Hi Mary. I'm filling out a job application."

Person A: "Are you finished with school already?"

Person B: "No. I have one more semester, but it would be great to have a job lined up."

Person A: "How is your day going?"

Person B: "Quite busy. I'm preparing for my presentation tomorrow on our marketing strategy. I'm not even
half done yet."

Person A: "You must feel stressed out now."

Person B: "That's an understatement."

Person A: "What are you doing now?"

Person B: "I'm playing pool with my friends at a pool hall."

Person A: "I didn't know you play pool. Are you having fun?"

Person B: "I'm having a great time. How about you? What are you doing?"

Person A: "I'm taking a break from my homework. There seems to be no end to the amount of work I have to
do."

Person B: "I'm glad I'm not in your shoes."

#Tomorrow's Plan - Example #Conversation

Let's use this time to incorporate what we have learned so far.

Person A: "Bob is in the hospital, did you get a chance to visit him?"

Person B: "I'm going to see Bob tomorrow"

Person A: "I thought you had to meet John tomorrow?"

Person B: "I'm going to meet John at the airport at 6 O'clock tonight"

Person A: "I'm going home now, do you want to head out together?"

Person B: "No Thanks. I'm going to go home in about an hour"

Person A: "Didn't you need to buy a present for you brother's birthday?"
Person B: "I'm going to do that tomorrow"

Person A: "I'm going to go to the bus stop right after class, so I won't have time to meet you"

Person B: "That's OK. We can always get together tomorrow."

Person A: "Why do you look so stressed?"

Person B: "I'm going to be dead if I don't finish this project by tomorrow"

Person A: "I thought you had 2 weeks to finish this project"

Person B: "I don't have time to explain now. I'll talk to you later."

Person A: "Since we are done with school, when are you going back home?"

Person B: "I'm going to go home next week"

Person A: "Me too. Do you want to meet at the train station on Sunday?"

Person B: "Sure. I'll meet you there at five"

#Yesterday - The #Past - #Questions and Answers

When asking questions about the past, you can ask questions like:

"How did you enjoy the movie?"

"What time did you get home last night?"

"How was your date with Jackie?"

"How was the traffic going to the airport?"

"What have you been up to?"

"What did you do last weekend?"

"How was the party?"

"How come you didn't come to class yesterday?"

"How did your presentation go?"

Here are some ways you can answer these types of questions. Remember to use past tense because these
actions already occurred.

"How did you enjoy the movie?"

"It was a long movie, but overall, the movie was great."

"I really didn't like the movie. It was slow and boring."

"I enjoyed the movie so much that I saw it again."

"What time did you get home last night?"

"I got home at two in the morning."

"I didn't make it home until eleven last night."

"I made it home at midnight."

"How was your date with Jackie?"

"The date went so well. We had dinner at a seafood restaurant. And then we saw a movie together."

"I don't think it went too well. We hardly had anything to talk about. I really thought Jackie was bored to
death."

"The date was alright. She called me this morning to go out again, but I haven't responded yet."

"What have you been up to?"

"I just graduated from school so I'm happy that I'm done."

"I met Jackie yesterday and we spent the evening together in a nice restaurant."

"The only thing I have done in the last three months is computer games."

"What did you do last weekend?"

"Last weekend, I visited my parents."

"I went golfing on Saturday. I shot a great score."

"I stayed home and watched TV all weekend long."

"How come you didn't come to class yesterday?"

"I was very sick yesterday."

"I missed the bus and by the time I got to campus, class was already over."

"I slept in because I didn't hear the alarm ring."

"How did your presentation go?"

"It went ok. A few of the people asked some tough questions, but overall it was good."

"I messed up so bad. I brought the wrong folder from my office so I didn't have any notes."

"It was the best presentation of the day. My boss told me I was organized, focused, and spoke clearly."

#Movies - Example Conversation

 Let's look at a couple of example conversations before going to the practice section.

Person A: "Hey John, I'm going to see The Matrix with Peter and Brad. Do you wanna come?"

Person B: "When are you guys going?"

Person A: "We're going to see the eight O'clock showing."

Person B: "That would be great. Where are you guys meeting?"

Person A: "We're meeting at the theatre at seven thirty."

Person B: "Great. I'll meet you guys there."

Person A: "Hey Jill."

Person B: "What's up Mike?"

Person A: "I was wondering if you have any plans for tomorrow night."

Person B: "Umm... I don't think I have anything special for tomorrow. Why?"

Person A: "Do you want to see The Titanic with me?"

Person B: "I wanted to see that. Yeah. Let's go."

Person A: "What time is good for you?"

Person B: "How about seven thirty."

Person A: "Sure. I'll meet you at the theatre at seven.

#Favorite - Answering Questions

To answer these types of questions, it is very easy. All you have to do is change 'your' to 'my', repeat the last
portion of the question and add your answer. We'll practice a couple of times.

"What is your favorite show?"

"My favorite show is Smurfs."

"What is your favorite movie?"

"My favorite movie is Matrix."

"What is your favorite dessert?"

"My favorite dessert is cheesecake."

"Who is your favorite singer?"

"My favorite singer is Josh Groban."

"Who is your favorite athlete?"

"My favorite athlete is Tiger Woods."

"Who was your favorite elementary teacher?"

"My favorite elementary teacher was Mrs. Smouse."

Different ways to ask about #favourite things

You don't necessarily have to use the word favorite. Favorite basically means what you like the most. So,
you can ask favorite questions without the word favorite.

"What do you like to eat the most?"

"My favorite food is ice cream."

"What is a childhood memory that stands out?"

"My favorite childhood memory is a time I went fishing with my dad."

"Which professor do you like the most?"

"My favorite professor is Professor Kim."

Likewise, you can answer questions without using the word favorite.

"What is your favorite baseball team?"

"I like Seattle Mariners the most."

"What is your favorite type of food?"

"I love Italian food... especially pasta. They are so good."

"Who is your favorite music group?"

"I really enjoy listening to Depeche Mode."

#Hobby - Questions and Answers

Hobbies are a hot topic anytime. Similar to favorite things, hobbies are favorite things that you do. This is a
small section so let's get started.

Questions you can ask:

"What are your hobbies?"

"What do you do in your spare time?"

"What do you like to do?"

"What do you like to do for fun?"

"If you had extra time, what would you do with it?"

There is not much else you can say. Remember that we can create many different sentences, but we want to
use what is most common in spoken English. So we need to stay with the most common words.

Answering questions:

"My hobbies consist of golfing, reading novels, and watching movies."

"I like to play computer games in my free time."

"If I'm not working, then I'm busy chatting with people on the Internet."

"During my spare time, I like to cook."

"I like to read magazines."

"In the summer I play golf, and in the winter, I go skiing."

"I love every type of sports."

Making #statements:

"I need to find a hobby. I have nothing to do all day."

"Maybe you wouldn't be so lonely if you had a hobby."

"Hobbies are great because it allows you to do what you enjoy."

"Although I have many hobbies, I wish I had more time to do more."

"I love to go snowboarding. It's exhilarating."

"I would go skiing more often, but it takes such a long time to go up to the mountains."

"I wish golfing wasn't so expensive. I would golf almost everyday if I could afford it."

#Exercise ( #Gym ) - Questions

There are various types of exercise. Some people might think walking is exercise, and some other
people will think weight lifting is exercise. In the next couple of lessons, we will take a closer look at
various types of exercise.

Exercising can be done in many different ways. Here is a small list to get us started:

Walking
Jogging
Running
Sports
Aerobics
Rowing (boat)
Commuting to work
Etc.

Here are some questions.

 "Do you exercise at all?"
"Do you work out?"
"What type of exercising do you do?"
"Where is a good place to exercise?"
"Why don't you exercise?"
"Where do you usually jog?"
"How long do you take a walk for?"
"How often do you jog?"
"Where do you do aerobics?"
"How long do you usually run for everyday?"

Exercise #Gym - Questions and Answers

Here are some questions you can ask.

"Where do you work out?"

"What club do you work out at?"

"When do you usually work out?"

"How often do you work out?"

"How many hours do you work out in a day?"

To ask how they work out or what their routine is, you can ask:

"When you bench, how many reps and sets do you do?

Reps are repetition. In weight lifting terminology, this means how many times they lift in one set.

"Do you do low reps with heavy weights, or many reps with light weight."

"How many sets do you do when you work out your arms?"

If you are the person being asked these questions, here are ways you can answer:

"I work out at 24 Hour Fitness"

"I work out at Bally's"

"I work out at Samsung Health Club"

"I started lifting weights about 2 years ago."

"I have been lifting weights for about 2 years now."

"I just started 9 months ago."

"I usually work out 2 hours a day 4 times a week."

"I work out everyday for an hour."

"I go to the gym 3 times a week."

"I go in every other day."

"I can bench press 220 pounds."

"I squat 400 pounds."

"I curl 90 pounds."

"I'm trying to gain bulk so I'm doing low reps with heavy weights."

"I'm trying to get ripped, so I'm doing a lot of repetitions."

Ripped means to get lines to show up in the muscles. It's called ripped because when you rip a piece of
paper, you see a line in the paper where the tear is. So a person is ripped when you can see lines on his
body due to muscles.

#Haircut / #Saloon

"How would you like your hair cut?"

"What are we doing for you today?"

"What can I do for you today?"

"What did you want to do with your hair?"

"Did you want a manicure or a pedicure?"

"Did you want your nails done?"

"What color nail polish would you like?"

"Are you in for a hair cut or a perm?"

"Did you want to color your hair today?"

"So what color were you thinking for your hair today?"

To make sure you get what you want, it is important to be clear on your expectations. Use some of these
sentences to express what you want.

"I only want a trim."

"Can you cut about 2 inches off the length?"

"I want 1 inch off the top and the sides blended in."

"Can you layer my hair?"

"I would like a straight perm today."

"Can you color my hair to brown?"

"I would like my nails done please."

"A pedicure with red nail polish please."

#Meet at #College

The first type of speaking you will have to do is when you meet new people. During this time, you can engage in
idle small talk. Since you have learned small talk, feel free to use your new skills. On top of that, let's learn some
new phrases that will help you.

"Where are you from?"

"What high school did you attend?"

"What are you going to major in?"

"What are you majoring in?"

"How many credits are you taking this semester?"

"What classes are you taking?"

"What year are you?"

"What is an easy class to take?"

"Where is the best place to hang out?"

"Are you in the dormitory?"

"Where do you live?"

"Why did you decide to come to this school?"

"What made you choose Berkeley?"

let's talk about #registering for #classes.

Questions

"Did you register yet?"

"When do you register for classes?"

"When does registration start for next semester?"

"How do you register for classes?"

"Where is the registration office?"

"What classes are you registering for?"

"What classes are you going to take?"

"What classes do you want to take?"

Ways to answer these questions

"I haven't registered yet."

"I register next Tuesday."

"Registration starts 4 weeks before the next semester."

"You register on-line. Go to the website, and click on register."

"The registration office is in Schmidt Hall. That's right across the street from the statue."

__________________________________

A: "Hey John, did you register for classes yet?"

B: "I register this Friday."

A: "What classes do you plan on taking?"

B: "I really want to take the communication class, but I don't know if it will be available."

A: "Is that class really that popular?"

B: "Yeah. I tried to get in last semester, but it was full by the time I registered."

A: "What other classes are you going to take?"

B: "I still need to take English 201, but I really don't like writing."

A: "I took that class already. There is a lot of writing, but it's not that bad."

B: "Oh really? Who was the instructor? There are like 4 different instructors to choose from."

A: "I had Professor Mahoney."

B: "Is he an easy grader?"

A: "I'm not sure if he is or not, but I thought he was definitely fair."

B: "Do you mind if I ask you what you got?"

A: "Not at all. I got a 3.8."

B: "Well, what did you get in English 101 last year?"

A: "I got a 4.0 in that class."

B: "Well, I can't compare to you. I got a 3.1 in English 101. That means if you got a lower grade in English 201, it
must be harder."

A: "It's not what it appears. I actually tried harder in the 101 class. If I put as much effort into the 201 class, I would
have received the same grade."

B: "Oh. That helps. Thanks."

The hardest types of questions to answer are the, 'What was it like' types, and the 'how was' types.
The reason it is hard is because you have to explain in your own words the answer. It's not as simple
as a number or a 'yes' or 'no.'
"How much percentage is the mid-term towards the final grade?"

"The instructor said it was twenty percent of our final grade."

"Do you have to write any papers in that class?"

"No. We only had one mid-term and one final."

"Yes. We had to write 2 essays for that class."

"How many pages did you have to write for your essays?"

"We had to write 5 pages for both essays."

"Was the open-book exam hard?"

"Most of the time, open-book exams are harder, but this one was really easy. All the questions were in the
glossary so I found the answers quickly."

"How difficult was the take-home final?"

"It is easy that we have the material to look through, but it is very time consuming. I had to do an all-nighter just to
finish."

All-nighter means to stay up all night.

#Roommate - #Sharing things and Questions

Sometimes a roommate will bring a mini refrigerator, or it might turn out that you will. It's polite to let your
roommate use the refrigerator too.

"Feel free to use the refrigerator."

"Can I put my drinks in your fridge?"

"Do you mind if I use your refrigerator?"

If you connect with the person and you become friends, then you will not even need to ask. For example, after you
get to know the person your comments will be different. Say I become a friend of my roommate. And then after a
month or so, he brings a refrigerator. I wouldn't ask to use it, I would rather comment on how useful it will be. It's
assumed that a friend can use the refrigerator, so no need to sound weird by asking politely. Instead you can say,

"Cool, you brought a fridge. I can go buy milk now."

This comment is saying that you appreciate the refrigerator by saying, 'cool', then you indicate that you are going
to use it by saying you will buy milk. If your friend doesn't object to your comment, then it is the same thing as
getting permission to use the refrigerator.

#Responding to questions

"Are you a night person or a morning person?"

"I'm a night owl. I usually sleep pretty late."

"What time do you usually go to sleep?"

"It varies. Usually between midnight and one in the morning."

"What time do you usually wake up?"

"I don't wake up until I have to."

"I usually wake up at nine in the morning."

"Does the music bother you?"

"No not at all. I like it."

"Do you mind if I turn the stereo on?"

"Oh, feel free."

"Can I put my drinks in your fridge?"

"Sure. Don't worry about it."

"Do you mind if I use your refrigerator?"

"No problem at all."

#Roommate - #Apartment

When people live in an apartment, it is usually among friends. So there's no need to worry about being too polite.
As long as you have common courtesy, you will have no problem. On the other hand, if you are looking for a
roommate, then there are some things you should learn how to say. The list of questions below are examples of
questions you should ask when looking to join existing people in an apartment.

Questions

"What is the rent here?"

"How many people live in the apartment?"

"How many bedrooms does the apartment have?"

"How much is utilities?"

"Does the rent cover the utility bills?"

"Do you have any rules for living here?"

"Does it get loud in here?"

"What time do people usually go to sleep?"

"Do you hold any parties here?"

"How many people share the bathroom?"

"Do you have cable?"

"Do you have high speed Internet?"

Common answers

"The rent is $1200, so you would only pay $400."

"This is a three bedroom unit, so you would be the third person."

"On average, utilities are about $125."

"The rent does not cover utilities. You would be responsible for 1/3 of the utilities."

"We are pretty quiet during the week days, but on the weekends, it can get a little loud."

"We have both cable and DSL here."

___________________________________________________

A: "Hi. My name is Jack."

B: "Hey Jack. I'm Seth."

A: "It's nice to meet you."

B: "Looks like we're going to be roommates."

A: "Yeah."

B: "So where are you from?"

A: "I'm from Tacoma. How about you?"

B: "I'm from Ontario."

A: "In Canada?"

B: "No. It's in California. It's a smaller city in southern California."

A: "So what made you come here?"

B: "I wanted to go to a different state."

A: "I see. Hey, if you don't mind, I took this side of the room."

B: "No problem. They look the same to me."

A: "Are you a morning person or a night person."

B: "I'm a night person."

A: "That's great. So am I. I like to sleep in the morning."

B: "That should work out well then."

A: "Hi. I'm Sara."

B: "My name is Jessica. It's nice to meet you."

A: "Yes. It's nice to meet you as well."

B: "Have you been here long?"

A: "I got here about an hour ago. Do you want me to show you around?"

B: "Yeah. That would be great. The most important is the bathroom right?"

A: "Definitely. But we have to share the bathroom with the whole floor. The break room is over there. The
bathroom is right across from the break room, and finally, the RA (resident advisor) is in room 315."

B: "I'm glad there is a TV in the break room. I like to watch TV."

A: "Me too. So I brought one. I haven't unpacked it yet, but it's a little TV that works."

B: "Cool. I brought a refrigerator. I like to store some snacks in there. Feel free to use it."

A: "That would be perfect. I think we're going to have a great time."

B: "Do you sleep pretty late, or are you a morning person."

A: "I have never been either. I'm very flexible with sleeping times. Anyways, I'm a deep sleeper so a little noise
never bothers me."

B: "That's good to know. I'm usually a night person, but I'm very quiet if my roommate is sleeping."

A: "As long as you don't blast the music while I'm sleeping, I should be fine. Did you eat lunch yet?"

B: "No. Is there a cafeteria in the building?"

A: "Yeah. I'll show you."

A: "I'm calling about the available room. Is it still available?"

B: "Yes it is. Do you know where we're located?"

A: "Yeah. I drove by this morning and I liked the location. What's the rent?"

B: "It's $850 a month. So you would pay $425 a month plus half of the bills."

A: "How big is the place?"

B: "It's a two bedroom, one bath and roughly about 800 square feet."

A: "Is the complex pretty quiet? Can you hear a lot of noise or anything like that?"

B: "They have a strict policy in the apartment complex concerning noise level. So it stays very quiet after 10 PM."

A: "Are you the only person who lives there now?"

B: "Yeah. I'm only looking for one roommate."

A: "Everything sounds good. Can we schedule a time to meet so I can look at the place?"

B: "I'm available anytime today or tomorrow."

A: "How about if I come over now?"

B: "That works with me. But what is your name?"

A: "Oh, my name is Brad."

B: "Ok. I'm Randy. So I'll see you in a bit?"

A: "Should only take about 15 minutes to get there."

B: "Sounds good."

If you like this type of #partying, the first thing you need to do is find the #party.

"Where is everyone hanging out this weekend?"

"Are there any good fraternity parties this weekend?"
"Where does everyone go to party?"
"Are there any parties to crash this weekend?"

An easier way to find a party is to have a #friend who is in the loop.

"There's a party this weekend at the Kappa Sorority house. I think we can sneak in. Wanna go?"
"There's a bunch of us going to the Last Supper Club in downtown. If you're not doing anything, you should
join us."
"A friend of mine is having a party at a huge house. It's going to be a blast. Let's go man."
"There's going to be a kegger at my fraternity. You're welcome to come."

#Party #Partying

A: "Hey man. What's going on?"

B: "Not much. Just having a good time."

A: "That's all good. What year are you?"

B: "I'm a sophomore. How about you?"

A: "This is my third year."

B: "Are you in this fraternity?"

A: "No. I'm over at Beta Psi."

B: "I have a friend over there. Do you know Johnny Parker?"

A: "Yeah. He joined us last year. He a friend of yours?"

B: "Yeah. We went to high school together."

A: "Right on. What's your name?"

B: "Roger Dunkin. How about you?"

A: "Steve Leary. It's nice to meet you."

B: "Yeah."

A: "What have you been drinking?"

B: "Just Heinekens"
A: "Oh man. You have been missing the good stuff. Are you OK with shots?"

B: "Hell yeah."

A: "Cool. Follow me. I'll show you the good stuff."

________________________________

A: "You come to a lot of these parties?"

B: "As many as I can find."

A: "Ha ha ha."

B: "Any fine ladies around here?"

A: "I just checked out a group of chicks heading towards the kitchen."

B: "Were they with any guys?"

A: "No, they were alone."

B: "What are you doing just standing here then? Let's go see if they want any company."

A: "Sounds like a good plan. Let's go."

________________________

A: "Do you go to school here?"

B: "No. I go to a different university."

A: "So do you know Johnny?"

B: "I came here with a friend who knows Johnny. I met him a couple of times. He's a cool guy. So you go to this
school?"

A: "Yeah."

B: "What year are you?"

A: "I'm a junior? How about you?"

B: "Me too. But I bet I'll be in school for 4 more years. I still haven't decided on my major."

A: "I'm in a similar boat. I'm in the English department, but I want to change majors. If I do that, then I'll have to go
to school for another year."

B: "That's life I guess."

A: "I'm going to get another drink. It was nice meeting you."

B: "Yeah. Nice meeting you too."

Here are some questions commonly used when setting up for a party.

"When is he going to open presents?"

"When are we going to have cake?"

"How did you find the caterers?"

"Should we yell SURPRISE when he walks in?"

"Are we going to play any games?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"He will open presents after we eat."

"I think he will open presents after we eat some cake."

"We will have some cake later on."

"I am not sure. Did they get a cake?"

"I found the caterers on the internet."

"My neighbor recommended the caterer."

"Yes, we should all hide. Then when he walks in we jump out and yell SURPRISE!"

"Don't yell too loud, you might scare grandpa."

"I think we are going to do some karaoke."

"They have some games scheduled for later on."

Here are some questions you can ask when talking about friends.

"How long have you guys been friends?"

"How long have you known each other?"

"Did you grow up together?"

"Did you go to school together?"

"So how did you meet?"

Here are some example you can use to respond to these types of questions.

"We've been friends since elementary school."

"I think it's been like 20 years."

"We grew up together. Our parents lived pretty close so we were basically neighbors."

"We went to the same school since the 5th grade."

"We met in middle school and started going to the same school from the 7th grade."

"We started going to the same school at the University of Washington."

"We met at church when we were young. We have been close friends since."

"We met in high school in our English class."

 #Smoking - Quitting and #General #Statements

If you are in a hotel getting a room, the clerk might ask you,

"Would you like a smoking room or a non-smoking room?"

If you hate the smell of smoke and they do not ask, you can verify what type of room it is by asking,

"Can you make sure it's a non-smoking room?"

"Is this going to be a non-smoking room?"

While smoking, you will sometimes talk about smoking. If that's the case, you can ask these types of questions.

"How long have you been smoking?"

"Have you been smoking long?"

"Have you ever tried to quit smoking?"

Comments you can say while smoking with someone

"Smoking is so bad, but it feels so good."

"I've been smoking for 10 years."

"I tried to quit a couple of times. It's really hard."

I heard some comments from some people justifying cigarette smoking

"There was a 90 year old man who smokes one pack a day and drinks one bottle of Soju a day and he is very
healthy. He's been doing it for over 60 years."

"I only smoke when I'm with friends."

"I only smoke when I'm drinking."

"I can quit anytime I want. There is just no need to right now."

"The best way to quit is cold turkey." Cold turkey is a terminology used to completely stop without any help with
things such as nicotine gum or nicotine patches.

"There are a lot of aids to help you stop smoking. I heard hypnosis is pretty good."

"I quit for 3 months last year. I used the patch to help stop the cravings."

A: "Hey John. I didn't know you were coming to this school."

B: "Yeah, what a coincidence. It's good to see you."

A: "It's been a while hasn't it?"

B: "What have you been up to?"

A: "Not much. Just school and stuff."

B: "Where are you going now?"

A: "I'm going to the registration building to see if I can withdrawal from one of my classes."

B: "Are you bombing the class or something?"

A: "Partially that, but mostly it's a boring class and I am getting nothing out of it."

B: "Where are you off to?"

A: "I finished class for today so I am meeting my girlfriend to watch a movie?"

B: "What are you watching?"

A: "The Lord of the Rings. I haven't seen it yet. Have you?"

B: "Yeah, I saw that about a month ago. It was really good."

A: "Don't tell me anything about it. I don't want to ruin the surprise."

B: "No problem. Hey, what are you doing this weekend?"

A: "Nothing really. I was going to rent a video and just hang out at home."

B: "My fraternity is going to have a party on Saturday night. Wanna come?"

A: "Hey, that sounds like fun. What fraternity are you in?"

B: "I'm over at the Delta Fraternity house."

A: "Cool. Give me your number and I'll call you Saturday."

B: "It's 206-555-1212."

A: "Aright. I'll see you on Saturday."

B: "See you later."

________________________-

A: "You're Jason right?"

B: "Yeah. Tom right?"

A: "Yeah. What's going on?"

B: "Not much. Just hanging out. A bunch of guys are playing a game for shots."

A: "You're not playing?"

B: "I had enough to drink already."

A: "I hear ya."

B: "You in school or do you work?"

A: "I work at a marketing company. How about you?"

B: "I'm still in school. I have one more year left."

A: "What are you majoring in?"

B: "I'm majoring in computer science."

A: "Where do you want to work?"

B: "I would love to work at Microsoft. But it's pretty tough to get in."

A: "So I hear. So you come to this club often?"

B: "Every now and then. I usually hang out at Pioneer Square."

A: "Yeah. That's a cool place. There are a ton of bars to hit in that area."

B: "Are you here with Mike?"

A: "No. Some of my work buddies. I haven't seen Mike in a while now. Do you know what he is up to?"

B: "He's going to grad school."

A: "What a surprise. I didn't know he was so studious."

B: "Yeah. Surprised us all. Hey, I'm going to get another drink. You want one?"

A: "It's aright. I still have to work on this one."

B: "I'll catch you later."

A: "Aright man."

_________________________________________________

A: "Hi. My name is Robert."

B: "I'm John. It's nice to meet you."

A: "Do you know what this professor is like?"

B: "I have no idea. This is my first year."

A: "You a freshman? Me too. Where are you from?"

B: "I'm from San Francisco."

A: "I've been there a few times. It's a great city."

B: "Where are you from?"

A: "I grew up in this area all my life."

B: "So you know where all the fun places to hang out right?"

A: "Yeah. The best place is over by the water. They have a lot of clubs and bars."

B: "I drove by that area before. I didn't know it was a college hang-out."

A: "It gets pretty wild over there sometimes. You should go."

B: "Sounds like a good idea. Do you know what you are majoring in yet?"
A: "Not yet. I'm leaning towards business, but that's only if I can't get into computer science. How about you?"

B: "I want to go to med school, so I'll probably end up majoring in biology."

A: "That's cool."

B: "Is the weather this bad all the time in the fall?"

A: "Yap. This is a typical autumn. It gets worse though. At least it's not raining that much."

B: "That sucks."

A: "You'll get used to it. In the meantime, you'll have to watch a lot of movies. Seems like the only thing to do with
the bad weather."

B: "Too expensive. Can you believe how much movies cost these days?"

A: "Yeah. It's crazy. It's like 9 bucks a movie. I remember when it was half that."

B: "Unless it's a date, I'm not going to pay that much to watch a movie."

A: "That makes sense."

B: "Oh. The professor is coming. I'll talk to you later."

A: "Aright."

A: "Hey Sarah. Why are you limping?"

B: "Oh. Hi Matt. I went snowboarding yesterday and my whole body aches."

A: "Was it your first time?"

B: "Yeah. And I never want to go again."

A: "I remember the first time I went. My back was sore, I couldn't sit down because it hurt my butt, and my legs
would cramp if I walked too fast."

B: "That's exactly how I feel now."

A: "It's only like that the first couple of times."

B: "Ha. There won't be a next time."

A: "You gotta give it a chance. It's fun after awhile."

B: "I'll think about it after I start feeling better. Right now, I don't even want to hear the word snowboarding

________________________________________________

."A: "Ahhchooo!"

B: "You've been sneezing a lot lately. Are you sick or something?"

A: "No. Every spring time around April, I'm stricken with allergies."

B: "I never have seasonal allergies."

A: "Consider yourself lucky."

B: "What are all the symptoms?"

A: "Well, as you just saw, I sneeze a lot. Also, my nose becomes very runny, my throat sometimes itches, and my
eyes start to water."

B: "That doesn't sound good."

A: "No it's not. So you don't have any type of allergies?"

B: "Well, I have a severe allergic reaction to alcohol. It runs in the family."

A: "Everyone to some extent is allergic to alcohol."

B: "I get it pretty bad. My whole face turns red, including my ears. My eyes become bloodshot, and I start to itch all
over my body."

A: "That's pretty bad."

B: "But that doesn't stop me from drinking. Hahaha."

A: "Hi there. Do you know anyone here?"

B: "I'm a friend of Stacy."

A: "Stacy Miller? I know her."

B: "Really? How do you know her?"

A: "We went to middle school together."

B: "That's cool. What a small world."

A: "So how do you know Stacy?"

B: "We went to the same sorority."

A: "What did you major in?"

B: "I majored in Sociology."

A: "Really? Me too. That's kinda cool."

B: "Where did you go to school?"

A: "I went to Berkley."

B: "So what are you doing here in New York?"

A: "I work at a consulting firm."

B: "Isn't that hard work?"

A: "It was in the beginning, but I got used to it. It's a lot of hours though."
B: "I bet. I don't like working more than 40 hours. I need time to play."

A: "I hear that. I wish I had more time to play. But I do like my job."

B: "I think it is important to like your job."

A: "I like talking with you."

B: "Really? I feel the same way."

A: "Do, you wanna go out sometime, like dinner or something?"

B: "I'd like that. Here, let me give you my number."

A: "You see that chick over there?"

B: "The one in the red shirt?"

A: "Yeah. Isn't she hot?"

B: "She's alright."

A: "Just alright?!? She's hot!"

B: "Why don't you go talk to her?"

A: "You think she's out of my league?"

B: "Hell no! You're just a chicken that's all."

A: "C'mon. I get nervous when I talk to girls."

B: "Why don't you go stand next to her for awhile and if an opportunity comes up, strike a conversation."

A: "What do I talk about?"

B: "It doesn't matter. You gotta find what she's interested in and go with that."

A: "I don't know..."

B: "Do you want me to go talk to her?"

A: "No. Stay away from her."

B: "If you don't do anything, I'll bet somebody else will."

A: "Ok already. I'll try."

let's #practice general #sports sentences:

"What do you like to do in your free time?"

"What are your hobbies?"

"What sports do you like to play?"

"I like to play sports. It's good for my health and I think it's very fun."

"I like competitive sports because winning feels good."

"I like to play tennis and I like to swim."

"Jeff is pretty athletic so he picks up on sports real quick."

"If you need a girl to play, you should get Jessica. She's very athletic."

Happy and Feeling Good

It's common to talk to friends and family when you are happy. Most of the time, you want to express why you are
happy and share with close people how you feel. In this lesson, let's take a look at many different ways you can
express yourself when you are happy.

#General statements are usually short. Here are a few examples.

"I'm very happy right now."

"I'm happy."

"I haven't been this happy in a long time."

"I don't think I can be any happier right now."

"He is very happy."

"She is so happy right now."

"My wife is pretty happy."

"My husband is happy."

These sentences are very basic. Most of the time, you will be explaining why you are happy. Let's incorporate the
reason into the sentence.

"I'm so happy I got a job offer."

"I was happy when I received an A for my final report."

"I'll be happy when that happens."

"This semester is such a headache. I'll be so happy when it's over."

"My brother was happy after passing the examination."

"I think my mother was happier than I was when I got into the University."

"If you find a job you are happy with, then that is the perfect job for you."
"It's more important to be happy with your job than what other people think."

"I don't think she will be happy if you do that."

"My parents won't be happy if I drop out of school."

"I think my professor was happy with my essay."

"My grandmother is always happy when I come visit her."

"My grandfather is always happy to see me."

"I'm so happy for you. That's wonderful news."

"Congratulations on your engagement, I'm so happy for you."

"I want to find a gift that she will be happy with."

"He never likes his presents, but he is happy with the fact that we tried."

"Happiness is probably the most important thing in life."

"My goal in life is to make other people happy."

A: "Mike, did you win the lottery or something? Why the big smile?"

B: "I'm so relieved. I just passed the bar exam."

A: "You did? That's great! You must be very happy now?"

B: "That's an understatement. I'm on cloud nine. I couldn't be any happier."

A: "Did you tell your parents yet?"

B: "Not yet. I didn't get a hold of them. I'll try to call them again tonight."

A: "They're probably going to be so happy."

B: "I think so. It's turning out to be a great day."

A: "Life's so boring."

B: "Well, most of the time it is, I guess."

A: "What do you think will make you happy?"

B: "I think money will make me happy."

A: "You heard people say that money doesn't guarantee happiness."

B: "It will for me. Then I can do all the things I want to do."

A: "You'll get bored eventually."

B: "Then I can find something new to do. If I don't have to worry about money, then I don't have to work."

A: "That's true, I guess. If I didn't have to work, I think I would be happy."

B: "You see... money doesn't equal happiness, but it takes away a lot of responsibilities."

#Anger - #Understanding

There are only a few things you need to say when someone is talking to you about anger. The best thing to do is
understand their feeling.

"I can't believe that happened. I'd be so pissed."

"I know how you feel. I was so angry when that happened to me."

"I can't imagine how angry you must feel. That has never happened to me."

"If that happened to me, I'd get revenge."

"What are you going to do to get him back?"

"That totally sucks, but I'm not surprised. I always knew he was a back stabber."

"The best thing to do is stop being his friend. He doesn't deserve to have any friends."

#Anger - #Confronting

When you are talking to the person that made you angry, it is common to lose control and say a lot of things. Here
are some common sentences.

"I thought you were a friend. I had so much trust in you. I can't believe you did this to me."

"What were you thinking when you stabbed me in the back. Did it feel good?"

"Why'd you do it?"

"You know I still have feelings for Mandy. You didn't even consider my feelings. What? Am I not a friend or
something?"

"You're not the only one hurting for money. You owe me five hundred dollars. I need it now."

"You didn't have to tell my parents that I owed you money. I said I would pay you back when I got my paycheck. I
can't believe you would do this."

Sentences you can ask or say if you feel a friend is angry with you

"Are you mad at me?"

"Are you angry?"

"You're not disappointed are you?"

"Don't be angry with me. I really didn't mean it."

"I didn't know you were involved. I hope you're not mad at me."

"I really didn't know it was going to make you upset."

____________________________________________
A: "What happened to your car?"

B: "A tow truck was towing my car and put all those dents in my car."

A: "Are they going to pay you for the damages?"

B: "They're saying it was already there."

A: "What the hell. That doesn't make sense. What are you going to do."

B: "I have to go to court. A cop was there so he can prove that the damage wasn't there."

A: "That sucks. I'd be pissed if that happened to me."

B: I got an estimate and it's four thousand dollars."

A: "Oh my gosh. Damn... screw the court, I would burn down their store."

B: "We'll see what happens after court."

________________________________________________________

A: "Jack, what's wrong?"

B: "You!"

A: "What are you talking about? What did I do?"

B: "You told Martha that I was on a date? What was that all about?"

A: "No... that's not what I meant. I didn't mean that. She asked me where you were and I jokingly said that you
were on a date with Sara. I thought Martha knew that you and Sara were just friends."

B: "She started feeling suspicious after you said that."

A: "I'm sorry man. I didn't know. I didn't mean to screw anything up."

B: "Martha gets jealous easily and it took a while to convince her that Sara was just a friend. Now, I have to explain
to Sara that I can't hang around her because of you."

A: "Look. I really didn't mean to, and next time I see Martha, I'll really tell her that you and Sara are really just
friends."

B: "Don't bother."

#Excited

A: "I can't wait to go skiing tomorrow."

B: "I know. It's going to be so much fun."

A: "I always get excited the day before."

B: "I used to be like that. But I go skiing so often that I don't get excited anymore."

A: "I only go skiing twice a year, so it's a real treat for me."

B: "That makes sense."

A: "What things make you excited?"

B: "Whenever I go to Vegas, I get really excited."

A: "Oh... that makes me excited too!"

B: "Looks like anything fun makes you excited."

A: "Hey Jack. Are you excited about starting work?"

B: "Yeah. I'm really looking forward to it."

A: "What was more exciting, starting college or starting work?"

B: "They're pretty similar, but in different ways. I really can't decide. How about you?"

A: "For me, I think starting school was more exciting."

B: "Does that mean work isn't that great?"

A: "It's different for everyone, but because I knew school was going to be so much fun, I really got excited about it."

B: "But work is a huge portion of our lives. I'm looking forward to making it fun."

A: "That's a great attitude to have. I don't think you'll have any problems in the workforce."

B: "I hope you're right."

A: "Hey Suzie. Guess what? I'm having a baby!"

B: "Really? That's so great. Congratulations."

A: "Thanks. I'm so excited. We've been trying for 8 months now."

B: "That's really exciting. How many months are you pregnant?"

A: "Three months."

B: "Are you going to find out if it is a boy or a girl?"

A: "I want to, but Bob doesn't. He wants to be surprised like the old fashioned way."

B: "Maybe it's more exciting not knowing."

A: "I'd rather know and buy all the baby things ahead of time."

B: "There are so many things you have to prepare for."

A: "I know I am going to be busy, but I know I can handle it. I have been looking forward to this day for a long long
time."

B: "It really must be an exciting time for you guys."

A: "Thank you so much."

#Worry - #Serious Situation

Sometimes, a person might not take a situation seriously. If something bad happened and they don't think it is
bad, then a popular comment is to say something like this.

"I would worry if I were you."

"Do you think this is a joke? This is pretty serious."

"This is one of your last chances. Aren't you worried at all?"

When we are worried, the word doesn't have to be used to express that we are worried. Here are a few examples
of what I am talking about.

"I don't know how I'm going to pay for the medical bills."

"I have so much debt. I don't know what to do."

"I just took the exam and I don't know if I passed or not."

"I only applied for three schools. What's going to happen if I don't get into any of them?"

"I hope they come out with the results soon. I hate the waiting."

"The doctor said there are some complications with the pregnancy. I'm praying nothing bad happens."

"My mother got into a car accident. She's in critical condition. I don't know what's going to happen."

"So many people are counting on me. What if I let them down?"

#Stress - #Work

"I get a lot of stress from work."

"I'm sick of all the stress I have to deal with."

"The project I'm working on is giving me a lot of stress."

"I have a lot of stress because of my manager. He wants me to finish my project in four days."

"The most stressful thing about work is always making sure my manager is happy."

"If I don't butt kiss, I might get fired. It's so stressful living like this."

"Work is so stressful."

"There's this guy at work. He's the biggest butt kisser. It's stressful competing against this guy."

"I get a lot of stress from my co-workers. They're all way too competitive."

"I volunteered for another project and it's stressful to say the least. I'm working 14 hours a day."

"My company is over working me. They expect way too much from everybody."

"If the work doesn't kill me, the stress will."

"You don't look too well. What's going on?"

B: "I just lost my job. I'm just worried about how I'm going to pay the bills."

A: "I'm sorry to hear that. Have you been looking for another job?"
B: "I just started, but the job market is very bad right now. I'm not optimistic about it."

A: "That's tough. What does your wife think about this?"

B: "She's trying to be supportive, but I can tell she is very worried about our financial situation as well."

A: "I have some friends who might be able to help you find a job. I'll see what they can do."

B: "I really appreciate your help."

A: "No problem. In the meantime, don't try to worry so much. You'll get through this."

#Worry - #Worried about #Family

Parents worry a lot about their kids. And if you have a mom or dad that worries about you, then you can say these
types of sentences.

"Don't worry about me."

"Stop worrying about me. I'm doing great."

"My mom is always worried about me."

"I wish my mom would stop worrying about me."

"My dad is always worried about my future."

"I wish my mom would stop saying how much she worries about me. It doesn't really help my situation."

"Why do parents always tell us that they are worried about us."

"If you weren't such a screw up, then your parents wouldn't have to worry about you."

"Your parents only worry because they love you."

"Your mom only wants what is best for you. That's why she's worrying so much."

"Your dad wants you to have a better life than his. That's why he's worrying."

Finally, when we get older, it is common to worry about marriage and kids.

"I'm already 30 and I don't even have a boy friend. What if I don't ever get married?"

"My mom is worried that I won't get married."

"We've been trying to have a baby for 2 years now. I'm worried that we will never have one."

"My parents are worried that we won't have any children."

#Stress

A: "Hi Jackie. You don't look too well. What's going on?"

B: "It's nothing. I'm just a little stressed out."

A: "Why? What's stressing you out?"

B: "School. Since I was working part time, I had a difficult time keeping up with class. Now that we have exams
coming up, I'm totally freaking out."

A: "The best thing to do is study as much as you can. I'm sure you'll do alright."

B: "I hope so. I guess I won't be sleeping for the next 3 days. That's what it'll take."

A: "I have to study for an exam too. Why don't we study together. We can encourage each other."

B: "That will be great."

A: "Hey Mike. What are you doing tonight?"

B: "Nothing planned. How about you?"

A: "Work is kicking my ass. I'm so stressed. Let's go grab a drink."

B: "I'm always up for a drink. To tell you the truth, it's been quite stressful here too."

A: "I say we get drunk tonight. I don't want to think about all this stuff."

B: "But we have to work tomorrow."

A: "We won't stay out too late. I just need to forget about work."

B: "I hear ya. Let's do it."

A: "What stresses you out the most?"

B: "Probably my parents."

A: "How so?"

B: "Well, during school, they wanted good grades. Then after I got a job, they wanted me to get a better job. And
finally, they want me to get married."

A: "You have to deal with a lot of pressure from your parents."

B: "Your parents are not like that?"

A: "Ever since I brought home some bad grades in elementary school, they never expected much."

B: "You're lucky."

A: "What do you do to deal with the stress?"

B: "Not much I can do. It's always there. I sometimes go out with some friends and drink, but that's only a
temporary solution. The stress always returns in the morning."

A: "That sucks. You wanna go grab a beer?"

#Sad & #Depressed

A: "Hey Mike. What are you doing?"

B: "Nothing much. What are you up to?"

A: "I was just concerned about Sam. He hasn't been himself lately."
B: "He took the civil service exam and failed."

A: "That sucks. He must feel depressed."

B: "Yeah. He's been sitting in his room everyday for the last 4 days."

A: "Why don't we take him out? We can try to take his mind off of it. In the least show him that we're there for him."

B: "That's a great idea. Why don't you call him. I already talked to him a couple of times and it might be good for
him to hear from somebody else."

A: "Ok. I'll call you back after I'm done."

B: "Sounds good."

A: "Sarah. You look terrible. What's wrong?"

B: "My grandmother just passed away."

A: "I'm so sorry to hear that. When did this happen?"

B: "A couple of days ago. I just got back from the funeral."

A: "Is there anything I can do?"

B: "No... not really. The sad thing is that I wasn't there when she died. I really wanted to be there one last time."

A: "I'm sure she knew you loved her. Did she pass away in the hospital?"

B: "Yeah. She died in her sleep."

A: "I'm sorry she's gone."

B: "At least she didn't suffer."

A: "I think your grandmother would want you to think of all the good times you spent together."

B: "I know. But I miss her."

A: "When my grandmother passed away, I frequently visited her in the cemetery. I always talked to her. Even
though she wasn't there, I somehow knew she heard what I said."

B: "Yeah? That's what I was thinking too. Thanks."

A: "It looks like you haven't eaten anything all day. We should get you something to eat."

B: "You're right... I should eat something. Let's go."

#Sad or #Depressed - #Reactions

Crying is one reaction to being sad. When someone is crying, you know it is because they are sad for some
reason. Here are some questions you can ask.

"Why are you crying?"

"What's wrong?"

"Why are you sad?"

"What's bothering you?"

"Why do you feel so bad?"

"Why are you depressed?"

"What's making you feel like this?"

Because there are so many things in the world that can make us sad, it is hard to cover everything. I can only
cover the tip of the iceberg on this subject. But feel free to ask any specific questions and we will let you know the
proper sentence for your situation.

"Our team lost the final match. We were second place."

"My mother is very sick right now. I'm worried and sad."

"My grandmother is in the hospital. I don't think she's going to make it."

"My uncle was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors don't expect him to make it."

"My cousin was killed in a car accident. It was the saddest thing in my life."

"I trained so hard, but I didn't make the wrestling team. I'm a little down."

"I didn't get into that University. I'm so depressed and my parents are going to be so disappointed."

"My grandfather just passed away. I was so close to him."

#Situational #depression

When someone first comes to the United States, it is common to be depressed. This is usually due to loneliness,
boredom, or feeling sad because you miss your friends and family.

"I think I'm depressed because I have nothing to do here."

"I'm depressed because I don't have anything here."

"I'm so lonely here. I left all my friends to come here."

Usually time heals these types of problems. Sometimes, whatever you say doesn't really help. They know the
problem, but they can't control how they feel. Regardless, saying that you understand can show them that you
care.

"It must be really tough leaving your friends and family behind."

"I have never experienced that, but I imagine it must be really hard."

"Starting a new life someplace different is really hard. It's normal to feel this way. I think you'll get better with
time."

"If you surround yourself with people, you might find new friends."

"Why don't you go to church. You can find peace there and even find great friends."

Talking to #friends about #parents

"I can't believe how much parents love their children."

"Although my mother always nags at me, I know she loves me so much."

"I'm amazed at how much my parents gave up to give me a better life."

"I'm such a bad daughter. After realizing how much my parents gave me, I feel so sad that I didn't show my
appreciation."

"I think you will understand how much your parents love you when you get your own children."

"When my parents can't take care of themselves, I will feel happy to take care of them. It's the least I can do to
repay all that they gave me."

#Love - Talking to #Friend

Questions and Answers

"When was your first love?"

"I fell in love for the first time in high school. We only dated for 3 months, but I had the strongest feeling for her."

"My first love was in college. We were together for 2 years. I loved him a lot, but it's over now."

"My first love was in college. We ended up getting married."

"What was your first love like?"

"My first love experience was so powerful. It drove me crazy. I don't know if I could handle it again, but it was
definitely an amazing experience."

"My first love can be described like a romantic fairy tale. I would speak poems into her ear and kiss passionately in
the night."

General Statements

"I think I'm in love with her."

"I met this girl last week. We've been talking on the phone every night. I think I'm falling in love."

"I'm crazy about her. What do you think I should do?"

#Broken #Heart

A: "Hey Mike. I heard about your break up. You must be devastated."

B: "It's more than I can bear. I don't think I can go on."

A: "Come on Mike. It's not the end of the world."

B: "It's the end of my world. She was everything to me. I loved her so much."

A: "I remember my first break up. I remember it was the hardest thing I ever went through. So I know it must be
really tough right now."

B: "Every night, I cry myself to sleep. Can you believe that I actually cry every day?"

A: "It's normal to cry. You shouldn't feel bad about it. It's the only way to let it out."

B: "How long will I feel like this? How long is the pain going to last?"
A: "It's different for everyone, but it took me four months to get over Jessica."

B: "Four months... I have to live in hell for four months..."

A: "But I'm ok now. I moved on and I'm dating other great people. I know you will be better."

B: "Why do you think she left me?"

A: "I really don't know. Some people change and they want to go in different directions."

B: "But I loved her so much. I loved her more than anything in this world. She was my world."

A: "I know you love her."

B: "I don't think I'll be able to love anyone again."

A: "I thought that too. I thought Jessica was the only person I would ever love. But it changes. It really does. You'll
get better and become a stronger person."

B: "I hope so."

A: "Why are you so quiet?"

B: "My girlfriend just broke up with me."

A: "You must feel terrible now."

B: "Yeah."

A: "I remember my first break up. It was the worst feeling in the world. I was crying everyday for three months. And
slowly, it got better. I know you'll feel better too."

B: "You've been through this too?"

A: "Yeah. I remember it very clearly. The pain makes it easy to remember. I know you're really hurting right now,
but you know many people experience break ups."

B: "But it hurts too much."

A: "I know it's painful, but it's only temporary. After the pain goes away, you'll find other girls."

B: "What if I don't want to find another girl?"

A: "You'll change your mind. Look at everyone in the world. They all break up and move on. The faster you
understand this, the quicker you will recover."

B: "You're right."

A: "I also know you must still have strong feelings for her, but try to think of all the bad things. You know she didn't
treat you that well. Is that the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?"

B: "Yeah. Thanks for the talk."

A: "I'll give you a call later. We should hang out. It's good to be around people."

B: "Ok. I'll talk to you later."

Broken Heart - Talking to Person with Broken Heart

 Talking to someone with a #broken #heart

"Time is the only thing that can heal your heart."

"It takes a while, but eventually, you'll be yourself again."

"I know it's painful, but it's only temporary."

"It's normal to feel this way. It's one of the most painful things."

"You have to move on."

"You need to get over him."

"There are plenty of girls for you."

"There are a lot of fish in the sea. You shouldn't feel bad about losing one."

"I'm confident that you'll find a better guy."

If your friend is trying to get over a person, it is good to concentrate on the bad things.

"He wasn't good to you. It's actually better that you guys broke up."

"I know you're hurting, but it was for the better."

"He was a jerk. You must realize that your situation is much better without him."

"I don't know what you saw in her. She wasn't good to you."

"I also know you must still have strong feelings for her, but try to think of the bad things. You know she didn't treat
you that well. Is that the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?"

It is also good to talk about your experience and how you overcame the pain. If they see that you experienced it
too, they will be more receptive to what you have to say.

"I remember my first break up. It was the worst feeling in the world. I was crying everyday for three months. And
slowly, it got better. I know you'll feel better too."

"My first break up was pretty painful. It took me two years to get over her. I was still crying after 6 months. But it
felt good to move on. I knew there was a better girl for me. I know there is a better girl for you."

"I sometimes had bad thoughts too. I thought that it would be easier to die than live with the pain. But you know
it's wrong. I'm so glad that I dealt with the pain. I'm now a stronger and better person."

#Afraid or #Scared?

A: "Hello?"

B: "Hey Tina. What are you doing?"

A: "I was just watching TV. What's going on with you?"

B: "I just watched a movie and I'm scared."

A: "What did you watch?"

B: "I saw the Sixth Sense. I didn't know it was going to be so scary."

A: "I remember that. It was a great movie. But it was definitely scary."

B: "If you're not busy, do you want to come over? I'm afraid to be alone."

A: "Sure. I can come over. What should we do?"

B: "How about if we watch a comedy. I need something to get my mind off the frightening images I have from the
Sixth Sense."

A: "Ok. I'll get ready and leave. I'll see you in about 20 minutes."

B: "Hurry, ok. It's dark out."

A: "Don't worry, nothings going to happen. I'll be there real soon."

B: "Ok. See you soon."

A: "What are you afraid of?"

B: "I'm not sure. I used to be scared of a lot of things when I was young, but not anymore."

A: "Are you afraid of death?"

B: "Only if I think about it so much. But death is inevitable, so there is no use thinking about it."

A: "How about horror movies?"

B: "No. I know they're all fake so there is nothing to be afraid of. How about you?"

A: "I get scared pretty easily. I'm actually frightened of bee's."

B: "Really? Why?"

A: "I don't know. I got stung when I was young and ever since, I've always been afraid of them."

B: "What other things are you afraid of?"

A: "Sitting by the camp fire and telling horror stories is very scary."

B: "Wow. You're afraid of many things huh?"

A: "I guess so. Aren't you afraid of something coming out of the bushes?"

B: "It's not going to happen. We probably went camping dozens of times and nothing ever came out of the bushes.
What makes you think something will?"

A: "I don't know. I guess I'm terrified at the possibility."

B: "If you were realistic, you probably wouldn't be scared of everything. Maybe you have too much imagination."

A: "I should try to think more realistically. I'll do that."

B: "Good. After awhile, you won't be afraid of so many things."

#Emotional
If your emotions change easily, then you are an emotional person. An emotional person can also be described as
one who is affected by things such as sad movies, criticism, or easily angered. In this lesson, we will go through
some sentences talking about emotional people.

"I know a lot of artists and many of them are emotional. I think it helps them with their creativity."

"I saw a guy cry in a movie. He must be very emotional."

"Emotional girls are high maintenance. It's really a headache dealing with them."

"My last boyfriend was so emotional. His emotions would change drastically in the same day."

When someone is way too emotional and it affects how they act in a negative way, some people will call them a
psycho.

"Your ex-girlfriend was a total psycho man."

"He's a psycho. I saw him stalking you for a week."

"My last girlfriend was a psycho. She would get upset at nothing and start crying the next minute."

"I had a jealous boyfriend. He followed me around everywhere. I thought he was emotional because he would cry
when I would yell at him, but I now think he's a psycho."

Some people are only emotional when it is about something they are passionate about. If a person only gets
emotional talking about one subject, then they are not an emotional person, rather, they are emotional about that
topic.

"He's pretty emotional about that topic."

"I wouldn't say anything negative about blind people. She's very emotional about it."

"Anytime we talk about it, he gets very emotional."

"His voice started getting louder when we were talking about the war. I didn't know he was emotional about it."

"My father had a friend who was killed in the Korean war. He gets emotional thinking about it."

___________________________on #proud_________________________

"I'm so proud of you."

"I'm very proud of you."

"You did a great job. I'm so proud of you."

"My mother always tells me that she's proud of me."

"I bet your parents are proud of you."

"You should feel proud of your accomplishment."

"That was awesome. You should feel proud of yourself."

"I'm very proud of you, son."

"I'm proud of my little brother. He did a great job."

Proud can be used in a negative way. Proud can be seen as cocky or overconfident.
"I don't know why he's so proud of himself."

#Anxiety #Upset

Anxiety is a pretty serious emotional problem. When you feel many different emotions or awkward emotions and
can't control them, it is referred to as having an anxiety disorder. Many people suffer from this problem.

"I feel weird all the time. I'm anxious about everything."

"I feel anxious anytime I'm faced with uncertainty."

"I heard it's very uncomfortable feeling anxious about everything."

"I need to see a doctor about my anxiety problem."

"Mike went to see a doctor and she told him that he has an anxiety disorder."

"There are medication for anxiety disorders. You should ask your doctor about it."

There are times you can use the word anxious and not refer to a medical or serious condition.

"It's going to be fun. I'm anxious to get started."

"The project is going to be great. I'm anxious to start on it."

"Jill was anxious to start classes on Monday. She really likes school."

"Jack is anxious to play. Let's have him go first."

A: "Why the long face?"

B: "I'm getting sick of work man. I can't take the political bull in the company anymore."

A: "Did you just get your review or something?"

B: "Yeah, but that's not why I am upset. I just found out another guy got a promotion. He doesn't know how to do
anything. He sits there and kisses the managers butt all day long."

A: "That sucks."

B: "I'm just pissed that management can't see behind his smooth talking lies."

A: "Look on the bright side. At least you have a job."

B: "Yeah. I shouldn't stress about this anymore. It's not like I can do anything about it."

A: "Exactly. Instead, we should have some drinks tonight."

B: "How about a cold bottle of beer."

A: "Now you're talking."

A: "Martha. What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

B: "Jake just broke up with me."

A: "I'm sorry. When did this happen?"

B: "Yesterday. I didn't even know it was coming. He just told me he found someone else."
A: "What a jerk. He doesn't deserve you."

B: "But it still hurts. I thought I loved him."

A: "He didn't treat you that well either. Maybe you don't want to hear this, but I think you can do better."

B: "Better or worse, it doesn't matter. I had a lot of feelings for him. I really liked him"

A: "It must be really painful. I remember when Josh and I broke up. I was crying for a week."

B: "I know I'll get over him. My first break up was painful because I was nanve."

A: "Exactly. You'll find someone again. You should get your mind off of this. Let's go shopping."

B: "Maybe tomorrow. I don't feel like it tonight."

A: "How about coffee down the street?"

B: "Sure."

A: Why do you look #upset?

B: You know, I have lost my wallet somewhere this
morning.
A: Oh, I‟m very sorry to hear that. How much money did
you have in it?
B: I had Rs.500 /- in it.
A: Which places did you visit from the morning?
B: I went to the restaurant for breakfast and then ……..
A: Why don‟t you speak to the person in the cash counter?
B: Yes, let me try.
A: I hope you will get it back.

I am most upset to hear that.

What a #terrible situation for you!
One should not worry too much
I do sympathise with you.
Informal
What a pity! That‟s awful.
How sad! Poor old you, ……
Neutral
O dear! I am sorry. I‟m awfully sorry.
What bad luck! That‟s a pity!
You must be very upset / annoyed

A: "What are you doing here on the bench? You've been here for an hour."

B: "I'm just thinking about Lucy. I can't get her out of my mind. I think I'm falling in love."

A: "Crazy boy. You barely know her."

B: "It doesn't matter. I like everything about her. I like the way she talks, the way she walks, her hair and her lips. I
would give anything to kiss her."

A: "Did you tell her how you feel?"

B: "No way. I'll scare her away."

A: "You won't know until you tell her."

B: "Maybe later. But right now, all I can think about is her legs and her face. She is so beautiful."

A: "You're wasting your time. At least talk to her. You don't have to tell her how you feel."

B: "Yeah. I started talking to her in my Poly Sci class. I try to sit next to her as much as I can."

A: "That's a start. After awhile, you'll find out if she is everything you make her out to be."

B: "It won't matter because I love everything she does."

A: "Dude, you're blind as a bat. You're just infatuated with her."

B: "These feelings are too strong to be infatuation."

A: "We'll see in a couple of weeks. Let's go grab something to eat. You're human aren't you?"

B: "To think of it, I am a little hungry. Ok. Let's go."

A: "Hi. Aren't you in my sociology class?"

B: "I think so. With Professor Robinson right?"

A: "Yeah. I'm Nicole."

B: "I'm George. It's nice to meet you."

A: "How are you liking the class so far?"

B: "I like the subject. I think it's pretty interesting."

A: "Me too. But it's hard to sit in class when the weather is so nice."

B: "Tell me about it. The weather has been so great lately."

A: "So, what year are you?"

B: "I'm a sophomore. How about you?"

A: "I'm a freshman."

B: "Where are you from around here?"

A: "No. I'm from the east. I grew up in New York."

B: "New York? That seems like a fun place."

A: "More like a busy place. Everyone is always on the run over there."

B: "I grew up in San Francisco."

A: "That's not too far from here. Do you like living on the west coast?"

B: "I haven't been to many other places, but the west coast is a great place."

A: "Yeah. I like it too."

B: "Are you ready for the midterm next Friday?"

A: "I'm so behind. I've been going out a lot. I'm having so much fun, but I really need to catch up on my school
work."

B: "Where do you usually hang out?"

A: "No where specific. We always do different things."

B: "Have you been to Alcatraz yet?"

A: "Not yet. I want to go though."

B: "I highly recommend it. It's an interesting place to visit."

A: "Maybe you could take me there."

B: "If you get a B or better on your midterm, I'll take you there."

A: "Deal. It was great meeting you. I'll talk to you again tomorrow."

B: "Ok. See you later."

A: "I can't believe it took you so long to ask me out on a date."

B: "I always thought you like Mark, so I didn't think I had a chance."

A: "I had this thing about him, but it's over. So, what do you like to do on your free time?"

B: "I like sports, watching movies, reading books. Things like that."

A: "What type of movies do you like?"

B: "I like drama and comedy."

A: "Me too. Mostly drama though. Have you seen Pay it forward?"

B: "Yeah. I loved that movie."

A: "It's one of my favourites. I cried so much at the end."

B: "I thought the idea of paying it forward was awesome."

A: "What was your favourite comedy?"

B: "Do you remember the Three Amigos?"

A: "Vaguely. I was pretty little when that came out."

B: "I don't remember it much back then, but I saw it again the other day and it cracked me up."

A: "Maybe I need to see that movie again."

B: "I think it is a classic. So many funny scenes."

A: "I really liked the Mask with Jim Carrey."

B: "He is hilarious. I love that guy."

A: "I like most of his movies. He is such a character."

B: "What else do you like to do?"

A: "Well, I like to exercise."

B: "Where do you exercise?"

A: "I go to a health club by my house. But on a nice day, I like to jog around the lake."

B: "That's good. I like to stay in shape too. But I do that by playing a lot of sports. Do you play any sports?"

A: "I played a little bit in high school, but nothing really these days."

B: "Have you tried golf?"

A: "Don't start with that. My dad always nagged at me to play, but I never got into it."

B: "What do you usually do with your friends?"

A: "We go out shopping a lot."

B: "Where do you usually go?"

A: "Usually downtown. It's more fun in the city than in the mall. Plus, there are too many high school students at
the mall."

B: "I know some girls like bags, and some like shoes, what do you like to shop for the most?"

A: "I can never have too many pairs of shoes. I have like 30 pairs already, but I am always shopping for more."

B: "Oh. The foods here."

A: "Great. I'm so hungry."

B: "After dinner, do you want to catch a movie?"

A: "Sure. I'm always up for a good movie."

A: "Hey Mark. What are you doing?"

B: "Just watching some TV."

A: "Anything interesting on?"

B: "Not really. Just watching the sports highlight on ESPN."

A: "So I take it you're pretty bored too."

B: "Just killing time until I find something to do. What are you up to?"

A: "It's Saturday and we are sitting at home doing nothing. What's wrong with us?"

B: "You wanna shoot some hoops?"

A: "I already tried to call up some of the guys, but they are all busy."

B: "Where's your girlfriend? I thought you were going out with her today."
A: "She's out shopping with her friends."

B: "Let's go to Starbucks and think of something to do then."

A: "Aright. Do you have any cigarettes?"

B: "I only have a couple left. Why don't you pick some up on the way."

A: "Ok. See you there in about 30 minutes."

B: "Aright. See you there."

A: "Damn Mark. I never noticed that belly of yours."

B: "It's all the beer. I need to start working out again."

A: "That reminds me. I should've hit the gym today."

B: "Where do you work out?"

A: "At Bally's. It's pretty close to home so it is convenient."

B: "How much are you paying?"

A: "I only pay 20 bucks a month."

B: "That's pretty good. I think I should join."

A: "If you join, we could work out together. It's so much better working out with another person. It's hard to motivate
yourself when you are alone."

B: "What do you usually do in the gym?"

A: "I usually spend about 20 minutes on the step master, and then lift weights for about an hour."

B: "Do you go every day?"

A: "No. I try to go 4 times a week, but lately, I've been only going about 2 times a week. That's why I need you
there. You should join."

B: "Will it help me to get some girls?"

A: "If you get rid of that belly of yours, I promise you'll have a better chance with girls. Anyways, there are so many
fine chicks working out at the club."

B: "Really? I'm signing up tomorrow."

A: "There are some girls with tight outfits. You can see the shape of their body and some of them are really fine."

B: "As long as there are some ladies with nice legs, I don't mind."

A: "So you're really going to join?"

B: "Yeah. Let's go in tomorrow and I'll sign up. We can work out together."

A: "Cool. Let's go hit some bars to celebrate."

B: "I'm down with that."

 #Child , #Kid

"Has your child ever been to a daycare before?"

"Does your child have any allergies?"

"Does your child have any special needs?"

"What is your child's feeding schedule?"

"What is your child's nap schedule?"

"How do you discipline at home?"

Here are some questions commonly used when picking a school.

"Are the public schools in this area good?"

"Do the public schools in our area have full day kindergarten?"

Getting to #School

When talking about getting to school you are simply talking about the act of 'how' your child will get to
the school they are attending.

Here are some questions commonly used when talking about ways to get to school.

"Is there a bus stop near our house?"

"Can I drive my kids to school?"

"Can my kids walk to school?"

"What if we miss the bus in the morning?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond or answers you might
hear.

"There is a bus stop right around the corner from our neighbourhood."

"There are no bus stops close to our neighbourhood. We need to drive to the bus stop."

"Yes, you can drive your kids to school."

"Not sure, you may want to check with the school."

"Kids can walk to school if they live within a close distance from the school."

"Children walking to school need to be accompanied by an adult."

"If you miss the bus it is your responsibility to drive your child to school."

"If you miss the bus maybe you can catch a ride from a neighbour or a friend."

Here are some questions commonly used when talking about what happens after
school.

"Does your child need after school care?"

"Will your child be riding the bus home?"

"Do you want to have play dates after school with our children?"

"Do you want to enroll your child in sports?"

"Will your child have to finish homework before playing?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could #respond.

"Yes, both my wife and I work so we need help after school."

"I am a stay at home mom so I do not need any afterschool care."

"Yes my child will be riding the bus home."

"No, I will be picking up my child after school."

"Sure, a play date would be fun for the kids."

"Play dates are great! Let's plan some."

"She does not get much homework in this grade."

"Yes, we usually have our kids finish their homework before playing."

#Other #Basic #Useful #Dialogues ↓

General Conversation and Discussion

Asking for an #opinion

What do you think about it?

What do you think?

What is your opinion?

What is your point of view?

What is your attitude to this problem?

Alex, would you like to say something about it?

Giving an opinion

I think that we should consult a specialist.

In my opinion, we need a detailed plan of actions.

In my view, it's a difficult task.

The way I see it, it might be difficult to realize at the moment.

As far as I know, it could be very expensive.

As far as I'm concerned, time is the biggest problem.

As for me, I'm not ready to speak to the boss about it.
This is a crazy idea, if you ask me.

Adding #information

In addition to that, we don't have enough people for this work.

I'd like to add that we will need new equipment for this project.

What's more, this office is too small for all of us.

Besides, there might be travel expenses.

Also, we will need extra cash for food and other daily expenses.

Making a #suggestion

I suggest getting a bank loan.

Why don't we get a bank loan?

How about using our out-of-town laboratory for this project?

We could rent some equipment instead of buying it.

You could publish an article about the project in a local newspaper.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to start a fund-raising campaign?

Let's ask James for help.

Asking to #explain

I'm afraid I don't understand.

Could you explain it, please?

Would you mind explaining it in detail?

What do you mean?

Why? Why not?

Asking for #clarification

I'd like to know where you are planning to sell the product.

What do you mean by saying that we don't have enough people?

Do you mean that we should hire someone to manage the project?

Could you be more specific, please?

What are you trying to say?

Explaining and clarifying

I mean that we will have to move to a different office and hire more people.

What I am trying to say is that we don't have enough money for this project.
What I wanted to say was that we could use volunteers.

In other words, we are not ready yet.

You misunderstood. Let me explain.

Asking for #agreement

Do you agree?

What do you think?

Right? Is that right?

Wouldn't you agree with that? / Don't you agree with that?

You agree, don't you?

#Agreeing

I agree. I agree with you on this. I agree with Alexander.

I agree completely. / I couldn't agree more.

That's true. / That's right.

You are right.

Right.

Of course. / Certainly. / Sure.

Exactly. Definitely.

I think so.

I suppose so.

#Disagreeing

That's not exactly true.

I'm afraid I don't see it that way.

Not really.

I'm sorry, but it's not quite right.

I'm afraid I disagree.

I'm afraid I can't agree with that.

I don't really agree with you on that.

To tell you the truth, I have a different opinion.

Basically, I understand what you mean, but I think your conclusions are wrong.

#Understanding
I understand.

I see.

I see what you mean.

I see your point.

I got it.

When you don't know the answer

I don't know.

I really don't know.

I'm afraid I couldn't say.

I have no idea.

I wish I knew.

Don't ask me.

#Doubt

I'm not quite sure about it.

Maybe, but I'm not sure.

I'm not sure that I agree with your argument.

I have to think about it.

I have mixed feelings about it.

Are you sure that this information is correct / accurate?

#Disbelief

It can't be true!

I can't believe it.

I don't believe it.

Are you serious?

You must be joking.

#Approval

I think that it is a great idea.

It's great! / That's great! / Great!

It's very good! / Very good!

It's a good point.

 You did a great job.

#Disapproval

I don't like this idea.

I'm against this plan.

I don't think it will work.

It's too expensive.

It will take too much time.

It's too time-consuming.

Asking to repeat

I'm sorry,.but could you repeat what you just said?

I'm afraid I haven't heard what you said.

Could you repeat it, please?

Can you repeat it, please?

What did you say?

Sorry? / Beg your pardon?

Interrupting the speaker

I'm sorry to interrupt you, but could you repeat the address, please?

I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a telephone call for Mr. Green.

Forgive me for interrupting you, but I'd like to ask a question.

Excuse me for interrupting you, but I don't think this information is relevant to the subject of our
discussion.

I'm sorry for the interruption.

#FACT
10 expressions to Use In Speaking And Writing:
1. It's common knowledge that...
2. It's a fact (that)..
3. Anyone will tell you..
4. Everybody knows that...
5. It's a well-established fact that
6. Few people would deny that..
7. It's no secret that...
8. I think we can all accept / agree that..
9. It is generally assumed that...
10. It has been scientifically proven that...

10 expressions to Use In Speaking And Writing:

1. How are you?
2. How are things?
3. How's things?
4. How's it going?
5. How are you getting on?
6. How have you been?
7. What have you been (getting) up to?
8. I hope everything's okay?
9. Alright?
10. How have you been keeping?

expressions to Use In Speaking And Writing:

1. Do you think it's all right to do it?
2. What do you think about (me doing that)?
3. Do you think / reckon I ought to (do it)?
4. What would you say if I (did it)?
5. Would you approve of (doing something)?
6. What is your attitude to the idea of...
7. Are you in favour of (me doing something)?
8. You are in favour of ... aren't you?
9. Do you think anyone would mind if I...
10. Do you think it would be really awful if I

10 expressions to Us
e In Speaking And Writing:
1. I'm with you on that one.
2. I couldn't agree more.
3. Yes, absolutely. #Future #Plans?
4. I'd go along with that.
5. You've got a point there. 1. What are you doing tomorrow?
6. Hear, hear !
7. I think so too. 2. Got any plans for tomorrow?
8. I couldn't have put it better myself.
9. Great minds think alike.
3. What's your plan for tomorrow?
10. You took the words right out of my mouth.

#Help 4. Are you doing anything tomorrow?

1. Can you give me a hand with this?
2. Could you help me for a second? 5. What's on the cards for tomorrow?
3. Can I ask a favour?
4. I wonder if you could help me with this? 6. Busy tomorrow?
5. I could do with some help, please.
6. I can't manage. Can you help? 7. Have you got anything on tomorrow?
7. Give me a hand with this, will you?
8. Lend me a hand with this, will you?
9. Could you spare a moment?
8. Have you got anything planned for tomorrow
10. I need some help, please.
9. What's happening tomorrow?
Describing people - #bad
10. How's tomorrow looking?

1. Unfriendly / cold
2. Short-tempered / quick-tempered
 3. Lazy
4. Stupid / dim-witted
5. Mean / stingy
6. Boring / dull
7. Inconsiderate / thoughtless
8. Strict / authoritarian
9. Unreliable
10. Dishonest

Kamlesh and his #daily #routine ( #friend #work #Life )

John Diwakar sat at the table with his classmates of yesteryears.

They were therefore for an Alumni Re-union. It shocked him to see their
haggard faces with receding hairlines greying at the temples. It was
difficult to associate those aged looks with the young exuberant faces
from his past.
“What have you done to yourselves!
You look older than your thirty-five years! exclaimed John.
“Life is hectic, John! We‟ve been working very hard at our jobs,
so hard! that we only occasionally find time to eat or sleep,” said Prem.
“Life is hectic no doubt, but each day is not so. It is monotonous
and dull – we do the same things day in and day out. The same old
routine!” This was from Kamlesh, the most energetic in their team during
their school days. Kamelsh could never conform to a work schedule.
To him variety was the spice of life. He would jokingly raise his coffee
cup in the canteen and say, “Let‟s eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow
we die”. John turned to him and exclaimed, “How can life be a routine
for you Kamelsh, when you a doting wife, two lovely children
and a host of friends?”
“You‟ll be surprised if I tell you how!” said Kamlesh and began
on his long description of a routine day in his life.
“I got up at 4.30 a.m. and start my day with buckets, at the
queue near the water-tanker. After half-an-hour of pushing and pulling
and calling each other names, I manage to carry back six buckets of
water. By then I am soaked to the skin, partly by sweat and partly
from the spray I am showered with everytime there is a squabble over
the water tube. By 6 a.m. I have completed my morning preparations
and have shaved, bathed and dressed for work. From 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
it is “sharing responsibilities” time! I take charge of some of my wife‟s
household chores like ironing my son‟s uniforms, filling his water bottle,
checking his schools bag, polishing his shoes. At 7.15 a.m. we sit together
at the table for breakfast. At 7.45 I leave home for work while my son
sets out for school. I drop him at school on two-wheeler and reach
office at 8.30 a.m.
From 8.30 a.m. I sit at a desk with the in-tray heaped with files
and the out-tray empty. It is a non-stop movement of hands, files and
trays till 6 p.m.! Finally at 6 p.m. I clear my desk, lock my shelves and
return home, picking up my son from the coaching center on the way.
I am back home by 7 p.m. Till dinner at 8.30 p.m. I spend time,
catching up on the news by reading the newspaper or watching T.V. In
between I help my son with his studies, make courtesy phone calls to
relatives, submissively listen to my wife‟s tirades or catch a wink or two
on the sofa.
After dinner at 8.30 p.m., I take a solitary walk down our lane
and occasionally bump into a neighbour who stops awhile for an aimless
chat.
At 9.30 p.m. I am in bed ready to slip into an undisturbed sleep
till 4..30 a.m. in the morning when the water lorry will screech to a halt
and the driver will blare his horn persistently with all the vigour of a
farmer‟s rooster in the countryside.
John had listened very attentively. He now nodded his head
sideways and said, “I still don‟t understand why you should look so
old!”

A Complete the #conversation below using appropriate question words.

Gurjeet: Where is Sumita? Why is she late?

Rehana: Oh, she had to go somewhere.
91
Gurjeet: Where did she go at this time?
Rehana: To the stationers.
Gurjeet: To the stationers? What for?
Rehana: She wanted to buy a hand lens. To help us read the
handwriting better.
Gurjeet: Ah, that makes sense. But why at this time? Couldn‟t she
have gone it earlier?
Rehana: She was busy reading „How to be a good detective‟.
Gurjeet: Hahaha. She will make a good detective, won‟t she?
B
Ramani: Good afternoon, Sir. Do you sell cell phones?
Mr. Pillai: Yes, we do. What kind do you want?
Ramani: Oh no. I don‟t want to buy any. Do you repair cell phones as
well?
Mr. Pillai: Not really. But perhaps I can help you? (Takes the cell phone
from Ramani‟s hands) Does it ring?
Ramani: No it doesn‟t.
Mr. Pillai: Have you tried sending a message with this?
Ramani: Yes, I did. It shows nothing.
Mr. Pillai: Did you check this out with the receiver of your message?
Ramani: Oh, I didn‟t think of that. Is it totally gone?
Mr. Pillai: I can‟t tell for sure. Leave it with me for some time. I shall
check it out.
Ramani: Will you give me a receipt for this?
Mr. Pillai: For this run down cell phone? If you insist, I will.
Ramani: Are you offended?
Mr. Pillai: No, just pulling your leg. (Laughs)
C
Mrs. Garima Singh: Let‟s look at the opinion poll regarding the
choice of place for the outing. Who hasn‟t
given in the response yet?
Ms.Poonam Choudhary: As per my list about eight have not responded.
Wasn‟t everyone informed?
Mr. Rakesh Jena: I guess so. We put up the notice and
distributed the opinion sheet. Everyone
promised to respond by yesterday morning.

#Asking #Questions
Why don‟t we ask Mohan to go round and ask
these eight people orally?
Mrs. Garima Singh: Wouldn‟t it be better if we waited for a day?
Mr. Rakesh Jena: Haven‟t we waited for a day already. I wonder
if that‟ll help.
Ms.Poonam Choudhary: See, everyone‟s busy with the evaluation.
Shouldn‟t we give them a little more time?
Mr. Rakesh Jena: I don‟t know. You decide.
D Aditi: Sit down, David. You are in XI B, aren‟t you?
David: Yes, ma‟am.
Aditi: What is bothering you, David?
David: It is about my parents. They don‟t understand me one bit. I
hope you will understand, won‟t you?
Aditi: Yes, David. I shall try to if you tell me exactly what the
problem is. They don‟t scold you too often, do they?
David: Oh, they nag me all the time. Nothing I do seems right to
them. We have terrible arguments. At times I refuse food
because I am so angry.
Aditi: That doesn‟t make your mother very happy, does it? And
starving oneself out of sheer anger is no solution, is it?
David: Yes, ma‟am.
Aditi: You will tell me, honestly all the issues of discord, won‟t
you?
David: Okay.
E Lady: Hello, my dear. Could you help me with the suitcase? It‟s
rather big and I can‟t move it alone.
Mariam: Sure Ma‟am. (Drags it inside the compartment)
Lady: Would you please put in under the seat? I would need to take
my medicines out in the night.
Mariam: (Pushes it under the seat) Would that be all right?
Lady: Yes, dear. Thank you.
Lady: I‟m afraid I am bothering you a bit. Could you please close
the window, if you do not mind? Dusty air is bad for my
asthma.
Mariam: Not at all Ma‟am. Here. Is that fine?
Lady: Oh, thanks once again. Would you like some tea? I am going
to buy some at the station.
Mariam: Yes, please. Thank you.

ALAN: Hey, Lia! It‘s good to see you.

LIA: You, too. I haven‘t seen you in a few days. How are you?
How‘s it going?
ALAN: Not bad. I‘m so busy with the classes I‘m taking. How about you?
LIA: I‘m okay. I know you‘re busy with classes. My job‘s really hectic this
time of year, too. What‘s new with you?
ALAN: Nothing much. I‘m on my way to the mall. I need some time off! Do
you remember Lana? She‘s there. Ha! She‘s always at the mall! I think a lot
of our friends plan to just hang out at the mall tonight.
LIA: Who? Oh yeah. I remember Lana. She‘s the one with the scary-looking
dog. I don‘t want to hang out with that dog!
ALAN: Ha! You aren‘t afraid of that little tiny dog, are you? Well, I‘m sure
Rover isn‘t at the mall.
LIA: Actually, I‘m headed to the mall later, anyway. There‘s a huge sale
going on. I think they‘re open extra late.
ALAN: Great! Maybe I‘ll see you there.
LIA: Sounds good. We‘re both good shoppers! If I get there before you
leave, maybe I‘ll see you. After all, we aren‘t leaving until we see all the
sales. And I‘m not leaving until I have some cute new shoes!

A : Don‟t #drive so fast.

B : Why not? There‟s hardly any traffic here.
A : Look at that crossing. Isn‟t it crowded?
B : Oh, all right. I‟ll slow down.
2 A : It‟s time to go. Are you ready?
B : Not quite. I‟ve got to put my papers in order.
A : You can do that later. #Hurry up! Put on your shoes.
B : Just a minute. Don‟t #rush me.
3 A : We‟re going on a picnic. Would you like to come?
B : I‟d love to, but I‟m going to be rather busy on Saturday.
A : Can‟t you postpone your work?
B : No, I‟m afraid not. I‟m expecting some guests. They‟ll be
staying for a week.
A : Oh, what a pity! You‟ll miss all the fun
4 A : Where‟s the mobile phone?
B : Isn‟t it in the cupboard?
A : No, it isn‟t. I‟ve looked for it everywhere.
B : You must have left it in your office, then.
5 A : I‟d like a room for two, please.
B : Certainly, Madam. Let me see (pause). We can give you room
sixteen. It overlooks the river. Will that be all right?
A : That‟ll be lovely. I‟ll take it.
6 A : Hurry up! Everybody‟s waiting for you.
B : I‟m afraid I can‟t come with you.
A : Why on earth not?
B : I‟ve 'sprained my ankle.
7 A : I‟m absolutely famished!
B : We‟ll have to look for an eating place.
A : There‟s a Chinese restaurant round the corner.
B : Oh, no! I‟m tired of Chinese food. I‟ve been eating it almost
every day.
A : Shall we go to the new Mughlai restaurant near the bridge?
B : I‟d love that.
 Sam and Lyn are talking about what they can do.

Sam: Let's go out for a walk.

Lyn: That's not a very good idea. It's raining.

Sam: I like walking when it's raining.

Lyn: Don't be silly. We can go out tomorrow.

Sam: Why? What's the weather forecast for tomorrow?

Lyn: It's going to be hot.

Sam: I don't like walking when it's hot.

Lyn: And 1 don't like walking when it's raining.

What do I have to do if I (want to have a telephone installed?)

S2: Why? Something wrong with the one you're using?

SI: It doesn't work properly.

S2: Well, you should (write to the Hong Kong Telephone Company).

SI: What happens then?

S2: Look, I've got (their guidebook) here. Let's see what it says.

SI: It says you have to (fill in a form).

S2: And then you have to (pay a deposit).

Situation: Ann and Mary talk while walking to their next class.

Ann: Oh, it feels so cold this morning.

Mary: It sure is. Early this morning my car‘s windshield was covered with frost. I had to spray it

with water before I could head to school.

Ann: Who would have thought it could be this cold in early December, especially in California.

Mary: I know. The temperature was 35 degrees Fahrenheit when I woke up this morning. I was

freezing as soon as I got out of bed. The cold weather just hit me by surprise.

Ann: I cannot remember when it was this cold in early December.

Mary: Brace yourself for the rain this afternoon. Cold and wet, Yuck!

Ann: It is going to rain this afternoon?

Mary: Not only this afternoon, but also the rest of the week.

Ann: Oh, it is going to be miserable. I have a full class schedule today and tomorrow. To walk

from class to class, I will have to juggle my books and my umbrella trying not to get wet.

Mary: You carry too many books. Why don‘t you leave some of them in your locker?

Ann: My locker is a long way from my English classes. This is the reason why I carry all my

books with me. Is it going to rain hard or just drizzle?

Mary: The news said that it would start to drizzle around noon, and then it would rain really

hard by three o‘clock.

Ann: No hope for better weather this week?

Mary: There is a slim chance of sunshine by Saturday. However, it will be foggy, windy, and

rainy before the sun comes out this weekend.

Ann: I am glad that it rains even though I do not like rainy weather. We have a very dry season
so far this year.

Mary: Yes, I can hardly remember when it rained last time. Well, as long as there is no thunder

or lightning, I can bear it.

Ann: We rarely have thunder or lightning in California.

Mary: We are very lucky that California has one of the best weather conditions in America.

When it is hot, it is not humid; when it rains, there is no thunder or lightning, and the cold

weather during the winter season is quite mild compared to the weather of the other states.

Ann: Yes, we are lucky. However, sometimes when I look at the Christmas pictures, I just wish

we had some snow. It looks so pretty when everything is covered by a blanket of pure white

snow.

Mary: Living in southern California all my life, I have never seen snow. I would not mind

playing in the snow once in a while.

Ann: Yes, it would be fun to make a snowman or go skiing.

Mary: We have never seen snow; we have never made a snowman, and we have never gone

skiing. We better do something about this.

Ann: May be we should plan a trip to Aspen, Colorado during winter break. I heard that the

skiing season is fantastic up there.

Mary: I don‘t think we can afford a trip to Aspen. It is very expensive up there.

Ann: I am just wishing. I know what I will be doing during winter break. I will be working very

hard to save money for a new car.

Mary: With the cars that we drive, it is better that we live in a place where there is no snow.

Ann: You are right, we are better off with no snow. Ok, I have class right now; see you later in

the library.

Mary: See you later.

#PARK

Situation: Every year, Rooster Run, a country music band holds a concert at Silverado park.

Alex and his two friends are heading toward the park to attend the concert.

Alex: Hey Jane, Joseph, there is a musical concert in the park. You want to go see the band play?

Jane: I am done with my homework; I can go.

Joseph: Me too. Let‘s go.

Jane: Hey, look at that sport car. Isn‘t it neat?

Alex: That is exactly the kind of car that I want once I get a good job. I bet it is very fast. I want

mine to be red though.

Jane: Keep on dreaming, Alex. That car costs a fortune.

Alex: It does not hurt to set high expectations. Maybe one day I will make a lot of money, and I

might surprise you.

Joseph: Talking about cars, why is the traffic so heavy today?

Alex: People are probably heading toward the park for the concert. The band does play pretty

good music.

Jane: Yes, it does. For the last three years, I have never missed the concert. I have always

arranged my schedule so that I could attend the event once the band was in town.

Joseph: How long ago did the band start playing at our park?

Jane: I think it started this tradition five years ago before you moved into our neighborhood.

Every year it always arrives the first week of June to play for the whole week.

Alex: You will enjoy this evening, Joseph. There will be good Country music, a lot of stomping

around, and definitely a lot of hollering.

Joseph: It sounds like fun.

Jane: My favorite is Rock and Roll music; however, I have to say that country melodies can be

quite enticing. I can listen to them all day long.

Alex: Joseph, what kind of music do you like?

Joseph: Oh, I like all kinds of music as long as it is not Hard Rock.

Jane: Wow, look at the number of people who have already shown up for the concert. Good

thing that we are here already.

Alex: Jane, where do you want to sit? In the shade or in the sun?

Jane: In the shade, please. I have been in the sun too much lately.

Joseph: There is a food stand over there. Do you two want anything?

Jane: Nothing for me, thanks. I already have my bottle of water.

Alex: I want a bag of chips and a soda. Are you sure you do not want any chips, Jane?

Jane: I am quite sure. Besides, my mother is cooking a good steak dinner, and I want to save my

appetite.
Alex: Jane, you are so lucky to have such a good cook for a mother. Joseph, you have to taste her

cream cakes one of these days. You cannot find better cream cakes anywhere in this town.

Jane: I know we will have cream cake for dessert this evening. I will save you a piece if you

want, Joseph.

Joseph: I always love cake, so please save me a piece. Thanks, Jane.

Jane: How about you, Alex? A piece of cake for you too?

Alex: You know I will say yes to a piece of your mother‘s cream cake any day.

Jane: OK, I will save two pieces of cream cake for both of you tonight. We can meet at the

cafeteria at lunch time tomorrow and I will give them to you.

Joseph: Alex, you better get your chips and soda now if you still want them. It is almost 3:00PM,

and the concert is about to start.

Alex: For the last time, do you guys want anything?

Jane: I am sure I do not want anything, Alex. I am doing fine.

Joseph: Me neither, Alex.

Alex: OK, save me a seat. I will be right back

#Questions & Answers

: Did you see that beautiful car? A: Yes, I sure did.

Q: Were there a lot of people at the park? A: No, there were only a few.

Q: What can people do at the park? A: They can ride a bike, jog, or skate.

Q: What kinds of attractions do they have A: A fishing contest and a marathon.

at the park this coming Saturday?

Q: Do you want to have your birthday party A: Yes, if you do not mind.

at the park this year?

Q: Do you like to go to the park? A: I love to go to the park.

Q: Did you buy a ticket for ABA‘s annual concert? A: No, it was sold out.

Q: Was Saleem Malone‘s new CD on the Top A: Yes, his new CD was on the Top Ten

Ten list? list for two weeks.

Q: Who will conduct the Christmas symphony? A: This year Ron will conduct the

Christmas symphony.

Q: Who will you vote for Best Performer? A: I will definitely vote for Tom Nelson.
Q: Do you like classical music? A: Yes, I do.

Q: Who will play at the Pond this year? A: Saleem Malone will hold a concert there

this year.

#Questions/Answers #Practice

Q: Was it cold last night? A: Yes, it was.

Q: Was it hot yesterday? A: No, it was not.

Q: Was it very windy when you went to the store? A: No, it was quite nice.

Q: What did the news say? A: The news said that it would rain.

Q: How will it be during the weekend? A: It will be foggy, windy, and rainy.

Q: Is it humid in California? A: No, it is never humid in California.

Q: Is it going to be warm tonight? A: No, it will be chilly tonight.

Q: How will it be tomorrow? A: There is a slight chance of rain

tomorrow.

Q: Is it going to be sunny tomorrow? A: No, it will be hazy tomorrow.

Q: How was the weather in Denver last week? A: It was cloudy last week.

Most #famous and #common #questions

Where were you born?

Where did you grow up?

Did you live with your parents during childhood?

Were you naughty as a child?

Where did you go to school?

When did you start school?

Did you go to a private school?

Did you take part in any competitions at school?

What subjects did you study?

What do you do?

“I‟m a businessman” / “I‟m a student

What do you like to do?

“I like to read and listen to music.”

Where do you get your hair cut?

How often do you have your hair cut?

What school do you go to? / Where do you work?

“I go to __________ university. I‟ve been going there for three years.” / “I work at XXXX and I
really like it there.”

What year (grade) are you in?

―I‘m in the third grade of high school.‖ ―I‘m a junior in middle school / high school /
college.

What time do you usually wake up?

“I usually wake up at seven o‟clock / seven-thirty.”4

What do you usually have for breakfast?

“I usually have rice and kimchi. Once-in-a-while, I have bacon and eggs. I like scrambled
eggs.”

How do you go to work / school?

“I walk.” / “I take the bus.” / “I drive my car.”

What is the first thing you do at work / school?

“I usually clock-in7 / drink a cup of coffee / go to my first class / talk to some friends.”

What time do you have lunch at work [school]?

“I have lunch at twelve o‟clock / twelve-thirty.”

What time do you get off from work /school?

“I get off at three-thirty8.”

What do you do in the evening?

“I like to stay home and relax, but sometimes on weekends I go out and drink with my friends.”

What time do you usually go to bed?

“At ten-o‟clock.”

What is a hobby? Do you have any hobbies?

“Yes, I collect beer cans.” “Yeah, I collect coins.” “Sure, I like building model airplanes.”

Where do you like to go shopping?

“I like to go to the Galleria.” / “I usually go to E-Mart.”

When was the last time you went shopping?

“I went shopping last Sunday

What do you like to spend money on the most?

How often do you play sports?

“I play once a week.” / “I play twice a week.” / “I try to do something every day.”

What kinds of movies do you like the most?

“I like action / romance / romantic comedies / science fiction / horror / drama.”‟
What‘s the most popular movie showing right now?

What‘s the weather like right now?

“It‟s a little chilly out. / It‘s nice and warm. / It‘s snowing. / It‘s rainy and windy.‖

What is something that you love doing?

What kinds of things do you like to do on the Internet?

How often do you use the Internet?
Where do you feel most relaxed?
Do you ever go jogging? Where? How often?
Where is the biggest shopping mall around here?
Where can you get the best bargains around here?
Do you like horror movies?
Do you like science fiction movies?
Where were you born?
“I was born in Gwangju. It‟s a pretty big city and they‟re building a new subway there.”
What time did you wake up this morning?
“I woke up at 8:00 because my father woke up at 8:00.”
When did you leave your house this morning?
―I left at about 7:45.‖
Where did you have lunch yesterday?
―At home.” “At a restaurant down the street.”
159. What did you do yesterday?
“I met my friends and we went to a singing room”.
“I watched T.V.”
“I listened to music and went for a walk.”

160. What did you do the day before yesterday?

161. What did you do last night?
―I taught my brother mathematics. I taught him algebra /
geometry / trigonometry / calculus.”
When was the last time you went to the {library, movies…etc
Did you eat out last night? What did you have?
―Yes, I ate out at a nearby Korean restaurant in the mall.‖
What time did you go home last night? We usually use ―at‖ with specific time
expressions: “I went home at seven o‟clock.”
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
“I had rice and Kimchi.”
“I had bacon and eggs, and a glass of milk”.
“I skipped breakfast this morning”
What did you have for lunch today / yesterday?
“I had a tuna sandwich, some potato chips, and a coke.”
What did you do last weekend?
“I stayed home. I really didn‟t do much.”
“I had a great time. I went out with my friends to a nightclub and danced.”
Did you sleep well last night?
“No, I tossed and turned all night. I couldn‟t sleep because I kept dreaming all night.”
“Yes, I slept like a log last night.”
When was the last time you went to a party? What kind of party was it?
What was a really fun experience that you had?
When you were a child, what things did you most enjoy?
Were you afraid of the dark as a child?
When was the last time you got into an #argument?
When was the last time you helped someone?
When was the last time you went on a picnic?
What was the scariest movie you‘ve ever seen?
Where did you go on your last vacation?
What are you going to do tonight?
“I haven‟t made any plans.”
“I‟m going to go to see a movie with my friends.”
“I‟m going to go with some friends to (some city) to go dancing and have a few drinks.”

Simple #Future and #Imaginary Future Tense

What are you going to do tomorrow?

“I‟m going to go shopping with my friend. We‟re going to go to the Galleria and buy some
new sportswear.”

Will you be ―staying in‖ this evening?

What are your plans for this weekend?
What‘s the weather going to be like tomorrow?
Do you think the weather will be good this weekend?
What time will this class end?
Are you going to meet anyone after class?
Are you getting up early tomorrow?
What time do you have to get up tomorrow morning?
What are you doing tomorrow morning?

What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?

What are you going to do on your next vacation?
“I‟m going to go to the east coast with my girlfriend. We‟re going to stay at Dong-Hae
beach. It‟s a very nice beach. It has clear, cool water.”
“Yes, I‟m going to go to meet a friend. We are going to go to see a movie – Spider Man
Three.”

What‘s on TV tonight?
Subjunctive Mood or Imaginary Future Tense33 (Use ―would‖ ―I would like ….‖)

Pronounce ~ would, could.

When do you want to get married ?

If you could have your own business what would it be?
“I would like to own / run a McDonalds, etc.”
What are some countries that you would like to visit?
What would you like to have for lunch today?
What food would like to try?
What famous person would you like to spend a whole day with?
What would you like to have for dinner this evening?
If you had tomorrow off what would you do?
If you didn‘t have to work ,what would you do?
What job would you really like to have?
What would you like to be doing a year from now?

The Continuous #Tenses’ Questions

What do you think you wife / husband / girlfriend / boyfriend is doing right now?
What were you doing five minutes ago? “As you know, I was studying English with you.”
What were you doing an hour ago, in detail?
What do you think your classmate was doing one hour ago?
What would you like to be doing 5 years from now?
What are you going to be doing at around five this evening?
What will you be doing tomorrow between 7 and 8 p.m.?
―I‘m going to be watching television
How have you been feeling lately?
How long have you known the person sitting next to you?
What have you done today?
What are some things that you‘ve done this week?
Have you been working out43 lately?
What have you been doing lately?
What good restaurants have you eaten at?
Have you been doing anything exciting lately?
Have you been saving for anything special?
What good movies have you seen lately?
Have you changed anything in your apartment recently?
Where have you most enjoyed traveling to?
Before you got sick the last time what had you done?
What had you done when the police stopped you the last time?
Had your friends sent you an e-mail the last time you checked?
What had happened to cause you to decide to exercise more? Future Perfect

By this time tomorrow what important thing will you have done?
By this time next week what important thing will you have done?
By January, will you have worked long enough to get a bonus check?
Will you have saved enough money to buy a car by this time next year?
Will you have started studying harder by noon tomorrow?
. Will the bus have arrived, by the time class is over?
Will you have gone to sleep by the time I call you tonight?

Will you have saved enough money by the time ______ ?

The Perfect Continuous Tenses

Present Perfect Continuous
Have you been here long? “Yes, I‟ve been here for an hour.”
Have you been studying English long? “Yes, I‟ve been studying English since I was in
middle school.
Past Perfect Continuous
How long had you been waiting before I came?
“I‟d been waiting for five minutes.”
Future Perfect Continuous
Will I have been working here long enough to get an extra week vacation this summer?
“Yes, I believe you will have been working long enough.”
Will you have been studying English long enough to past the next exam?
Will you have slept enough by the time you wake up tomorrow?
Have you ever gone horseback riding?
Have you ever walked out on a movie?
Who do you think is the best looking person in the class?
Have you ever tried acupuncture?
―Yes I have, but it didn‘t work.‖
―Yes, I had a sore neck and acupuncture took care of the problem.‖
Have you ever seen an unnatural phenomenon?
Who is your best friend and how did you meet?
What is the best way to lose weight?
Have you ever ridden on a train? Where did you go?‖
Have you ever eaten an American style hotdog?
―No, I‘ve never really wanted to.‖
―We have them here in a few places, but I‘ve never really wanted to eat one.‖
―Yes, of course, who hasn‘t eaten a hotdog?‖
Do you like to take pictures?
What kind of shows do you like to watch?
Are you taking any classes right now?
Have you ever been to an Imax theater?
Do you keep a photo album?
Have you ever met a movie star?
How do you kill time?
What is your most valuable possession? Why?
What frightens you the most?
What‘s the price of ________ here?
When was the last time you received a compliment?
Who much do you think I weigh?
When was the last time you forgot to do something important?
When was the last time you had something on the tip of your tongue67, but just couldn‘t
remember?
When was the last time you were really stressed out?
When was the last time you had a check-up?
Who is your favorite actor or actress?
What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
What is the best department store here? Why?
What is something that you really need to buy?
What do you usually do when you catch a cold?
Who do you most admire?
Why do you think people are getting fatter?
If you were given three wishes what would you wish for?
Do you mind lending things to your friends?
What kind of reading do you like to do?
Do you like to read?
Are you a bookworm?
What is your favorite memory of childhood?
Where do you do your grocery shopping?
How much is the bus fare in your city?
Do you prefer to receive money or presents as gifts?
What places in your country have you been to?
What‘s something that you are very tired of doing?
What‘s something that you are really good at doing?
What‘s something that you would be afraid of doing?
What kind of men / women do you like?
What do you like and dislike most about your country?
What are some Western foods that you like?
What countries have you been to?
Do you read books in English? Why not?
What is your favorite movie of all time?
What makes you feel like you are on top of the world97?
How do you keep in shape?
Describe the most famous tourist attraction in your country
What do you do to try to be attractive?
Tell about an interesting dream that you have had.
What advice would you give someone who wants to visit your country?
Describe the best gift you've ever received.
Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?
Would you ever go on a vacation by yourself?
What is the best thing about being married?
Has anyone ever broken your heart?
Do you find it hard to make up106 with someone?
What would you like to talk about right now?
What law would you most like to break?
What is something you know inside and out?
If you could publish an article what would it be about?
Where did you meet your spouse?
Tell us about your first date.
What is your dream come true?
What would make your life easier?
Do you consider yourself a good artist?
Who in the world would you most like to marry?
Has anyone ever given you the cold shoulder (Ignored by others, sometimes friends )
What‘s something that really irritates you?
Do you have a good sense of humor?
Are you saving money for anything in particular?
Have you ever been the victim of a crime?
Have you ever witnessed a crime?
Is there anything that you must always have at your fingertips?(Nearby)
Would you marry someone from another country?
Are you fashion conscious?
Do you think women with big muscles are attractive?
When was the last time that you felt really tired
If you could be another person for a day who would you be?
What do you do when people stare at you?
What is something that you are sick and tired194 of doing?
What is something that you will never do?
What kinds of people bother you?
What is the best way to save money?
Would you like to be famous? Why?
What kinds of things do you laugh at?
Who do you talk to when you need advice?
What kinds of things make you nervous?
Have you ever wanted to be in someone else‟s shoes (Wanted to take the place of someone
else )
What‘s the most interesting thing that you have ever done?
What do you like to think about the most?
What do you want your legacy to be? (How would you like to be remembered? )
What plans do you have for your future?
What is something that you dream of doing?
Have you ever bribed a police officer? Is doing so always wrong?
What do you most like about yourself?
What‘s big in the news right now?
Is there a superstition that you kind of believe in?
Who do you think is happier, men or women?
What is something that you would do if you were younger?
What kind of person are you?
Is there anything that you ever tried once that you would never try again?
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Have you ever wanted or tried to kill someone?
What do you want your children to grow up to be?
When was the last time you put your foot in your mouth (Said something you regretted )
Where are some good places to go on a honeymoon?
What is the smartest thing that you have ever done?
Where do you plan to live after you retire?
What are some compliments that you get from other people?
What are you most thankful for?
Do you have any phobias (fear)
Do you feel that sooner or later you‘ll get what you want out of life?
What kinds of jokes do you like?
Tell about the funniest person that you have ever known.
Talk about the person you admire the most.

Tell about an interesting place that you have visited.

Tell about an interesting dream that you have had.
Talk about something that you will never forget
If you could speak English fluently what would you do? 
 #FORMAL #CONVERSATION

Situation: Jane, Leslie, and Mary are having lunch at the restaurant. Since they will have to

give a presentation on etiquette rules next week, they try to practice by talking very formally to

each other.

Jane: Leslie, may I borrow your cell phone to call my mother after we finish lunch?

Leslie: Yes, of course, Jane. And please, do not forget to ask your mother whether you may go to

the movies with us afterwards.

Mary: Jane, could you pass the salt, please?

Jane: Sure, here you are.

Mary: And the pepper too, please. Thank you.

Jane: You are welcome.

Leslie: Would both of you mind if I stop by Marcus bookstore on our way to the movie?

Jane: No, not at all.

Mary: I would love to look at their New Book selection. So, I would like to stop there also.

Jane: Would both of you like to go shopping after the movie?

Leslie: Maybe some other time. I need to be home by 5:00 o‘clock.

Mary: I can go with you if you want.

Jane: That would be great. I need to pick up a gift for my brother. His birthday is on Sunday

next week. What would you recommend, Mary?

Mary: Just a moment please. Let me think. Maybe a fishing pole since he loves fishing?

Jane: What a clever suggestion! My brother will thank me for the lovely gift. I hope there is a

fishing store in the mall.

Leslie: I ordered too many French fries. Would anybody care for some?

Jane: Yes, I would like some.

Leslie: How about you, Mary?

Mary: No, thank you. I have enough food already.

Jane: Leslie, would you like some of my fried rice?

Leslie: Yes, please. Just a little bit.

Jane: Here you go.

Leslie: Oh, that is enough! No more, please.

Jane: Mary, did you remember to bring my Harry Potter book?

Mary: Oh, I am sorry. I completely forgot about it. Could you call to remind me again tonight?

Jane: Certainly.

Leslie: If you do not mind, may I borrow the book after you are done with it?

Jane: I promised to let Joseph borrow it after I get it back from Mary. You are welcome to have it

once Joseph is finished. Joseph is a fast reader; he will finish it in no time.

Leslie: I, on the other hand, am a pretty slow reader. How long do you think I may keep it?

Jane: I already read it. So, you may keep it as long as you want. Give it back to me at your

earliest convenience.

Leslie: Thank you, Jane. That will save me some money.

Mary: Are we all done? We should leave now to catch the next show; otherwise, we will be late.

Leslie: I am ready anytime you are.

Jane: So am I. Shall we go?

G: May I introduce myself? I am Jonathan. A: Nice to meet you. I am Laura.

G: Hello Kevin. How are you? A: I am fine, thank you.

G: Good to see you, Ana. How are you doing? A: I am doing fine, thank you.

G: Karen, this is Joseph, our new employee. A: Joseph, welcome aboard.

G: Thank you for your help. A: You are welcome.

G: Thank you for your help. A: My pleasure.

Q: Could you please do me a favor and give A: I would be glad to give Mike a call.

Mike a call?

Q: Could you come back after work, please? A: Yes, certainly.

Q: Would you like some coffee? A: Thank you for your offer, but I do not

drink coffee.

Q: Excuse me, would you mind repeating that? A: Not at all.

Q: Could you give me a hand to move this A: Yes, certainly.

desk, please?

Q: May I help you? A: Thank you for your help.

Q: May I have a word with you, please? A: Yes, Karen.

( #Optional ) ↓ ( #Other )
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 #Expressing #Emotions:

Mother : I was pleased to see your room today.

Sita : Yes, mother I tried to put things in order.

Mother : You deserve a reward. What would you like?

Sita : Thank you Mother, I‘d love an ice cream

Sita : Mother, a surprise for you. Make a guess

Mother : Give me a hint Sita.

Sita : It‘s school related.

Mother : You have become the games captain.

Sita : No, I have become the head girl of my school.

Mother : That‘s wonderful. I am very happy, Sita.

Mother : Sita, I have some bad news for you.

Sita : What Mother? Tell me fast.

Mother : Your pet dog, Leo, was hit by a car this morning.

Sita : Oh no! I don‘t believe it. What will happen to him?

Mother : I knew you‘d be miserable. We rushed him to the vet and he has put him

in the veterinary hospital.

#Displeasure

Ravi : Sumit, I didn‘t expect this from you.

Sumit : Why? What have I done?

Ravi : You disclosed our closely guarded secret to the Dean.

Sumit : Which secret?

Ravi : That we were late for class because we were watching the cricket fi nals of

the One Day Series between India and Pakistan till late last night.

Sumit : I had no choice. The pardon was conditional to our telling the truth.

Ravi : Oh great! So you actually saved us all.

A #visit to a #barber

Barber : Hello Ram, I am seeing you after a long time.

Ram : Yes, the length of my hair tells how long it‘s been. I surely need a hair cut.

Barber : Have a seat and tell me how you would like it cut.

Ram : Well I would like to grow my hair, long enough, for a pony tail, but my

father just won‘t agree!

Barber : The choice is yours. I could even shave your head, if you choose. It‘s the

in thing these days.

Ram : Certainly not. Give me a short trendy hair-cut. Let me make my

family happy.

Barber : OK. Then I will give you a crew cut.

Ram : Done!

#Traffic chaos

Sahil : Sorry I‘m late for offi ce. The traffi c was chaotic today.

Office Asst. : That‘s because they started the work on the new Metro yesterday.

Sahil : Yes, and by tomorrow things are going to get much worse. You know

they are sealing off a portion of the road?

Office Asst. : In that case they will have to divert the traffi c.

Sahil : Yes, they will have to do that. Now commuting to offi ce is going to

take much longer for the next couple of years.

Office Asst. : I am also told that work will be in full swing by next week. The pavement

shops will be moved to another area in the next fortnight.

Sahil : That will make shopping more diffi cult.

Office Asst. : It will, but this is a small price for a new metro.

A #businessman‟s #busy #schedule

Mr. Singh : You‘re really a busy man. How do you keep up with this schedule?

Mr. Raju : One just has to keep going! Today, the 7th of May I‘m with you in Delhi.

Mr. Singh : And yesterday?

Mr. Raju : Yesterday and the day before yesterday, that is on the 5th and 6th of May

I was in Mumbai.

Mr. Singh : Why don‘t you give yourself a break? Relax in Delhi for a day.

Mr. Raju : Impossible! Tomorrow and the day after, that is, on the 7th and 8th of

May, there are important meetings in Mumbai again. I‘ll have to fl y back.

Mr. Singh : Thank goodness for the weekend! You can take it easy on Sunday.

Mr. Raju : I‘m looking forward to it. It will give me time to relax.

Two #friends talking about a #film

Sita : Where were you last evening? I tried to call you.

Geeta : I went to see a fi lm. It was an excellent fi lm and very moving.

Seeta : What was it about?

Geeta : It was about a ten year old dyslexic child who was given up as a hopeless case

both at home and school.

Sita : That‘s interesting. Then what happens?

Geeta : A dedicated teacher takes up this child as a challenge and works wonders with

him.

Sita : What does the teacher do?

Geeta : With love, patience and perseverance he develops the latent artistic skills in the

child.

Sita : And the fi lm ends on a happy note?

Geeta : Yes, the once depressed, hopeless child turns out to be a budding artist. He

sees a ray of hope in his life. He has a reason to live.

Opening a #bank #account

Client : Good morning, sir. May I come in?

Bank manager : Good morning. Yes please do. Can I help you?

Client : I would like to open a savings account in your bank. What is the

procedure?

Bank manger : Would you like to open an account in a single name or in joint

names?

Client : I would like to open a joint account with my father.

Bank manager : In that case both of you have to submit identifi cation papers and a

set of two photographs each.

Client : Would it be alright if I brought a photocopy of my driving licence?

Bank manager : Yes that would be fi ne. In fact, photocopies of your voter‘s card

electricity bill, or pan card are accepted.

Client : Is that all that is required?

Bank manager : Just one more requirement, we need an introduction by an account

holder of our bank

Client : Fine I‘ll get that. Just two more clarifications, please. What is the

minimum bank balance needed for opening the account and what
is the interest rate on a savings account?

Bank manager : The minimum balance is _ 500 and we are offering an interest

rate of 3.5% on the savings account these days.

Client : I‘ll be back with the identifi cation papers, the photographs, the

letter of introduction and the money.

Bank manager : Yes, on opening an account with us we will give you a cheque book

for withdrawals and a pass book for keeping an account. Both you

and your father can operate the account

Client : Thank you for all the help.

Bank manager : A friendly and prompt customer service is our motto.

Word Meaning

1. procedure: the correct way of doing something

2. joint account : a bank account in the name of more than one person

3. identification: the process of showing who somebody is

4. accept : to take or receive something

5. required : needed

6. clarification: to make clear or easy to understand

7. client a person who uses the services of an organisation

8. withdraw to take out

"Is it important that they offer internet and telephone banking?"

"How important is location and accessibility?"

"Will you need a safe deposit box?"

"Is free checking important to you?"

"Are free withdrawals from an ATM important?"

"Is reputation of the bank important to you?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"Yes, internet and telephone banking is important. I work late hours and have a hard time going during their
normal business hours."

"Not really, I do not feel comfortable doing money transactions on the internet."
"Location is really important. I like to visit my bank on a regular basis."

"Location is not that important since I do most of my banking online."

"I will not need a safe deposit box."

"I have some valuables that I do not feel comfortable having at my home so yes, I will need a safe deposit
box."

"Of course free checking is important. I do not want to be charged for writing checks."

"Free checking is not really important, I really do not write checks."

"Free withdrawals are very important. I use the ATM machines all the time."

"I prefer not to use the ATM card so it's not that important to me."

"The banks reputation is important to me. I want to feel comfortable with where my money is."

"I thought all banks were the same. It does not matter to me."

Managing your money is an important factor in building a savings and making sure that your
money is accounted for and spent wisely.

"How often should I check my savings/checking balance?"

"When I withdrawal money should I write it down?"

"Should I come up with a budget?"

"Should I pay bills online or send payments in the mail?"

"Should I have a direct deposit from my work?"

"What if I notice anything unusual on my bank statements?"

A Foreign Customer Goes to the Bank

( C = CUSTOMER, BC= Bank Clerk )

Clerk : I‘m fine, Sir, How are you?

C : Very well thank you.

BC : What can I do for you? May I help you?

C : Yes, I‘d like to deposit these two checks into my fixed account.

BC : Yes, Sir, First, we must fill out this form. May I see your account book?

C : Yes. Here it is. Can you also update it? I deposited another check yesterday.

BC : Certainly, Sir. Let me fill in the slip first.

C : Of course. You are very kind.

BC : You‘re welcome, Sir. Can you sign here please? Next to the ―x?‖
C : Right. There you are. Is that correct?

BC : Please, wait a moment. I‘ll be right back. (BC goes off and comes back

with the customer‘s updated bank account book.) Here you are, Sir, everything

is in order. Will there be anything else?

C : Yes, in fact there is something else I would like to ask you to do for me.

Would you be kind enough to give me 10,000 Baht in cash out of my savings

account?

BC : Yes. May I see your savings account book please?

C : Surely, here it is.

BC : Yes. I see that everything is in order. You have a balance of 12,983 Baht.

Did you say that you wanted the money in cash? Can we give you ten 1000

Baht notes? Would that be all right?

C : Oh, Thanks, I almost forgot. Can you give me 9000 in five hundred baht

notes and 1000 in small bills? I need some money for making change and tips.

BC : Do you want ten 100 Baht notes?

C : If you would be so kind, could you give me eight one hundred Baht notes

and two fifties and the rest in twenties?

BC : Do you mean one hundred Baht in twenty Baht notes?

C : Yes, that‘s right. It‘s good to have small change for taxies and food stalls.

Sometimes they cannot even change a one hundred Baht note.

BC : That‘s right, Sir. Here is your money. Let me count it out for you. First we

have eighteen five hundred Baht notes which makes 9000, plus eight one

hundred Baht notes, plus two fifties and ten twenties which should be 10,000.

Is that right? Do you want to count it again?

C : That will do no harm. Let‘s see. First, we have 9000 plus eight hundred,

plus the two fifties to make 9900 and the twenties bring it up t 10,000. Thanks

a lot. I‘ll see you again next time.

BC : You are very welcome, Sir. We are always happy to be of assistance. We

look forward to seeing you again soon.

 #Computers / #Laptops

Here are some questions commonly used when talking about computers.

"I am interested in buying a computer. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Should memory of the computer be an important factor when making my choice?"

"I am unfamiliar with computers. Can I get help setting it up?"

"Should I get a laptop or a PC?"

"What do you plan on using the computer for?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"It depends on what you're going to need it for. I would do a little research to learn more about them."

"I would go to the store and tell them your needs and interests and they can help you with which computer
would be best for you."

"If you're going to be saving a lot of information or media I would get a computer with a lot of memory."

"Memory is always important. I would get a computer with more now so you don't have to upgrade later."

"Most places that sell computers offer help with setting it up and other troubleshooting areas."

"They are pretty simple to set up. I would just use the directions it comes with."

"Laptops are more mobile so if you're on the go a lot I would recommend a laptop."

"I would go with a home PC for now. It will be accessible for your whole family to use."

"I am using the computer mostly for storing all my photos and music."

"I have a home business so I will be using it for a variety of things."

Here are some questions commonly used when talking about the internet.

"Should I get some sort of virus protection for my computer?"

"How do I get virus protection for my computer?"

"Can I download music over the internet?"

"Is it safe to shop over the internet?"

"Why is my internet is running slow?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"I would definitely get some sort of virus protection. You do not want your computer to crash."

"Yeah I would. My computer got a virus one time and it cost me $100 to get it fixed."

"There are a few good ones out there. I will come over and help you download them."

"I know of a few online. They cost money but are worth it."
"You can. There are a few sites to use for downloading music."

"Downloading music is great! You can find just about anything but you do have to pay for them."

"Make sure you are shopping on a reputable site otherwise I would be careful."

"I don't feel comfortable using my credit card over the computer."

"You can check with your provider to see if there are any problems."

"Maybe you need a faster connection for what you are doing."

Here are some questions commonly used when talking about email.

"How do I set up an email account?"

"How do I send people emails?"
"How will I know when I get one?"
"Can I send photos through email?"
"How do I know if they get my email?"
"Can I attach a file to an email?"
"Can I send an email to more than one person?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"After you decide which email system to use just follow the instructions they provide."
"Check with your provider to see if they provide an email account."

"First you need to get their email address. Just type it in and then write them a message."
"I can come over and help you. It is easier for me to show you in person."

"You can set your email up to prompt you when you get an email."
"I just check my email often to find out."

"Yes you can send photos through email."

"Read your manual, I am sure it will tell you how to do it."

"You can set your email up so you get the notification when they receive an email you sent."
"I usually just talk to them or see if they send something back to me."

"Same as sending photos, I would check your manual to see how to do it."
"Yes you can attach files. Just look for the attach files button."

"Yes you can send an email to as many people as you want."

"Just cc them in the email and you can send it to more than one person."

#Listen to a #conversation.

Woman: What do you usually do on your day off, Steve?

Man: Oh, I always get up very early, around 5 o‘clock.

And I run for an hour.

Woman: Wow. That sounds interesting. What do you do next?

Man: Then I usually go to the gym and lift weights for

about an hour and swim for half an hour.

Woman: My goodness! You really are a fitness freak.

Man: I guess so. After all that exercise, I come home

and have a big breakfast. What about you,

Susan?

Woman: Well, on my day off, I just watch TV all day.

Man: Now you are a real couch potato

Woman: What do you do, Laxman?

Man: I work with a travel agency.

Woman: Sounds good. What do you do, exactly?

Man: I‘m a tourist guide. I take people on tours to

different parts of the country.

Woman: So, you get to travel a lot, don‘t you?

Man: Yes. Sometimes I even go out of the country to

places like Tibet and Sikkim.

Woman: Wow. You really have a great job.

Man: Yes, I love my job. What about you, Rosy?

What do you do?

Woman: I work in a hospital.

Man: Really? Are you a nurse?

Woman: No, I‘m a brain surgeon. I perform more than a

dozen operations every week. I have to work

long hours and I hardly get any holidays.

Man: So, how do you like your job?

Woman: Not bad. But I can‘t give much time to my

family.

#Ask about your #partner

Do you have a job?

Where do you work?

What do you do exactly?

What time do you start work?

What time do you finish work?

Do you have lunch at work?

Do you take a break in the

afternoon?

How do you like your job?

What do you do after work?

Do you watch television?read?

#Ask again

Informal : What was that?

Sorry.
What did you say?
Sorry I didn‟t hear you.
Neutral : I‟m sorry, what did you say?
I‟m sorry, I couldn‟t hear what you said.
Pardon?
Formal : I beg your pardon.
I‟m sorry, would you mind repeating the word
(please)?
I‟m sorry, could I ask you to repeat the word / sentence
(please)?

#Asking for #help

Informal &
Neutral : Help me, please.
Can you help me?
Would / Could you help me?
14
Formal : I‟m sorry to bother you, but ……..
Would you mind ………………
I wonder if you could …………
I would be grateful if you could …………..

( #Help ) ( #Money )
Anil : Hello, Mubin, you look sad. What‟s the
matter?
Mubin : I‟m badly in need of money now. Can you help
me?
Anil : Oh sure, how much do you need?
Mubin : Five thousand rupees.
 Anil : Pardon?
Mubin : I want five thousand rupees; I‟ll return it within
a week.
Anil : That‟s allright, shall I give you a cheque?
Mubin : Of course, I‟ll encash it tomorrow. Thank you.
Anil : Welcome.

#Ask about your #partner‟s

#friend or #relative

Tell me about your friend/brother/

sister/father/mother.....

Where does he/she work?

What does he/she do exactly?

What time does he/she start work?

What time does he/she finish

work?

Does he/she like his job?

What does he/she do after work?

Man: What do you, Sarita?

Woman: I‘m a teacher.

Man: Really? Tell me about your family.

Woman: Well, I‘m married and have three children.

Man: What does your husband do?

Woman: He has a small business.

Man: Oh, that‘s interesting. What business does he have?

Woman: He has a small garment factory. He exports all

the products.

Man: What about your children? Do they all go to school.

Woman: No, only two of them go to school. The

youngest one is just five months old.

Man: You have a small and beautiful family.

Woman: Yes, it‘s a lovely family. And what about you?

Are you married?

Man: No, I‘m not. I‘m still studying. I‘m in my final

year of MBA.

Woman: Oh, great. By the way, do you have any brothers

and sisters?

Man: Yes, I do. I have a brother and a sister.

Woman: And what do they do?

Man: Well, my brother drives a taxi and my sister flies

a plane.

Woman: No kidding!

Listen to some #requests and their #responses.

A: Would you mind turning down the TV, Roshan? I‘m trying to

study.

B: Sure. I‘ll turn it down.

A: Max, could you move your car, please? It‘s blocking my way.

B: Oh, OK. I‘ll park it across the street.

A: Would you mind not making so much noise?

B: Sorry. I didn‘t know I was disturbing you.

A: Please close the door on your way out.

B: All right. I‘ll do it.

A: Would you mind heping me to carry this table?

B: Not at all.

A: Excuse me. Could you move your legs, please?

B: Sorry. I didn‘t know it was bothering you.

A: Can you help me in the kitchen?

B: Sure. No problem.

A: Can you lend me your camera for a day?

B: Oh, I‘m really sorry. I‘m using it.

A: Can I borrow your pen?

B: Sure. Here you are.

 Storyline: Harry looks fairly #anxious because the final #exam is three days
away and he's not fully prepared yet.

Joanne: Hey, you look concerned. What's on your mind?

Harry: The final exam. I'm not fully prepared yet.
Joanne: Well, don't worry too much. You still have three days.
Harry: Yeah, but three days will fly past in a wink.
Joanne: Well, you still have time to cram things into your brain anyway.

The razor #burn is really #irritating!

Storyline: Joseph finds his razor burn irritating. So, he asks James for some
advice....

James: Oh, what happened to your face, Joseph? It looks like a heat rash.

Joseph: It's a razor burn. I cut myself when I shaved this morning. The burns and cuts are
really irritating.
James: I know how you feel. Maybe you shouldn't have grown a long, long beard.
Joseph: Well, I thought it would be fun and would make me look more mature and
sophisticated.

James: Yeah, my Mature man!

Joseph: Come on! Any advice?

James: Maybe you could shave in the shower. The steam really helps soften your beard and
moustache.

Joseph: Hm, sounds like a good idea.

James: And you should avoid pressing too hard or tugging on your skin while shaving.

Joseph: I guess I've been stretching it too often when I shave.

James: Hm. I would also suggest you try this cream I have. Use it on the affected area. It
really helps moisturize your skin and lessen irritations.

Joseph has athlete's foot. His girlfriend Jenny recommends he use a cream to knock out the
bacteria on his foot.

Joseph: My toes feel very itchy. It's really irritating. I don't know what's happening.

Jenny: Let me take a look. Ah-huh, I think you have athlete's foot.

Joseph: What are you talking about? I'm not an athlete!

Jenny: Come on, Joseph, stop joking. You'd better take care of it before it gets worse.

Imagine you have pus gushing out and rashes all over your legs....

Joseph: Stop it, "Dr." Jenny.

Jenny: OK, OK. I guess I've got some cream for it. It really fixes skin in trouble. It's really a help for
irritations and blemishes.

Joseph: Is it this one?

Jenny: Not really. That one is for heat burns.

Joseph: Have you had athlete's foot before?

Jenny: Yeah. It was a very bad experience. You know, if you don't keep your feet dry and clean, the
fungus will grow and spread out quickly.

Joseph: So my case isn't that bad, huh?

Jenny: You're lucky. Yeah, here it is. Now apply it to the affected areas. This cream is very effective
in clearing out bacteria and stopping inflammation from developing.

Ayaan finds a new job in New York and is about to move there. He doesn't want his #friendship with
Rehana to drift apart. He wants to keep in touch.

Rehana: I heard you're moving to New York.

Ayaan: Yes. I've got an offer in upstate New York.

Rehana: Oh, that's great! But I'm going to miss you.

Ayaan: Me, too. Let's keep in touch.

Rehana: Yeah. Don't forget to drop me a line when you settle down.

Ayaan: Trust me. I won't. I'll keep you posted.

Rehana: You have my address?

Ayaan: Well, I have your e-mail address.

Rehana: All right! I look forward to hearing from you soon. Good luck!

There are several ways of giving #suggestions.

You should take warm clothes.

You ought to travel by plane.

You‘d better make reservations in advance.

(You‘d better = You had better)

You shouldn‘t go alone.

You‘d better not walk alone at night.

You have to get a visa. (It‘s a rule.)

You must leave early to reach there before dark.

(It is necessary that you leave early if you want to reach

before dark.

---------------------------------------------------------

A: Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

B: Sure. What would you like to know?

A: Well, where were you born?

B: I was born in London, UK.

A: Oh? Did you grow up there?

B: No, I grew up in Manchester. My family moved to

Manchester when I was just a kid.

A: And, did you go to high school in Manchester?

B: Yes, I did.

A: Where did you go to college?

B: I went to college in Ontario, Canada.

A: What did you major in?

B: I majored in journalism.

A: Oh, really? And when did you finish college?

B: In the year 2000. Then I returned to London and started

working for a magazine. I‘m still there.

Now have a similar conversation using information

about yourselves. Ask these and other questions

of your own.

Have you #ever?

A: Have you ever eaten Japanese food?

: No, I‘ve never eaten Japanese food. Have you?

A: Yes, I have. I had sashimi when I was in Tokyo last year.

It‘s a dish of raw #fish.

B: Did you like it?

A: Oh, yes. It was delicious.

A: Have you ever met a famous person?

B: Yes, I have. In fact, I met Rajesh Hamal just a week ago.

A: Oh? Where did you meet him?

B: In a restaurant in Thamel. Actually, I was having lunch

there with my family and everybody was looking at a

table behind us. When I turned around to see, there he

was.

A: Wow! Did you talk to him?

B: Yes, in fact, he came to our table and talked to us. He

somehow knew my father. I asked him for his autograph

too. Would you like to see it?

#Trip , #Outing

A: Hi, Mike. How was your trip to Gorkha?

B: It was wonderful! I really enjoyed it.

A: How long were you there?

B: I was there for three days.

A: What did you do there?

B: Well, I visited the Gorkha Durbar. It‘s really fantastic!

Then I went trekking down to the Daraudi River. Finally I

went to the Manakamana Temple by cable car. It was a

great experience.

A: Did you like the food there?

B: Yes, I did. I mostly had the local food - dal, bhat, tarkari. It

was good. But I didn‘t like the pickle they served. It was

very hot and had a pungent smell.

A: Were the hotels any good?

B: Yes, the hotel I stayed in was very comfortable and it also

had a great view. By the way, do you want to see my

photos.

A: Sure

What are you #doing?

A: What are doing tomorrow?

B: I don‘t have any plans as such. I think I‘ll just stay home

and watch TV.

A: Do you have any plans for next Saturday?

B: Yes, I‘m going to do some shopping. What about you?

A: Well, I think I‘ll have to join you. I need to do some

shopping myself.

A: I‘m throwing a house-warming party tomorrow and

you‘re invited.

B: Thanks. I‘ll be there.

A: So, Susan, what are you doing this evening? Would you

like to go out?

B: Oh, sorry. I can‘t. I‘m attending a party. Sheela has

invited me.

A: Well, how about tomorrow evening? Are you doing

anything then?

B: No, I‘m not. What are you planning to do?

A: I‘m going to see a musical show. Would you like to

come?

B: Sure. I‘d love to. What time is the show?

A: It‘s at 6 o‘clock. I‘ll come to pick you up at 5:30.

B: Thanks. See you then.

#Conversation about a brief conversation between 2 #old #friends meeting by chance at a

#cafe

Sarah: Hello Jason, how are you, it's been a long time since we last met?
Jason: Oh, hi Sarah I'm have got a new job now and is going great. How about you?

Sarah: Not too bad.

Jason: How often do you eat at this cafe?

Sarah: This is my first time my friends kept telling me the food was great, so tonight I decided to try it. What
have you been up to?

Jason: I have been so busy with my new job that I have not had the time to do much else, but otherwise, me
and the family are all fine.

Sarah: Well, I hope you and your family have a lovely meal.

Jason: Yes you too.

#Conversation about two # #asking each other what they do for a living.

David: Hello, my name is David It's nice to meet you.

Jenny: Hi, I'm Jenny. It's my please to meet you.

David: Am sorry. what was your name again?

Jenny: Jenny.

David: So Jenny, What do you do for a living?

Jenny: I work at the local school teaching English. what do you for a living?

David: I'm also an English teacher, but am currently out of work.

Jenny: Sorry to hear that. It has been really nice talking to you.

David: Yes. It was a great pleasure meeting you.

Mr. Jones is talking to Mr. Rooney who he has just met in a #cafe. They are having a
conversation when Mr. Jones asks Mr. Rooney what he does for a living . . .

Mr. Jones: What do you do for a living?

Mr. Rooney: Am sorry I don‘t understand the question.

Mr. Jones: What is your occupation?

Mr. Rooney: I'm a mechanic; I work in a garage on Oxford street.

Mr. Jones: A mechanic? You must do a lot of work and get very dirty.

Mr. Rooney: yes I do lots of work. Every day I fix cars and it takes a long time to get clean after work.

Mr. Jones: That is really interesting. How many cars do you think you fix in a day?

Mr. Rooney: On average I probably fix about seven cars every day I do get tired.

Mr. Rooney: What, sort of job do you have Mr. Jones?

Mr. Jones: I don‘t have a job at the moment.

Mr. Rooney: why?

Mr. Jones: I‘m at college learning English.

Mr. Rooney: Thanks for the chat I have to get back to work now.

Mr. Jones: yes, thanks also.

part of #teacher‟s conversation in #class ( #SIR )

#Help from a #teacher

Rina : Good morning, ma‘am.

Teacher : Good morning.
Rina : Ma‘am I need some help.
Teacher : Yes, what is it?
Rina : Ma‘am, I have a few problems in statistics that I would like to get clarifi ed.
When can I come to you for a few minutes.
Teacher : Come any day after the lunch break. I will be in the staff room.
Rina : Thank you, ma‘am.
Word Meaning
• Is this correct?
1. clarify : make clear, explain

Getting attention: • Can you write it on the board, please?

Listen... Look... • What’s the English word for … ?

Pay attention... • Could you repeat that, please? I’m sorry, I don’t

So now, listen to... understand.

Excuse me...
• What page are we on?
Watch out!
• Shall I go on?
I have a question for you
• Can we play a game?
What's up?
• Can I see your exercises, please? Please do the
Take out your notebook/recorder/pen
following exercises.
Write down the following sentence
• Has anyone got a spare pen/pencil/rubber?
Repeat after me...

Can you repeat, please? • Let’s practise that again.

Please, open your notebook. • Who has finished?

Check your answers... • Come here, please. Go back to your seat.

Work in groups. Work in pairs • Look at the board.

Get together in groups of four
Go to the digital board
Raise your hand to answer.
• Listen to the cassette. Listen to me.
• Tell me the answer. Write the answers.
Read the question.

• Colour the picture. Cut it out. Draw a ...

Point to the ...

Read it aloud • Say the whole sentence, please.

Stand up / sit down • Say it again, please. Say it in English, please!

Speak louder, please • Say it more slowly.

Speak more slowly • Copy these words into your notebooks.
Shut up!
• Don’t start yet! You can start now.
Stop interrupting/ Don´t interrupt
• Come to the front, please.
Memorize
• Correct your partner’s work.
Can you spell it? / How do you spell it?
• Put your hand up if you don’t understand.
➜Giving instructions and asking
Put your hand up if you know the answer.
for information
• Fill in the gaps.
Instructions are one of the most important

language functions in any bilingual setting. • Match the words and the pictures.

• Please repeat after me. Could you repeat that, Match the words to the pictures.

please? First listen, and then repeat. • Finish the exercise.

Say it with me. • Do the crossword on page seven.

• Give me some more examples, please. • Look for the words. Unjumble the sentences
• Do you understand?
Controlling the class
• Alicia, read the next sentence. Can you read
These expressions are among the first that
this word?
students learn and start using among themselves
• Look at exercise two. Can you read
spontaneously. Learners like to take on the
the instructions, please?
teacher’s role and control other classmates.
• Keep going.

• Can you speak louder?

• Please be quiet! Speak quietly! Can’t you speak

• What does …. mean? Can you spell it, please? more softly? No noise, please.

How do you spell … , please? • Stop chatting! Stop speaking! Whisper, don’t

• Is that right? shout! Silence! Shut up, will you?

• Pull down the blinds, please. Turn off the tap. • Please pay attention!
Flush the toilet and wash your hands.
• Don’t do that! Don’t touch! Put that away!
• Copy me. Follow me.
• Calm down! Settle down! Sit still!
• Fold the paper. Stick it on the poster.
• Juan, stop bothering David!

• Stop playing with your pencil.

• Stop talking and watch the video.

 • Don’t cross the line. • Take two small steps. Take two
Put it on the wall. giant steps.
Stay behind the line.
• Tie your shoe laces. Get into line.
• Walk like an Egyptian!
• Wipe your nose! Blow your nose! Use a hankie! • Shake your arms!
• You’re in! You’re out!
• Bless you!
• Don’t cheat! • Wiggle your fingers/toes/bottom!
• Hurry up!
• It’s not fair! • Tickle your tummy!
• Hands up! Hands down!
• It’s your turn. It’s my turn. • Pull your ears!
#Homework
• Nod your head!
• Sit on the ground.
Teacher : Rohit, you didn‘t show me your home work.
Rohit : I am sorry, Sir. I haven‘t done it (apologising) • Sit down! Stand up!
• Stand side by side.
Teacher : Oh, why?
Rohit : I wasn‘t well yesterday. • Cross your arms.
Teacher : What was wrong with you? • Stand face to face.
Rohit : I had a headache. • Lie on the mat. Sit cross-legged on
Teacher : But you know, I saw you playing cricket yesterday • Stand back to back. the floor.
evening. Aren‘t you telling a lie?
Rohit : Extremely sorry, Sir. (apologising) • Skip! • Kneel on the floor.
Teacher : You are the head boy. Shouldn‗t you set an example
to others? (advising) • Hop! Jump! • Make a circle.
Rohit : Please excuse me, Sir.
I now regret having told a lie. (regretting)
• Turn around! • Hold hands.
I assure you, Sir. Hereafter, I will never tell a
lie in my
life. We learned a lot today. Shake•your
Snaparms!
your fingers!
Teacher : Good that you have realised. (comforting)
• Stamp your feet!
• Wiggle your fingers/toes/bottom!
➜Praise and correction ➜And something else ... • Freeze!
• Tickle your tummy!
Instead of just „good‟ and „not very good‟ here are
some more expressions you can use from the These expressions
• Pull your ears!offer an excellent opportunity to teach students
start when praising or correcting students‟ work. how to use fun English naturally!
• Nod your head!
• Brilliant! Excellent! Wonderful! • Have you been playing truant?
• Good! Good job! Very good! • Sit down! Stand up!
• Great! Very well done! • Hey! Wake up, your head’s in the clouds!
• Yes, that‟s right. That‟s it! • Cross your arms.
• Nice work! • Stop your moaning!
• Yes! OK! • Lie on the mat. Sit cross-legged on the floor.
• Watch what you are saying.
• That‟s not right, try again.
• Kneel on the floor.
• Not quite right, try again. • Wash your mouth out with soap!
• That‟s nearly right. That‟s better! • Make a circle.
• Today I‟m happy/not very happy with you. • Get your finger out!
• Hold hands.
• Don’t be rude!
• Wink your eye!
May I come in, Sir? • Wipe that silly smile off your face!
#Teacher : Yes, you may. (to another student) • Snap your fingers!
Can you recite the whole paragraph now? • What’s so funny?
Student 2 : I‟m sorry. I may not be able to. • Stamp your feet!
Teacher : Why? • Stop acting the clown!
• Freeze!
• Don’t go bananas!
➜Board game
• Don’t be a rotter!

• Mind your own business!

Student 2 : I‟m afraid I might #forget in the middle.
Teacher : Never mind. Go ahead.

These expressions offer an excellent opportunity

to teach students how to use fun English
naturally!

• Have you been playing truant?

• Hey! Wake up, your head‟s in the clouds!
• Stop your moaning!
• Watch what you are saying.
• Wash your mouth out with soap!
• Get your finger out!
• Don‟t be rude!
• Wipe that silly smile off your face!
• What‟s so funny?
• Stop acting the clown!
• Don‟t go bananas!
• Don‟t be a rotter!
• Mind your own business!
• This is a madhouse!
• You‟re driving me round the bend!
• What‟s all the racket about?

Teacher: Which of you have not yet submitted your project in English?
(Many students raise their hands.)
Teacher: Ruhan, what is wrong with you? You are the monitor of the class.
The class-monitor is supposed to be the role-model for the rest of the students
of the class.
Ruhan: Sir, I couldn‟t complete it due to the hospitalization of my father. I
think I will take another two-three days to complete it. I‟m awfully sorry for
the delay.
Teacher: Alright, I‟m sorry that your father was ill. How is he now? But,
would you please finish this work quickly within two-three days? I will feel
happy if others also finish their project work within the minimum possible
time and submit their project by the end of next week. I‟m afraid I will not be
able to give you more time than this. You know how particular our principal
is about the submission dates. I‟m sure you would not like my position to go
down in the eyes of our principal.
Ruhan: Sir, don‟t worry about anything. We would not let you feel small. We
are extremely sorry for the delay. Kindly forgive us this time. I‟ll definitely
submit the project work of the entire class next week.
Teacher: Thank you for your assurance. Would you please honour this
assurance?
Ruhan: Definitely Sir, Thank you very much.
Teacher: Now, let‟s learn to produce the vowel sounds correctly, which is so
important for effective communication

Physical Education #Teacher & Renuka

PET : Renu!You were mainly responsible for the #victory
of our team in hockey. That‟s great.
Renuka : But, Sir, I am anxious about playing for the state
tournament.
PET : You are doing fine. There‟s nothing to feel
discouraged.
Renuka : Thank you for your encouragement, Sir. I‟m now
going home for the week end.
PET : Convey my regards to your Dad.
Renuka : Yes, Sir. Let me take leave of you.
PET : OK, Bye.
Renuka : Good-bye, Sir

#Encouraging

Informal : Come on!

Keep it up!
You can do it!
Go on!
Neutral : Well done!
You‟re doing fine / very well!
That‟s fine / lovely / great!
Formal : You have our backing.
You have our whole-hearted support.
We feel you should go ahead.
That‟s most encouraging.

For an #examination #result

Teacher : Children, you all must be very eager to know your result.
Students : Yes ma‘am.
Teacher : You have all done extremely well and I‘m proud of this class.
Students : Thank you ma‘am.
Teacher : The high point in this year‘s result has been Ankita and Rina‘s performance.
You‘ll be glad to know that Ankita has stood first in the class. She is also
the school topper. Well done Ankita. Congratulations!
Ankita : Thank you ma‘am. You were so encouraging and supportive.
Teacher : Rina, you have stood second in the class. You have been declared the best
All Rounder. Congratulations to you too. May you both continue to do well.
Students : (to Ankita and Rina) Congratulations! We want a treat!

Word Meaning
1. eager : keen, excited
2. high point: best part
3. encouraging: giving support, confi dence
4. supportive: helpful
 Right! / you're right
Make it simpler
Well done! / Very well! / Good
Make it easier.
Good job / Great job
Try again
Excellent
Once more / once again
Fabulous
Say it again..
That's fine
Don't get it, can you repeat, please?
Brilliant
What do you mean with.....?
Go on
It´s the other way round
Let's continue
Use your brains
Go ahead
Relax!
#Organising contents, #time and
#places.

Let's start our class.

Today, we are going to...

First.... and then / next …

From the beginning of the page...

We are going to review the

homework

Any questions so far?

Volunteers, please!

I'm going to check/count if you're all in the classroom.

Who is not here? ( checking roll )

What date is it today?

What's the date today?

1. What is the time now?

2. When did you last have a meal?
3. How long ago did you learn to write the English alphabet?
4. What did you do during the last holidays?
5. What are your plans for the next holiday?

Teacher : What are you planning to do after class XII?

Student : I plan to go back to my hometown in Himachal Pradesh.
 Teacher : And do what?
Student : My father has a plot of land near Shimla. I‘ll try my hand at growing fruit
and flowers.
Teacher : Flowers? Who would think of growing flowers for a living?
Student : I have. I read that the Himachal Pradesh Churah Valley Farmers are
signing an M.O.U. with a Dutch company. The florists will export carnations
to Holland, through the year.
Teacher : This really sounds great, but very hard to believe.
Student : What is really amazing is the fact that the farmers will earn _13 lakhs
per hectare from flowers as compared to _ 15,000 to 20,000 per
hectare from traditional crops.
Teacher : Unbelievable! Our institution rolls out its first farmer. Good luck!

What's the date today? #Asking for #help

Checking their #understanding I need help / more time...

Do you understand me? Sorry?

Is it clear? Say it again..

What does ( word ) mean? I don't get it, can you repeat, please?

What's the meaning of... ? What do you mean with.....?

Is this right? / Is this ok? What does ( word ) mean?

May I ask... ? What's the meaning of... ?

How do you say.... in English? Is this right? / Is this ok?

Tell me the difference between A and May I ask... ?

B
How do you say.... in English?
Are you ready?
Tell me the difference between A and B
Finish?

Any questions so far?

Who knows the answer?

What else?

Does it ring a bell?

Other #conversation

A: You look a little tired. Are you feeling okay?

B: I'm fine. I was so worried about today's test that I stayed up late last night studying.

A: The last question really confused me, but I think I did a good job. How about you?

B: I don't think I did very well. I was so nervous that I couldn't remember anything I studied. If you do better
than I on the test, I'll be really jealous.
A. Maybe next time we can study together so we‘ll both get good grades.

B: Good idea. Well, I have to go to my next class. See you later!

___________________________________________________________
A #stranger meets a gentleman in front of a #restaurant.

Stranger :I wondered if you could tell me where the post

office is.

Gentleman : That‘s not too far from here;

Stranger : Which way should I go. Sir?

Gentleman : Take the road right in front of you.

(giving directions)

Walk for about half a kilometre.

Stranger :Yes, Sir.

Gentleman : You‘ll see on your left, the restaurant Anand Vihar.

Stranger : Oh, I see, Anand Vihar.

Gentleman : The very next building is the post office.

Stranger : OK, thank you Sir.

Gentleman : Welcome.

A #Friend in #need

A : You look tense. What‘s the matter?

B : You see, I have a test in Maths tomorrow. I have a lot to read

and my mom wants me to go to market.

A : Well, if you like it, I could go and get the things mom want.

(offering help)

B : Thanks a lot. (responding to offer)

At the #stationery #shop: A #student wants to buy sketch #pens.

Student :Have you got sketch pens? (asking for

information)

Shopkeeper:Yes I do.

Student :How many colours are there in a set?

Shopkeeper : Eight.

Student : How much does it cost?

Shopkeeper : Twenty rupees.

Student : Give me one.

Shopkeeper : One moment........here you are.

Student : Here‘s your money, thanks.

Shopkeeper : welcome.
__________________________________________
A : I think this bag is too heavy for you to carry. May I carry it

for you?

B : Oh, would you? Thanks.

A : Oh, I forgot to bring my pen.

B : Could I help you with one? Here it is.

A : Thank you.

A : Shall I help you to find a mechanic?

B : no, thanks. I can manage.

______________________________________________
Meeting a #foreigner in Hyderabad (#Introduction)

Rahim : May I introduce myself?

My name is Rahim. (introducing oneself)

Joseph : I am Joseph.

Rahim : How do you do? (responding to introduction)

Joseph : How do you do?

Rahim : Where arr you from, Mr.Joseph? (asking for

information)

Joseph : I‘m from the US. How about you?

Rahim : I belong here. How long have you been here?

(‗I belong here‟ is a better expression compared to „I belong

to this place‟. „I am a native of this place‟ has a meaning
slightly different from the above.)

Joseph : I‘ve been here for two weeks.

Rahim : Are you going to stay for long?

Joseph : No, I‘m just on a short holiday.

Rahim : Do you like Chennai? (asking for likes/dislikes)

Joseph : Yes, I am enjoying it here. (expressing likes/

dislikes)

Rahim : Is it too hot for you?

Joseph : No, not too hot.

Rahim : And how do you like the food here? (asking for

likes/dislikes)

Joseph : It‘s delicious and tasty, but a little hot and spicy.

(#expressing #likes/ #dislikes)

Rahim : Do you like our idlis?

Joseph : I love the soft idlis, particularly with sambar.

Fantastic combination.

Rahim : How about parathas?

Joseph : Parathas? I can‘t stand that. (expressing likes/

dislikes)

It is tough and leathery unnlike your fluffy idlis

______________________________________

The #expressions

#Asking for #likes / #dislikes:

How do you like?

Do you like .........?

Are you fond of.........?

Would you like ..........?

#Responding #positively to these questions:

I like it very much.

I love it.

I enjoy ..............

I would love to .................

#Expressing #dislikes:

I don‘t like it.

I hate / detest / loathe ...........(strong dislike)

I can‘t stand ..................

I can‘t bear ...................

· Thank you : Thank you indeed; Thank you so much................... TO THANK

· I‘m sorry : APOLOGIZING

· Could you… MAKING REQUESTS

· Would You….

· I‘m afraid................ EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL

· I fear

· I think.. EXPRESSING ONE‘S OPINION

· I feel

· As far as I‘m concerned

· Just a minute…. #DISCUSSIONS / #INTERRUPTING

· Could I interrupt you here ….

· Could I make a point ….

· Excuse me, before you go on, could I….

· Let‘s….

· Why don‘t we…. MAKING #SUGGESTIONS

· Should we not ….

· Shall we ….

· That‘s wonderful .........................AGREEING/SUPPORING OTHERS‘ OPINION

· I fully agree with you

· That‘s what I also feel

· I‘m afraid I don‘t agree .....................#DISAGREEMENT

· I don‘t think so

· I ‗m afraid we are digressing

· That‘s not the point, Sir/Madam

Rephrasing Expression
What I meant to say was…
Let me rephrase that…
Let me put this another way…
Perhaps I'm not making myself clear…
The basic idea is…
One way of looking at it is…
Another way of looking at it is…
What I want to say is…
Partly agreeing:
I agree with you up to a point, but…
That's quite true, but…
I agree with you in principle, but…
Most probably it may be so.
That may be true, but …

Delaying your answer

Well, let me see…
Let me think for a moment, please…
That is a very interesting question…

#Useful phrases for #discussion in #Meeting #Presentation #Seminar (#business) (#corporate)

 #Talking About #Girls - Types You #Likes or #Dislikes

In this session, I am going to cover talking about girls. We will primarily cover commenting on traits you like or
dislike. Don't worry ladies, we will have a session about guys later on.
#Describing what types of girls you like

"I like a girl with a lot of curves."

"I like all girls with a great body."

"I like skinny girls."

"I like a girl with smooth skin."

"Since I'm pretty tall, I want a tall skinny girl."

"I like a girl who likes to have fun."

"I like girls who are smart. I can't stand airheads."

"I like all pretty girls."

"I like obedient girls."

"The most important trait for me is wisdom. I want a girl who is wise."

"It's important that the girl is smart and intelligent."

"A good and fun personality is the most important trait I look for in a girl."

"I want a girl who is going to take care of me."

"I want a working girl so I can stay at home all day."

"I want to meet a rich girl so I don't have to worry about money."

"I like athletic girls because I like to play sports."

#Describing types you don't like

"I can't stand girls with attitude."

"I hate stuck up girls."

"The worst kind of girls are high maintenance girls."

"Stay away from nagging girls. You'll want to kill yourself after a month with them."

"It bothers me when a girl is not independent."

"I don't like weak girls who can't take care of themselves."

"You might think rich girls are a blessing, but they constantly nag at you to make more money."

"Rich girls are usually spoiled and soon you will be broke trying to keep up with her."

"I don't like fat girls. They don't turn me on."

"I don't like skinny girls who are like toothpicks. It's just gross."

(In a #shop)

Wife : Listen, I was thinking of buying some new bed-sheets for the home.
Husband : Yes, we can certainly do with some.

Wife : Perhaps we could buy this pair? I like floral patterns.

Husband : I prefer this one with the geometric design. I think it looks smart.

Wife : I suppose you are right. Geometric design in lighter shades, will be nice

for the summer.

Husband : Personally I prefer darker shades, but we‘ll settle for this lighter one.

Wife : I am glad we found something that we both like.

Husband : Please pack both these sets and get the bill made. Thank you

#Shopkeeper : May I help you, Sir?

Ravi : I‟m looking for a pair of black cotton
trousers.
Shopkeeper : Here‟s one, Sir.
Ravi : Do you mind if I try this on me?
Shopkeeper : No, not at all.
Ravi : Thank you (after trying). It‟s quite all right
for me. I‟ll take this.

Other #shop phrases

How to Shop in English

Your questions: Ask a cashier or salesperson

 Excuse me…how much is…?

 What does …. cost?

 How much is the tax?

 Is ―this‖ on sale?

 What is the price after the discount?

 What‘s the total?

 How much do I owe you?

 Do you take/accept cash? (OR credit card, debit, cheques)

 Is this new or used?

 May I try this on?

 Do you have ―this‖ in…? (a different size: extra small, small, medium, large, extra large)

 Can you tell me where the … are? (apples, coats)

 Can I return this if I need to?

#Sir #Principal #Headmaster

Srinath : Good morning, Sir. (greeting-formal)

Headmaster : Good morning Mr. Srinath.

Prabhu : Hello, Srinath. (greeting-informal)

Srinath : Hello Prabhu. how are you?

Prabhu : I‘m fine. How are you?

Headmaster : I am glad you both have come on time.

(expressing happiness) #Thank

Srinath : Sir, it is very kind of you to have invited us.

(thanking-formal)

Headmaster : It‘s a pleasure! (responding to thanks) My wife

suggested that we ask you both over to tea.

Prabhu : We too have been wanting to visit you.

Headmaster : Thanking you. (neutral)

Shall we start with the slices of cake?

(suggesting) Would you like these plum cakes?

Srinath : I would love to. (expressing liking)

Headmaster : Help yourselves with these sandwiches.

(offering)

Prabhu : They are really delicious!

Headmaster : Mr. Sri, how do you like your tea? Strong

(asking for liking)

Srinath : Not very strong Sir. Thank you. (thanking neutral)

Headmaster : Welcome! (responding to thanking

you Mr. Prabhu?

Prabhu : A little strong, (stating slight preference)

Headmaster : I think you take more sugar.

Prabhu : Yes Sir, two spoonfuls.

Headmaster : Here you are. By the way, how‘s our students‘

performance?

Srinath : We can expect better result this year.

Headmaster : That‘s fine.

Prabhu : I can assure you a minimum often centums in

Mathematics.

Headmaster : Oh, really. That‘s great! (expressing satisfaction)

How about another cup of tea? (suggestinginformal)

Prabhu : That‘s very kind of you. Sir (thanking- formal)

But I am afraid I am full. (refusing politely)

__________________________________________________________
(The Headmaster compliments the head-boy.)

Sundar : May I come in, Sir? (asking for permission)

Headmaster : Yes, please come in.

Sundar : Did you call me, Sir?

Headmaster : Yes Sundar, congratulations! (congratulating) I

called you to compliment you on your wonderful

performance on the Annual Day.

Sundar : Pardon me, Sir, I don‘t get you, (request for

repeating)

Headmaster : I‘m talking about the speech that you delivered

on the Annual Day.

Sundar : Thank you, Sir. After all I owe it to the school.

Headmaster : The Chief guest was immensely pleased with you

and he expressed it to me.

Sundar : I‘m pleased to hear that, Sir.

Headmaster : Very well done and keep it up, my boy.

Sundar : Thank you very much, Sir.

_____________________________________________________
Professor : I heard you topped the class in the exams.

Student : Yes Sir.

Professor : Great! Congratulations!

Hockey Captain : Sir, we have won the football match at the

zonal meet.

Physical Director : Well done! Kudos to the team members.

A : I have got the first prize in the dance competition.

B : Fantastic! I knew you would.

A. : Anand is a student of Physics studying at Presidency

College in Chennai. He is interviewed by an officer
from a charitable organisation for a scholarship.
Anand : Good morning, Sir.
Officer : Hello, Anand! Good morning, be seated.
Anand : Thank you, Sir.
Officer : Anand, please tell me something about your present
studies.
Anand : I am a first year student of M.Sc Physics at Presidency
College in Chennai. I was indeed a success at school.
Officer : How about your parents?
Anand : My father works on a farm and my mother in a school.
Officer : OK Anand, say something about your aim in life.
Anand : My aim! I want to become a scientist at the Indian
Institute of Science.
Officer : That‟s fine. Do you know where IISc is?
Anand : It is in Bangalore.
Officer : Where is it located in Bangalore?
Anand : It is on the Tumkur Road.
Officer : Well, how much of financial help do you expect from
our charity?
Anand : I‟d be grateful to you Sir, if I could get the course fee
reimbursed.
Officer : Oh, I see, we‟ll try to help you.
Anand : Thank you, Sir.

The principal has called Rahim into his chamber to talk to

him about an offer of # scholarship to study in Malaysia.
Principal : Don‟t you think the scholarship is a great boon
you‟ve got. Why do you decline this offer?
Rahim : I do realise the value of the scholarship, sir. But if I
could explain, my mother doesn‟t want me to go
overseas.
Principal : Why?
Rahim : You know, Sir. I am a fatherless boy and I‟m the only
son at home. My mother living alone for three years
in my absence! She cannot even think of it.
Principal : Nobody to take care of her?
Rahim : My uncle, my mother‟s brother, is already in Dubai.
Principal : Oh, I see. Then you are justified.

#free #dinner
Prabhu : I wonder if you are free this evening.

Rahim : I think I am. Why?

Prabhu : How about joining us for dinner at home?

Rahim : Why not? What‘s the occasion?

Prabhu : Don‘t you remember it‘s my birthday today?

Rahim : Yes! Now I remember. Many happy returns of the

day.

The following is a telephonic conversation between two

#friends Anitha and Geetha. Read on!

#Decribing #people and #clothes

―This is a man.‖
―This is a tall, well-built, fair-complexioned man with straight
dark hair, bushy eyebrows., handle bar moustache and a clean - shaven
chin. (description of an appearance)

e.g. 2: ―Mother Teresa was a nun‖.

Mother Teresa, a nun from the order of ‗The Sisters of Charity‘,
was kind and caring of the sick and dying, generous and loving to all and
with a heart of gold for the poor and needy. (description of human feelings)

e.g. 3: ―Gopal is unwell‖.

Gopal has high fever with severe cold, cough and head-ache
which shows all symptoms of an attack of‘ flu‘- (description of illness)

e.g. 4: ―Meera was dressed up for a wedding‖.

Meera was dressed in a rich brown silk brocade saree with a
broad zari border and a heavy zari embroidered pallu of dancing
peacocks and drooping flowers, She wore a matching blouse and a
pair of zari lined sandals. (description of clothes)

The above sentences are examples the appropriate use of

vocabulary for description in effective communication.
Now look at the following sentences:
―Bharat is usually happy, full of high spirits and loves to be
with people‖.

This sentence can be expressed briefly but effectively with a

single but appropriate vocabulary of description.

―Bharat is a gregarious boy‖, (description of attitude)

Here are a few more examples:

e.g 1: The policeman has a thick mousatache which covers

and
droops along his upper lip, but curves up ward on either side of his
mouth.
―The policeman sports a handle-bar moustache.‖ (description of
appearance)

e.g. 2: The jockey wears pants which are broad and cut full at
the thighs and light from the knee to the ankle with a strap around the
foot.
―The jockey wears riding breeches /jodhpurs‖. (description of
clothes)

e.g. 3 : As it was raining very heavily there was a lot of water

flowing along all the streets in the city.
―Due to torrential rains the city streets were flooded‖.
(description of weather conditions)

e.g. 4: Jessie wore a long white dress and had a veil on her head
on her wedding day.

―Jessie wore the customary bridal attire on her wedding day‖

(description of clothes)

You would have by now understood that it is not the number of

words but their accuracy and appropriacy that makes effective
#communication.

Anitha : Hello ! Geetha?

Geetha : Hi Anitha ! You had spoken to me only a little
while ago. Now you‘re back on the line. What‘s
up?
Anitha : I need your help Geetha. I just received a call from
Mumbai. My cousins from the U.S are
arriving at Chennai by the 11.30 a.m. Air India
flight. That‘s less than an hour from now.
Geetha : So how do i fit into this information?
Anitha : I need you to receive them at the airport
and drop them at my flat, Geetha. I have an important
Board Meeting in half an hour and I can‘t get
away from it. You‘ll do me this favour, won‘t
you?
Geetha : Hey! How can I receive them when I don‘t even
know what they look like? Don‘t tell me you
expect me to stand there with a placard like a
tourist guide!
Anitha : Not a bad idea! But jokes apart, let me describe
them to you so that you‘d be able to recognise
them by the description.
Geetha : OK! Shoot! I am all ears!

( When someone says "I'm all ears", they are telling you that they are listening to you, that they are
giving you their undivided attention. )

Anitha : There are four of them - two men and two

women. Kannan is the tallest. He is a thirty-year
old six footer with broad shoulders and a ruddy
complexion. He sports a heavy moustache and
a thick but well trimmed beard, both these being
in sharp contrast to his bald pate. He‘s got a
 round face with a short nose and small close-set
eyes. He prefers formal wear so, if it is not a suit
and tie, he would surely be in a full—sleeved,
checked shirt with matching tie, and in leather
shoes which match his trousers.
Geetha : OK-How about the rest?
Anitha : Varun is easy to identify in any crowd. He, too,
is around thirty years old but he is short, stocky
and swarthy. He is clean—shaven but his head is
crowned with a thick mop of black hair which is
often untidy and unkempt. He is always in polo
necked T shirts and shorts when he is in India
and sandals are a compulsory accessory to his
dress code! He is a cheerful guy and when he
grins, the sparkle of his white teeth competes with
the twinkle in his eyes.
Geetha : Are the women too so distinct in their
appearance?
Anitha : Divya is Kannan‘s sister and she is tall like him.
But that „s as far as the similarity goes. She is
fair- smooth-skinned, slim with long brown
shouldcr-lengthhair. Unlike her brother,she is
aquiline-nosed and doe-eyed but like him she
prefers formal wear whether it is western or
ethnic. So she is bound to be in a narrowbordered
Kancheepuram Silk Saree or an elegant
flannel skirt with a high collared cuff-sleeved
satin blouse. Kannan, Varun and Divya are my
paternal cousins but Preethi, the last on the list,
is a maternal one. She is my mother‘s sister‘s
daughter. She resembles me in many ways. We
be in tight jeans, baggy shirt and high-heeled
shoes! are of the same age, both of us are of
jockey height, we are thin, wiry-haired, wheat—
complexioned, freckled, spectaicled, with beady
eyes and a snub-nose. Without doubt, she will :
be in tight jeans, baggy shirt and high - heeled
shoes!
Geetha : Phew! That‘s quite a lot to remember! Perhaps
I‘ll first look for Preethi, your look-alike, and
the real would then easy. OK Anitha. Go
ahead with your meeting. I‘ll set out for the
airport now. I‘ll call you up or ‗SMS‘ you when
we get to the flat. Bye.
Anitha : Thanks a lot Geetha. Bye!

After so many years, Fahim is still in touch with most of his friends from high school, while
Sarah has lost contact with most of her buddies.

Fahim: I just received a letter from one of my old high school buddies.
Sarah: That's nice!

Fahim: Well, actually I haven't heard from him in ages.

Sarah: To be fahim with you, I've been out of touch with most of my old friends. Only one or
two still keep me posted about what they are doing.

Fahim: I know. It's really hard to maintain contact when people move around so much.

Sarah: That's right. People just drift apart! But you're lucky to be back in touch with you
buddy again.

Storyline: Jon thinks that his #roommate is taking #advantage of him. Terri suggests that Jon have a
talk with his roommate to get things straight.

Terri: How are things going with you and your roommate?

Jon: Not very well. We're supposed to share the groceries, but I end up feeding him three
meals a day. My grocery bill is huge, you know. I really can't afford it any longer.

Terri: I know how you feel. I used to have a roommate like that. He never offered to
reimburse me for anything.

Jon: I'm really fed up with his freeloading, but I just don't know how to tell him that he
should come up with half the grocery bill, because sometimes he treats me to a meal
in a restaurant.

Terri: Well, honesty is the best policy. Maybe you just want to have a heart-to-heart, friend-
to-friend talk with him. If he refuses to mend his ways, then ask him to move out.
You can't let him wear out his welcome.

Storyline: Steve doesn't seem to have enough #sleep. He's been under great #pleasure
recently.

Syed: Saleem, you look pale. What happened?

Saleem: I didn't sleep a wink last night.

Syed: Did you have something on your mind? You look so concerned! Maybe I can help
you!

Saleem: Well, I'm under a lot of pressure. My boss is very pushy. He assigned me three
projects. Now the deadlines are near, and I still haven't finished all of my projects.

Syed: Is there anything I can do to help you?

Saleem: Well, I guess one one can help me but myself! For the moment, I just need someone
to talk to so that I can relieve my stress.

Storyline: Sylvia #broke up with Paul, and she couldn't #sleep that #night....
Jeanette: Sylvia, your eyes look swollen. What happened?

Sylvia: I broke up with Paul last night and I was all over the bed the whole night.

Jeanette: Well, it's understandable, but Paul isn't the kind of guy that deserves your heartache.
Come on. You'll find a nicer guy soon.

Sylvia: Well, I was restless because I was thinking how I was so stupid that I almost trusted
the rest of my life to him....

Jeanette: Oh, Sylvia....

Storyline: Julie suggests to her #husband, Davis, that he should not go to work because he isn't
feeling well.

Davis: I think I'm running a temperature. My head is spinning, my mouth feels like cotton,
and I have a scratchy throat.

Julie: Let me see. Hmm, you'd better stay at home today. And don't work on the
computer! Staying up late with that thing has obviously played havoc with your
health.

Davis: I can't help it. I guess I'm addicted to the Internet.

Julie: If you want to keep yourself in good shape, you'd better quit surfing the Net deep into
the night. I don't want you kicking the bucket!

Storyline: The other day when Sydney played with her daughter, her daughter #accidentally #poked
her in the eye....

Jon: What happened to your eye?

Sydney: Nothing really. I went to kiss my daughter on her tummy last night, and she reached
up to stop me. When she did that, her fingernails scraped my eye.

Jon: That sounds painful!

Sydney: It wasn't too bad at first, but the next morning it really hurt.

Jon: What did the doctor say?

Sydney: He said that it should be OK, but there might be a little scarring over my field of
vision, so my eyesight may be blurry.

Jon: I'm sorry to hear that.

Sydney: Thanks! Who knew that a poke in the eye would cause so much damage?
 Storyline: Mike doesn't feel well after eating #lunch in a #restaurant. He is suspicious that the #food
he ate at lunch might have made him #sick.

Jenny: What's going on? You don't look so hot!

Mike: I have a stomach-ache. I think I got some bad food at lunch today.

Jenny: Really? But we ate at the same place. How come my stomach is fine?

Mike: You have an iron stomach! My stomach, on the other hand, isn't as strong!

Jenny: So what should we do now?

Mike: I've got to find a restroom - and quick! I think I've got the royal runs.

Storyline: Jane is #worried about her husband's #health because his #snoring is getting #worse and
worse.

Jane: I'm really concerned about Jason. His snoring is getting worse and worse.

Mary: Maybe he needs to go see a doctor. I heard that sometimes a bad snore can cause
heart failure because not enough oxygen gets to the brain.

Jane: That's what I'm worried about. Sometimes it even seems like he stops breathing and
I have to give him a push to make him start again.

Mary: I remember one of my friends' father had the same problem. The doctor said it was
sleep apnea. Her dad had to get a pacemaker put in so that his heart wouldn't stop in
the middle of the night.

Jane: You're kidding me! That serious?

Mary: Yes, that serious!

Jane: That's it! I'm making an appointment for Jason to see the doctor this afternoon. We
can't let this go any longer.

Storyline: Sam catches a cold. He asks Alice if she has any cold medicine he can take....

Sam: I feel awful!

Alice: You don't look so good, either. What's wrong?

Sam: My head's stuffed up. I've got a runny nose, and I'm aching all over.

Alice: Poor guy! What are you taking?

Sam: Nothing so far. Do you have anything I can take?

Alice: Let me go look. In the meantime, drink lots of orange juice....

Sam: (Moan.) OK, but hurry back!

Doctor: (Later)

Alice: I'm back, Sam. How are you doing?

Sam: I still feel like death warmed over.

Alice: Well, I bought you a few things.

Sam: Great! Bring them on.

Alice: Here's some cough syrup and I brought some cold and flue medicine. It'll help you
sleep.

Sam: Thanks! I really appreciate it.

Hear the Whole Conversation

The #kitchen #sink and the bathtub in Victoria's #apartment are clogged. She calls
Margaret, the apartment #manager for help, but Margaret doesn't seem to care....

Victoria: Hello, is Margaret there?

Margaret: This is she.
Victoria: Hello, Margaret, this is the tenant of Apartment 10. I guess my kitchen sink is
clogged up again, and so is the bathtub.
Margaret: Alright, I'll send someone over tomorrow.
Victoria: Uhm, I'd really appreciate it if you would send someone to fix it today. It's
really a bother! I can't cook, or take a shower.
Margaret: Fine, I'll be up in a few minutes.
Victoria: Thanks. I appreciate it.

Storyline: Soon after Marie moves into a new #apartment, she finds out that the
#drain is clogged. Her friend Curtis is trying to figure out what has gone wrong.

Curtis: So, what's wrong with the drain?

Marie: It's clogged and the water won't go down.

Curtis: Let me take a look. You know why? It's clogged with hair. No wonder the water won't go
down.

Marie: Well, I guess the people who lived here before didn't clean the bathtub.

Curtis: You're darn right!

Marie: But what should I do now?

Curtis: Don't worry. I've got some acid here. It'll help dissolve the hair down there.

Marie: Erh! It stinks! Peehew!

Curtis: Now you know you'll have to clean your bathtub every time after you use it.
 Storyline: Soon after Marie moves into a new apartment, she finds out that the drain
is clogged. Her friend Curtis is trying to figure out what has gone wrong.

Curtis: So, what's wrong with the drain?

Marie: It's clogged and the water won't go down.

Curtis: Let me take a look. You know why? It's clogged with hair. No wonder the water won't go
down.

Marie: Well, I guess the people who lived here before didn't clean the bathtub.

Curtis: You're darn right!

Marie: But what should I do now?

Curtis: Don't worry. I've got some acid here. It'll help dissolve the hair down there.

Marie: Erh! It stinks! Peehew!

Curtis: Now you know you'll have to clean your bathtub every time after you use it.

Because the #apartment where he lived was noisy, Patrick decided to move out....

Marci: Has Patrick moved out yet?

Karen: Yes. He moved out last weekend. He's now living in a very nice quiet neighborhood.

Marci: I wonder if he's paying more for rent now.

Karen: I don't have the faintest idea. Even so, it's still worth it, isn't it?

Marci: You're right! I think he's probably very glad to leave that noisy apartment.

Karen: Yes, he is. I know that for sure.

John and Martha share an #office. Martha likes to keep all of the #windows close
because she is afraid of #cold, but John can't stand that.....

John: It's like an oven in here! You must be roasting!

Martha: Actually, I'm just comfortable.

John: You've got to be kidding me. It has to be over 95 degrees in here!

Martha: What can I say? I'm a cold-blooded person. The warmer, the better, as far as I'm concerned.

John: Well, can we at least open a window and get some ventilation in here?

Martha: Knock yourself out.

John: Thanks, I will.

 Storyline: Last time, the water faucet in Henry's #apartment was dripping badly. This
time the #water faucet stops #dripping. Thing are just getting even worse this time.

Grace: Why is there no water coming out when you turn on the faucet?

Henry: Not even a single drop?

Grace: Well, it's just drip, drip, drip. But that's still not water.

Henry: I don't know. Since last night water pressure has dropped to little more than a drip.

Grace: Did you call the apartment manager yet?

Henry: Yeah. I called her this morning and she said she'd send someone over.

Grace: But how long ago was it?

Henry: That was three hours ago!!!

Grace: That's outrageous! I just don't understand why they're not on top of this!

Storyline: Cynthia wants to have a talk with Victor sometime today, but Victor is very
#busy. He has a very tight #schedule.

Cynthia: Hi, Victor, do you think it's possible for us to have a talk sometime today?

Victor: I'd love to, but I've got a pretty tight schedule today.

Cynthia: Oh, what have you got going on?

Victor: Well, I've got to finish a report by ten. Then I have to drive to the airport to
pick up a #client of mine at eleven. After that, I'll have a #meeting with him over
lunch. I #guess I won't have a break until two o'clock. But then from three until five, I
have to attend a senior staff meeting.

Cynthia: Wow, that's cutting it close.

Gail has been packing orders for a long time, but when it's time to get off work, she's still not
finished....

Neal: How many orders do we still need to pack, Gail? We've been packing all day.

Gail: We still have to do about ten more.

Neal: Well, I'm really tired from packing all of the stuff all day. And it's about time to clock out.

Gail: I know. (Gail heaves a sigh.) Maybe we can finish it tomorrow.

Neal: Why not! These orders are not urgent. We could do it first thing tomorrow morning.

Gail: All right. Let's call it quits and go home.

Neal: See, great minds think alike!

Judy is very busy with school. She doesn't even have time to sit down and enjoy a meal....
Shirley: Where are you heading in such a rush?

Judy: I'm heading home.

Shirley: Are we still going to have group study tonight?

Judy: Yeah. I'm just going to grab something to eat and then I'll come back to school.

Shirley: See you then.

Judy: OK.

Storyline: What would you say when you are very #busy with something and
can't just put it aside even though your #wife is calling you?

Priscilla: Rich, can you come downstairs for a minute right now?

Richard: I'm sorry I can't. I'm tied up with something urgent at the moment.

Priscilla: Oh, are you on the stupid net again? When are you going to get off?

Richard: Just a minute, Dear! I'm looking at a new jewelry site. I wanna make sure I get the
right gift for your birthday, don't I?

Priscilla: Oh? In that case, I'm sorry to bother you. Take as much time as you need.

Richard: No problem.

Alan and his two other friends Robyn and Scottie have a #meeting. They have all arrived
except for Alan. Robyn and Scottie are a little worried....

Robyn: Has Alan shown up yet?

Scottie: Nope. I guess something might have come up.

Robyn: I wonder what happened.

Scottie: I don't know. I hope it's nothing serious.

Robyn: Last week his sister was admitted to the hospital.

Scottie: Oh? What happened?

Robyn: His sister had a car accident last week.

Scottie: Is she fine now?

Robyn: She's still in a coma.

Scottie: Oh, poor Alan. His sister is the only he has left since his parents died last year.

Rose dropped a stack of plates on the #floor because they were too slippery.
Her boss, Arthur, wasn't at all happy....
Arthur: What was that terrible noise?

Rose: I'm sorry. I just dropped a stack of plates.

Arthur: Were you hurt?

Rose: Fortunately, no. But I'm terribly sorry.

Arthur: I'm glad you're not hurt, but why did you drop the plates?

Rose: I couldn't help it. The plates were too greasy and slippery.

Arthur: You've got to be careful next time!

Rose: I will. I will. Trust me!

Storyline: Judy isn't at work today, and a "#rumor" starts....

Sarah: Why isn't Judy at work today?

Barbara: Apparently, something came up and she couldn't come.

Sarah: I wonder what happened.

Barbara: I heard she has a new boyfriend.

Sarah: Really? When did that happen?

Barbara: I don't know. I'm only guessing.

Sarah: A-ha, that's how rumors get started.

When you have exciting news to tell your friends, do you sometimes find it hard to tell
them?

Kelly: I really don't know how to break this to you, but it's eating me alive!

Josie: Just tell the truth. I won't take it personally.

Kelly: Well...hum...you're sure you won't lose control of yourself?

Josie: Sometimes it's wise to be direct with people. Come on, just tell me. Don't beat about the
bush! Please!

Kelly: Well, since you'd like an honest answer, I'll tell you the truth.

Josie: Alright! What is that you want to tell me?

Kelly: We've won two free tickets to Hawaii for a seven-day vacation!!!

Josie: What? Are you serious? Oh, my gosh! There will be guys everywhere!

Alvin wishes he could go with his friend to the party, but something has come
up. He apparently doesn't want to talk about it, while his friend hopes it's nothing
serious.
April: Alvin, are you coming with us?

Alvin: I wish I could, but something unexpected has come up.

April: No wonder you look so concerned. I hope it's nothing serious.

Alvin: Well, it's just something personal.

April: OK. But if you need help, let me know.

Alvin: Sure. I will.

Storyline: Gregory's #roommate locked the door when he left for work. His roommate
didn't realize that Gregory was still inside sleeping....

Gregory: I was locked in last night.

Carol: What do you mean "locked in"?

Gregory: Well, my roommate thought I was out, so when he left he locked the door from
outside.

Carol: Then how did you get out?

Gregory: I called my neighbor and gave him the key from inside.

Carol: That's a funny story. I've never heard about anyone who got locked in rather than locked out.

Gregory: I know. But things do happen

Storyline: Do you know what to say to #encourage someone who's very #anxious
about things that may happen in the future?

Lisa: Ross, you look so worried. What happened?

Ross: Well, I want to get into that class, but I just found out that there are so many people on the
waiting list. I guess chances are probably slim.

Lisa: I wouldn't say that! Many people might drop the class and then there will be some openings.
You never know.

Ross: I hope so.

Lisa: Come on, cheer up. Don't worry so much. Everything will work out just fine.

Bernard is trying to get a hold of Herbert, but he forgets his phone number, so he
asks Beatrice....

Bernard: Do you know what Herbert's phone number is?

Beatrice: Oh, Herbert's phone number? I don't have my address book on me....hmmm...I can't
think of it right off hand.
Bernard: That's too BAD! I've got to find him. It's urgent! If I can't find him today, I'll
be dead!

Beatrice: Well, why don't you call Michelle? She has his phone number.

Bernard: I've tried, but no one ANSWERED!

Beatrice: Oh, you are so dead!

Erica is planning the #menu for the #dinner #party next week. All of a sudden, she
remembers that she has #forgotten to invite Linda....

Erica: I've sent out the invitations for the dinner party.

Manuel: That's good. Now what should we do?

Erica: We've got to plan the menu.

Manuel: Oh, that's right. Do you have anything in mind?

Erica: I think I'm going to make the chicken salad we had at Pompa last time. Remember I asked
the chef for the recipe?

Manuel: Yeah, but did you forget that Linda doesn't eat chicken?

Erica: Linda? Oh, my Gosh! I forgot to invite her! She'll be mad at me. It just slipped my mind.

Manuel: Well, it's not too late yet. I'll make a phone call. Don't worry.

Erica: Thanks! I think I'm getting old!

Manuel: Looks like you AR

Michael is #late for a meeting, because he couldn't find the keys to the car....

Joan: Why are you so late?

Michael: I couldn't find my car keys.

Joan: What happened?

Michael: I left the keys in the car.

Joan: You locked them in the car?

Michael: That's right.

Joan: How did you get the door open?

Michael: Fortunately, my girlfrind has a spare key.

Last time Michael was #locked out of his car. This time he is locked out of his #apartment.
Do you know how he gets back in?

Michael: I was locked out of my apartment last night.

Joan: How did THAT happen? Did you lose your keys?
Michael : No. I left the keys in the apartment.

Joan: Then how did you get in?

Michael: I climbed in from the window.

Joan: You what? Oh, my! You're brave.

Michael: Thank you. In fact, I didn't realize I was such a good climber.

Ray was telling Brenda his experiences in Africa, but he was #interrupted by a
telephone call. When he returned, he forgot where to continue his story....

Ray: Let's back up. Where was I?

Brenda: You were talking about your trip to South Africa.

Ray: Oh, yeah.

Brenda: I bet you had a great time.

Ray: Yes, we did. In fact, you know what we encountered?

Brenda: A long-lost friend?

Ray: Come on! A lion!

Marshall is #complaining to Pam. He tells Pam that he is trying to get a hold of

Jason, but he forgot his home phone number. So he called his office, but his
secretary would not give him Jason's phone number-- because it is against the
company's policy to release someone's personal information on the phone to a
#stranger.

Marshall: Do you know what Jason's home phone number is?

Pam: I can't think of it off the top of my head. You might want to look it up in the
phone book.

Marshall: I've checked it already, but it seems that his phone number is UNLISTED.

Pam: Maybe it's under his roommate's name.

Marshall: Well, I guess so.

Pam: Maybe you can call his office and ask his secretary.

Marshall: I've already tried. She won't tell me. She says it's private.

Pam: Oh, that's right. They usually don't release private information over the
phone.

#Money

Jackie has a 20-dollar bill and wants to break it so that she may have some smaller
bills and change for the laundry.

Cashier: How can I help you, Miss?

Jackie: Could you break a 20 for me?

Cashier: Sure. How do you want it?

Jackie: Could I have two 5's and the rest in ones?

Cashier: Well, I have some 5's, but I don't have enough 1's. Are quarters fine with you?

Jackie: Oh, that's even better! In that case, I won't have to worry about the small change for the
laundry. Cashier: Here you go!

Jackie: Thanks a million!

Tess has too many #coins and wants to have a twenty-dollar #bill instead. So she
goes to the #bank.

Teller: May I help you, Miss?

Tess: Yes. I have some coins that I need to change.

Teller: That's great! I can use some change. I'm almost out.

Tess: You must be very busy today, I guess.

Teller: We're always busy, but today it's crazy. Now, how do you want it?

Stella puts some quarters in the soda vending #machine, but the machine is out of
order.....

Stella: Oh, that's great! I just lost another 50 cents in this stupid vending machine.

Bobby: I'm not surprised. It's always out of order.

Stella: Yeah. It eats my money relentlessly.

Bobby: OK. Let me try. You know what? Whenever things like this don't work, hit it. And it'll work.

Stella: You mean, SOMETIMES!

Bobby: (Hitting the vending machine hard.) Bang! Bang! Bang! Hmmm...it usually works.

Stella: Let's put a sign on it so that the same thing doesn't happen to others.

Terri asks Fred whether he wants to #eat out or not. Fred #hesitates a little
bit. He tells Terri that he's kind of broke.

Terri: Hey, let's eat out tonight.

Fred: What's the occasion? You won the lottery?

Terri: No, just wanna relax a little bit. You don't have to win the lottery to relax, do you?

Fred: Well, I'm kind of broke.

Terri: Really? It's very nice of you.

Fred: Don't be silly. I'll take you anywhere you want to go.

Terri: Wonderful! You know what? I wish you wanted to relax everyday.

Fred: Dream on!

#Romance

Ted likes Jenny, but he's #afraid to ask her out. His friend Jack is trying to help him and
encourage him....

Ted: Hey, Jack, is Jenny coming with us?

Jack: Yes. Why?

Ted: Nothing. I'm just asking.

Jack: Just asking? But why is your face burning like mad? Ah-huh, someone has a crush on
Jenny, doesn't he?

Ted: Who has a crush?

Jack: Come on, Ted, don't be such a chicken. If you like her, you've got to tell her. Maybe she
likes you.

Ted: Well, I don't have the guts to ask her out.

Jack: What're you so afraid of? Just tell her what you're feeling about her.

Ted: I'd totally die if she turned me down.

Jack: But that's better than keeping everything to yourself. You've got to let her know. Come on!
You've got to take a chance! Even though you are rejected, it's not the end of the world! There's
nothing to lose, is there?

Ted: I don't know....Well, maybe, you're right, but how am I going to tell her?

Jenny's boyfriend is a very nice person, but her friend Mary is concerned about his
#age....

Mary: Jenny, I know you like Jack a lot, but what do you like about him?

Jenny: Well, I don't know, but there's just something about him. Don't you think so?

Mary: Really? What's that "something"?

Jenny: Well, he's gentle, patient, successful, and MATURE. I think He's my Mr. Right!

Mary: MATURE is a good word, but don't you think he's a little old for you? He's almost twice as old
as you are!

Jenny: Well, age shouldn't be something that comes in the way of a person's marriage. As long as
we love each other, age is not an issue.

Mary: But what will others think?

Jenny: I don't care what others will think about us. I just know I love him and he loves me...and that's
all that matters.

Mike wants to break up with his #girlfriend because....

Gary: Hi, Mike, we're having a party tonight, wanna come join us? You can bring your girlfriend.

Mike: Well...I'm breaking up with Cathy.

Gary: What happened? Did you have a fight?

Mike: No. She's really a very nice girl....

Gary: Yeah, she is. She's pretty, caring, and easy-going. And she's a great cook! She's a gem!

Mike: Well, you're right. But sometimes she's too caring... well...no...she's just
possessive...and...uh... I kind of want a break...you know...for some room for myself.

Gary: Oh?! Did you talk with her about it?

Mike: I've tried, but...it didn't work.

Gary: Oh. So, when are you going to tell her?

Mike: Maybe tonight. I don't know. I don't know how to tell her.

Gary: I know she's head over heels in love with you. She'll be badly hurt!

Mike: I know....

#upset

Mary loves Ed very much because never ever has a man cared for her so much. But
recently, Mary learns that Ed used to have a #girlfriend, and she's very upset and
confides in Jane....

Mary: Jane, I'm very upset about something. Can I talk with you? I'd like your opinion.

Jane: What is it about? Oh, is it about Ed?

Mary: Yeah, sort of....

Jane: So, what's up?

Mary: What do you think of Ed, Jane?

Jane: What do I think of him? You know him better than I do, don't you?

Mary: Please, don't tease me. Just tell me.

Jane: Well, remember the other day when you said that Ed is a man who really shows you nothing
but consideration?

Mary: Uh-hunh...
Jane: And remember you said that he really makes you happy?

Mary: Yeah. (Heave a sigh) Ed is indeed a gentleman. He has wonderful manners and is
respectful of me. But I'm really bothered by his past!

Jane: His past!? Was he an ex-con or something?

Mary: No, no, no. That's not what I mean. He used to have a girlfriend and he loved her very much.
He almost married her if it were not for an accident.

Jane: Oh, I see. But why are you so bothered? That's already a history, isn't it?

Mary: I know. But I just can't get it off my mind.

Jane: Come on, Mary. You're just being a little jealous, but that's just fine. You know, when you
love him, you've got to love his past, his everything.... You've got to love him as a whole

Michaela wants to take the bus, but she finds herself short of small #change, so she
asks her friend Brian if he has some.

Michaela: Do you have change for a dollar?

Brian: Yes, you're in luck. I do have some. What do you need it for?

Michaela: I need some change for the bus.

Brian: How do you want it?

Michaela: I need a couple of quarters and five dimes.

Mary loves Ed very much because never ever has a man cared for her so much. But
recently, Mary learns that Ed used to have a girlfriend, and she's very #upset and
confides in Jane....

Ryan: Hi, Mike. Haven't seen you for a while? How is Cathy?

Mike: We're not seeing each other any more.

Ryan: What happened? Did you break up?

Mike: Yeah. I got sick and tired of her nagging all the time.

Ryan: Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe, you were just emotional at that moment. Do you think you guys can
get back together?

Mike: I don't know. There's plenty of fish out there in the sea.

Ryan: Oh, you're such a dog!

John is very #happy to buy a small CD #player at a #pretty good price. When he checks out
at the register, he asks the cashier about the return policy....

Cahsier: Is there anything else you would like to buy?

John: No, thank you. I guess that's it. By the way, in case there's a flaw in this CD player,
can I return it?

Cahsier: Yes. But you must return it within 30 days.

John: Is there a charge for that? I know other stores have a restocking fee.

Cahsier: There will be no charge at all. However, you must show us the receipt. (The cashier
is handing the receipt over to John for him to sign.) Could you sign it here,
please?

John: Thank you.

Cahsier: All right. Keep your receipt. If something comes up, you can show it to us
and we'll give you a refund.

John: Thanks. I'll put it in a safe place.

Rosie overslept because her #alarm clock didn't go off this morning.... .

Rosie: Sorry, I overslept. My clock didn't go off this morning.

Francie: Again?

Rosie: That's right, even though I did set the alarm last night.

Francie: Your clock never works. Perhaps you should buy a new one.

Rosie: Well, if it breaks down again tomorrow, I'll definitely buy a new one.

Francie: Maybe by then it'll be too late.

Rosie: What do you mean "too late"?

Francie: By that time you'll be fired.

Roselind is very #curious about why Jamie's clocks show different times....

Roselind: Hey, you have so many clocks in your bedroom.

Jamie: Yeah, I want to make sure I can wake up in the morning.

Roselind: But is there something wrong with your clocks? None of them has the same
time.

Jamie: I do it on purpose. I set this clock ahead ten minutes, and this one back ten
minutes, but I always set that one to the right time.

Roselind: So the alarms ring every ten minutes?

Jamie: Yeah.

Roselind: Are your crazy or what?

Jamie: No, I am a heavy sleeper. I need thunder to wake me up.

Kevin didn't show up for class because his #car broke down....
Burt: Why didn't you show up for class this morning?

Kevin: I don't even want to talk about it. My car broke down.

Burt: What happened?

Kevin: The engine seems to be busted. It's driving me crazy!

Burt: Wow. Have you thought about getting a new car?

Kevin: Yeah, I've thought about that, but I can't afford a new car. I'm broke.

Burt: Maybe you can lease a car. It doesn't cost much. I know Toyota is running a promotion.

Kevin: Really? How much is it?

Burt: Zero down and $219 per month.

Kevin: That's a good deal. I might wanna consider it.

Andy bought a #car for $5000 only to find out that he couldn't drive it....

Carson: Hi, Andy, I heard you just bought a car.

Andy: Yeah. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a piece of junk

Carson: What do you mean?

Andy: I bought the car for five thousand dollars, but it just doesn't run.

Carson: Then why did you buy it?

Andy: It worked perfectly when I bought it.

Carson: Hm, I think you were ripped off.

Kent was invited to #dinner at Robert's house, but that night Kent's girlfriend had an
accident. Fortunately, she wasn't badly hurt. However, she was shaken up.

Cathy: You didn't show up for dinner last night. Robert was a little upset.

Kent: I know. I'm awfully sorry.

Cathy: Why didn't you let him know you weren't coming?

Kent: I couldn't help it. My girlfriend had an accident and was taken to the hospital.

Cathy: Oh, that's terrible. Is she OK?

Kent: She wasn't hurt badly, but she was shaken up.

Joe ran through the stop sign and was caught by the #police officer....

Joe: Sir, did I do anything wrong?

Officer: Yes, sir. You ran through the stop sign. May I see your driver license, please?

Joe: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see the stop sign at the corner. I didn't mean it.
Officer: That doesn't justify your violation. May I see your license, please?

Joe: Oh, sorry sir, I don't have it on me. Honestly, I forgot it back at the house. But I have the
insurance policy with me. Here it is.

Officer: Please wait here, sir. I'll come back in a moment.

Joe didn't see the sign that read "No Turn on Red" and was pulled over by a #police
officer.

Officer: Excuse me, sir, didn't you see the red light?

Joe: Oh, I thought I could make a right turn on red here.

Officer: No, sir. The sign says "No Turn on Red."

Joe: Oh, I guess I didn't see it.

Officer: I'm sorry, sir, but may I see your driver's license and insurance policy, please? I have to give
you a ticket.

Joe: Here they are.

Officer: Sign here, please. You can appeal to the court within 14 days. This slip has all the
information you need. Please drive safely, sir.

Joe: Thank you, Ma'am.

James was late because he was held up by heavy #traffic....

Roselind: What took you so long?

James: There was an accident on the freeway, and traffic was bumper to bumper.

Roselind: Oh, yeah, I just learned from the news on the radio that there was a serious accident
involving a truck.

James: That's right. Traffic was brought to a standstill.

Roselind: Anyway, thank Heaven that you arrived safe and sound. But, we'd better get going.
We're running a little bit late.

Hear the storyline.James was late because he was held up by heavy #traffic....

Roselind: What took you so long?

James: There was an accident on the freeway, and traffic was bumper to bumper.

Roselind: Oh, yeah, I just learned from the news on the radio that there was a serious accident
involving a truck.

James: That's right. Traffic was brought to a standstill.

Roselind: Anyway, thank Heaven that you arrived safe and sound. But, we'd better get going.
We're running a little bit late.
 Harry just came back from a #vacation in Africa. He told his friend how badly he had
missed the comforts of home.

Gabby: Hi, Harry, it's great to see you again. I heard you've traveled a lot recently.

Harry: Yeah. In the past three months I traveled to many countries in Africa.

Gabby: Well, I really envy you! Did you pet a hyena? (Harry is dumbfounded.) I'm just kidding.

Harry: Well, I didn't pet a hyena, but I was once chased by a rhino, and it was fun!

Gabby: Are you serious?

Harry: No. I'm just kidding.

Gabby: You really scared the heck out of me.

Harry: (Laughing....) Well, I really missed the comforts of home. Now I just want to take a break. A
long break!

jackie has been traveling a lot recently and is becoming a little tired of hotels and
hotel food.

Frank: I heard you took a trip to Mexico.

Jackie: Yes, I did.

Frank: How did you like it?

Jackie: Oh, I got sick and tired of hotels and hotel food.

Frank: I can imagine. East or west, home is the best.

jackie has been traveling a lot recently and is becoming a little tired of hotels and
hotel food.

Frank: I heard you took a trip to Mexico.

Jackie: Yes, I did.

Frank: How did you like it?

Jackie: Oh, I got sick and tired of hotels and hotel food.

Frank: I can imagine. East or west, home is the best.

On their way to San Francisco, Roy decides to stop in a small town and stay there
#overnight....

Clerk: Good evening, sir. May I help you?

Roy: Yes. What kind of rooms do you have?

Clerk: How large is your party?

Roy: Three. Two adults and one child.

Clerk: Let's see. We have a room with two double beds. How many nights?

Roy: Just one. We're only staying overnight.

Tina and Lewis are very happy because they are going to have three
#holidays in a row. They are discussing what they are going to do during the
holidays.

Tina: I'm so glad the weekend's finally here.

Lewis: Me too. Imagine. It's a long weekend. We've got three days in a row.

Tina: So, where're you going?

Lewis: I don't have any plans yet. I'll just play it by ear. How about you?

Tina: We're going to go hiking and camping in the mountains.

Lewis: That sounds exciting!

Tina: Wanna join us?

Lewis: Hm, let me think about it. I'll let you know later.

Gloria is going to take a vacation. She and her husband haven't had a #vacation for
a long time. But something has come up. Her boss would like her to postpone it.
What will Mary do?

Niles: When are you gonna take your vacation?

Gloria: I was planning to take it at the end of this month. My husband and I haven't had a chance to
have a vacation over the past three years. So we are planning to travel to Europe this time. Why!
Has something come up?

Niles: Well, would it be too inconvenient for you to wait until next month?

Gloria: Hm....not really. I guess I can put it off until next month, but I've got to talk about it with my
husband.

Niles: Thank you very much. I really appreciate your being so flexible.

Gloria is going to take a #vacation. She and her husband haven't had a vacation for
a long time. But something has come up. Her boss would like her to postpone it.
What will Mary do?

Niles: When are you gonna take your vacation?

Gloria: I was planning to take it at the end of this month. My husband and I haven't had a chance to
have a vacation over the past three years. So we are planning to travel to Europe this time. Why!
Has something come up?
Niles: Well, would it be too inconvenient for you to wait until next month?

Gloria: Hm....not really. I guess I can put it off until next month, but I've got to talk about it with my
husband.

Niles: Thank you very much. I really appreciate your being so flexible.

Cathy had a great vacation. She went to the #beach and had herself sun-tanned.

Leo: How was your vacation, Cath?

Cathy: Oh, it was great! I had a great time on the beach!

Leo: No wonder you're so dark!

Cathy: Yeah. I had a lot of time to work on my tan.

Leo: What else did you do?

Cathy: Nothing really. It was good just to relax.

Leo: I wish I could get away like that. It sounds wonderful!

Cathy: Trust me -- it was!

In the dialogue below, Gary and Sharon are complaining about how #hot the
#weather is today....

Gary: Oh, my! It's really hot! I've never seen such scorching weather in my life!

Sharon: Tell me about it. It's like the whole world is broiling.

Gary: Oh, look at the thermometer! The temperature has hit 98!

Sharon: I hope it's not gonna break into three digits!

Gary: But it's already awfully close!

Sharon: Well, I just hope it'll level off.

Gary: I guess we can't do anything until after dark then.

Sharon: I guess so. What else can we do? You can't stay in the heat for long!

It's such a hot day that the two people in the conversation below just want to stay at
home and spare themselves the worst of the #heat.

Winnie: Oh, man! Nobody can stand this kind of scorching heat.

Marc: Tell me about it! You can't even stay in the sun for five minutes.

Winnie: You'll be scorched like a shrivelled plant.

Marc: Or like a shrivelled old man!

Winnie: I like your humor, Marc. Anyway, I guess this afternoon there's nothing we can do but stay
home.

Marc: I guess so. I don't want to be taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion or sunstroke or
something.

Winnie: You want my advice? Drink a lot of liquids and spare yourself the worst of the heat!

Marc: Yeah, you're right. Got to drink a lot of fluids. Do we have any beer?

Winnie: Yes! Do you want Coors Light or Corona?

Marc: Do you have any Bud or Michelobe?

It's a very hot day. The #heat is so unbearable. To make it worse, the air-conditioner
is broken....

Chris: Oh, the heat is unbearable! Didn't you turn on the air-conditioner?

Paul: The heat has blown our air-conditioner on the roof!

Chris: What the...! So, what are we going to do?

Paul: We've got to have it fixed as soon as possible. I've called someone and they're on the way.

Chris: Thank God!

Paul: Here you go. You can use the electric fan here. At least you can catch a breeze.

A cold front has just set in. To make it worse, the water has just gone off without a
warning....

Nancy: What's going on? When you turn on the faucet, it's just drip, drip, drip

Sandra: Well, it's the second day in a row. I guess the pipes are frozen again.

Nancy: Really?

Sandra: Yeah. Yesterday the water even went off without a warning. I couldn't take a shower, nor
could I wash the dishes.

Nancy: Well, I'm wondering why the maanger isn't on top of this!

A #drought has just set in and the two people in the dialogue below are very concerned...

Sally: I think a drought has set in. It hasn't rained a drop for months.

Ethan: I think so, too, but didn't it rain last month?

Sally: It did rain last month, but the rainfall was only half the monthly average.

Ethan: Oh. That bad?!

Sally: That's right. It's really bad. I'm really concerned though not panicked yet.

Ethan: I don't blame you. The pastures have browned out even before the summer hasn't arrived.

Sally: Yeah, and the soil has been baked so hard that the plow can't even break the soil.
 Ethan: Looks like it's going to be an ongoing thing that would get worse each day.

Sally: Yeah. If it doesn't rain, it's going to get critical.

Situation: Derrick complains to his good friend Terri that he is overwhelmed

with a heavy workload....

Terri: Derrick, don't you think you should take a vacation? Even one or two days would be fine.

Derrick: There's no way. There's too much work.

Terri: But you look so exhausted. You need a break!

Derrick: I know. My chances would be better if they would hire more people.

Terri: They won't hire more people?

Derrick: No. They always want to keep the cost down. I am really overwhelmed with a heavy
workload.

Terri: Maybe you should talk to the manager.

Derrick: Yes. I'm going to bring this up in tomorrow's meeting.

Situation: Jack envies Mary because she types fairly fast....

Jack: You type fast!

Mary: Yup. I'm not boasting, but I type 80 words per minute.

Jack: Really? I wish I could type that fast. I use the "hunt and peck" method. You know, I look for
the key I want and then I hit it with one finger. I just can't seem to get my hands to move any faster
than that.

Mary: Well, there's no trick to typing quickly. You just need to practice. Once you get the hang of it,
you'll find that it's really not as difficult as you think. In fact, it just becomes instinct to know what to do
at the keyboard. But if you don't practice, it will never come naturally.

#Questions:

Have you ever lost your temper and done something foolish?

 How did you feel after losing your temper?

 Do you like to be around people who are always getting angry?

A: I apologize that I haven‘t called lately.

B: It‘s okay! Don't worry about it.

A: What have you been doing?

B: Yesterday I was in a hurry, and I accidentally ran into a car.

A: I‘m sorry to hear that. Was anyone hurt?

B: No one was hurt. But it was my fault.

A: Well, I have to catch a bus. We‘ll have to do something together this weekend.
A: You look tired today. Have you been working over time?

B: Yeah, I've been working extra hours every day this week.

A: Wow. The manager just asked me to work this weekend, too.

B: The company is laying off employees, so now we have to do extra work.

A: I saw Joseph packing up his things in his cubical. Sounds tough.

B: At least we still have a job. I can't wait till pay day. I need the extra money.

A: I should get back to work. I'll see you at lunch break.

What do you think about someone who can overcome such a tragedy?

 What difficulties have you had to overcome? How did you do it?

 Do you appreciate and take care of your body?

A: Where does it hurt?

B: My throat really hurts and I have a stomach ache.

A: Is your nose stuffed up?

B: No, I have a runny nose and it is difficult to breathe when I sleep.

A: Do your muscles ache?

B: Yes, I feel very weak.

#Car / #License

"Where do I get my study material?"

"Where is a good place to practice my driving?"

"Should I learn on an automatic or a stick shift?"

"Does someone need to be with me when I am practicing?"

"Is the driving test difficult?"

"Will my driver's license be good in other states?"

"What happens if I fail my test?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"You will need to call your local DMV to set up an appointment to take your test." DMV stands for
Department of Motor Vehicles.

"Call a DMV to set up a date."

"You can get your study material at the DMV."

"You may want to call the DMV and see if they offer the study material online."

"Practice in a safe place with no one around."

"Maybe an empty parking lot would be a good place."

"I would recommend learning on a stick shift. That way driving an automatic will be easy."

"I prefer learning on an automatic, it's just easier."

"Yes, you need to have a licensed driver with you while practicing."

"You first need to get a learners permit before practicing to drive."

"If you study for the driving test you should be ok."

"I did ok on the written test but had a bit of trouble on the driving part."

"You can drive from state to state with a legal driver's license from where you live."

"Yes it is good if driving to other states but if you move to another state, the laws may be different and you
will need to get a license for that state."

"If you fail the test you can take it again at another time."

"Stay positive! You're going to do just fine."

#Car #Maintenance

Proper maintenance on your car can help assure it will run smoothly and last you a long time.

Here are some questions commonly used when talking about the maintenance of your car.

"How often should I change the oil in my car?"

"Should I rotate the tires?"

"What type of gas should I put into it?"

"Should I get tune ups?"

"Should I keep it outside or in my garage?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"Normally you should change your oil every 3000 miles."

"Yes change your oil when it gets low."

"Rotating your tires will make them last longer."

"Rotating your tires will keep them in good condition and keep you safe."

"Most cars use unleaded gas."

"I would check your car manual. You don't want to put the wrong gas in your car, it can ruin it."

"Tune ups keep your car running smoothly."

"Tune ups are good and you may find something that needs replaced that you would normally not know
about."

"If you have a garage I would use it. It will keep your car safe from the weather."

"If you don't have a garage just keep it in your driveway."

Here are some questions commonly used when selling a car.

"How should I advertise my car to sell?"

"Should I fix any issues with my car before selling it?"

"Should I research how much it is worth before selling it?"

"Will I get more if I trade it in?"

"Should I be firm on the price I am asking?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.

"There are many ways to advertise. You can use the newspaper, the internet, or even put a sign in it that
says For Sale."

"I would advertise in a local car selling/buying magazine. A lot of people will see it there."

"You can fix any issues if you want. It might up the value of the car when you sell it."

"I would just be honest and inform people it has something wrong with it."

"Definitely research how much it is worth. That way you can be sure to sell for the right price."

"I would just sell it for what you owe on it. If you already own it then I might look up how much it is worth."

"I would try and trade it in if you are buying a new car."

"I would try and sell it, you will probably get more money for it."

"Once you find out how much it is worth, some people price cars at a higher price to try and make money."

"I would ask for more than it's worth, then you can lower the price and still get what you want."

You probably have a cold. Take some medicine and get plenty of rest. Come see me again
next week.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Keeping the #conversation going

A. Do you often travel to Scandinavia?
B. Have you been here before?
C. Is this your first visit to Denmark?
D. How long are you going to stay?
E. What do you do, by the way?
F. What line of business are you in?
G. How are you enjoying the conference?
H. Do you know many people here?
I. Can I get you a drink?
J. Would you like me to get you anything from the buffet?
K. So, where are you staying
 Getting #away

L. If you‘ll excuse me, I have to make a phone call.

M. If you‘ll excuse me, I must just go and say hello to someone.
N. Would you excuse me a moment? I‘ll be right back.

_______________________________________

O. A: Hi, this is (Jimmy). Did you ever get a hold of (Mr. Williams)?
P. B: No. I tried to call him the other day, but he was busy on the phone.
Q.
R. A: All right. Tell him that if he wants to see my report, he can download the
presentation from the internet.
S. B: Okay. Would you like me to have Mr. Williams call you later?
T. A: Actually, my cell phone is broken so if he needs to contact me, he can either send
me an email or a fax.
U. B: Okay. I'll let him know
#Requests and #questions

V. Could you do me a favor?

W. Would you help me?
X. Would you do me a favor?
Y. Would you assist me?
Z. Please help me!
AA. Can you help me?
BB. Can you do something for me?
CC. Can you assist me?
Can I ask you for a favor?
Will you help me with this
problem? Say it once more please.
Will you help me solve this Repeat it once more please.
problem? Please repeat what you said.
Please repeat that again.
Could you please say it once
again?
Could you please repeat it once
Again
Please speak slower.
Slow down, please.
Go slowly, please.
Could you not speak so fast?
Please write it down for me.
Write it down here, please.
Please write it here.
don't know what it is.
What does this mean?
How much is it?
What does it cost?
I'm stuck on this problem; can you
help me?
I need your help with this matter.
I need your help on this question.
I need your help on this problem.
Can you help me with this
problem?
Can you help me solve this
problem?
Can you help me in this matter?
A. Can you help me in the matter?
_______________________
Is there a bathroom here?
Where is the toilet?
Where is the restroom?
Where is the bathroom?
Is there a toilet here?
Is there a restroom here?
Is there a public restroom here I
can use?
Is there a men's room nearby?
Is there a ladies' room nearby?
How can I find a toilet?
How can I find a bathroom?
How can I find a WC?

How long (has he/she) / (have you)…?

How long have you studied English?

How long have you lived here?

How long has he been waiting for us?

How long has she known him?

Have you ever…?

A: Have you ever eaten kimchi?

B: Yes. I eat it every day.

A: Have you ever been to Inchon?

B: I have never been to Inchon.

Hi, how are you?

(i) Fine, thanks. And you?

(iii) Not too bad.

 #Greetings

Meet my friend Jack. I'm glad to see you again.

(i) Nice to meet you.
((iii) How do you do?
Would you like to look around the
company?
(ii) That‘d be lovely.
(iii) Yes, I‘d love to.
I'm happy to see you again.
It's good to see you again
It's great to see you again.
I'm happy we could meet again.
I'm glad we could meet again.
Nice to see you again.
I'm so glad we ran into each other.
Long time no see.
It's been ages.

f I‟m terribly sorry about the delay. It's ben a while.

It's been so long.
(i) Don‘t worry about it. It's been such a long time.

Thank you very much. I hope you get better soon.

I hope you'll get better soon.

I wish you a quick recovery.

I hope you'll be on your feet soon.

Thanks
Get well soon.

Hope you feel better.

Thank you very much.

Thanks a lot!

It's very much appreciated.

I appreciate it.

Many thanks.

Thanks for your help.

S: Gracias.
Thank you for your trouble.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your help.

F: Merci beaucoup.

G: Vielen Dank.

That's very kind of you.

That's very nice of you.

That's so kind of you.

That's so nice of you. (ii) Don‘t mention it.
You're very generous. ___________________________________________
You're very kind. __________-

You have been very kind. What do you think…?

You helped me a lot, thank you What do you think about leaving now?

What do you think is the best restaurant?

What do you think about your neighbor?

What do you think we should do today?

Why don‘t you…

Why don‘t you take over this project?

Why don‘t you work a little harder?

Why don‘t you be quiet?

Why don‘t you bring a friend?

Would you do me a favor? Would you . . . ?

Would you bring me the laundry?

Would you help me with the dishes?

Would you pass me the salt?

I need to…

I need to study English harder.

I need to get something to eat.

I need you to…

I need you to wash the dishes for me.

I need you to finish this after I go.

You need to…

You need to be nicer to your little brother.

You need to clean your room before you can play.

I wish I had…

I wish I had worked a little harder.

I wish I had been there to see the concert.

I intend(ed) on/to…
I intend(ed) on getting up at 5:30 every morning.

I intend(ed) on finishing this project before the end of I'm very #grateful to you.
the week. I'm really grateful to you.
I intend to get a dog someday. I appreciate your help.
I intend to finish this project before the end of the I'm very much obliged to you.
__________
I'm in your debt.
I am sorry…
I'm very thankful to you.
I am sorry we came late today.
Much obliged
I am sorry you have to leave.

I am sorry I scraped your car.

I am sorry to hear about that.

I am glad …

I am glad to meet you.

I am glad to be able to teach you English.

I am glad it snowed on Christmas Eve.

I am glad you could join us today.

…interested in…

I am not interested in learning Russian.

I am really interested in that kind of art.

…familiar with…

I am familiar with the city.

I am not very familiar with that kind of music.

Are you familiar with any Japanese traditional songs?

…good at…

He is really good at playing the piano.

I am not very good at math, but I like English.

 Sorry!

Pardon.
I beg your pardon.
Here you go…
I am terribly sorry
A: Will you hand me that pencil? I am sorry.
I am really sorry.
B: Sure. Here you go. I am awfully sorry.
Excuse me.
A: May I have two tickets? Excuse me, please.

B: Okay. Here you go.

…used to…

I used to do that.

When I was at home, I used to play baseball a lot.

My mother used to sing to me when I was young.

I used to be able to speak English very well.

(To) ace (v.) (a test, exam, etc.): To pass a test, exam, etc. really easily. ex: "Robert aced his physics
exam." ___________________________________________________

Am I disturbing you?

Is this a good time?

Are you busy? Calm down, everything will be

Am I intruding? OK.

Am I interrupting? Take it easy.

Relax, it will be OK.
Am I bothering you? Relax!
Everything's all right.
May I bother you a moment?
Don't worry.
Do you have a some time? Don't be worried.
Don't be nervous.
Do you have a second? Cool it!
Cool down, all will be fine.
Can you stop for a moment? Chill!
Cheer up!
Can I interrupt you for a minute?
Calm down.
___________________________ Breathe deeply.
_ Be happy!

You must be kidding!

You're pulling my leg.

You can't be serious!

Surely you're joking!

 I don't believe you.
 How much is the ticket?
 What is the price of the ticket?
 How much does a ticket run?
 How much is a ticket to…?
 How much for a ticket to…?
 What is the price of a ticket to…?
 What is the fare to…?
 What does it cost to go to…?

 What is the extra #baggage #Luggage charge?

What is the extra baggage fee?

How much is the excess baggage

charge?

How much is the excess baggage

fee?

How much is the extra baggage

charge?

How much do you charge for

excess weight?

How much do you charge for extra

weight?
 May I have another customs
 form?
 Give me another customs form,
 please.
 Can you give me a new
customs
 form?
 I need a new customs form.
 Please show me how to fill in
 this form.
 I don't understand how to
 complete this form.
 Can you explain how to answer
 these questions?
Can you show me what to
write?
 Is there anything cheaper?
 Is there anything less
expensive?
#Reservation
 Do you have anything a bit
more
humble?
 How much is the service
charge
 and tax?
 Is the service charge included?
 Does the price include the
service
 charge?
 Do you need a deposit?
 Should I pay a deposit?
 Is a deposit required?
 Is a deposit necessary?
 Do you need my #credit card
 number?
 Should I tell you my credit card
number?
 Do you have a garage?
 I plan to stay 2 weeks.
 I intend to remain for fourteen
 days.
 I intend to stay for fourteen days.
 I plan a two-week stay.
 I'll be here for two weeks.
 I'll stay here for two weeks.
 I'll remain here for two weeks.
 I'll be leaving in 2 weeks.
_____________________________
#Baggage
 How much luggage am I allowed
 to take?
 How much luggage am I permitted
 to take?
 How much baggage am I allowed
 to take?
 How much baggage can I take?
 How much luggage can I take?
 What is the weight limit?
It seems my baggage has been
 lost.
 It seems my luggage has been
 lost.
 My luggage has been lost in
 transit.
My #baggage is broken, and
 some things are missing.
 My baggage is damaged, and
 some things are missing.
 My bags have been damaged and
 some things are missing.
 Some things are missing from my
baggage, which has been opened
 Is there a garage in the hotel?
 Where can I park my car? Please make up the room.
 Are there parking facilities?
Would you please make up my
 room?
Can I have breakfast in my Would you please clean up my
 #room? room?

 Please send me breakfast to my

 room.
 Can room service bring breakfast
to my room?
 Are there any messages for me?
 Has anyone left any messages for
 me?
 Do I have any messages?
 Did anyone call for me?
 Did I receive any calls while I was
out?

#Room #Complaint #Lodge

#Receptionist: Good evening. This is Kathy at the help desk. How may I help you?
Guest: I would like to complain about the room temperature. The room’s unheated
and it’s freezing here!
Receptionist: I‟m really sorry about that Ma‟am. May I know your name and
from what room are you?
Guest: This is Victoria. I’m in Room 731.
Receptionist: I would like to apologize for the inconvenience it caused you Ma‟am
Victoria. But we will send someone in your room immediately.
Guest: Make it soon because it’s so uncomfortable! It’s already late and I
need to go to bed.
Receptionist: ASAP (as soon as possible) Ma‟am. Rest assured this will not happen again.
Guest: Please make sure of that. I still have a night to spend here.
Receptionist: Yes ma‟am. I‟m very sorry again for the inconvenience. Is
there anything else that I can assist you with?
Guest: No, that would be all. Thank you.
Receptionist: Okay Ma‟am. Someone will be there any minute now. Please wait for a
little while. Thank you for calling. Goodbye!
Guest: Bye.
_______________________________________

This is a typical Easy English #Conversations at the #Reception Counter. (

#Room #Lodge )

#Receptionist : Good morning Sir. May I help you?

Guest : Good morning. I need a room.
Receptionist : Do you require a single or double room or a suite?
Guest : Well! A single room will do.
Receptionist : Please fill your name in this register.
Guest : May I know the tariff please?
Receptionist : It's nine hundred rupees a day.
Guest : Does it include breakfast?
Receptionist : No sir. It's just for the accommodation sir.
Guest : Is the room air conditioned?
Receptionist : All our rooms are centrally air-conditioned.
Guest : Do you have a restaurant?
Receptionist : Not one. We have three. We offer Indian, Western and Chinese
cuisine catered by the different restaurants.
Guest : Well! That's good news. I can choose different cuisine for different meals.
Receptionist : May I know the duration of your stay?
Guest : Oh! I haven't filled that column because I haven't decided on my period of
stay yet. It all depends on how early or how late I am going to finish my work. But,
tentatively, I shall write it as four days.
Receptionist : That'll do. Please inform us about your extension one day earlier.
Guest : Sure. By the way, do you have laundry facility here?
Receptionist : Yes. Please call up the housekeeping department and they will have
the clothes picked up.
Guest : How do I get the extension phone numbers for all the departments?
Receptionist : All the in-house phone numbers are in a list kept near the
telephone.
Guest : Oh! That will do. Thank you. You have been very helpful.
Receptionist : My pleasure! I am here to help you.
Guest : Thanks. Well I am rather tired. Can you please ask the bellboy to bring my
luggage to the room?
Receptionist : Certainly. Here's your key.
Guest : Thank you very much.
Receptionist : You're welcome.

Lisa: I'd like a room please.

Hotel Receptionist: Do you have a reservation?
Lisa: No, I don't.
Hotel Receptionist: How many nights?
Lisa: Two nights, please.
Hotel Receptionist: For two people?
Lisa: Yes.
Hotel Receptionist: Do you want breakfast?
Lisa: No, thank you.
Hotel Receptionist: Ok, that will be $210. Do you want to pay now, or when you check out?
Lisa: I'll pay now.
Hotel Receptionist: Can you fill this in, and sign here please.
Hotel Receptionist: Thank you. Here is your receipt and your key. You are in room 231, on
the second floor.

#CheckOut

Mike: I'd like to check out please.

Hotel Receptionist: What room number?
Mike: 231.
Hotel Receptionist: That's $250 please.
Mike pays the hotel receptionist.
Hotel Receptionist: Thank you. Sign here please. Have a good journey.
Mike: Thank you.
Receptionist: Hi there. Are you checking out now?
Guest: Yes, sorry. I know we‘re a few minutes late.
Receptionist: That‘s no problem. It‘s always really busy at check out time
anyway.
Guest: Oh, really. The last hotel we stayed in charged us for a late
check out.
Receptionist: The hotel isn‘t booked this week, so it‘s not a problem. How was
everything?
Guest:
The room was great. The beds were really comfortable, and we
weren‘t expecting our own fridge.
Receptionist: I‘m glad you liked it.
Guest: The kids were disappointed that the pool wasn‘t open this
morning, though.
Receptionist: I apologize for that. We can‘t get a cleaner in any earlier than 10
am.
Guest: Well we had a nice swim last night anyhow.
Receptionist: Will you be putting this on your credit card?
Guest: No. I‘ll pay cash.
Receptionist: OK. So the total comes to $123.67, including tax.
Guest: I thought it was $115 even. That‘s what they said yesterday
when we checked in.
Receptionist: Yes, but there is an extra room charge on your bill.
Guest: Oh, I forgot. My husband ordered a plate of nachos. Sorry.
Receptionist:
No problem. So…from $140, here‘s your change. Now, I‘ll
just need to ask you for your room keys.

Please, can you #help me?

I don‘t have any soap in the bathroom.
There is no shampoo provided in the bathroom.
There is no hot water in my room.
Can you send a maintenance man to fix the air conditioner?
Our room has not been cleaned yet and the beds are not made.
Can you send a maid to make up the room?
Can you send someone to clear away the room service dishes?
The telephone is dead. Can you ask someone to check it out?
Can you send someone to pick up my laundry?
How long does the laundry service take?
Do you do dry cleaning? Do you have someone who can press my dress?
I‘m afraid I don‘t know how to turn on the TV set.
The bath has overflowed, and there is a flood in my room

Nobody Likes to Have to Complain, But…

Sometimes you have to say things like the following :

Excuse me but I’m afraid that…(Continue the sentence with the below sentences .......↓)
 For example : - Excuse me but I’m afraid that it’s too cold in my room, and I can’t
adjust the temperature.
......My room s too loud, and I am unable to sleep.
......There is a party going on next door, and they’re making an awful lot of noise.
.....I am going to have to ask you to change my room.
....I am unable to close the window and the rain is coming in.
....I’m afraid that I must complain that
....The water in the swimming pool was not clean and the showers were filthy.
.......The service in the restaurant was much too slow not very gracious.
.....The waitress in the disco bar was very rude to me..
.......The lobby looks run-down and shabby and has not been properly vacuumed.
....The lift service is too because you have only one lift out of three in service.
......The hotel staff was unhelpful, and they are obviously poorly trained.
.......The breakfast buffet had no variety, and you ran out of jam and butter.
......The menu was the same every day and the food was usually served cold.
.....The bartender ignored me and was always watching the football on TV.
.......When I finally paid my bill, he short-changed me.
Normally, We Are Able to Say Good Things Such As :
I am very pleased to be able to say that.......
.......the hotel reception is very efficient and helpful.
......the French food is the best in Europe.
.......the guest relations representative was really, very helpful.
.......I love the decor in that hotel. It is very classy.
.....the doorman’s uniform makes a very good impression on the
guests.

Leela and Brinda are #friends staying in a college #hostel.

Leela : Hi! Good morning! Where were you all the while?
Brinda : I‟m very much here.
Leela : But I couldn‟t see you at breakfast.
Brinda : Well, I woke up early this morning so that I could go
for a long walk.
Leela : Didn‟t you have your breakfast?
Brinda : I did. I was the last person to come out of the dining hall.

.
I fell down the stairs.
Do I have to stay in the hospital? I am bleeding.
 Do you think it will be prolonged? I've lost a lot of blood.
How long must I rest?
( #Doctor )
 How much time will the treatment I tripped on the steps.
#Emergency I tripped on the stairs.
 require?
 Please call a doctor. I lost my footing on the steps.
 How much time will the therapy
 Would you please call a doctor? I lost my footing on the stairs
 require?
 Would you please call a an
 How much time will I be in
 ambulance?
 therapy?
 How long will I take to recover?
 Do you think the treatment will take a long time?
  Somebody call a doctor.
 Send for a doctor.
 Get a doctor!
 Could you get a doctor, please?
 Could you call a doctor, please?
Can you get a doctor?
 Please take me to the hospital.
 Take me to a hospital!
 Help me to get to the hospital,
please.
It's an emergency.
 It's urgent.
 I need urgent medical assistance.

 Do you think it is serious?

 Is it severe?
 Is it bad?
 Do I need an operation?
 Will I need an operation?
Do I require surgery?

#Restaurant #Hotel #Eat #Waiter

At a Hotel

The Rose Hotel. May I help you?

Hello! I'd like to reserve a single room for six days starting on May sixth.
I'd like to reserve a double room.
I'd like to reserve a small suite.
I'd like a room with a bed for a child.
I'd like a room facing the park / overlooking the river. I'd like a room with a view of the lake.

A : My name is Anton Ross, with double S.

B: Would you like a smoking or non-smoking room, Mr. Ross?

A : Non-smoking, please.

B: Yes, we'll have a non-smoking single room available on May sixth.

A: What is the rate for a single room?

B: It's $70 a night plus tax. / It's seventy dollars a night plus tax.

A: Great. Please reserve a single room for me.

B: All right. We'll have the room for you on May sixth.

A: Thank you very much.

#Checking in at the hotel

Front desk / Reception desk
(A=CUSTOMER, B=RECEPTIONIST)

A: Hello! My name is Anton Ross. I have a reservation for a single room. I'd like to check in.
B: Yes, Mr. Ross. How many nights are you going to stay?
A: Six nights. I'm going to leave on May twelfth.
B: Do you have a credit card?
A: Here it is.
B: Please fill out the registration form.
A: Here you are.
B: Here's your key. Room 735 on the seventh floor. Enjoy your stay.
Thank you.

If you don't have a reservation

A: Hello! Do you have any vacancies? I need a single room for three days.
B: I'm afraid we don't have any vacancies. / I'm sorry. We are fully booked.
A: Is there another hotel near here that might have vacant rooms?
B: Try the Oak Hotel across the street. They might be able to offer something.
A: Hello! I need a single room for three days.
B: Do you have a reservation?
A: I'm afraid I don't.
B: Let me check whether we have any vacancies. We don't have any single rooms today, but
there's a double room available.
A: What is the daily rate for a double room?
B: It's $98 per night plus tax. / It's ninety-eight dollars per night plus tax.
A: Is breakfast included?
B: Yes. / Yes, it is.
A: Can I see the room?
B: Certainly. The bellboy / bellhop / bellman will show you the room.
A: All right, I'll take this room.
B: Do you have a credit card?
A: I'll pay cash.
B: Then you have to pay in advance.
A: All right.

Other questions about a hotel room

Does the room have a shower / a bath?

Does the room have air conditioning?
Is there a safe deposit box in the room?
Is there television in the room?
Is there a telephone in the room? Are local calls free?

Asking about hotel services

Is there a restaurant in the hotel?
When is breakfast served?
Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:00.
Can I get Internet access in the hotel? Where can I send a fax? Is there a business center in
the hotel?
When does the business center open? When does it close?
Is there a fitness center / a health club in the hotel?
Does the hotel have a gym?
Is there an exercise room / a workout room in the hotel? Is the use of the fitness machines free
of charge?
Is there a swimming pool in the hotel?
Until when is the swimming pool open?
Does the hotel have any facilities for children? Is there a playroom for children in the hotel?
What facilities for the handicapped does the hotel have?
Are pets allowed in the hotel?
Does the hotel offer any excursions around the city?
Does the hotel provide a shuttle bus to the airport? Do I need to reserve a seat on the bus in
advance?
The bus for the airport leaves from the hotel entrance every two hours. Advance reservation of
the seats is required.

Communication with the front desk clerk

(On the phone from the room or in person.)

Front desk: Can I help you?

Hello! This is Room 814.

There is no hot water in my room. Could you send someone up to fix it?
There are no towels / soap / shampoo / toilet paper in the bathroom. Can you send them
up,please?
The bathroom light / the TV / the heating / the air conditioner in my room doesn't work.
There is no stationery / TV program / Room Service menu in my room.
 Can you give me a wake-up call at 7:00 a.m., please?
How do I get to the airport / to the center / to the photo exhibition from the hotel?
Could you call a taxi for me, please?
Could you recommend good toy stores and gift shops not far from here?
Could you reserve a table for dinner for me, please? I'd like a table for four people for 7:00 p.m
Is there a laundromat near the hotel?
I feel sick. Is there a doctor in the hotel? Could you find a doctor for me, please?
Room 506. The key, please.
Are there any messages for me, please?

Asking to deliver food to your room

Room Service. May I help you?
Hello! Could you send breakfast to Room 465, please? I'd like orange juice, hot rolls with butter
and honey, and black coffee.
Hello! This is Room 374. I'd like to order a bowl of hot tomato soup, a cheese sandwich, and
green tea with lemon, please.
Talking to the chambermaid
Hello! I'd like to press these trousers. Where can I find an iron?
You can use an iron in the valet service room. It's next to the freight elevator.
I'd like to have these shirts washed and pressed and this suit cleaned as soon as possible.
Fill out laundry and dry cleaning slips, and I'll take the shirts and the suit to the laundry and dry
cleaning service. They will be ready today in the evening.
Thank you very much.
Checking out
Prepare my bill, please. I'm leaving tomorrow morning.

A: What is the hotel's check-out time?

B: Check-out time is 12:00 noon.
A: Can I leave my luggage / baggage at the hotel for a couple of hours after I check out?
B: Yes, certainly.
A: Hello, I'd like to check out. My name is Alexander Belkin, Room 432.
B: Here's your bill, sir. Three hundred seventy-six dollars.
A: Here you are. Thank you very much.
B: You are welcome. Have a nice day!
Complaining
 Waiter, we ordered well-done chops, and these are rare.
 Waiter, I ordered chocolate ice cream, and you brought vanilla.
 Waiter! I've been waiting for my order for almost an hour already!
 Can I see the manager, please?
Words that mean the same thing in a restaurant: (All words are same)
Would you mind heating this up?
server/waiter (male)/waitress (female)
 You gave us the wrong bill. the bill/the receipt/the check
 This tastes a bit off. (It doesn’t taste right.) appetizer/starter
entree/main event/dinner
to-go/take-out/doggie-bag/leftovers
hot/spicy
beverage/drink
right this way/follow me/your table is ready
 Waiter : Good evening! Would you like to go for the buffet,
 Sir? Madam? We serve a very good buffet here. There
 is also a salad-bar.
 Mittu : I think I‘ll go for the salad-bar. I‘ve heard they do
 scrumptious salads here. Is it all freshly prepared?
 Waiter : Yes, madam. All the food prepared here is fresh. Every
 night all left-over food is given away.
 Hari : I‘ll try the buffet. I can see quite a spread there. Can
 you please bring the soup to the table, please?
 Waiter : Certainly, sir. Which would you prefer? ….. the chicken
 –noodle soup or the baby corn–mushroom soup?
 Hari : The baby corn-mushroom, please.
 Waiter : And, what about you, Sir?
 Ravi : Do you have any à la carte service?
 Waiter : Of course, Sir. I‘ll get you the menu-card.
 (brings Ravi a menu-card)
 Ravi : Give me a few minutes please.
 Waiter : Would you care for some hors-d‘oeuvres?
 Ravi : No,thank you. We‘ll start with the soup. (The waiter
 leaves while Ravi studies the menu card) They serve
 quite a variety of food here. There‘s Chinese, Italian,
 Mexican, as well as Lebanese, in addition to Indian.
 Everything is also very reasonably priced! This dish
 of Tacos is only Rs. 75, and it has prawn, cuttlefish,
 and lots of vegetables in it, from its description on the
 menu …. But it would be too heavy for me
 ….Mmm…let me see ….. shall I have a plate of
 vegetable spring rolls? … or, ….. maybe, I‘ll go for
 soup and kebabs ….? …. Oh dear, this is so difficult.
 (Mittu returns to the table with a plate full of salad.)
 Mittu : Come on Ravi, the waiter is waiting. Have a dish of
 steamed vegetables and some pita bread. Or, since you
 have been showing off your French, try a French dish!
 Ravi : They don‘t have any. I think I‘ll have the soup and
 vegetable cutlets.
 (The waiter returns with the soup and serves them.)
 Ravi : I‘ll have the same soup and a plate of vegetable cutlets.
 Waiter : Very good, Sir. (Returns with the soup and cutlets and
 serves Ravi.) Enjoy your meal, Sir, …. Madam.
 Ravi : Bon appétit!
 Mittu : What does that mean, now?
 Ravi : It‘s like saying ‗Enjoy your meal‘ in English.
 (They eat in silence for a while, enjoying the music and the
 aromatic food on their table.)
 Hari : This buffet is superb. They have such a variety of
 vegetables and salads. This corn and raw mango salad
 is out of this world! How‘s your cutlet, Ravi?
 Ravi : It‘s good. I‘m glad they haven‘t added too many spices
 in it. It has a nutty flavour.
 (Noticing some activity at the entrance of the restaurant.)
 Look, some celebrities have come in. O, I recognise
 that young starlet Faguni. I wonder who the other two
 people are?
 Hari : I recognise that gentleman ….. He does a cookery show
 on DD every Wednesday and runs a restaurant in
 Mumbai, that serves only Parsi food.
 Mittu : And I know who that elegant lady is …. She is Lajmi
 Uday Sing, the gourmet cook who writes a weekly
 column on food in ‗The Bondhu‘ every Saturday. Okay,
 people, are we done? Or, does anyone want dessert?
 Hari : Of course I want dessert! There is such a tempting
 spread on the counter.
 (Hari leaves to fetch the dessert.)
 Waiter : Would you like some dessert, sir? Here is the menu
 card.
 Ravi : Yes, please. I‘d like the date pancake.
 Mittu : I don‘t think I‘ll have any, thank you.
 (They eat their dessert.)
 Ravi : (To the waiter) Could I have the cheque, please?
 Waiter : What about some coffee, Sir?
 Ravi, Hari, Mittu : No, thank you!
 (The waiter returns with the bill. Ravi pays. Waiter takes it to
 the Cashier.)
 (The Hostess comes to their table.)
 Hostess: Did you enjoy your meal? Was everything alright?
 Ravi : O, yes! Everything was perfect! We enjoyed the meal
 very much.
 Hari : I was wondering if you did any outdoor catering?
 Hostess: Yes sir, we do. In addition to the food we also arrange
 for the crockery, cutlery, as well as serving.
 Hari : Here is my card. Perhaps we could discuss this in detail
 when you are not so busy.
 Hostess: Certainly, Sir. Here is our card. In case I am not
 available, my assistant Najab Hussain will be able to
 help you.
 Hari : Thank you so much. Goodnight!
 Ravi : We had a very pleasant evening. Goodnight!
 Mittu : Thank you, my friends. I had a lovely birthday dinner.
 Goodnight!
 Waiter : Welcome to Chef‟s Place
 Ma‟am and Sir. Did you
 make a reservation?
 Mr. Customer: No.
 Waiter : Okay. Do you want a table
 for two?
 Mr. Customer: Yes please.
 Waiter : Please follow me. Here‟s
 the menu. I‟ll return to take
 your order.
 Customers: Thank you.
 Waiter : Are you ready to order Sir
 and Ma‟am?
 Ms. Customer: Yes. I‘ll have a beef steak.
 Do you serve maki here?
 Waiter : Sorry Ma‟am. We don‟t
 serve maki here.
 Ms. Customer: I see. Just serve me with
 half cup of rice and a glass of lemonade please.
 Waiter : Okay Ma‟am. How about you Sir?
 Mr. Customer: Fried chicken, a cup of rice and iced tea.
 Waiter : Bottomless or regular?
 Mr. Customer: Bottomless.
 Waiter : What would you like for dessert?
 Ms. Customer: Strawberry ice cream, medium size, please.
 Waiter : Is there anything more that you like?
 Mr. Customer: None.
 Waiter : Let me repeat your order: beef steak, fried chicken, one and a half cup
of
 rice, a glass of lemonade, bottomless iced tea and one strawberry ice
 cream, medium size.
 Customers: Yes. That‘s right.
 Waiter : Your food will be served in 10 to15 minutes.
 Mr. Customer: Okay.
 (After 15 minutes)
  Waiter : Here‟s your order.
 Customers: Thank you.
 Ms. Customer: The mutton isn‘t cooked well. Could you have the chef cook it a
little more?
 Waiter : Right away Ma‟am.
 Ms. Customer: Can I ask for a glass of water please?
 Waiter : Yes Ma‟am… Here it is.
 Ms. Customer: Thank you.
 Mr. Customer: And please, send me the check.
 Waiter : Right away sir.

#Hotel
Receptionist : Do you find an AC room or a Non AC more
comfortable, Ma‟am?
Tourist : I‟d rather have an AC room because the
weather here is a bit hot.
Receptionist : Would you like a room with a bath?
Tourist : I‟d prefer a shower to a bath if possible.
Receptionist : I can give you one with a shower, Ma‟am.
It‟s room No. 210 for you in the first floor.
Tourist : Thank you.
Receptionist : Welcome

#Other #useful #Phrases

 A: I‘ve had so many problems with my new car. It‘s driving me crazy.
 Are you sure
 B: Are you sure you don‘t want to buy a new one?
 A: How can I? I already spent a lot of money on this one.
 B: I guess you‘ll be spending a lot of money on repairs then.
 A: I guess so. Unless, you want to buy the car.
 B: No, thanks. I don‘t think I‘d want to buy your car. It has too many problems.
 A: I don‘t blame you. It‘s a piece of junk.

 Used to
A: How long have you been living in China?
 B: About three years now.
 A: Are you used to eating the food here?
 B: Yes, I like it very much.
 A: What about chopsticks? Are you used to using them?
 B: It took me a while to get used to it but now it‘s a piece of cake.
#As far as
 A: Have you seen Tom?
 B: No. As far as I can remember he was supposed to be on a business trip to Lisbon.
 A: Yes, but he was supposed to be back by now.
 B: Have you called his home?
 A: Yeah, but there is no answer.
 B: Maybe you should call the police and file a missing person’s report.
Be #careful
 A: She has been calling me for several days now. I think she‘s interested in me.
 B: Are you sure? I think she already has a boyfriend.
 A: How do you know?
 B: A friend of hers told me. I‘d be careful if I were you.
 A: Why?
 B: Because I heard her boyfriend is a weightlifter.
 A: Wow! You‘re right. I guess I better not call her.
 But this doesn’t mean that…
 We are your employees, but this doesn’t mean that we must obey you unconditionally.
 You are much older than I am, but it doesn’t mean that you are right about everything.
 I support this measure, but it doesn’t mean that I support you without reservation.
 I like you, but this doesn’t mean that I’ll marry you.

 Wife: Dear, we have been driving around aimlessly for hours. Don’t you think we should
ask for directions?
 Husband: Look honey, maybe we’ve been driving for a long time, but this doesn’t mean that
we’re lost.
 Wife: Really? Then what have we been doing all this time?
 Husband: Well, we’re taking the scenic route.
 Wife: Oh, I see. You just don’t want to admit that we’re lost. You know, sometimes you’re
too proud.
 Husband: OK, we’re lost, but this does not mean that you have to rub it in.

 By the way, is there a bathroom in the apartment?

 By the way, do you have any change on you?
 By the way, he is a difficult person

 A: I need to lose weight.

 B: Yeah, me too.
 A: By the way, when was the last time you exercised?
 B: I can’t remember.
 A: How about we both go running tomorrow?
 B: Yeah, that’s a good idea. That way we can lose weight and get in shape at the same time. By
the way, do you have any running shoes I can borrow?
 A: Sure. I’ll lend you an extra pair.
 Compared to other students, she is quite hard working.
 Compared to city life, country life is quiet and peaceful.
 Compared to fans, air-conditioners are more comfortable.

 A: So how do you like your new job?

 B: Compared to my last one, it’s a lot more interesting.
 A: What was your last job?
 B: I was a night security guard.
 A: That sounds interesting.
 B: Not really, since compared to my new job, I hardly saw anybody else while I was on duty.

 Did you use to live in Tokyo?

 Did you use to get up early?
 You used to smoke heavily, didn’t you?

 A: Did you use to have any really bad habits?

 B: I used to bite my toenails when I was younger but now I don’t.
 A: What made you stop?
 B: One day I bit my toenail too deeply and my toe started bleeding. So I learned my lesson and
didn’t bite my toenails again.

Don‘t ever lose these papers. They are of great importance to our company.
Don‘t ever miss a good opportunity.
Don‘t ever arrive late for an interview.

Son: Mom, can I go swimming in the pool now?

Mother: But you just had your lunch.
Son: I know but it‘s hot and I want to cool off.
Mother: Don‘t ever go swimming right after eating or else you‘ll get cramps.
Son: When can I go swimming then?
Mother: Why don‘t you wait for at least a half an hour.

Do you agree that we should start early?

Do you agree with my plan?
Will he agree to the conditions in the contract?

A: I think studying English is boring and a waste of time. Don‘t you agree?

B: No. I think it‘s really important if you want to have a good job in the future.

A: But it‘s too hard to learn.

B: I don‘t agree. You just have to work at it and be persistent.

A: Maybe you‘re right. I guess I need to work harder at it and be more disciplined.

Would you mind if I smoke here?

Do you mind opening the window? It‘s so stuffy in here.
Do you mind if I ask you a question?

Employer: Well, you have been working with our company for 10 years now.

Employee: Yes I know. It‘s been a long time.

Employer: In all this time you have never asked for a raise. Do you mind if I ask you why?

Employee: That‘s because my wife is rich.

Employer: Really? What does she do?

Employee: Well, she owns your company.

Do you feel like going for a walk on the beach?

Do you feel like going shopping at the mall?
Do you feel like eating some ice cream or having cake or both?
Do you feel like having some coffee?
Do you feel like getting a bite to eat?

A: I‘m so bored.

B: Feel like watching a movie?

A: No, I feel like going dancing.

B: Where do you want to go?

A: How about Sam‘s Disco?

B: I don‘t feel like going there. It‘s always too crowded.

A: We‘ll try the disco down the block. It‘s called Rick‘s Disco.
B: OK. We‘ll give it a try.

Have you ever been to New York?

Have you ever been to Nanjing?
Have you ever seen Ghost?
Have you ever wondered if there is life after death?
Have you ever heard of it?

A: I want to quit my job.

B: Why, what‘s the matter?

A: Nothing. I just want a change.

B: But you have a great job and you‘ve been working there for ten years.

A: I know, but haven‘t you ever wanted to do something different?

B: I guess so, but it seems more prudent to just stay where I am and continue

working in my current job.

Don‘t tell him the bad news until he finishes his exam.
The secret was not discovered until he was dead.
I won‘t stop shouting until you let me go.

A: I heard that Bill got divorced.

B: Yes, he is really sad now.

A:I thought he wanted to get divorced because he didn‘t love his wife anymore.

B: Yes, but he didn‘t realize how much he needed her until they got divorced.

A: Yeah. Well now it‘s too late. She already has another husband.

B: That‘s too bad. Sometimes people often don‘t appreciate what they have until they lose it.
He is #either drunk or mad.
It‘s either your fault or her fault.
Either you are wrong or I am.

A: Do you have the report you promised me?

B: What report?

A: You know, your work report.

B: Either you‘re kidding me or I‘m getting forgetful in my old age.

A: I think it‘s the latter.

B: I‘m sorry. I‘ll hand it in tomorrow.

I was so interested in the film that I went to see it several times.

It‘s so hot that none of us want to go out.
He speaks French so well that we think he is a Frenchman.

A: Can you believe the weather we‘re been having lately?

B: Yeah, it‘s really hot, isn‘t it?

A: It‘s so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.

B: Maybe you‘re exaggerating a little bit.

A: OK, maybe it‘s not that hot. But it‘s hot enough to get a heat stroke.

B: You make it sound so hot, I don‘t want to leave my air-conditioned house.

He is not only humorous, but also patient.

He is not only a good leader, but also an eloquent speaker.
I‘m not only going to the party, I‘m also going to sing at it.
Not only do I support you, so do your acquaintances.

A: Have you seen the movie Gone with the Wind?

B: Yeah. I think Vivian Leigh is beautiful.

A: She‘s not only beautiful; she‘s also a talented actress.

B: Yes, I‘ve enjoyed all her movies.

A: Which one is your favorite?

B: I like her best in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Make yourself at home. Help yourself to some fish.

Help yourself to the refrigerator.
Help yourself to some steak. I made it especially for you

A: Thanks for inviting me over for dinner this evening.

B: You‘re welcome.

A: It looks delicious.

B: Well here. Help yourself to some shrimp. It‘s fresh.

A: Thank you. Mm… It tastes delicious.

B: Have some more. I don‘t want you to leave hungry.

How about going for a spin in my new car?

How about minding your own business?
How about those Yankees!
What about your holidays?
What about his qualifications for the job?

Husband: Is it time to get up already?

Wife: Yes, Dear, it‘s 6 a.m. You have to hurry up and get dressed.

Husband: I guess so, hey honey how about making me a cup of coffee while I hop in the shower?
Wife: Sure, Dear. How would you like your coffee?

Husband: With milk and sugar, please.

Wife: Sure, right away. Now take that shower before it gets too late.

You forgot to bring your homework again. How #come?

How come your little sister is so angry?
How come we were not invited to the party?

A: Are you going to your sister‘s wedding?

B: I decided not to go.

A: How come you‘re not going?

B: Because I‘m afraid that if I go I‘ll catch the bouquet of flowers and then I‘ll have to get married.

A: Don‘t be silly. Just make sure you don‘t catch it.

B: Hey, that‘s a good idea. I never thought of that.

How dare you call me #fat!

How dare you speak to me like that!
How dare he do that to me!
How dare you turn him down!

Boss: David, more and more money has been missing from the company‘s funds over the past six
months.

Employee: Really? What‘s been happening?

Boss: Obviously somebody has been stealing the money.

Employee: Who do you think it could be?

Boss: Well, you‘re the accountant. You tell me.

Employee: Do you think I did it? How dare you accuse me of stealing!

How do you like your new apartment?

How do you like your new colleagues?
How does your mother like the tea set?

A: How long have you been in China?

B: A few months.

A: How do you like living here?

B: Great! I‘m having a great time.

A: How do you like the food here?

B: It‘s pretty good. I just can‘t get used to using chopsticks.

A: You‘ll get used to them after a while.

B: I love them. They are very friendly to me.

How long does it #take to get to the station by subway?

How long will it take to build the stadium?
How long did it take you to knit this sweater?

Teacher: Did you finish the assignment I gave you last week?

Student: Sure, no problem.

Teacher: Really, you didn‘t think it was difficult?

Student: Actually it was pretty easy.

Teacher: How long did it take you to finish the assignment?

Student: It only took a day. My friend and I did it together so it was easier.
How often is there a leap year?
How often is there a flight to Shanghai?
How often do you write to your parents?

A: I‘ve been having bad dreams lately.

B: Really? How often?

A: Just about every night.

B: What do you dream about?

A: I dream about being in a boat and suddenly a storm comes and I drown because I can‘t swim.

B: Maybe you should learn how to swim. Then you won‘t have any nightmares

I bet we‘re lost.

I bet he is home now.
I bet he will win the prize.

A: Where‘s my wallet?

B: You left it on your desk. Remember?

A: I know but it‘s not there anymore.

B: I bet Sally took it.

A: What makes you think so?

B: I saw her hanging around your desk when you weren‘t there.

I can hardly believe that he is deaf; he can understand us so well.

I can hardly believe that Paul was put in prison for bribery.
I can hardly believe what I have seen.

Employer: I have some bad news for you.

Employee: What‘s the matter?

Employer: Our company has been having some financial troubles and we have to lay off some
workers.

Employee: Really?

Employer: I‘m afraid so and you‘re one of the workers whose job we‘ll have to cut.

Employee: I can hardly believe my ears! I never thought I would lose my job here.

I can‘t say for certain.

I can‘t say who did the best.
I can‘t say with any certainty that eating less can be a cure for obesity.

A: So who do you think will win the NBA championships?

B: I really can‘t say. Both teams this year seem really good.

A: Hey there‘s a game on tonight. You want to watch it with me?

B: That sounds great! Can your brother watch it with us?

A: Well I can‘t say. He said he‘d be home late from work.

I can‘t wait to see my family.

I can‘t wait to hear from you.
I can‘t wait to buy a computer.

Daughter: Only two days until my birthday! I can‘t wait!

Mom: Now don‘t get too excited, you still have lots of homework to do.

Daughter: I hope a lot of people come to my party.

Mom: Did I tell you that Aunt Jenny will be there?

Daughter: Really! That‘s great! Oh, I can‘t wait to see her.

Mom: Me too. OK, now get back to your homework. You still have lots to do before your birthday.

If it hadn‘t been for your help, my experiments would have failed.

If it hadn‘t been for the lifeboat, I would have drowned.
If it hadn‘t been for her careful arrangement, the party would not have been a success.
Without my persuasion, he would not have come.
Without your financial support, we could not have finished the project

Woman: Where‘s my son?

Fireman: Don‘t worry, Miss, your son will be fine. We sent him to the hospital.

Woman: Thank you so much.

Fireman: You‘re welcome.

Woman: Without your help my son would have died in that fire.

Fireman: We got here just in time. A minute later and it would have been almost impossible to save
him.

If it hadn‘t been for your help, my experiments would have failed.

If it hadn‘t been for the lifeboat, I would have drowned.
If it hadn‘t been for her careful arrangement, the party would not have been a success.
Without my persuasion, he would not have come.
Without your financial support, we could not have finished the project

Woman: Where‘s my son?

Fireman: Don‘t worry, Miss, your son will be fine. We sent him to the hospital.

Woman: Thank you so much.

Fireman: You‘re welcome.

Woman: Without your help my son would have died in that fire.
Fireman: We got here just in time. A minute later and it would have been almost impossible to save
him.

If there is one thing that annoys me, it‘s people who don‘t keep their promises.
If there is one thing that disappoints me, it‘s his failure to arrange his time responsibly.
If there is one thing that upsets me, it‘s my forgetfulness.
If there is one thing that surprises me, it‘s his winning the competition.
If there is one thing that interests me, it‘s fashion design

A: Is that pesky lady coming to the office again?

B: Yeah, I‘m afraid so.

A: If there‘s one thing that bugs me, it‘s her critical attitude.

B: Yeah, well, that‘s her personality, I guess.

A: But it‘s so annoying. She makes me feel so stupid sometimes.

B: Just don‘t pay any attention to her. She won‘t stay long.

I had no idea that she was a thief.

He has no idea how to operate these machines.

I have no idea what time it is.

Teacher 1: Have you met the new student Sally?

Teacher 2: Yes, she is a very nice girl.

Teacher 1: I kept asking her questions in class today, but she wouldn‘t respond.

Teacher 2: That‘s because she is hard of hearing.

Teacher 1: I had no idea she had a hearing problem.

Teacher 2: It‘s not too serious. You should make her sit in the front of the class so she can hear you
better.

I‘ve got to go.

I have got to buy something to drink.
I have got to mail some cards to my friends.
I‘ve got to apologize for troubling you so much.
You‘ve got to try this dish; it‘s tasty.

A: How many candy bars have you eaten today?

B: I think I‘ve eaten ten so far.

A: That‘s too much! You‘ve got to stop eating so much.

B: Why?

A: Because if you eat too much candy, you‘ll rot your teeth.

B: You‘re right. I‘ve got to stop eating so many sweets.

I‘ll be back as soon as possible.

I‘ll work as hard as I can.
Try to be as careful as possible.
Come as quickly as possible.
Run as fast as you can.

Father: I hope you‘ll do better this semester. I was disappointed in your grades last year.

Son: Don‘t worry, Dad. I‘ll study as hard as I can.

Father: I hope so. If you have any questions, just ask me and I‘ll help you as much as possible.

Son: Thanks, Dad.

Father: Your education is important for your future.

Son: I know. I‘ll work as hard as I can.

I‘ll let you know when I‘m leaving for Beijing.

I‘ll let you know if I can make it for dinner.
I‘ll let you know if I get bored.
I‘ll let you know when I get hungry.

A: Are you coming to dinner tonight?

B: I don‘t know. I have to work late tonight.

A: When will you know for sure?

B: I‘ll let you know this afternoon if I can make it for dinner tonight.

A: What time this afternoon?

B: I‘ll give you a call around 3:00.

I‘d be grateful for your help.

I‘d be grateful if you‘d be quiet.
I‘d be grateful if you‘d give me a hand.
I‘d be grateful if you‘d take care of my baby.
I‘d be grateful if you danced with me.

A: How do you like the music at this dance club?

B: It‘s great. I love dancing.

A: Me too. You know I‘d be grateful if you‘d dance with me.

B: Sure, but first you have to do me a favor.

A: What‘s that?

B: Well, I‘d be grateful if you‘d stop stepping on my foot.

I‘m #afraid you didn‘t quite get his meaning.
A: Could I speak to Elizabeth, please?
B: I‘m afraid she is not in at the moment.
I‘m afraid we are going to be late.
I‘m afraid I can‘t make it.

Policeman: OK, stop right there you thief! Don‘t Move!

Bank Manager: Don‘t shoot!

Policeman: Put your hands over your head and don‘t make any sudden move.

Bank Manager: Look, officer, I‘m afraid you have the wrong person. I‘m the bank manager, not the
thief.

Policeman: Are you sure? Oh, I‘m sorry. I‘m afraid I‘ve made a terrible mistake.

Bank Manager: Well, you still have a chance to get your man. I saw somebody carrying a bag full of
money running that way.

I‘m calling to say goodbye to you.

I‘m calling to tell you that the concert begins at 7:00.
I‘m calling to book two tickets for tonight‘s film.
I‘m calling to warn you of the coming storm.

Teammate: Hello?

Coach: Hello! Is this Peter?

Teammate: Yes. Hello! Coach.

Coach: I‘m calling to remind you that we have practice tomorrow.

Teammate: What time does it begin?

Coach: We‘ll start at 6 a.m. So don‘t be late.

I‘m looking forward to working with you.
I‘m looking forward to coming to China again.
I‘m really looking forward to the holidays.

Nephew: Aunt Jane, I hope you‘ll be home next Sunday. I‘d like you to meet my fiancée.

Aunt: I‘m looking forward to meeting her. What‘s her name again?

Nephew: Rachel.

Aunt: That‘s such a lovely name. How long have you known each other?

Nephew: About two years now.

Aunt: I am looking forward to attending your wedding soon.

I‘m not really happy with their performance.

I‘m not really happy with your behavior.
I‘m not really happy with your present situation.
I‘m not really happy with their service.
I‘m not really happy with my life.

A: I‘ve been so depressed lately.

B: Why? What‘s the matter?

A: I‘m getting older and I‘m not happy with the way my life is going.

B: What‘s so bad about it?

A: I just go from girlfriend to girlfriend and I‘m never happy or satisfied.

B: I think you‘re thinking too much about yourself. You need to concentrate on helping others.

I‘m thinking about moving to a new house.

I‘m thinking about taking a science course.
I‘m thinking about getting a divorce.
A: What are you going to have for breakfast?

B: I‘m thinking about having some eggs.

A: That sounds good. Can you make some for me too?

B: Sure. How many do you want?

A: I think I‘ll have two eggs.

B: OK. Two eggs are coming right up.

I really go for this house. It‘s terrific.

She goes for tall and handsome men.
I don‘t go much for modernism.

A: Hey, I‘m hungry. How about you?

B: Yeah, I can really go for some Chinese food right now.

A: That‘s a great idea. Let‘s go to a Chinese restaurant right now.

B: OK. It‘s my treat.

A: Are you sure?

B: Yeah. You can pay next time.

It was Jack who broke the window when we were playing football.
It is Jane that I want to marry.
It was here in the supermarket that he met his first love.

A: Who ate all the cookies?

B: I think it was the dog that ate them.

A: Are you sure?

B: It‘s possible.

A: I think it was you who ate all the cookies but you‘re trying to cover it up.

It‘s too bad that we lost the match.

It‘s too bad that we have to cancel the get-together.
It‘s too bad that you can‘t come.
It‘s too bad.
It‘s too bad that the rain spoiled our picnic.

A: What happened to Steve? I haven‘t seen him at work for a long time.

B: He was fired because of his poor work performance.

A: It‘s too bad he‘s gone. He had such a good sense of humor.

B: Yes, but he also had a serious drinking problem which affected his work.

A: I didn‘t know that.

B: Yeah. He had such potential too. It‘s too bad.

It‘s my fault we missed the bus.

It‘s my fault you didn‘t get paid on time.
It‘s my fault we lost the game.

A: I can‘t find my car keys.

B: I‘m sorry it‘s my fault. I accidentally locked them in the car last night when I came home.

A: Well, at least they‘re not lost.

B: That‘s true but how are you going to get them out?

A: I have another set of keys tied under the car.

B: That was smart thinking.

It‘s on the tip of my #tongue, let me see.
His address is on the tip of my tongue, wait a minute
The question she wanted to ask was on the tip of her tongue.

A: Did you see the new employee in our company?

B: Yeah. Do you know her name?

A: It‘s on the tip of my tongue but I just can‘t remember.

B: Well, let‘s just ask the manager?

A: I‘ve got a better idea. Let‘s just ask her instead.

It‘s not that I don‘t like the car, but I think it is too expensive.
It‘s not that I am unwilling to help you, but I‘m tied up with extra work these days.
It‘s not that he doesn‘t need your help, but he thinks it will be an inconvenience to you.
A mountain is not famous because it is high, but because it has some spirit dwelling in it.

Mother: You have to finish your dinner before you leave the table.

Son: But, Mom, I can‘t eat anymore. I‘m stuffed.

Mother: What‘s the matter? It doesn‘t taste good?

Son: It‘s not that I don‘t like your cooking, but I ate some cookies before we had dinner.

Mother: And now you don‘t have an appetite. You know you‘re not supposed to have any snacks
before dinner.

Son: Sorry, Mom. I promise I‘ll try and finish eating everything.

It is said that he is quite a handsome young man.

It‘s said that a new president will be appointed.
It should be pointed out that your proposals are theoretically correct but practically impossible.
It has been proven that your method is the best.
It will be noted that what they have done to him is wrong.
Judge: So, you‘ve come to beg for the life of your son?

Woman: Yes, Your honor.

Judge: And why do you think I should pardon him?

Woman: It is said that you are a just but merciful man.

Judge: Mercy is given to those who show mercy.

Woman: But, Your honor, he‘s my son, my own flesh and blood.

Judge: He may be your own flesh and blood, but he‘s a cold-blooded murderer.

A: Do you want to eat a Western or Chinese meal?

B: It‘s up to you.
It‘s up to us to help those in need.
It‘s not up to you to tell me how to do my job.

Father: I‘m looking forward to our son‘s graduation this weekend.

Mother: Yes, so am. But what will he do after graduation? He really needs to go to college.

Father: Well, Dear, we can‘t force him to go to college. It‘s up to him.

Mother: I know that but he has to learn to be independent. He can‘t just keep living at home.

Father: You‘re right. I‘ll talk to him about getting a job. Maybe he can work at my store.

Mother: That‘s up to you, Dear. You just have to make sure that he does his work and doesn‘t loaf
around.

It‘s your #turn to tell a story.

It‘s your turn to cook.
It‘s your turn to sweep the floor.
It‘s your turn to give a presentation.
It‘s your turn to perform.
A: I have been washing the dishes for over a week now.

B: Well, I think you are very good at doing the dishes, so maybe you should do them for another
week.

A: No, we made an agreement that we would take turns doing the dishes. Now it‘s your turn to do
them.

B: OK, I‘ll do them. But I‘ll warn you I don‘t think I can do them as well as you.

A: That‘s OK. I‘ll give you plenty of chances to practice until you get really good at it.

B: I knew you would say something like that.

It may surprise you, but I paid off all the debts in a year.
It may surprise you, but Maggie refused my proposal.
It may surprise you, but I bought all these books for 20 Yuan.
It may surprise you, but he‘s just been promoted to manager.
It may surprise you, but he was once in prison.

A: How come you never go to McDonalds?

B: This may surprise you, but I‘m a vegetarian.

A: So you don‘t eat any meat?

B: That‘s right; no meat or dairy products.

A: Why dairy products?

B: Because they come from animals.

I have #been learning English for almost ten years.

I have been living here for thirty years.
Where have you been? We have been looking for you everywhere.

A: What‘s the matter? You look so tired lately.

B: I haven‘t been sleeping very well these past few nights.

A: Why not?

B: I‘ve been worried about my financial troubles and when I try to go to bed I can‘t sleep.

A: Why don‘t you try reading before you go to bed? Maybe that will make you tired.

B: I‘ve tried that but it doesn‘t work. I end up reading books about money.

I‘ve had enough of her continual chatter.

I‘ve had enough of your complaining.
Haven‘t you had enough of him? I found him so boring.
I‘ve had enough of the traffic here.
I‘ve had enough of this city.

A: New York City is a tough place to live.

B: Yeah, it‘s so crowded and the pollution is so bad.

A: You know, I‘ve had enough of this city. I‘m going to quit my job and move to the country.

B: What will you do for a job?

A: I don‘t know. I‘ll do anything as long as it means getting out of here.

B: Well, I don‘t think changing your environment will make things better. You should learn to be
content where you are first.

I wonder if it would be convenient to visit you next Monday.

I wonder if Mr. Wang could arrange a meeting with me.
I was wondering if the manager would agree with my design.
I was wondering if you could come to the meeting this afternoon.

Salesman: Excuse me, Miss, I wonder if I could have a few minutes of your time?

Woman: Why?
Salesman: Well, I‘d like to introduce you to the new super model ZX-2000 vacuum cleaner.

Woman: I‘m sorry but I‘m in a hurry now. I don‘t have time to try it out.

Salesman: That‘s no problem. Excuse me for interrupting you. Here, have my card.

Woman: Thanks. If I get a chance, I will check out your vacuum cleaner another time.

I would #rather stay than leave.

He would rather work all day long than do nothing.
The mother would rather die than lose her child.
She‘d rather resign than take part in such shameful business deals.

A: I‘m desperate for money right now.

B: What‘s the matter?

A: I don‘t have enough money to pay for my rent.

B: Why don‘t you ask Kurt to loan you some money?

A: I‘d rather dig trenches with a spoon than ask for his help.

B: I wouldn‘t be so proud if I were you. Sounds to me you don‘t have much of a choice.

No matter what he says, don‘t believe him.

No matter how you do it, it will be wrong.
No matter where he goes, he carries his suitcase.
No matter how you spend your holiday, tell me about it.

A: What‘s bothering you?

B: I want to get out of here and get away from all my problems.

A: Are you sure that changing your location will solve your problems?

B: No but at least things will be different.

A: No, matter where you go, you will bring your problems with you.

B: I guess you‘re right.

You eat so little. No wonder you are so slim.

Are you a librarian? No wonder you are so well read.
There is something wrong with your leg? No wonder you walk so slowly.

A: Is there something wrong? You look so sad.

B: My house was robbed last night and the thieves stole all my furniture.

A: No wonder you look so upset.

B: Yeah. I called the police but they said there was little they could do.

A: Why not?

B: Because there were no witnesses and the thieves didn‘t leave any traces.

Now that I come to think about it, you‘re right to dismiss him.
Now that I come to think about it, how ignorant I was!
Now that I think about it, you are wise not to have accepted him.
Now that I think about it, he is a person really worth trusting

A: Where did you put my dictionary?

B: I‘m sorry, but I can‘t remember where I put it last.

A: But that‘s my favorite dictionary.

B: Wait, now that I think about it, I left it on the kitchen table.

A: How could you be so careless? You should be more careful with other people‘s things.

B: Sorry. I‘ll be more careful next time.

Once you decide, you can‘t change your mind.
Once you have a stomach-ache, take the medicine twice a day.
Once he finds out what you‘ve done, he‘ll get mad.

A: My friends have been asking me to smoke cigarettes with them.

B: Be careful! You don‘t give in to peer pressure.

A: Why?

B: First of all, smoking is bad for your health and second, once you start smoking it will be hard to
stop.

A: Yeah, you‘re right. I know a lot of people who are addicted to smoking.

B: I bet most of them started because their friends also smoked.

A: You‘re right. I won‘t do it. I won‘t smoke with my friends.

I ran to the station only to find that the train had left.
She came home excitedly only to find nobody was in.
I search desperately for my purse, only to find all my money was gone.
I arrived at the restaurant, only to find I had no money on me.

A: Why are you so late?

B: I‘m sorry but I missed the bus.

A: How could you miss the bus?

B: I hurried to get to the bus stop only to find I didn‘t have enough change to pay the fare.

A: I‘m sorry to hear that.

B: I had to go back home and get some change and wait for the next bus.

On one hand, it‘s convenient, but on the other hand, it‘s time-consuming.
On one hand, he is very obedient to his wife; on the other hand, he treats his parents badly.
On one hand, Jason does everything in the office; on the other hand, he does nothing at home.
As a teacher, he is very patient in class; but on the other hand, he is not so patient with his own child.

A: What do you think of Shakespeare?

B: On one hand his plays are very interesting to watch but on the other hand they are hard to read.

A: I feel the same way sometimes.

B: So what do you do?

A: I just try to catch the general meaning of each sentence.

B: That sounds like a good idea.

See that the door is locked before you leave.

See that you have enough sleep every day.
See that you go to see your parents often.

Employer: You were late to work again this morning.

Employee: Yes, I‘m sorry but I had to help my mother go to the hospital. She was sick.

Employer: I don‘t care what you had to do. You‘re supposed to be on time. See that you‘re not late
again.

Employee: But this was an emergency.

Employer: It‘s your third emergency this month.

Employee: Yeah well, my mother gets sick a lot.

Speaking of the movies, have you seen ―The Patriot‖?

Speaking of honesty, I know a lot of people who don‘t pay bus fares.
Speaking of Ben, have you seen him recently?
Speaking of bicycles, China is called ―the kingdom of bicycles‖.

A: I can‘t wait until Valentine‘s Day.

B: Speaking of Valentine‘s Day, how is your girlfriend?

A: She‘s doing well. I took her out to dinner last night.

B: Did you have a good time?

A: Yeah, the food was delicious.

B: Hey, speaking of food, are you hungry? Let‘s grab a bite to eat.

A: That sounds great. Let‘s get some Chinese food.

Thanks to their help, we accomplished the task on time.

Thanks to computers, lots of tasks are now easier.
Thanks to your timely warning, I didn‘t make a mistake.
Thanks to your stupidity, we lost our game.

A: I‘m so glad we won the game.

B: Thanks to you, you scored the final goal and won.

A: Actually, you deserve the credit. Thanks to you, the ball was passed to me and I scored.

B: Yeah, we all worked together.

A: I hope that we can win the next game.

B: If we work together like we did this past game, I‘m sure we will.

Thank you for what you have done for me.

Thank you for your help.
Thank you for the gift.
Thank you for giving me a lift.
Thank you for your advice.

A: I have a big favor to ask.

B: What is it?
A: Well, I need to borrow $1,000 for the down payment on a car.

B: OK, I‘ll lend you the money but you have to pay it back as soon as you can.

A: I promise I will. Thanks a million.

B: You‘re welcome.

The first thing I‘m going to do when I get home is sleep for a whole day
The first thing I‘m going to do when I get a pay raise is to treat you to dinner.
The first thing I‘m going to do when I spend my vacation in the country is go fishing.

A: Did you get a package in the mail today?

B: I sure did.

A: What was it?

B: A box of cookies from my mom.

A: That‘s great! She‘s coming here next week, isn‘t she?

B: Yes, she is. The first thing I‘m goanna do when I see her is give her a hug and thank her.

The more you put your heart into English, the more you‘ll be interested in it.
The more you pay, the more you will gain.
The sooner, the better.
The earlier you set about your work, the sooner you will finish it.

A: Are you still selling your car?

B: Yeah, but the more I think about it, the more I want to keep it.

A: Why‘s that?

B: Because buying a new car would be very expensive and I wouldn‘t be able to afford the insurance.

A: But you already put an ad in the paper.

B: I know but if anybody calls, I‘ll just tell them it‘s not for sale anymore.

There is nothing as exciting as meeting an old friend unexpectedly.

For me, there is nothing as enjoyable as reading a novel on the grass.
There is nothing as pleasant as spending a weekend in the countryside.
There is nothing as refreshing as having a good rest.

A: Do you cook for yourself?

B: Yes, I do, but it‘s not the same as what my mother makes.

A: I know what you mean. There‘s nothing as good as home cooking.

B: My mom‘s given me some recipes, but when I make them they don‘t come out the same as when
she cooks.

A: Maybe you should just ask her to cook for you.

B: No, I‘d rather try and learn myself.

There is nothing I like better than listening to the radio.

There is nothing women like better than shopping.
There is nothing she likes better than chatting with friends.

A: Did you just finish playing basketball?

B: Yes and I‘m so thirsty.

A: How about a Coke?

B: That sounds great! There‘s nothing better than a cold Coke when you‘re hot and thirsty.

A: So how does it taste?

B: Great! Thanks a million.

We‘d be better off without them as neighbours.
We‘d be better off without him at the party.
They‘d be better off without their wives around them.
I‘d be better off without the incident on my mind.

A: Our new dog has been howling all night long.

B: I know. It‘s really getting on my nerves.

A: We should have gotten a quieter pet, like a fish.

B: I agree. I think we‘d be better off without a dog.

A: So what are we going to do?

B: I guess we‘ll have to bring it back to the animal shelter.

We‘d better buy a computer.

You‘d better not ask him.
You had best accept his success.
You had best set out early.

A: I heard the temperature is going to drop dramatically tonight.

B: Really?

A: Yes, so you‘d better dress warmly before you go out.

B: I will. Thanks for telling me.

A: You‘re welcome. I wouldn‘t want you to catch a cold.

B: Thanks for your concern. I don‘t want to get sick either.

We may as well buy a Benz since you don‘t like Ford.

We may as well have a try since it‘s worth doing.
We may as well take the risk. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
A: We‘ve been looking for your lost CD for hours.

B: It‘s got to be here somewhere.

A: We‘ll never find it. We may as well give up.

B: No way. It‘s my favourite CD.

A: OK, I‘ll help you look for another ten minutes then I‘m going home.

B: Don‘t worry I know we‘ll find it.

What became of the poor child?

What will become of my family if my father goes bankrupt?
What will become of my dog during my absence?
What will become of the water if we put it outside during the winter?

A: Remember that old man who used to beg for money on the street across from our house?

B: Yeah. Whatever became of him?

A: Well he got a job and now he owns a small ice cream shop in town.

B: That‘s great. We should visit him some time.

A: Yeah, we should. Let‘s go today and get some ice cream.

B: Then we can ask him how he‘s been and how he started his business.

What can I do for you?

What can I do to cheer her up?
What can I do to make him satisfied?
What can I do to stop them?

Customer: Excuse me, are you the tailor?

Tailor: Yes, I am. What can I do for you?

Customer: Well, I‘d like to have a business suit made for me.

Tailor: Sure, let me take your measurements then you can tell me what style you‘d like.

Customer: When do you think you can finish the suit?

Tailor: Well, it depends on what style you want. Business suits usually take about a week to finish.

What do you mean by saying that?

What do you mean by cancelling your performance?
What do you mean by ―out of the question‖?
What do you mean by asking such a question?

Boyfriend: Happy anniversary!

Girlfriend: What do you mean?

Boyfriend: Today is our one-month anniversary of dating.

Girlfriend: Oh, I see. You know everything has a beginning and an end.

Boyfriend: What do you mean by saying that?

Girlfriend: Well, I think it‘s time for us to break up. I‘m sorry.

What do you say about going to the cinema this afternoon?

Let‘s go by plane. What do you say?
What do you say about some light music?

A: I‘m so upset.

B: What‘s the matter?

A: My girlfriend broke up with me today.

B: I‘m sorry to hear that. Hey, what do you say you and I go to the movies this afternoon? Maybe that
will cheer you up.
A: That sounds like a good idea.

B: Sure it is. It will get your mind off of your girlfriend, I mean your ex-girlfriend.

What is it for?
What did you say that for?
What do you need so much money for?

A: Have you heard that my father is going to quit his job?

B: What would he do that for?

A: He said work is too hectic and that he needs a break.

B: What will he do to earn a living?

A: He said he would take a vacation for a while and then go into the carpentry business. He thinks it
will be more relaxing.

B: Well, I hope he‘s happy.

What I‘m trying to say is that he is a good husband.

What I‘m trying to say is that it‘s worth buying.
What I‘m trying to say is that human nature doesn‘t change.
What I‘m trying to say is that you should think of others.
What I‘m trying to say is that smoking is harmful.

A: Where did you put my Walkman?

B: I forget.

A: You should be more careful with other people‘s things.

B: Are you saying I‘m careless?

A: What I‘m trying to say is that when you borrow something from someone, you should take good
care of it.
B: I‘m sorry. Please forgive me. I‘ll try to find it right away.

What‘s the matter with him?

What‘s the matter with your finger? It‘s bleeding.
What‘s wrong with this machine?
What‘s wrong with you, Mum? You look so pale.
What‘s wrong with your car?

A: Your face is so pale. Are you OK?

B: No, I‘ve had a fever for a few days and I am sick to my stomach.

A: What‘s the matter with you?

B: I think I have food poisoning.

A: What do you think it was from?

B: I had some raw seafood the other day at a Japanese restaurant. Maybe that was it.

What would you do if you were me?

What would you do if you were in my shoes?
What would you do if you had a lot of money?
What would you do if you failed?
What would you do if the rumors were true?

A: Can I ask you a hypothetical question?

B: Sure, go ahead.

A: What would you do if you were given a million dollars?

B: Well, first I‘d buy a nice house for my parents to live in and take care of all their financial problems.
Then I‘d buy a house for my sister and do the same.

A: That‘s very nice of you.

B: I‘d just like to take care of my family as best as I can.

What‘s the use of talking about it?

What‘s the use of crying over spilt milk?
What‘s the point of arguing with her?
What‘s the point of worrying about it?

A: How long have you been studying English?

B: Over ten years now, but my English is not very fluent at all.

A: Why not?

B: I don‘t like speaking English because I‘m afraid of making mistakes.

A: What‘s the use of studying English if you won‘t speak it?

B: You‘re right. I should try to speak out more and not be so afraid of making mistakes.

Whether it rains or not, we‘ll hold the sports meet.

They‘ll find out the truth, whether or not you tell it to them.
Whether or not we like it, we have to accept it.
Whether you are willing or not, you have to do it.

A: I don‘t like this movie.

B: Look, I already paid for the tickets, so whether you like it or not we‘re going to finish watching it.

A: Well, I‘ll just read a book then.

B: Don‘t be such a stick in the mud. Just watch it with me.

A: But I don‘t like it.

B: Come on, give it a chance. The movie just started.

Where there are difficulties, there are ways to get over them.
Where there is opposition, there are rebellions.
Where there is contact, there is friction.
Where there are women, there are jealousy and suspicion.
Where there is a will, there is a way.

Son: Dad, I‘ll be having my college interview with Harvard University next week.

Father: That‘s great son, I‘m glad to hear that.

Son: Yeah, but the problem is the competition to get into that college is very stiff.

Father: Well, are you sure you really want to go there?

Son: Yes, I‘ve wanted to go to that college since I was in junior high school.

Father: Don‘t worry, Son. If you really want to go there, then I‘m sure you will get in. Remember,
where there‘s a will there‘s a way.

Why not try to persuade him to give up smoking?

Why don‘t you go ask the teacher?
Why not buy some ready-made food?
A: Let‘s go to see a film tonight.
B: Sure, why not?

Teacher: I‘d like you to introduce the guest speaker at the student assembly today.

Student: Why me? I can‘t do that.

Teacher: Why not? You‘re a good student and I think you will do a great job.

Student: But I‘ve never spoken in front of so many people before. I wouldn‘t know what to say.

Teacher: Don‘t worry. I‘ll help you prepare the speech. Why not give it a try?

Student: OK, I guess I have nothing to lose.

Would you care for something to drink?
Would you care for some tea?
Would you like to borrow my car?
Would you like to try yourself?

Waiter: How was your meal?

Customer: It was delicious.

Waiter: Would you care for some dessert?

Customer: What do you recommend?

Waiter: There‘s a Greek pastry called baklava that‘s made of chopped nuts, butter and cinnamon all
soaked in honey. Would you like to try it?

Customer: Sure. It sounds delicious.

You are not to doze off in class.

You are not to waste your time doing nothing.
You are not to scribble on the wall.
You are not to take photos in the museum.

Boyfriend: May I see your daughter please?

Father: My daughter is very upset right now.

Boyfriend: Please just give me a chance. I want to talk to her.

Father: I‘m sorry but you‘re not to see her again.

Boyfriend: But why?

Father: You‘re a monster. She doesn‘t need someone like you to break her heart
 What are you doing these #days
At the moment, I am trying to finish my Master’s in Accounting.

Now, I am trying to quit smoking.

I am trying to lose weight by doing aerobic dancing.
These days, I am very busy making sales calls to our clients.
I am learning a new software program to help speed up the work process.
I am forming my own company so I can quit my job.
I am practicing meditation to try to reduce stress.
I’m looking for a new girlfriend because my last one left me.
At present, I’m looking for a new job so I can get a higher salary.
I am selling Amway products to try to earn some extra money

Popular #Slang
All-ears: When someone says "I'm all ears", they are telling you that they are listening to you, that
they are giving you their undivided attention.

all-nighter (n.): A period of work or study that lasts all night. Most often used with the verb "pull" (To
pull an all-nighter) - ex: "We pulled an all-nighter in order to finish the project."

Around-the-clock: 24/7: all day and night, non-stop; ex: "The house was being watched around the clock."

B.O.: Short for "body odor" - the foul smell one secretes from one's armpits, especially when one doesn't
shower/wash. ex: "The woman sitting beside me had really bad B.O."

Blow or Bomb: to fail or to be unsuccessful.

Blue or Have the Blues: to feel depressed or sad.

Buck: one dollar.

By the skin of your teeth: just barely. Cash (n.): Money. ex: "You got any cash on you?" Cheesy (adj.):
Cheap, tacky. ex: "A cheesy pick-up line", "A cheesy song", etc. Chick (n.): Young woman, girl, etc. *this
term is considered derogatory (offensive) by some, so if you're not sure - don't use it :)* Cool (adj.): nice,
great, impressive ex: "a cool dress", "a cool guy", "a cool bar" Cop (n.): Police officer. ex: "My brother is a
cop." Creep (n.): An unpleasantly weird/strange person. ex: "I don't like Tom. He seems like a creep."

Couch Potato: a lazy person, one who sits on and watches TV.

Cram: to study feverishly before an exam.

Crash: to go to sleep; or to show up without invitation ex: "Can I crash here tonight?" 2

Dead: Empty; quiet (said of bars, clubs, restaurants, etc.) ex: "It's really dead in here tonight" (It's empty in
here tonight/there are very few people here tonight).

Drama queen: Someone who gets overly emotional/sentimental about things. Someone who thrives on the
dramatic. ex: "Betty is such a drama queen!"
Down to earth: practical; simple.

Drive up the wall: to irritate; ―He is driving me up the wall.‖

Dutch or go Dutch: each person pays for his/her own meal. Gonna: Short for "going to". ex: "I'm gonna call
you tomorrow." Gotta: Short for "have got to" or "have to". ex: "I gotta go."

Get under one‘s skin: bother.

Give the cold shoulder: ignore.

Give a ring: to telephone. Hyped (adj.): Really excited. ex: "We're all hyped about the concert next
weekend."

Hang out: to gather in a casual; and social manner.

Hang-over: the physical effects of heavy drinking (headache).

Hit the books: study.

Hit the road: to leave.

Hold your horses: be calm! In no time: Very soon. ex: "Don't worry - We'll be there in no time." Just plain
(adj.): Clearly; simply. ex: "He's just plain stupid."

Jock: an athlete. Later: Short for "See you later." Lighten up (v.): To relax; to not take things too seriously.
ex: "You gotta learn to lighten up a bit!"

The Late Mr. Smith: a term used when the person is dead. 3

Lemon: a bad buy or purchase.

Munchies (n.pl): Chips and other types of junk food. ex: "I picked up some munchies on my way from work."
No way: 1) Phrase used to say that something is definitely not going to happen. ex: "P1: Are you going to
see her again? P2: No way!"; 2) Phrase of awe/disbelief. ex: "She gave you her phone number? No way!"
Over: "Over" is often used to emphasize location. ex: "I live over on Orange Street." (I live on Orange
Street). (To) overstep (v.): To be out of line. To say/do something that's inappropriate to a situation. ex: "I'm
sorry; I overstepped. I shouldn't have said those things to your parents."

Once in a blue moon: infrequent.

Oops! said after a small mistake.

Pass the buck: transfer responsibility to someone else.

Piece of cake: easy or effortless.

Pig out: to overeat.

Pop quiz: an exam that is not announced .

Ride shotgun (v.): To ride in the front passenger seat of a car. ex: "I wanna ride shotgun!"

Rip-off: overcharge or steal.

R.S.V.P.: the formal reply to an invitation, by phone or mail. Screw up (v.): To make a mistake, do
something badly/wrong ex: "I really screwed up my audition." Sweet (adj.): Very nice. ex: "That is a sweet
car."
Shoot the breeze: talk.

Spill the beans: reveal a secret. Take off (v.): To leave, to get going, to be on one's way. ex: "We have to
take off. See you soon!" That hit the spot: (When talking about food/drinks) That was really good; That's just
what I needed. 4

Trash (v.): To destroy. "The band trashed the hotel room." Turn-off (n.): Something that makes you lose
your interest. ex: "The fact that she smoked so much was a real turn-off." 24/7 (Twenty four seven): Non-
stop, around the clock. ex: "That place is open 24/7. It never closes."

Take a rain-check: do at another time.

Take for granted: to assume.

Watch your back! Be careful; Watch out. *this is often meant as a threat or warning* Weirdo (n.): Strange
person. *fairly negative* Wimp (n.): Weak, cowardly person. Work up the courage (to do something): To
build up enough confidence (to do something); not concrete; ex: "She finally worked up the courage to ask
him out." Wrap (something) up (v.): To finish (something); To Bring something to a close. ex: "OK, let's
wrap things up for today."

What‘s up: How are you?

You bet: 1) Of course. ex: "P1: Hey you wanna come to the beach with us? P2: You bet!"; 2) No problem.
ex: "P1: Thanks for all your help! P2: You bet!" You can say that again! Phrase meaning "I agree with you
completely." You're telling me! Phrase meaning "I know exactly what you mean"; Similar to "Don't I know
it!"; ex: "P1: My son's in Iraq. I miss him so much! P2: You're telling me! I've got two sons over there!"

#Asking For #Vacations

"How far in advance should I ask for vacation time?"

"How do I find out if I need a passport?"

"How do I get a passport?"

"How do I find out about fun places to visit?"

"How far in advance should I book a place to stay?"

"Should I use a travel agency?"

"Should I contact family or friends to make sure we can visit?"

"Should we go to an all-inclusive resort?"

Here are some questions commonly used when on a #vacation.

"Should we do any sightseeing on vacation?"

"What places should we visit?"

"What if we do not speak the language of the country we are in?"

"How do we know good places to eat?"

"How do we book any excursions?"

If you are asked any of these questions, here are ways that you could respond.
"It is always fun to visit historical places while on vacation."

"Depends on what you like to do. Sightseeing can be a fun way to discover new places."

"You can always ask the hotel for recommendations on what to see."

"You can read in a historical travel book and fun things to see and do."

"Try and find someone to help answer your questions at your hotel."

"Bring along a language book to look up words so you can communicate better."

"A good idea is to ask the locals where to eat. They can give you good advice on places you might not
normally go."

"I would ask the concierge at the hotel."

"Sometimes you can book excursions with the concierge at the hotel."

"You can book them beforehand through the travel agency."

Don‘t panic, little bit #grammar starts from here randomly

(Since this is not for those who don‟t really know grammar, this is for intermediary
level)

{ Correct: „grammar‟, not „#grammer‟ }

Present Simple

Used for: 1) repeated actions 2) Things that are permanent or ongoing for the time-being 3) A state of being
~

―We go out every weekend.‖

―I work at the post office.‖

―My sister is very kind.‖

Present Continuous

Used for: 1) Things that are happening right now. 2) Ongoing situations, but may not be occurring right now.
3) To describe change. 4) Future plans that are very definite; ones that have already been arraigned ~

―Don‘t bother me; I‘m talking on the phone.‖

―Yes, grandmother, I‘m going to college.‖

―The economy is getting better.‖

―I‘m going to Thailand tomorrow; I already have the plane tickets.‖

Comparing Past and Present

I used to _____, but now I _______.

Past Simple

Used for acts completed in the past. Acts can be of any length. Verbs can take regular (-ed) and irregular
forms (spelling change, or no change at all) ~

―I caught a cold‖

―I dropped the plate.‖

―I used to play tennis when I was in college.‖

―I was in the Army for five years.‖

Past Continuous

Used for: 1) Continuous acts in the past. 2) To describe the background of a situation that occurred in the
past. 3) To describe a situation where one is interrupted. 4) To describe past actions that were not completed
~
―I was living in Los Angeles then.‖

―The wind was blowing and the stars were shining.‖

―I was just driving down the street officer, when out of nowhere a car came and smashed into me.‖

―I was attending college.‖

Comparatives and Superlatives

Adjectives that end in -er; the -est

Comparisons

Not / isn‘t as …. as …..

….. is more …… than …..

….. is less ……. than …..

Present Perfect

Have / has + Past Participle ~ Speaks of the past in relation to the present.

For, since, ago, before

For: refers to an ongoing act; since: refers to a starting point; ago: refers to a time in the past; before: refers
to one act occurring before another.

Present Perfect Continuous

Refers to a continuous act in the past that impacts the present, ―I don‘t want to go because I‘ve already seen
it.‖.

Relative clauses

A relative clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun. For example, the noun phrase the man who
wasn't there contains the noun man, which is modified by the relative clause who wasn't there

Quantifiers

A type of determiner that tell how many or how much: lots of trees, several books, a great deal of confusion

See, watch, look

See refers to the sense of sight. ―I can see that‖

Watch refers to concentrating on something that‘s moving, or keeping guard over something, ―Could you
watch my things while I‘m gone.‖

Look refers to the initial act of seeing. ―Look, there‘s a shooting star.‖ ―Yes, I see it!‖ It also means to
examine; ―I‘m just looking over this report,‖ ―Oh, you hurt your arm, let me take a look at it.‖
Don’t say “the next day” when you meant “tomorrow.”
Not: ―I‟ll see you the next day. But→ ―I‟ll see you tomorrow.‖

Multiple singular nouns following a “be” verb don’t make it plural. It remains singular:

Not: ―There are my brother and sister.But→ There is my brother and sister.

Not all compound subjects form a plural verb.

We would not say ―Here are my passport and registration card,
but instead would say ―Here is my passport and registration card.
We would not say ―There are my pencil and paper,
but instead would say There is my pencil and paper.
We would not say ―Thunder and lightening were frightening to me,
but instead would say ―Thunder and lightening was frightening to me.

The plural of person is usually “people.”

Only use ―persons when you are emphasizing each person of the group.
Ex. ―The persons responsible for committing the crime will be apprehended.

“In these days” ~ Should be just “These day,” “Now-a-days,” or “recently.”

“Almost” means “nearly” and must be followed by a quantity, most commonly “all.”
Don‟t say, ―Almost my friends like fashionable clothes‖;
say ―Almost all my friends like fashionable clothes.

“Most of” refers to a subset of a group.

Don‟t say ―Most of Koreans like dogs,
say ―Most Koreans like dogs.‖ (leave out the ―of)

Most of .. is used to limit the group

However, most of the Koreans I know prefer cats.

later ~ We don‟t say ―See you two weeks later

or Come back two weeks later.

You should say ―See you in two weeks or

two weeks from now
Come back in two weeks

Later is a comparative adjective and requires the comparing of two time periods: ―
Mary came five minutes later than Joan.
The expression ―I‟ll see you later is alright.
Also do not say “Come back in two weeks later.
” Saying “after” is not usually used with a time period in second person (referring to the person being spoken
to), but could probably sound acceptable as long as the word after comes before the time phrase, not after.
Not: ―Came two days after, but instead say ―Come back after two days.‖

Don’t put “the” in front of city names. Just say ―I‟m going to Hyderabad not ―I‟m going to the New Delhi.

Everyone, everybody ~ Any word or phrase with ―every is always singular: ―Everyone likes good food.
“fun” vs. “funny” ~ Something is fun if it‟s enjoyable in a happy exciting way. Something is ―funny if it
makes us laugh. The amusement park ride was fun, not funny. The man was funny (he made us laugh).

“bored” vs. “boring” ~ A person gets bored from watching or doing something that‟s boring.
We don‟t say ―I‟m boring, we say ―I‟m bored.

“said like that” ~ We don‟t say ―He said like that.

We just say ―He said that‖. – no ―like.

Don’t use “more” with comparative adjectives.

Not: I like it more better than that one.

But:> I like it better than that one.

“recommend” ~ Don‟t say ―I recommend to you … We recommend information, so the word recommend is
followed by ―that: ―I recommend that you lose weight. However ―that is understood even when not said, so
it is considered optional: ―I recommend you lose weight.

play vs. go ~ We ―play most sports that are games, but just do others. We play tennis, basketball, soccer,
badminton, pool, etc.
We don‟t play swimming, running, skiing, or skating. With golf, we use both terms, ―I‟m going to play golf, or
―Let‟s go golfing. Exception: We don‟t play bowling; we just go bowling (though it‟s clearly a game).

noon and midnight ~ Noon is PM, midnight is AM.

diligent ~ This word is very rarely used. Try saying, ―He is hard working, or ―He works hard.

red color ~ When speaking of a color, don‟t use the word ―color;
just say the name of the color: ―The car is red,
not ―The car is red color.

“drunk” vs. “drunken” ~ Native speakers never use the word ―drunken: ―I‟m drunk ―We got drunk,―The
drunk man … Always use ―drunk.

clever ~ Don‟t say ―clever when you mean ―smart. These words are not the same. ―Clever means thinking
in an original way, having a good idea, or thinking in an imaginative way. If a person is intelligent then just say
―smart.
If he did something original that the average person would not have thought of, then say ―clever.

“I need to lose my weight.” “My weight‖ is all of your weight. Just say; ―I need to lose weight / some weight.

“… before” ―I saw him five years before.”

Say: ―I saw him five years ago.‖

“Close from here” This should be “Close to here” compare: “…far from here.” Also, don‟t use ―to with the
word ―near. Say ―It‟s near the post office,
not ―It‟s near to the post office.

A, an, or one, is singular. Never say ―an hours, ―one hours, ―one years,” etc.

Saying “It’s good for your health” is not as natural as saying ―It‟s healthy.

“Eat medicine” ~ We take medicine or vitamins; we don‟t eat them.

I’m a good cooker, should be ―I‟m a good cook‖

We don’t say “I got married with her.” We say ―I got married to her.

“Food” is not usually countable. Don‟t say ―I liked all the foods Say ―I liked all the food.
Distinguish between eating and drinking. We drink liquids, we don‟t eat liquids.
Until now means something continued up to now, but then changed. You shouldn‟t say ―I‟ve studied math
until now
because that sounds like you no longer study math. Saying ―Up to [till] now, sounds better, but most native
speakers would rephrase the entire sentence and say something like ―I‟ve studied math for X years or ―I‟ve
studied math since ______

Respectively ~ This word is used to clarify the relationships of two sets of things. For instance, ―The glass,
plate, and fork cost two-dollars, four-dollars and one-dollar respectively, (the two sets of items are listed in the
same respective order). ―Three of them crashed in the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon
respectively.―Respectively in the foregoing sentence makes no sense because there is no one-to-one
correspondence between planes and buildings.

Especially I ~ Adverbs of focus should be placed in directly in front of the main verb of the sentence or the
exact word they modify. We do not say, ―Especially I like chocolate ice-cream.
Instead say: ―I especially like chocolate ice-cream.
#Mustn’t, Needn’t
‘Mustn’t or Must not‟ is used to imply that something is bad, so you should
not commit the action/deed.
‘Needn’t or Need not‟ is used to indicate that the suggested action is not
necessary.
Example:
i You mustn’t invite him to the party. He is a big bore.
ii You needn’t come to the airport to see me off. I can manage on my
own.
Note: We can also use „don’t need to‟ or „don’t have to‟ in place of „needn’t‟.
#Should and Ought to
Both „Should and Ought to‟ convey similar meaning. They express some kind
of duty or obligation. They are mostly interchangeable.
Study the following example:
i You ought to look after your aged parents well.
ii We should treat others well before we expect them to treat us well.
Note: ought to has an objective meaning whereas should expresses more
subjective meaning.
#Need to
Study the following sentences to know how „need to‟ is used.
i You don‟t look well. You need to go for a thorough medical check up.
ii You are getting late for the show. You need to hurry up to avoid public
wrath.
 iii You have put on a lot of weight. You need to exercise daily.
Need to is used to describe actions of immediate necessity.
Modals Indicating #Intentions (shall, will, would)
#Shall
Study the following sentences:
i I shan’t delay him unnecessarily. (expresses intention)
ii We shall be one of the advanced countries of the world by 2020.
(expresses intention)
iii You shall not touch my car anymore. (expresses strong insistence/strong
volition)
iv The canteen contractor shall provide eatables at the rate fixed by the
principal. (expresses strong insistence/strong volition)
#Will
Study the following sentences:
i I will give you lift if you want. (expresses willingness)
ii I will accompany you to the police station to file an FIR. (expresses
willingness)
iii I will convey my decision within a week. (expresses intention)
iv We won’t report this case to the police. (expresses intention)
v She will complete the homework before she goes out to play. (expresses
insistence)
#Would
Study the following sentences:
i Would you share your problem with me? (polite offer/invitation)
ii Would you forgive me for this delay? (expresses willingness)
Modals of #Prediction (will, would, could)
These modals are used to make forecasts or predictions about the present and
future. They are also used to guess something. Example:
i You will make new business contacts this week. (weekly forecast)
ii Virgoans will have a lot of monetary gains this year. (yearly forecast)
iii Next year she will marry a person of her choice. (to refer to something
that is inevitable)
iv (a knock on the door) That must be the plumber. (certainty)
v That will be the plumber. (prediction)
vi That would be the plumber. (prediction)
vii That could be the plumber. (lesser possibility)
Note: „Would‟ indicates a prediction which is less likely to be true than „Will‟
does.

Have You Ever...?

If someone asks you, “Have you ever been to Singapore?”, it would be a bad
grammar mistake to answer, “Yes, I have ever been to Singapore,” The mistake
would be to repeat ever. In this case, don’t ever repeat ever. That’s just the way it
is. Look at the following examples to get a feel for the pattern :

Have you ever worked for IBM? What Did You Used To Do?
Yes, I have worked for IBM.
This is another familiar pattern that you should get accustomed to, so look
You can say, at
Yes, I used to work for IBM. the following sentences and get used to the form :
What did you used to do when you worked for Carling Consultants?
I used to be a senior tax consultant.
How much did you used to get paid when you worked there?
I used to get paid fifty-five thousand a month.
What did you used to do for the company?
I used to advise the clients about tax regulations.
Where did you used to live before you moved to Bangkok?
 Some and Any, Somebody, Anybody, Somewhere,
Anywhere
A lot of students have trouble using some/any. Look at the
following patterns
But you cannot say, Do you have any money? Yes, I have some. No, I don’t have
Yes, I ever worked for IBM. any.
. Have you any friends in Africa? Yes I have some. No I don’t
Have you ever been married? have any.
Yes, I have been married. Are there any people in the bedroom? Yes there are some. No
No, I have never been married. there aren’t any.
Would you like any wine? Yes, I would like some. No, I
Have you ever flown to Hong Kong? wouldn’t like any.
Yes, I have flown to Hong Kong. Is there anybody in the bathroom?
Yes, there is somebody. No, there isn’t anybody.
No, I have never flown to Hong Kong. Do you know anybody who can translate from Japanese to
English?
Now, answer the following questions: Yes, I know somebody. No, I don’t know anybody.
Have you ever studied abroad? Is the anywhere I can keep my money in a safe place?
Have you ever stayed at the Oriental Hotel? Yes, there is somewhere. No, there isn’t anywhere.
Have you ever driven a motorcycle? Do you know anywhere where I can exchange money?
Have you ever won a gold medal? Yes, I know somewhere. No, I don’t know anywhere.
Have you ever won a scholarship?
Have you ever been arrested?
Have you ever been short of money? #Greeting #Reply
Have you ever been in love? Hi →Hello
Have you ever had a broken heart? Hello →Hello
Have you ever smoked a cigar? How are you?→ I’m fine thank you.
Have you ever bought a car? How are you doing?→ I’m doing quite well,
Have you ever eaten a sirloin steak? thank you.
How do you do? →Very well thanks. How
are you?
Hypothetical #Conditions, #Dreams and #Hopes Good morning.→ Good morning. How are
Look at the patterns in the following examples and fill in the blanks where you?
indicated in the empty spaces :
Good afternoon. →Good afternoon. How
#If we were babies, we could play in the park
If you were my lover, I would gaze into your eyes. are you?
If I were a flower, I would smell good. If I were a bird, I could fly. Good evening.→ Good evening. How are
If I were a bee, I could make honey. If I were a cloud, I could float in the you?
sky. How’s it going? →It’s going very well, thanks.
If I were a fish I could swim. If I were a flying fish, I could swim and fly.
Are you OK? →Yes, I’m OK. thanks.
If I were a star, I could shine in your eyes.
If I were rich, I would buy you the sky. Is everything all right?→ Yes, OK.
If we were angels we would float on the clouds. Everything’s OK
If we were stars, we would shine in the dark. Hey man! What’s happening? →Everything is
If I were your sweetheart, I would bring you a surprise. cool!
If you were my wife, I would never tell lies.
My name is Buster Cluster→. Oh, how do
If I were your baby, I could lie in your arms.
If you were my mother, I would be protected from harm. you do?
I’m very pleased to meet you→. I’m pleased
Look at the following model sentences, followed by question tags. to meet you too.
Are you well? →Yes, I’m very well, thank
Get used to the pattern and follow it : you.
I’m happy to meet you.→ I’m happy to meet
you too.
It’s time to end the meeting, isn’t it?
It’s such a pleasure to meet you.→ It’s a
We didn’t forget anything important, did we?
pleasure to meet you too.
We have not come to an agreement, have we? Are you sure you are OK?→ Yes, don’t
We aren’t quite finished writing the contract, are we? worry. I am fine, really.
We may have time for a party at the end, mayn’t we? Is there anything I can do for you?→ No, not
We might even invite the CEO, mightn’t we? at the moment, thanks.
We can have dinner at the Oriental, can’t we? I am so glad to have met you. I’m happy to
The guests shouldn’t have to pay, should they? have met you too.
We ought to invite everyone involved in the project, oughtn’t we?
We could even invite the executive secretary, couldn’t we?
We wouldn’t want to forget anybody, would we?
 I'll help you + (verb)
This lets you inform someone that you are willing to
provide assistance. This could refer to something physical
I'm thinking of + (verb-ing) or mental, like helping someone to 'think' or 'remember'
something.
Thinking' refers to a process of thought, forming an opinion
"I'll help you cook dinner tonight."
or judgment. When expressing 'I am thinking of' you are
"I'll help you raise money for your charity."
letting someone know what
"I'll help you register for your class online."
you are personally thinking.
"I'll help you move to your new house."
Here are some examples:
"I'll help you prevent that from happening again."
"I will help you park your car."
"I'm thinking of increasing my work load."
"I will help you provide all the information you need."
"I am thinking of introducing myself to him."
"I will help you realize your potential."
"I am thinking of launching a new website."
"I will help you stop smoking."
"I am thinking of moving to a new city."
"I will help you shop for groceries."
"I am thinking of offering her the position."
"I am thinking of opening up a store."

It's my turn to + (verb)

I'm dying to + (verb)
The word 'It's' is a contraction of the words 'it is.' When stating When using the word 'dying' in this
'my turn' you are telling someone that it is time to change manner you are referring to wanting or
position or position focuses on to you. desiring something greatly.

Here are some examples: "I'm dying to relax on the beach."

"I'm dying to pick some fresh fruit."
"It's my turn to walk you home." "I'm dying to order some desserts."
"It's my turn to do laundry." "I'm dying to find out if I got the job."
"It's my turn to work late." "I'm dying to move to a bigger house."
"It's my turn to take out the trash." "I'm dying to look at all the work you've done."
"It's my turn to choose where we eat." "I'm dying to learn more about you."
"It is my turn to pay for dinner." "I'm dying to introduce you to my parents."
"It is my turn to roll the dice." "I'm dying to expand my business."
"It is my turn to provide an answer." "I'm dying to check my score on the test."
"It is my turn to try and play the game."
"It is my turn to attempt solving the problem."
It's hard for me to + (verb)

When saying that something is 'hard for me' you are informing
someone that what you are talking about is difficult or
challenging for you.

Here are some examples:

"It's hard for me to accept what you are telling me."

"It's hard for me to argue your point."
"It's hard for me to balance my check book."
"It's hard for me to concentrate on the task."
"It's hard for me to consider your other options."
"It's hard for me to depend on you."
"It is hard for me to decide where to go tonight."
"It is hard for me to explain my actions."
"It is hard for me to guarantee your success."
"It is hard for me to handle so much pressure."

I'm having a hard time + (verb-ing)
I'm having a hard time + (verb-ing)
By stating you are having a hard time you are letting someone
know you are having difficulty with something. This could be
something physical or mental and something that could be
overcome with effort.
Here are some examples:
"I'm having a hard time writing."
"I'm having a hard time understanding you."
"I'm having a hard time answering your question."
"I'm having a hard time downloading songs to
my iPod."
"I'm having a hard time agreeing to the terms."
With the addition of an adverb you can express in more
detail just how difficult something is for you.
Here are some examples:
"I'm having an extremely hard time trusting you."
"I'm having an extremely hard time with my wife."
"I'm having a very hard time finding a job."
"I'm having a very hard time finding parts for my car."
Can I get + (noun)
The phrase 'Can I get' can be used in a couple different
ways. You can use it to ask a question.
Here are some examples:
"Can I get a cup of water?"
"Can I get a dog?"
"Can I get lunch?"
"Can I get sugar in my coffee?"
"Can I get popcorn at the movie?"
You can also use it when offering to help someone or do
something for them.
Here are some examples:
"Can I get you another drink?"
"Can I help you move that?"
"Can I recommend a good place to eat?"
"Can I take you home?"
"Can I help you finish your project?"
I've heard that + (subject + verb)
You are letting someone know that you are aware of
something or that you have been informed of something
that is taking place. This could be something that has
already happened or something happening in the near
future. 'I've' is a contraction of the words 'I have.'
Here are some examples:
"I've heard that you got a new job."
"I've heard that you want to leave your job."
"I've heard that you got a new car."
"I've heard that you like to jog."
"I've heard that you fix computers."
"I've heard that you've never been to Canada."
"I've heard that you like to shop."
"I've heard that you and your boss don't get along."
"I've heard that there is no school next week."
"I've heard that your wife is a yoga instructor."
Can I get + (noun)
The phrase 'Can I get' can be used in a couple different
ways. You can use it to ask a question.
Here are some examples:
"Can I get a cup of water?"
"Can I get a dog?"
"Can I get lunch?"
"Can I get sugar in my coffee?"
"Can I get popcorn at the movie?"
You can also use it when offering to help someone or do
something for them.
Here are some examples:
"Can I get you another drink?"
"Can I help you move that?"
"Can I recommend a good place to eat?"
"Can I take you home?"
"Can I help you finish your project?"
I should have + (past participle)
Should' is the past tense of the word 'shall.' When using the words 'should have' you are talking about something
in the past that you 'ought to' or 'might have' done.
Here are some examples:
"I should have gone with you."
"I should have studied more for my test."
"I should have read the directions before starting."
"I should have eaten breakfast this morning."
"I should have listened to your advice."
"I should have married her when I had the chance."
'Shall' is something that will take place or exist
in the future.
Here are some examples:
"I shall leave tomorrow."
"I shall finish the job next week."
"I shall see it tomorrow."
"I shall go outside if it's nice out."
"I shall pay for this later."
You're supposed to + (verb)
You're' is a contraction of the words 'you are.' When using 'You're' with the words 'supposed to' you are making a
suggestion that something you strongly believe ought to happen.
Here are some examples:
"You're supposed to keep that secret."
"You're supposed to let me know when you leave."
"You're supposed to stop when at a red light."
"You're supposed to unpack once you get there."
"You're supposed to return the movies you rent on time."
"You are supposed to remain calm."
"You are supposed to fasten your seat belt."
"You are supposed to invite all your friends."
"You are supposed to encourage one another."
"You are supposed to decide before next Thursday."
You'd better + (verb)
You'd' is a contraction of 'you had' or 'you would.
' You are making a suggestion to someone for a
particular action.
Here are some examples:
"You'd better exercise."
"You'd better help out."
"You'd better invite your brother."
I wish I could + (verb)
You are expressing a desire to do something.
Here are some examples:
"I wish I could sing better."
"I wish I could settle the argument."
"I wish I could sail around the world."
"I wish I could remain calm during all of this."
"I wish I could remember his name."
"I wish I could replace my old car with a new one."
"I wish I could play outside."
"I wish I could go to the game with you."
"I wish I could write better."
"I wish I could own my own business."
You seem + (adjective)
When stating 'you seem' you're referring to the person
you are talking to and expressing that they are giving the
impression of or appear to be.
Here are some examples:
"You seem bored."
"You seem unhappy with the results."
"You seem eager to begin."
"You seem easy to get along with."
"You seem elated to hear the good news."
"You seem deeply in love."
"You seem afraid of roller coasters."
"You seem confused about the rules of the game."
"You seem embarrassed about what happened."
"You seem decisive about your choice."
Are you into + (noun)
Here you are asking a question about an interest they might have or
something they might enjoy doing
"Are you into soccer?"
"Are you into trying new things?"
"Are you into working out at home or at the gym?"
"Are you into playing games?"
"Are you into jogging?"
"Are you into painting?"

"You'd better impress the judges."
"You'd better listen to your parents."
"You had better not come home late."
"You had better hope for the best."
"You had better change your attitude."
"You would be good at teaching."
"You would do well at math."
Are you trying to + (verb)
You are asking someone if they are attempting
to do something. This can be something mentally
or physically.
"Are you trying to ignore me?"
"Are you trying to manage your money?"
"Are you trying to memorize that song?"
"Are you trying to offer your help?"
"Are you trying to program your new phone?"
"Are you trying to pretend like it never happened?"
"Are you trying to remain calm?"
"Are you trying to remember her name?"
"Are you trying to reflect on the past?"
"Are you trying to switch flights?"
What do you think about (verb-ing)
This question asks someone their opinion about
a topic.
"What do you think about having a cup of tea
with me?"
"What do you think about working overtime next
week?"
"What do you think about waiting in line for tickets?"
"What do you think about sailing?"
"What do you think about staying here another
night?"
"What do you think about retiring from your job?"
"What do you think about planting new trees in the
backyard?"
"What do you think about offering to babysit?"
"What do you think about living in a new city?"
"What do you think about filming our vacation?"
It's too bad that
Too bad' means regrettable or unfortunate.
When using it in a sentence you are expressing
a concern or regret for what has taken place.
The topic being discussed could have happened
to you, the person you are talking to, or someone or something else.
How often do you
When asking this question you are inquiring how often or how frequent someone
does a particular thing.
"How often do you exercise?"
"How often do you change your password?"
"How often do you help out at school?"
"How often do you listen to your MP3 player?"
"How often do you need to go to the dentist?"
"How often do you receive your magazine in the mail?"
"How often do you report to your supervisor?"
"How often do you stretch before working out?"
"How often do you talk to your parents?"
"How often do you travel?"
Do you want me to + (verb)
To 'want' is to feel or have a desire for. When saying 'Do you want me to' you're
asking someone if there is anything you can do for them or assist them with.
"Do you want me to pick up the kids?"
"Do you want me to fix your flat tire?"
"Do you want me to help you read that book?"
"Do you want me to remind you?"
"Do you want me to remove my shoes?"
The word 'want' can also be used to express something YOU would like someone
else to do or that something you personally would enjoy.
"I want you to come over."
"I want you to make a decision."
"I want you to water the flowers."
"I want to understand what you are trying to say."
"I want to be better at swimming."
Why don't we + (verb)
Don't' is a contraction of 'do not.' When using 'why' you are asking a
question that involves yourself and the person you are talking to.
"Why don't we go bowling tonight?"
"Why don't we pick some fresh flowers?"
"Why don't we play a game of chess?"
"Why don't we save more money?"
"Why don't we remember this place?"
"Why don't we test this before using it?"
"Why don't we try and do it again?"
"Why don't we post our results online?"
"Why don't we gather more firewood?"
"Why don't we earn more money?"

"It's too bad that she lost her job."
"It's too bad that you have to go."
"It's too bad that I found out about it."
"It's too bad we will not be there on time."
"It's too bad that tickets are all gone to that concert."
"It's too bad that it is supposed to rain."
"It's too bad that she got hurt."
"It's too bad that my work has to lay off people."
"It's too bad that you do not understand."
#If I were you, I would + (verb)
Here you are giving an example of what decision YOU
would do given the circumstances. This can be in past tense
or in a conditional present
"If I were you, I would enjoy my vacation."
"If I were you, I would explain what happened."
"If I were you, I would continue working until it is done."
"If I were you, I would book my reservations now."
"If I were you, I would answer the question."
By adding 'have' after the word 'would' you are talking
about
something in the past tense.
"If I were you, I would have enjoyed my vacation."
"If I were you, I would have explained what happened."
"If I were you, I would have continued working
until it was done."
"If I were you, I would have booked my reservations
now."
"If I were you, I would have answered the question."
It's time to + (verb)
You can also use it to describe something in the
You are letting someone know that something is required to present tense.
be done at the present time.
"It's time to say goodbye."
"It's time to ask for a raise."
"It's time to collect our money."
"It's time to cheer for our team."
"It's time to change the clocks."
"It is time to decide what to do."
"It is time to enjoy ourselves."
"It is time to fill me in on what's
going on."
"It is time to help out."
"It is time to join a gym."
The point is that + (subject + verb)
It's gonna be + (adjective)
You're informing someone what something is going to be like.
This could be something you are going to do, see or feel.
"It's going to be delicious."
"It's gonna be easy."
"It's gonna be depressing."
"It's going to be exciting."
"It's going to be disgusting."
You can also add 'he or she' or a person's name to describe
how they might react to something.
"He is going to be tough to deal with."
"He is going to be terrific at that."
"She is going to be relieved to hear that."
"She is going to be scared after watching that movie."
"Sally is going to be successful."
"Mike is going to be grumpy after I tell him.
It looks like + (noun)
You could be describing how something is similar or
appears to be by the way it looks.
"It looks like a balloon."
"It looks like a jellyfish."
"It looks like a banana."
"It looks like a fish."
You can also use 'it looks like' to describe something
that might be in the future.
"It looks like it's going to rain."
"It looks like it's going to be fun."
"It looks like it's going to be a long day."
"It looks like they are leaving."
"It looks like he is waving to us."
"It looks like she is lost."
"It looks like they are racing."

By stating 'the point is' you are stating in your opinion the meaning about what is actually happening.
"The point is that if you study you will do well
in school."
"The point is that she does not understand."
"The point is that we need this done today."
"The point is that the world would be a better
place."
"The point is that we should help."
"The point is that snakes can be dangerous."
"The point is that leaving a baby alone is not
a good idea."
"The point is that if we do not leave now we
will be late."
"The point is that she needs to be more
responsible."
"The point is that we need to work together."
How much does it #cost to + (verb)
You are simply asking how much you would
need to pay to do something.
"How much does it cost to fly to Europe?"
"How much does it cost to own a house?"
"How much does it cost to play a round of golf?"
"How much does it cost to join a gym?"
"How much does it cost to repair my car?"
"How much would it cost to talk long distance?"
"How much would it cost to run a website?"
"How much would it cost to wash my car?"
"How much would it cost to rent a car?"
"How much would it cost to go to the movies?"
How come + (subject + verb)
When using 'how come' you are asking why a
particular thing has or had to take place.
"How come parents worry so much?"
"How come people carpool to work?"
"How come you are so upset?"
"How come he will not call you?"
"How come you stayed out so late?"
"How come you cannot make a decision?"
"How come you always question me?"
"How come we never agree?"
"How come your dog digs in the yard?"
"How come she will not come over?"
There is something #wrong with + (noun)
How about + (verb-ing)
You're asking someone their opinion on something or if they would
like to do something.
"How about singing?"
"How about hanging out tonight?"
"How about folding the laundry for me?"
"How about helping us out?"
"How about describing to me what happened?"
"How about exploring new ideas?"
"How about comparing prices before we buy it?"
"How about considering it?"
"How about following me to their house?"
"How about feeding the dogs
What if + (subject + verb)
Here you are asking a question about 'in the event of' or 'in the
event that.' Usually you are looking for an answer at the time of the
question that is being asked.
"What if I miss the bus?"
"What if I were late to dinner?"
"What if I called her tomorrow?"
"What if I don't understand?"
"What if someone sees me?"
"What if no one is home?"
"What if they decide to stay?"
"What if it rains while we are camping?"
"What if I do not finish on time?"
"What if we introduce ourselves first?"
What are the #chances of + (verb-ing)
By asking 'what are the chances of' you are wondering how
often or in what case would a particular thing happen.
"What are the chances of getting tickets?"
"What are the chances of that happening?"
"What are the chances of it raining today?"
"What are the chances of winning the lottery?"
When replacing the word 'the' with 'your' or 'our' you can ask
what the chances 'personally' that the topic will happen.
"What are the chances of you staying home today?"
"What are your chances of getting the job?"
"What are your chances of improving?"
"What are your chances of moving?"
"What are our chances of staying together?"
"What are our chances of working together?"
"What are our chances of going together?"
You are informing someone that there is
something not right or out of the ordinary.
"There is something wrong with my laptop."
"There is something wrong with my car."
"There is something wrong with my cell phone."
"There is something wrong with my head."
"There is something wrong with your answering
machine."
"There is something wrong with your way of
thinking."
"There is something wrong with your attitude."
"There is something wrong with your dog."
"There is something wrong with our relationship."
"There is something wrong with our alarm clock."
There's no need to + (verb)
The word 'there's' is a contraction of the words 'there is' or 'there has.' When expressing 'no need' you are
stating that the action does not need to take place.
"There's no need to worry."
"There's no need to be upset."
"There's no need to act so strange."
"There's no need to act so shy."
"There's no need to rush off."
"There's no need to talk now."
"There is no need to call this late."
"There is no need to bother him."
"There is no need to run away."
"There is no need to stop now."
Please make sure that + (subject + verb)
You are asking someone to make sure that a particular
thing happens or takes place.
"Please make sure that she wakes up on time."
"Please make sure that she gets to school."
"Please make sure that dinner is ready when we
get home."
"Please make sure that your assignment is done."
"Please make sure that the water is not too hot."
"Please make sure you cook the meat long enough."
"Please make sure that she is getting along with her
new friends."
"Please make sure that we leave on time."
Let's not + (verb)
The word 'let's' is formed from the words 'let us.' Here you are
requesting that something not take place at this moment or that
what is happening needs to be contained or lessened
"Let's not discuss this now."
"Let's not stay here too long."
"Let's not stop anywhere on the way."
"Let's not remain mad at each other."
"Let's not meddle in other people's business."
"Let us not get too excited."
"Let us not worry too much."
"Let us not interrupt them when they are talking."
"Let us help you."
"Let us get that for you."
It takes + (time) + to + (verb)
You are letting someone know how long it will take to do a
particular thing.
"It takes one hour to get there."
"It takes forty-five minutes for me to get ready."
"It takes four quarters to complete a football game."
"It takes 7 seconds for my car to go 60 miles per hour."
"It takes all day for us to finish golfing."
"It takes years to learn to play guitar."
"It takes 15 minutes to get to downtown."
"It takes me one hour to cook."
Here's to + (noun)
Here's to' is used in a way of celebrating or identifying a person,
place, or thing of significance. It is usually said while toasting
someone at dinner, or signalling to someone or something after
an event.
"Here's to the winner!"
"Here's to your marriage!"
"Here's to the New Year!"
"Here's to great friends!"
"Here's to starting a new job!"
"Here is to the luckiest guy in the world!"
"Here is to you!"
"Here is to happiness!"
"Here is to a wonderful day!"
"Here is to great memories!"
"Please make sure you record our favorite TV show."
"Please make sure that you don't stay out too late." It's no use + (verb-ing)

It's no use + (verb-ing)
It's' is a contraction for 'it is.' By stating 'it's no use' recommended or uncalled for.
you are saying that what you or someone else is doing is
not recommended or uncalled for.
"It's no use crying."
"It's no use separating them."
"It's no use talking to her."
"It's no use whining about it."
"It's no use apologizing."
"It's no use attempting to please him."
"It's no use arguing about it."
"It's no use behaving that way."
"It's no use cleaning up."
"It's no use checking on it yet."
It's' is a contraction for 'it is.' By stating 'it's no use' you are
saying that what you or someone else is doing is not
"It's no use crying."
"It's no use separating them."
"It's no use talking to her."
"It's no use whining about it."
"It's no use apologizing."
"It's no use attempting to please him."
"It's no use arguing about it."
"It's no use behaving that way."
"It's no use cleaning up."
"It's no use checking on it yet."

It's very kind of you to + (verb)

When saying it is 'kind of you' you are saying that
what someone has done or said was very appreciated
or welcomed.
"It's very kind of you to offer me the job."
"It's very kind of you to listen to me."
"It's very kind of you to join me."
"It's very kind of you to invite us."
"It's very kind of you to inform us
what happened."
"It is kind of you to help us."
"It is kind of you to fill me in."
"It is kind of you to entertain us."
"It is kind of you to double my salary."
"It is kind of you to decorate for the party."
#Rumor has it that + (subject + verb)
Rumor has it' is an expression used when suggesting you
might have heard something or read about something
that is taking place now or in the future. A rumor is not
a fact.
There's nothing + (subject) + can + (verb)
There's' is a contraction of the words 'there is.' When using the
word 'nothing' you are suggesting that something cannot
happen or be done.
"There's nothing you can harm."
"There's nothing the police can identify."
"There's nothing we can agree on."
"There's nothing we can join."
"There's nothing she can cook."
"There's nothing my dog can learn."
By using the word 'cannot' or 'can't' you change the expression
to mean that all is possible
"There is nothing I cannot ask for."
"There's nothing we cannot accomplish."
"There's nothing our dog cannot open."
"There's nothing that truck cannot move."

"Rumor has it that that player will get traded."

"Rumor has it that she cheated on him."
"Rumor has it that they are going to get married."
"Rumor has it that you like to paint."
"Rumor has it that show is going to end."
"Rumor has it that he is going to get a raise."
"Rumor has it that your sister got in trouble."
"Rumor has it that she goes to our gym."
"Rumor has it that he will not return."
"Rumor has it that it happened while texting."
I'm gonna + (verb)

The word '#gonna' is incorrect grammatically. The equivalent in proper grammar would be 'going to.' When
using the word 'gonna' you are telling someone what you are planning to do at that moment or in the near
future.

Here are some examples:

"I'm gonna have some coffee."

"I'm gonna go to work."

"I'm gonna eat some cake."

"I'm gonna send out my resume."

 I #wanna + (verb)

The word 'wanna' is incorrect grammatically. It is

"I'm gonna run a marathon." equivalent to 'want to.' When combined with the word 'I'
it helps communicate something you want to do.
"I'm gonna ask her out for dinner." Here are some examples:

"I'm gonna stop smoking." "I wanna talk."

"I wanna search for a job."
"I'm gonna help my friends." "I wanna order some food."
"I wanna marry her."
"I'm gonna take swim lessons."
"I wanna listen to that song."
"I'm gonna read a book."
By adding the word 'don't' you can change the meaning of
what you are saying to something you 'want' to do to
something you 'do not' want to do.

Here are some examples:

"I don't wanna talk."

"I don't wanna search for a job."
"I don't wanna marry her."
"I don't wanna listen to that song."
"I don't wanna order some food."
I gotta + (verb)

I #gotta' is grammatically incorrect. It is more of a spoken form. If you want to say this
with proper grammar, the equivalent would be, 'I have got to' or 'I've got to'. In the spoken form, 'got
to' is shortened to 'gotta' and the word 'have' is dropped.

Here are some examples:

"I gotta manage my money."
"I gotta obey the laws."
"I gotta move to a bigger house."
"I gotta impress my boss."
"I gotta brush my teeth."
By adding the word 'have' you can change
what you are saying to express
something that needs
to be done in the near future.
Here are some examples:
"I have got to be on time to work."
"I've gotta try harder at school."
"I've gotta tell my wife I'll be late."
"I've gotta learn more about the laws."
"I've gotta clean my house today."
I would like to + (verb)
This sentence lets someone know what you would be
interested in doing. This can be a physical, mental or
verbal action.
Here are some examples:
"I would like to answer that question."
"I would like to compete in a cooking contest."
"I would like to explain myself."
"I would like to invite you over."
"I would like to practice."
"I would like to become a doctor."
"I would like to see you more often."
"I would like to thank you."
"I would like to learn about animals."
"I would like to meet the President."

I've #decided to + (verb)

I've' is short for 'I have' and including the word 'decided' you are stating that you have made a
decision or come to a conclusion.
Here are some examples:

"I've decided to accept the job."

"I've decided to complete my degree."
"I've decided to change my bad habits."
"I've decided to extend my membership at the gym."
"I've decided to form a chess club."
"I've decided to hand over my responsibilities."
"I've decided to help you move."
"I've decided to interview for the job."
"I've decided to increase my work load."
"I've decided to manage a store."

I was about to + (verb)

When stating 'I was about to' you are informing someone that you were going to do
something, but another event prevented you from doing it. It is similar to 'I am about to' but the difference is
that you will not do it any longer. Since you will not do it any longer, it becomes a past event. That is why we
use 'was' instead of 'am'

Here is an example conversation to help you understand.

A: Hi Mike. I need to ask you a favour.
B: Hey Bob. what do you need?
A: Can you drive me to the convenient store? My car is in the shop and we really need to get milk.
B: Sure. I can do that.
A: Were you in the middle of something? I don't want to bother you.
B: I was about to watch a movie, but that can wait.

In this case, he cannot say, "I am about to watch a movie" because he will not be watching it because he has
to drive his friend. You use "I was about to" when you will not be doing something immediately because of
some other event.
Here are some examples:

"I was about to go out."

"I was about to go to dinner."
"I was about to go to bed."
"I was about to go to work."
"I was about to say the same thing."
"I was about to call you."
"I was about to send you an email."
"I was about to mow my grass."
"I was about to order us some drinks."
"I was about to watch television."

I didn't #mean to + (verb)

The word 'didn't' is a contraction of the words 'did not'. When using it in a sentence with
the words 'mean to' you are informing someone that you did something you regret or are sorry for. This
could have been a physical, mental or verbal action.
Here are some examples:

"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"I didn't mean to call you so late."
"I didn't mean to lie about what happened."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"I didn't mean to stay out so late."
"I did not mean to say those things."
"I did not mean to leave you out."
"I did not mean to make you confused."
"I did not mean to think you were involved."
"I did not mean to cause trouble."

I don't have #time to + (verb)

The word 'don't' is a contraction of the words 'do not.' When adding 'have time to' you are
simply stating that you have other obligations and all other things considered must wait.

Here are some examples:

"I don't have time to explain."

"I don't have time to eat."
"I don't have time to exercise."
"I don't have time to watch my favorite TV show."
"I don't have time to talk."

I'd #rather + (verb)

I'd' is a contraction of the words 'I had' or 'I would.'

When using it with the word 'rather' you are suggesting you would like to do or prefer one thing more than
another.
Here are some examples:
"I'd rather talk about this later."
"I'd like to eat at home than go get fast food."
"I'd rather ski than snowboard."
"I'd rather stay late than come in early tomorrow."
"I'd rather handle the problem myself."
"I had rather go home than stay out too late."
"I had rather listen to my parents or get in trouble."
"I would rather exercise than sit on the couch all day."
"I would rather complete my task early."
"I would rather know the answer."

I was busy + (verb-ing)

 When using the word 'was', you are referring to something in a past tense, or something
that happened before. Combining it with the word 'busy' you can express something that was occupying
you in a past time.

Here are some examples:

"I was busy thinking."
"I was busy working."
"I was busy cooking dinner."
"I was busy talking on the phone."
"I was busy cleaning the house."
"I was busy studying for my test."
"I was busy thinking of ideas for our website."
"I was busy entertaining our neighbors."
"I was busy completing my housework."
"I was busy learning new things."

By changing 'was' to 'am' you change your message from past tense to present tense and refer to
something you are doing 'now.'

Here are some examples:

"I am busy working."
"I am busy cooking dinner."
"I am busy studying for my test."
"I am busy completing housework."
"I am busy talking on the phone."

I'm not used to + (verb-ing)

Here you are using 'not used to' to inform someone that you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with a
topic at hand.

Here are some examples:

"I'm not used to talking English."

"I'm not used to studying so much."
"I'm not used to being around new people."
"I'm not used to talking in front of groups of people."
"I'm not used to having so much stress."
"I'm not used to traveling so much."
"I'm not used to working so early."
"I'm not used to having so much responsibility."
"I'm not used to drinking so much."

I have something + (verb)

 When using the expression 'I have something' you are communicating that you possess something or
need to do something that is unspecified or undetermined.

Here are some examples:

"I have something to complete."
"I have something to share with you."
"I have something important to tell you."
"I have something to encourage you."
"I have something to explain to you."
"I have something special planned for your birthday."
"I have something else to consider."
"I have something to apologize about."
"I have something to attend tonight."
"I have something to ask you."
"I have something fun for us to do

I'm looking forward to

When telling someone that you are 'looking forward to' you are saying that you are waiting or
hoping for something, especially with pleasure.
Here are some examples:

"I'm looking forward to meeting you."

"I'm looking forward to talking with you."
"I'm looking forward to going on vacation."
"I'm looking forward to spending time with my family."
"I'm looking forward to learning the English language."
"I am looking forward to visiting another country."
"I am looking forward to having a family."
"I am looking forward to graduating from college."
"I am looking forward to watching the baseball game."
"I am looking forward to running in a race."

#Will or Going To?

There are two additional ways to talk about the future in English: will/won‘t and going to.

Use ―going to‖ for plans and arrangements:

On my next vacation, I‘m going to stay in a nice hotel in Paris.

She‘s going to look for a new job after her current contract ends.

David‘s going to meet me at the airport at 8:00.

We‘re going to get married next July.

They‘re going to visit Amy next week. They made plans to meet up on Monday.
Peter and Paul are going to share an apartment when they move to New York.

Note: You can also use the present continuous for the future in these cases.

On my next vacation, I‘m staying at a nice hotel in Paris.

David‘s meeting me at the airport at 8:00.

We‘re getting married next July.

Use “will/won‟t” for promises:

I‗ll send you an e-mail.

I won‘t tell anyone your secret.

He‗ll pay you back tomorrow.

We won‘t forget your birthday.

Use “will” for offers:

I‗ll buy you a drink.

My secretary will help you with the paperwork.

Use “will” for #decisions made in that moment:

―Would you like potatoes or rice?‖ ―I‗ll have the rice.‖

‖Which shirt do you like?‖ ―Well, the red one is cheaper, but I prefer the color blue. I‗ll take the blue one.‖

You can use either “will/won‟t” or “going to” for predictions or general statements about the future:

My company‗s going to move its headquarters overseas next year. My company will move its headquarters
overseas next year.

Your wife will love those flowers – they‘re beautiful! Your wife‘s going to love those flowers – they‘re
beautiful!

The economy isn‘t going to improve much this year. The economy won‘t improve much this year.

He won‘t pass the test. He hasn‘t studied at all. He‘s not going to pass the test. He hasn‘t studied at all.

Use I think… will and I don‘t think… will to express thoughts about the future.

Don‘t use I think… won‘t. (it doesn‘t sound natural).

• I think you won‘t like this movie. It‘s very violent.

• I don‘t think you‘ll like this movie. It‘s very violent.

 Linking Words: #Reasons and Results

 Formal Situations
 If I could explain ………….
 The main reason is that ……………
 I believe he‟s fully justified in supporting ………..
 Informal Situations
  The simple reason is that ………..
 The point is ………..
 Your father has a point in asking you …………
 Well, the thing is ………….

Linking words help you connect the ideas in a sentence. In this lesson, you‘ll learn some common linking
words to express reasons and results.

Linking Words: Reasons:

Because / Because of

The difference between these two words is that because is followed by a subject + verb, and because of is
followed by a noun:

• The game was cancelled because of the rain.

• The game was cancelled because it was raining.

Due to / Owing to

Due to and owing to are also followed by a noun. These words are a little more formal.

There‘s a lot of traffic today due to the upcoming holiday. (holiday = noun)

The after-school program was canceled owing to lack of interest from the students. (lack = noun)

Due to the fact that / Owing to the fact that

Use these phrases before a subject + verb. Again, these phrases are a little more formal.

Many people are still unemployed due to the fact that the economic recovery has been slower than
anticipated.

The publisher rejected the author‘s latest work owing to the fact that the manuscript was full of errors.

Since / As

Since and as are more informal, and they are followed by a subject + verb.

• I‘m going to bed at 10 PM since I need to get up early tomorrow.

• I didn‘t go to the gym today, as I had a lot of homework to do.

Linking Words: Results

Therefore / Consequently / As a result

These words are more formal, and are more commonly used in written English.

Our company‘s profits have increased 150% in the past year. Therefore, we‘re going to invest in new
equipment and training programs.

The tennis player had knee surgery mid-October; consequently, she took the rest of the season off.

There have been heavy rains throughout the interior of the state. As a result, several areas have
experienced flooding.
 So

―So‖ is more informal, and more commonly used in spoken English.

We were hungry, so we stopped at a cafe for a snack.

for example / for instance

Use these words to give one example of the idea you are talking about. Both of these expressions
can go at the beginning or the end of a sentence.

There are a number of problems in this school. For example, many of the classrooms don‘t have
audiovisual equipment.

She has a lot of good ideas for our business – opening an online store, for instance.

Written English: i.e. and e.g

In written English, we can use i.e. to give further explanation or clarification; it means ―that is‖ or ―in
other words.‖

Our last marketing campaign failed (i.e. we spent $50,000 and didn‘t make many sales).

We can use e.g. to give examples; it means ―for example‖

I enjoy radical sports (e.g. rock climbing, hang gliding, and windsurfing).

In formal writing, these expressions always appear inside parentheses

namely / such as

There is a difference between namely and such as.

Namely is followed by ALL of the examples you referred to, but such as gives only one or some of
the examples, not all of them.

A few of the students – namely Brian, Thomas, and Jack – failed the course.

A few of the students, such as Brian, failed the course.

also / too

Also can go in the middle of a sentence, whereas too is typically used at the end.

We did a lot of sightseeing on our vacation. We also bought a number of souvenirs.

We did a lot of sightseeing on our vacation. We bought a number of souvenirs, too.

as well / as well as

As well goes at the end of the sentence (similarly to too). As well as must be followed by another
word.

• She‘s not only extremely successful, she‘s beautiful as well.

• She‘s beautiful as well as being extremely successful.

 in addition / moreover / furthermore

These linking words are usually used at the beginning of a sentence to add another idea or further
develop the previous point.

People who exercise regularly have more energy during the day and sleep better at night. In
addition, they tend to live longer.

Construction on the new subway has been delayed for months due to budget shortfalls. Moreover,
the workers are threatening to go on strike.

Our sales are expected to rise 30% in the next year. Furthermore, purchase of new equipment will
help cut manufacturing costs and increase profits.

Organizing and Ordering Information

Firstly / Secondly

When you are going to make a series of points, you can use firstly and secondly for the first and
second points. After that, you can use ―The third point,‖ ‖The fourth point,‖ etc. or ―in addition.‖

Lastly / Finally

For your final point, you can begin the sentence with lastly or finally. These words show your
audience that you are almost finished.

the former / the latter

You can use these words to refer back to two examples previously mentioned:

Our company has two factories: one in Detroit and one in Atlanta. The former is operating at 95%
capacity and the latter at 65%.

In this case, ―the former‖ = the factory in Detroit, and ―the latter‖ = the factory in Atlanta.

Summarizing Information

Here are some English phrases you can use to give a summary of the information you have already
said or written. In general, these phrases go at the beginning of the sentence and are followed by a
comma.

• In short,

• In summary,

• To summarize,

• In conclusion,

• In a nutshell,

Linking Words: Contrasting Ideas

But / However

But is more informal than however. You can use however at the beginning of a sentence, but you can‘t use
but at the beginning of a sentence (in written English).
I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy for me.

I tried to lift the box. However, it was too heavy for me.

Although / Even though

These linking words are the same, and they are both followed by a subject + verb.

Although I exercise every day, I can‘t seem to lose any weight.

She still loves him, even though he treated her very badly.

Despite / In spite of

These linking words are the same, and they are followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form of the verb, which
can function as a noun).

Our plane arrived on time in spite of the delay during takeoff.

We won the game despite having two fewer players.

Despite the fact that / in spite of the fact that

These phrases are followed by a subject + verb.

They arrived on time in spite of the fact that they left an hour late.

We won the game despite the fact that we had two fewer players.

While / Whereas / Unlike

These linking words are used to make contrasts. While and whereas are usually used between two complete
phrases. Unlike is typically used with only a subject.

I like tennis, while my brother prefers bowling.

It seems like the weather will get colder today.

While…

While I studied, he listened to music.

While your father is gone, let‘s clean the house.

We can talk while I drive.

Take a shower while I cook some dinner.

SOME PROBLEM WORDS

accept, except:

to accept = to receive; He accepted the book even though it was damaged.

to except = to exclude; I will except payment for the damaged book.

adapt, adopt:

to adapt = to become accustomed; She adapted well to the hot climate.

to adopt = to take as one's own; They adopted the baby after his parents died.

adverse, averse:

adverse = unfavorable; His response to the suggestion was adverse.

averse = opposed; He was averse to the suggestion.

affect, effect:

to affect = to influence; He wanted to affect change in the school.

effect = the result; The effect of the change will be important to the school.

all ready, already:

all ready = completely prepared; I was all ready to take my exam.

already = previously; I had already studied for the exam.

all together, altogether:

all together = everyone gathered; They will be all together at the airport.

altogether = entirely; It is altogether possible that the plane will be late.

allusion, illusion:

allusion = reference; They made allusion to the emergency.

illusion = false impression; The smoke gave the illusion of a serious accident.

anyone, any one:

anyone = any person at all; Anyone who was waiting over there may go in.

any one = a particular person in a group; Any one with a ticket may go in.

beside, besides:

beside = at the side of; He was standing beside the house.

besides = except; He took everything besides the things inside the house.

capital, capitol:

capital = city or wealth; Washington, D.C. is the United States' capital.

There is enough capital on hand to finish the project.

capitol = government building; The capitol is in Washington, D.C.

censor, censure:

to censor = to remove; The school librarian censored the book.

to censure = to criticize; The librarian censured the students for talking.

coarse, course:

coarse = rough; The road is covered with coarse rocks.

course = a study; The course will include everything to the advanced level.

complement, compliment:

to complement = to go with; That hat will complement her new coat.

to compliment = to flatter; I complimented her on her hat.

conscience, conscious:

conscience = moral principle; His conscience bothered him after he said it.

conscious = aware; He was conscious of his mistake.

continual, continuous:

continual = repeated regularly; The noise was continual throughout the day.

continuous = extended without interruption; It was a continuous problem.

elicit, illicit:

to elicit = to bring out; The police officer finally elicited the truth from him.

illicit = unlawful or immoral; He sold illicit drugs before.

emigrate, immigrate:

to emigrate = to leave a country; Their entire family emigrated from Russia.

to immigrate = to enter a country; Three of the brothers immigrated to the U.S.

eminent, imminent:

eminent = outstanding; The symphony's performance was eminent.

imminent = about to happen; The conductor's entrance was imminent.

everyone, every one:

everyone = unspecified number of people; Everyone was waiting.

every one = each individual; Every one will need a ticket to enter.

farther, further:

farther = distance; The house you are looking for is farther from here.

further = quantity or degree; It is still further up the road.

imply, infer:

to imply = to suggest; The author implied that his book was finished.
 to infer = to conclude; We can infer that it will be another good book.

in, into

in = location; The house is in that direction.

into = direction; We walked into the house together. Other sentence making

Complete the following sentences with "with my husband."

I leave (I leave with my husband.) / He leaves (He leaves with my husband.) / You leave (You leave with my
husband.) / We leave (We leave with my husband.) / They leave (They leave with my husband.)

▬ Complete the following sentences with "with my wife."

I left (I left with my wife.) / She left (She left with my wife.) / You left (You left with my wife.) / We left (We
left with my wife.) / They left (They left with my wife.)

Complete the following sentences with "from the book."

I teach (I teach from the book.) / He teaches (He teaches from the book.) / You teach (You teach from the
book.) / We teach (We teach from the book.) / They teach (They teach from the book.)

Complete the following sentences with "about the hospital."

I taught (I taught about the hospital.) / She taught (She taught about the hospital.) / You taught (You taught
about the hospital.) / We taught (We taught about the hospital.) / They taught (They taught about the hospital.)

▬ Complete the following sentences with "every day."

I will teach (I will teach every day.) / She will teach (She will teach every day.) / You will teach (You will teach
every day.) / We will teach (We will teach every day.) / They will teach (They will teach every day.)

Complete the following sentences with, "like I (or another person) was sick."

I sounded (I sounded like I was sick.) / She sounded (She sounded like she was sick.) / You sounded (You
sounded like you were sick.) / We sounded (We sounded like we were sick.) / They sounded (They sounded like they
were sick.)

Complete the following sentences with "to ask them."

I frequently forget (I frequently forget to ask them.) / She frequently forgets (She frequently forgets to ask
them.) / You frequently forget (You frequently forget to ask them.) / We frequently forget (We frequently forget to ask
them.) / They frequently forget (They frequently forget to ask them.)

▬ Complete the following sentences with "to wait for the bus."

I forgot (I forgot to wait for the bus.) / She forgot (She forgot to wait for the bus.) / You forgot (You forgot
to wait for the bus.) / We forgot (We forgot to wait for the bus.) / They forgot (They forgot to wait for the bus.)

Complete the following sentences with "them here after work."

I always met (I always met them here after work.) / She always met (She always met them here after work.) /
You always met (You always met them here after work.) / We always met (We always met them here after work.) /
They always met (They always met them here after work.)

Complete the following sentences with "first."

I never speak (I never speak first.) / He never speaks (He never speaks first.) / You never speak (You never
speak first.) / We never speak (We never speak first.) / They never speak (They never speak first.)

Complete the following sentences with "unless we must leave."

I will speak (I will speak unless we must leave.) / She will speak (She will speak unless we must leave.) / You
will speak (You will speak unless we must leave.) / We will speak (We will speak unless we must leave.) /
They will speak (They will speak unless we must leave.)

Answer each sentence with "I don't think I (or another person) will. But I (or the other person) might ."

Will you go tomorrow?

(I don't think I will. But I might go tomorrow.) I don't think I will. But I might go tomorrow. (I don't think I will. But
I might go

Will she talk about the emergency?

(I don't think she will. But she might talk about the emergency.) I don't think she will. But she might talk about
the emergency. (I don't think she will. But she might talk about the emergency.)

Did he find everything himself?

(No, he didn't find everything himself.)

\ lie, lay:

to lie = to recline or rest; Go ahead and lie down on the bed.

to lay = to put or place; You may lay your things over there.

loose, lose:

loose = not securely fastened; The money in his pocket was loose.

to lose = to misplace; If you are not careful, you will lose your money.

maybe, may be:

maybe = possibly; Maybe I can find another book if I hurry.

may be = might be; That may be the book you are looking for.

precede, proceed:

to precede = to come before; Her part in the play preceded the music.

to proceed = to go forward; They proceeded with the play even though it was late.

principal, principle:

principal = head of a school; The principal spoke to the students yesterday.

principle = a basic truth; He suggested that fairness be a principle of all behavior.

raise, rise:

to raise = to move upward; He raised the flag at sunrise.

to rise = to go up; You will need to rise early to see the sunrise.

respectfully, respectively:

respectfully = showing respect; The children respectfully helped their parents.

respectively = each in the order given; Their father and mother died respectively.

set, sit:

to set = to put or place; They set the plates on the table.

to sit = to be seated; They will sit at the table when they eat.

sometime, some time, sometimes:

sometime = at an unstated time; I will be here sometime before noon.

some time = a period of time; It was some time before she finally arrived.

sometimes = now and then; They sometimes arrive early.

there, their, they're:

there = place; Why don't you set the books there on the table?

their = ownership; They will want to get their books from off the table.

they're = they are; They're supposed to have their own books.

weather, whether:

weather = climate; I think the weather will be nice tomorrow.

whether = choice; Decide tomorrow whether or not you want to come.

your, you're:

your = ownership; I think this is your coat.

you're = you are; You're not leaving your coat there, are you?

Did he find everything himself?

(No, he didn't find everything himself.)

Do you come together?

(No, we don't come together.)

Complete the following sentences with "it to be a worthy plan."

I consider (I consider it to be a worthy plan.) / I considered (I considered it to be a worthy plan.) / I will

consider (I will consider it to be a worthy plan.)

Complete the following sentences with "it for your sake.

" We consider (We consider it for your sake.) / We considered (We considered it for your sake.) / We will
consider (We will consider it for your sake.)
 ( #Interview ) ( #Job )

Interview
(Please note that each double quoted “ “ paragraphs are different to the next and
may not be suitable for your profile, You don‟t need to memorize all these but to read it just
to get the idea of sentences and use it as a hint and try to apply in your profile according to
your achievements.)

Tell me something about yourself.

( Sometimes as “Run me through your CV/ Resume” )

Start with your name→ Give your place information→ Highest qualification (Academic + Technical (if
any))→ Hobbies→ Family details in short→ Experience→ Job Experience (for experienced applicant)
.

 * I am ____ /My name is ___

 I am from / I belong to / I am a native of / I have been born and bought up in the city
of pearls, Hyderabad... I am native of commercial capital of India, Mumbai etc

 Highest qualification→ I am graduated/ or my highest qualification/ or I have recently

done _______

 Hobbies→ I have couple of hobbies. If I talk about my hobby→ If I mention about

my hobby
 I am fond of / I love reading books
 Family → ―so far my family background is concerned.. If i talk about my family... in
my family... coming to my family background‖
 I am quite good in computers/programming/
 And I am carrying an experience of ___
 I have experience of

(* Please remember that if the interviewer initially pronounced your name or call you
with your name and your cv is in his hand and then he asked you to introduce
yourself then you don‟t need to say your name while answering “Tell me about
yourself/ give me your introduction because he already knows your name and if you
again pronounce, it sounds awkward)

or

 "I‘m an easy going person that works well with everyone. I enjoy being around different types
of people and I like to always challenge myself to improve at everything I do."

 "I‘m a hard worker and I like to take on a variety of challenges. I like pets, and in my spare
time, I like to relax and read the newspaper."

 "I‘ve always liked being balanced. When I work, I want to work hard. And outside of work, I
like to engage in my personal activities such as golfing and fishing."

 I went to the University of Washington and majored in English Literature. I went to graduate
school because I really enjoyed learning. Afterwards, I started my career at Boeing as a web
content editor. I‘ve been there for 3 years now. Although my emphasis is in writing, I like
 numbers. I think solving logic problems and riddles are quite fun. I also enjoy jogging, reading,
and watching movies."
(related to customer service)
 "I have been in the customer service industry for the past four years. My most recent
experience has been face to face consulting in the IT industry. One reason I particularly enjoy
this business is the opportunity to connect with people. In my last job I formed some
significant customer relationships resulting in a 20 percent increase in sales in a matter of
months. What I am looking for now is a company that values customer relations where I can
join a strong team and have a positive impact on customer retention and sales."

 "I graduated from University X and since then, I have been working in public relations with an
agency where I have generated millions of PR hits for my clients. While I've enjoyed working
on the agency side, I'm looking to expand my horizons and start doing PR for corporate
companies such as this one."

What are your #strengths?"

 ―My strongest trait is attention to detail, I totally believe in planning and execution, in fact even
when I was in college, I used to really organise my week and many people because of my
outgoing nature many people have said I am quite approachable so believe these are my
strengths‖
 Communication skills is one of my strengths as I work well with different kind of people and
understand different perspective of everyone. Apart from that I am determined (means having
made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it.), hard worker and active team
player.
 I believe my strongest trait is my attention to detail. This trait has helped me tremendously in
this field of work."
 "I've always been a great team player. I'm good at keeping a team together and producing
quality work in a team environment."
 "After having worked for a couple of years, I realized my strength is accomplishing a large
amount of work within a short period of time. I get things done on time and my manager
always appreciated it."
 "My strongest trait is in customer service. I listen and pay close attention to my customer's
needs and I make sure they are more than satisfied."
Let's say I am interviewing for a management position. You should mention traits that are
important for managers.
 "A couple strengths I have are planning and execution, and working with people. I've always
been very good at planning and detailing all the steps. Even in college, I would spend time
organizing my week and planning a strategy to tackle each class or assignment. Executing a
plan has always come easy for me as well. I believe it's due to proper planning. I also work
with people very well in a way where I use the strengths of each individual in a team to
produce the best results. Because of my easy going personality, I've been told by my directs
that it's easy to approach me."

If you are applying for an accounting position, you should mention strong traits an accountant should
have and claim them to be yours.

 "I'm very detail oriented, good at managing time, and very honest. I always incorporate
managing time and being detailed together. By nature I've been detail oriented, and that
resulted in taking too much time on a particular task. After incorporating time management
into the mix, I found that my work and efficiency increased dramatically. I plan better and
produce higher quality work in a time constraint environment. Finally, I'm a very honest
person. When I was working as a valet attendant during college, a lady gave me a twenty
 dollar bill to pay for the three dollar fee. She almost drove off the lot, but I stopped her and
said here is your change. My co-workers said I should have considered the change as tip,
but I know what I did was honest and right. You can fool other people, but you can't fool
yourself. That's what I believe."
The second example can seem a little wordy. But the power of an example is greater than
any great words you can string together. Everyone can claim they are honest, but with an
example, it is much more believable.
 "My ability to get along with people has always been a great strength. It is something the I am
proud of personally and professionally."
 Try to add some points in your answers... like Adaptable, Hardworking, Honest, Flexible,
Optimistic, Fast Decision Maker, Persistence (means regular/continual in decisions in spite
of difficulty), Self Motivated.

What are your #weaknesses?

 ―well I think my weakness is I am way to detail oriented, I try to accomplish everything and I
just want everything to be perfect but then I realise that I am losing out on time. So may be
that makes me submitting these projects pretty late. So i think that is one my weaknesses‖
 "This might be bad, but in college I found that I procrastinated a lot. Now I am improving and
becoming more organised by using to-do lists and reminders ―
 "I feel my weakness is not being detail oriented enough. I'm a person that wants to
accomplish as much as possible. I realized this hurts the quality and I'm currently working on
finding a balance between quantity and quality.‖
 "I feel my English ability is my weakest trait. I know this is only a temporary problem. I'm
definitely studying hard to communicate more effectively."
 "The weakest trait I struggled with was not asking for help. I always try to solve my own
problems instead of asking a co-worker who might know the answer. This would save me
more time and I would be more efficient. I'm working on knowing when it would be beneficial
to ask for help.‖
 ―I‘ve never been very comfortable with public speaking – which as you know, can be a
hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous employer if I
could enroll in a speech workshop. He said ―yes.‖ I took the class, and was able to overcome
my lifelong fear. Since then, I‘ve given lots of presentations to audiences of over a 100 high
level executives – I still don‘t love it, but no one else can tell!‖
 "I think my weakest trait is my impatience. Whenever I work in a team and a member is not
performing up to my expectations, I can get impatient and annoyed. I understand if they are
working hard and their portion is difficult, but sometimes a person can't do the assignment
due to incompetence or laziness. A while back I would get frustrated and start complaining,
but I realized that I can help out by explaining things to some people and encouraging lazy
people by reminding them of deadlines. I know it's bad to be impatient, but I'm definitely
working on it."

 "I'm too detail oriented. I never want to leave anything out and I want everything to be
perfect. This is bad because it slows down my work. Initially, I tried to work faster to
compensate, but that only made me sloppy. So I decided to put more emphasis on priority
and planning. By doing so, I'm hoping that I can make the proper decisions on what to work
on and what to intentionally leave out."

What is your biggest weakness that's really a weakness, and not a secret strength?

 I am extremely impatient. I expect my employees to prove themselves on the very first

assignment. If they fail, my tendency is to stop delegating to them and start doing everything
 myself. To compensate for my own weakness, however, I have started to really prep my
people on exactly what will be expected of them.

What are your short term #goals?

 "My short term goal is to find a position where I can use the knowledge and strengths that I
have. I want to partake in the growth and success of the company I work for."
 "I've learned the basics of marketing during my first two years. I want to take the next step by
taking on challenging projects. My short term goal is to grow as a marketing analyst."
 "As a program manager, it's important to understand all areas of the project. Although I have
the technical abilities to be successful in my job, I want to learn different software applications
that might help in work efficiency."
 "My goal is to always perform at an exceptional level. But a short term goal I have set for
myself is to implement a process that increases work efficiency."
 "My short term goal is to learn everything I can about marketing. I want to find a position
where I can contribute what I've learned through education and to gain real life experience. I
believe the next couple of years will be very important to me and my immediate goal is to
learn and become skilled in all aspects of marketing."
 "My short term goal is to get into a management position. The last five years of my career,
I've concentrated on learning and acquiring all the skills needed to perform excellent work.
Recently, I've taken more responsibilities in management because I eventually want to
become a sales manager. I'm excited about the last few assignments I completed because it
involved working with vendors and partners while managing a small group of workers. So I
hope to be in a management position within a year or two and I feel I'm doing a diligent job by
volunteering for extra work to gain more experience."

The first example is a person straight out of school. Learning is a good short term goal to have
because it shows that you will be trying hard in your job. The second example is more detailed
because that person has several years of experience. Anybody can say they want a management
position, but this candidate is taking it a step further by showing the steps he is taking to achieve the
short term goal. Thus, it becomes a stronger answer.

What are your long term #goals?

 "I would like to become a director or higher. This might be a little ambitious, but I know I'm
smart, and I'm willing to work hard."
 "After a successful career, I would love to write a book on office efficiency. I think working
smart is important and I have many ideas. So after gaining more experience, I'm going to try
to write a book."
 "I've always loved to teach. I like to grow newer employees and help co-workers where ever I
can. So in the future, I would love to be an instructor."
 "I want to become a valued employee of a company. I want to make a difference and I'm
willing to work hard to achieve this goal. I don't want a regular career, I want a special career
that I can be proud of."
 "My long term goal is to become a partner for a consulting firm. I know the hard work
involved in achieving this goal, and I know that many people fail to become a partner. That's
not going to stop me from working hard, learning everything I can, and contributing to a
company where I'll become a valuable asset. I know it's not a guarantee, but becoming a
partner is a long term goal of mine, and I going to work towards this goal throughout my
career."

What do you want to be doing five years from now?. Or

Where do you see yourself in #five years? #5
 ―Well from years from now, I think i would like to be in a management position, till then I would
like to gain practical experience and then eventually become a manager. Of course I would
like to share and also learn a lot of new things from my team members‖
 ―In five years I‘d like to have an even better understanding of this industry. Also, I really love
working with people. Ultimately, I‘d like to be in some type of managerial role at this
company, where I can use my people skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people
working for me, and the company as a whole.".
 My first and foremost aim is learn new skills and enhance my personality, Five years down
that line, I see myself at senior positions while taking more responisibilities
 "In five years, I see myself as a valued employee of a company. I want to be an expert at my
position and start training to be a manager."
 "In five years, I want to be a senior analyst. I want my expertise to directly impact the
company in a positive way."
 "My goal is to become a lead in five years. Although not everyone gets promoted to this
level, I believe I can achieve this goal through hard work."
 "Although I really enjoy working hands on as a mechanical engineer, I want to eventually
become a manager. I want to continue gaining experience, and after learning many different
aspects, I see myself in management."
 "Five years from now, I would like to see myself in a management position. I'm going to be
learning and gaining practical experience until then, but eventually, I want to become a
marketing manager. I know there are a lot of things to learn, but I'm going to be working hard
for the next five years. I believe opportunities come to great workers and I'm going to try to
be one of them."
 "Five years from now, I want to be a senior sales manager. I'm currently training to become a
manager, and if I continue to work hard, I feel I'll have a management position soon. After
gaining several years of experience as a sales manager, I want to be in a position where I
can train and provide my expertise to newer sales managers."

Both answers display characteristics of working hard. The second example also mentions
that he or she wants to train newer managers. This is a good answer because it targets one
good trait about upper management... the ability to train managers.

Can you describe your #dream job?

 This is my dream job and that's why I approached you about it in the first place. I am excited
about the prospect of helping your promotion agency upgrade and fine tune your loyalty
programs.

What does #success mean to you?

 "To me, success means to have a goal, plan the steps to achieve the goal, implement the
plan, and finally achieve the goal."
 "Success means to achieve a goal I have set for myself."
 "Success means to produce high quality work before the deadline."
 "Success to me is knowing that my contributions positively impacted my company."
 "Success to me means completing a task and when looking back, thinking I couldn't have
done it better. To succeed is to complete a task or assignment on time in an excellent
manner. But that's only half of it. The results should be good and the people involved should
gain a valuable lesson or experience. For example, if it was a group project, and only two
people out of four really did the work, I wouldn't call that success. If everyone participated
and worked together providing a valuable deliverable then it's a success. So I think both the
result and the process should be great to call something a success."
 This answer is showing that you believe in delivering great quality work. Moreover, it is
implying how much you value team work. If you value teamwork highly, then it is safe to
assume that you would make a great team player.

What does #failure mean to you?

 "Failure is when I do not reach my goal."

 "I think to fail at something is making a mistake and not learning anything from it."
 "To me, failure means to have a goal and not do anything about it."
 "I think failure is not reaching your potential. If you do not use the resources you have and
the resources around you, that's failure because the work or goal could have been done
better."
 "I think it's harder to fail than it is to succeed. The reason is, if you fail in a project, you can
learn a valuable lesson from your mistake. Learning from the mistake will allow you to
improve future projects, or to simply not repeat them. Just because I believe this, doesn't
mean I believe it's acceptable to fail at a project, but just in case, I would try to learn
everything I can... even when the end result wasn't that good. So, failure to me means
making a mistake and having learned nothing from it."

What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?

Bad answer↓

o I never finished law school – and everything that‘s happened since has taught me
that giving up, just because the going gets tough, is a huge mistake.‖

You don‘t want to actually highlight a major regret – especially one that exposes an overall
dissatisfaction with your life. Instead, focus on a smaller, but significant, mishap, and how it has made
you a better professional.

Good answer ↓

 ―When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn‘t take it very
seriously, and assumed that, compared to my Engineering classes, it would be a walk in the
park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I‘d even jeopardized my scholarship
status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it,
ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I‘m doing, I should
strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it‘s not worth doing at all.‖
 ―While compiling one of our project report in college, I assumed and misunderstood
instructions of my team leader which led to delay in completion. So to avoid any such time
and energy waste in future, I took a lesson that instead of assuming, its always better to ask
questions and clarify‖.

Are you an ‟ organised‟ person? (* means able to plan one's activities efficiently.)

 "I'm a very organized person. I like to know exactly what I'm going to do for the day and the
week. So I outline my tasks and organize my work load. By doing so, I can organize my time
and work better."
 "I believe I'm very organized. I like to organize my work by priority and deadlines. I do this so
I can produce the highest quality work in the amount of time I have."
 "I think I'm quite organized. I like my documents and papers in a way where I can retrieve
them quickly. I also organize my work in a way where it's easy to see exactly what I'm doing."
  "Organization has always come easy to me. I naturally organize things like my desk, time,
assignments, and work without thinking about them. This helps me tremendously during
times when I'm approaching a deadline."
 "I'm actually a very organized person. It's funny that you mention this because just the other
day, my roommate wanted to borrow my suitcase and saw my closet. He made fun of me for
organizing my clothes by length and color. I'm like that with everything. It's just so much
easier to manage things. However, I'm not picky and don't need to have things in a certain
way. I just want things to be organized. So yes, I consider myself organized."

What kind of people you find difficult to work with?

―Though I am flexible with all sorts of people as I believe everyone has his or her own way of
perceiving things. At times, people who do not stay by their commitments are tough to deal with, but I
always try to find ways to ensure that deadlines are met without any personal disagreement‖.

In what ways are you organized and disorganized?

 "I'm very organized with my time and work, but my desk is a little disorganized."
 "Since I work with many files, I like to keep my desk organized. I always have everything in a
certain place so I can find things easier. The area I'm disorganized is probably my computer
desktop. I usually have so many icons everywhere. I should organize it a little, but I've never
needed to."
 "I organize my schedule the best. I'm used to many meetings so it's important for me to be
organized with my schedule and time. The area I need to improve is probably my file cabinet.
I started to sort things alphabetically, but when I'm busy, I start putting things in there. It
started getting hard to find things, but this is something I'm going to fix."
 "Oh... that's a good question. Well, I'm organized in almost everything I do. I'm very
organized with my schedule and time. I like to work efficiently, and being organized with my
time helps me. The area I feel I'm disorganized is probably my desk. I like to work fast and
don't keep my desk area as tidy as some people I know. This however doesn't prevent me
from doing my job well. You know some people can have files and paper all over their desk
but some how know exactly where everything is located. I think I'm one of those people.
However, if I know I'm having a client or a guest, then I would definitely make things more
tidy."

Do you manage your time well?

 "I know I manage my time well because I'm never late to work, and I've never missed a
deadline."
 "I'm good at managing my time. I stay busy both at home and at work and being able to
manage my time is necessary for me to do everything that I want to do."
 "I manage my time well by planning out what I have to do for the whole week. It keeps me on
track and evens helps me to be more efficient."
 "Managing my time is one of my strong traits. I prioritize my tasks and this allows me to stay
ahead of schedule. Each day I manage my time so I can achieve more than I set out to do.
So managing my time in a goal oriented way is what I feel very comfortable doing."

What do you know about our #company or what do you know about us?

Research the company and its business a bit before appearing for the interview. Also, find out
a bit about the technologies they work upon. You don‘t need to know everything inside out but
having a fair idea about the company makes you appear interested in the position, to be taken
seriously.
 ―I always wanted to work with a company which recognises talent, as I want to grow and
contribute towards the growth of company with my technical and organisational skills. Looking
at the growth trend of your company from the past_____years, it will be an honour to work
with such an organisation‖.

How do you handle #change?

 Well of course I can handle a change because in my previous company on of our bosses had
to quit and there was a new boss who came in and he had completely change a strategy of
project. So of course I am very flexible and hardworking too so we managed it with our team
efforts and definitely the results were pretty good
 "I'm good at dealing with change because I'm a quick thinker. If new information makes us
change our marketing strategy for example, I'll be quick to analyze the information and create
a plan to make the changes."
 "I've experienced many changes previously. I handle the situation by quickly coming up to
speed on the changes and applying myself to make them a success."
 "I'm good at dealing with change because I'm flexible with my work and abilities. I'm not
afraid of learning new and difficult things. Whenever I'm faced with a change, I'll put in extra
effort to make the change a smooth transition."
 "I handle changes smoothly. Whenever there's a change of any sort, I analyze the situation
and I always try to find ways I can contribute to the change in a positive way."
 "I believe dealing with change is a requirement in the workplace. The mission statement can
change to introduce a new market segment, or the company might need to change direction.
Whatever it is, as a member of this team, I would be expected to do my share by absorbing
the new information, analyzing it thoroughly, sharing my ideas, and really being a valued team
member. Dealing with change is a necessary trait. I think I'm also good at anticipating
change by being attentive and observant."

Overall, this is a good answer. The last statement is a bold statement of being able to anticipate
change. If the interviewer is impressed, they might follow up by asking for an example of how you
anticipate change.

What do you do when you're having difficulty solving a problem?

 "I usually take a short break. I found that this helps me think clearer and often times I end up
solving the problem."
 "I break down the problem piece by piece and try and solve difficult problems step by step.
This approach helps me not to get overwhelmed by difficult problems."
 "I always do my best solving difficult problems. If I have trouble, I'll use resources around me
such as looking through the Internet, asking co-workers, asking my manager, or looking
through some books."
 "There are couple things I do when I'm having a problem. Sometimes I try to focus so hard
that I miss a point that would help me solve the problem. So I take a 2 minute break to help
me approach the problem in a different way. I could either go get a drink of water, or stand up
and move around. I find that this helps me at times. But if I still continue to have problems, I
don't mind asking a co-worker for some assistance. I believe in using all the resources
around me and I think co-workers should use me as a resource as well."

What do you do when you have a problem with your #boss?

 "I'm very open with my manager. I feel it's important that my manager knows about how I
feel. I always start a conversation and try and solve our differences through professional
conversation."
 "When I have a problem with my boss, I don't like to keep it bottled up. I want to resolve
problems so I can work efficiently without distractions. So I always talk to my manager about
the problems that I have openly."
 "I deal with different types of people very well, but if I have a problem that affects my work, I
will openly tell my manager and the reason why it's bothering me."

What do you do when you have a problem with a co-worker?

 "If I have a problem with a co-worker, I believe it's so important to talk to them. Even if I'm the
one with the problem, I want to know so I can be a better team mate."
 "If I have a problem, I try to approach my co-worker and let them know as professionally as
possible. If I'm the one with the problem, I'll politely ask what I can do to improve the
relationship. I found that proper communication solves many problems."
 "I've always been told that I'm a great person to work with, but if I were in a situation where I
was having a problem, I believe I would work on our relationship by being more
understanding."
 "Well it all depends on if it's a personality conflict or an issue that is causing the problem. An
issue is easy to deal with. I think I'd go and talk with the co-worker saying something like, 'If
you have some time, I think it will be good for us if we talk about this issue.' Starting a
conversation to deal with the problem with a co-worker is the hardest step, and if it's done
properly, then the issue can easily be resolved. If it is a personality issue, then I would try to
be more understanding and at worst deal with the problem by anticipating conflicts ahead of
time to put myself in a position to either avoid it or to make it less of a problem."

How do you handle #conflict?

 "I treat most conflicts the same. I analyze the conflict and create a list of steps I can take to
resolve it. By thinking about these steps and taking action, I found that most conflicts are
easy to handle."
 "I handle conflicts by analyzing them. I'm a very analytical person and I feel all problems
have a solution. I usually think about the conflict and find ways to deal with it."
 "Whenever I'm confronted with a conflict, I always follow a simple process. I think about what
the current conflict is, think of several ways I can deal with this conflict, and then take the best
action after my analysis."
 "Whenever I have a conflict I have to deal with, I like to follow a simple process. I first identify
the problem causing the conflict, think about solutions or ideas that will solve the problem,
and then try to implement a solution. Although it's very simple, it makes sure that I'm not
panicking, losing my temper or losing control of the situation. And it prevents me from rushing
into a decision that might make the problem worse."

From your resume, it looks like you were fired twice. How did that make you feel?

 ―After I recuperated from the shock both times, it made me feel stronger. It's true that I was
fired twice, but I managed to bounce back both times and land jobs that gave me more
responsibility, paid me more money, and were at better firms‖.

How do you make important decisions?

 ―Well handling decision is definitely considered to be a little difficult but I am sure I can do it
my experience. I would rely on my experience. I would also way on the pros and cons. Of
 course I would also take some advice from my team members and I am sure that would help
me to come on a decision we will also look at the consequences of the decision, so definitely I
can go ahead and make decisions.‖
 "I make important decisions by examining all the details and then weighing the pro's and
con's for each decision."
 "I gather all the information I can find and based on the information, I'll come to the best
decision I can. If I know a co-worker was in a similar situation, I wouldn't hesitate to find out
the results to make sure my decision is the best one."
 "I believe all decisions should be made by having all the information. If you are missing an
important detail, it's easy to make a bad decision. So I make important decisions by having
all of the information."
 "Important decisions are made by knowledge through information and wisdom through
experience. I'll gather all the information I can find and then apply my experience while
analyzing the information. With this combination, I'm confident I'll make the correct important
decisions."
 "I think all decisions are important, and having as much information about the decision is one
of the most important aspects. After examining all the facts, I would think about the outcome
and consequences of each action and after weighing the pro's and con's, I would come to the
best decision possible. However, I'm aware that some decisions are not as black and white.
In this situation, I would rely on my experience, or even work with my team members to come
up with the best decision."

Do you work well under #pressure?

 ―Well definitely, working under pressure or without pressure works just the same for me. In
fact the previous company that I was working there was a project that was given to us which
had to be completed in four days which usually takes 10 days and the whole team was like so
stressed out , the panicked and they just don‘t know what to do but then I ensured that they
settled down, we prioritised our work and in fact in a very organised manner we completed
the project. Of course we also worked late nights but that definitely helped to our project in
____ days so i think working under pressure is not too bad for me.‖

 ―In most cases, the best answer to this question is answering yes. Working well under
pressure is a good trait to have. However, I think if you answer that you work the same with
pressure and without pressure, the interviewer will be more impressed. However, you will
need to explain in words why this is better. Here are some of my answers.‖

 "I work well under pressure because I use the pressure to help me work more efficiently."
 "I enjoy working under pressure because I believe it helps me grow. In my previous
experience, I always worked well during deadlines, and I always learned how to work more
efficiently afterwards."
 "I work well under pressure because I don't panic. I maintain self control and work as
efficiently as possible. In all my experiences, I did well and I always enjoyed the experience."
 "To tell you the truth, I think I work the same if there's pressure or if there's no pressure. I try
and take out negative emotional factors and work hard regardless of down time or busy time.
I always prioritize and organize my work, and from there, work efficiently. If the situation
involved pressure due to a lack of time, then the only difference in my work would be the extra
time I would need to put in to meet the deadline on time. Since I believe my normal work is
great work, then I suppose I work well under pressure."
 "I have a couple of friends who hate working under pressure. I don't know if it's odd, but I
really enjoy working under pressure. I use the feelings of pressure as a tool to motivate me to
work harder and more efficiently. In my last job, I remember we had a project to complete in
4 days where it usually took 10 days. There was a lot of panic by some team members, but I
 ensured everyone that if we concentrate on the task and work real hard, we can complete the
project. It took a lot of overtime, and the last day we were in the office until two AM, but we
managed to finish. It was hard work, but I really enjoyed that experience."

 "Throughout my career in the IT industry I have always been able to demonstrate a high level
of control even when placed under pressure." For example when employed by ABC
Computer Help there were instances in which I received numerous requests for IT support.
During these busy times was able categorize requests as either 'urgent' or 'non-urgent' and
action them accordingly. I have been able to develop a means of prioritizing tasks so that my
workload remains manageable."

When were you most satisfied in your job?

Bad answer ↓

"I was most satisfied when I did well, and got praised for my work.‖

Don‘t give vague answers. Instead, think about something you did well – and enjoyed –that will be
relevant at this new job. This is an opportunity for you to share your interests, prove that you‘re a
great fit for the job and showcase your enthusiasm.

Good answer ↓

 ―I‘m a people person. I was always happiest – and most satisfied – when I was interacting
with customers, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible
customer experience. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed – I was rated as ―Good
or Excellent‖ 95% of the time. Part of the reason I‘m interested in this job is that I know I‘d
have even more interaction with customers, on an even more critical level."

Are you a risk taker? Or do you like to stay away from risks?

 ―I consider myself to be in the middle, but if I were to choose from my past experience, I
would think I would call myself a careful risk taker."
 "I'm reliable and believe in stability and guarantees. My work will be based on facts without
assumptions or guesses, so I tend to stay away from risks."
 "I think it's important to take some risks. I keep the options open and if the reward justifies the
risks, I would definitely try. So I'm more of a risk taker."
 "I take risks because through planning and working smart, it's possible to reduce some of the
risk. So if there's a reasonable chance of success, I would take the opportunity."

Why should I #hire you?

Bad answer ↓

―I‘m the best candidate for the role.‖

A good answer will reiterate your qualifications, and will highlight what makes you unique.

Good answer ↓

 sir you should hire me because of my attitude, you may find people having more
experience than me, you may find people asking less salary than me, but i'll tell you sir you
won’t find people who can beat my attitude. Moreover if you look at job profile and my
 skillset i see 100% match. I dont see any reason that I should not be selected . In fact sir If
you have any doubt regarding me please ask, I will be more than happy to clarify. I know
that sir I need a chance, just give me that chance, I am going to prove myself. I going to
take this organisation to next level. I am very excited to work on this job profile , work
with this company, work with you and I know that if I will be given a chance, no candidate
will be better than me.
 Since this position involves _____ with customers as well as clients, My passion for ___ is
evident from my choice of learning computer science/ engineering as a career a career. I
have also learnt C, C++, JAVA etc.. my people skills combined with decision making ability
will certainly add value to this position.

 (for experienced )

 I don‘t just have all the qualifications and skills that you need, along with ___ years hands
on experience, but I have genuine interest in this field which drives me to produce work of
the highest standard.

 " i have the skill what it takes to fulfill the requirement for the position of this job,
I'm a perfect fit for this position. I have the experience and the traits you are looking for. On
top of that, I'm a great team player that gets along with everyone."

 As I understand your needs, you are looking for someone who can manage the _______
this is where almost my entire career I have _____ years of experience exactly in this area.
I was managed to do ___, it increased the revenue by __%
―I‘ve been an Executive Assistant for the past ten years – my boss has said time and time
again that without me, the organization would fall apart. I‘ve also taken the time to educate
myself on some of the software I regularly use (but didn‘t really understand the ins and outs
of). I‘m an Excel wiz now, which means I can work faster, and take over some of what my
boss would traditionally have had to do himself. What‘s good enough for most people is
never really good enough for me.‖
 "You should hire me because I'm confident and I'll do the best job. I have a proven track
record of success starting from high school until now. I'm responsible and smart.
 This position requires someone that will work well without supervision. I know how to
manage my time and organize my work well. So, I'm confident I'll be the best candidate for
this position."
 "This position is for a quality assurance manager, I'm confident I'm the best person for this
job because of my past experience. At ABC Software Company, I was in charge of a team
that was responsible for the quality of three different applications. I have intimate
knowledge of quality assurance, product support, and even some creative processes that
will benefit a quality assurance team. I've built a team from scratch and fully understand
the product development cycle. Finally, one of my traits is in developing and mentoring
junior employees. I believe in transferring knowledge to everyone in the company and
investing a little more effort into the people who work for me. So I strongly believe that I'll
be the best candidate due to the combination of my experience, my managerial skills, and
my desire to provide growth in employees."

Or optional
  "The reason I applied for this position is because the qualifications matched my strengths
perfectly. I'm good at juggling multiple tasks, I'm very detail oriented, and I organize my time
very efficiently. But the truth is that many people have these traits. But if I were in your
position, I would hire myself because of the passion I have for this industry, and my optimistic
personality. My education background and my strengths show that I can do this job. But I
want to make more of an impact than just doing my job. I don't want to blend in with the
company, I would rather want my addition to improve it."

Tell me about a time you made a poor decision?

 ―When I was doing an audit for a small company, there was a problem with one of the
accounts. I tried to contact the company to ask questions, but they were not there. I made
the decision to keep looking for the answer. Four hours later, they returned my call and I
realized it was a simple typo. I wasted 4 hours of my day. In this case, I was too sensitive
about detail. So I learned how not to be so detailed and picky."

What did you like least about your last job?

Bad answer ↓

"A lack of stability. I felt like the place could collapse around me at any time.‖

Try and stay away from anything that draws on the politics, culture or financial health of your previous
employer. No matter how true it might be, comments like these will be construed as too negative.
Also, you don‘t want to focus on a function that might be your responsibility in the next role. So think
of something you disliked in your last job, but that you know for sure won‘t be part of this new role.

Good answer ↓

 ―There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked
less than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While I do love to
travel, twice a month was a little exhausting – I didn‘t like spending quite so much time out of
the office. I‘m happy to see that this role involves a lot less travel.‖

What motivates you? (* Motivates means a reason or an inspiration for

doing something particular, „Hausal Afzaai‟)

Bad answer ↓

"Doing a good job and being rewarded for it.‖

It‘s not that this answer is wrong – it‘s just that it wastes an opportunity. This question is practically
begging you to highlight your positive attributes. So don‘t give a vague, generic response – it tells
them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an opportunity to give the interviewer
some insight into your character, and use examples where possible.

Good answer ↓

 ―I‘ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a tough deadline – in my last role, I
was responsible for a 100% success rate in terms of delivering our products on time and
within budget. I know that this job is very fastpaced and deadline-driven – I‘m more than up
for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.‖

Are you a team player?

Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide
behavioral examples to back up your answer.
  A sample answer : Yes, Im very much a team player. In fact, I‘ve had opportunities in my
work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent
project ...(blah blah ....your previous activities)

During your performance reviews, what criticism do you hear the most?

 "I heard that I need to be proactive. I always perform at an exceptional level, but I didn't
volunteer for additional work. I wasn't accustomed to it so I'm glad that I received this
criticism. I now practice keeping an eye out for additional projects I can take on."
 "During my review, my manager told me to voice my opinions more frequently. He always
liked my suggestions when I told him, but in group meetings, I usually let my manager speak.
Now, I feel more confident that I can suggest my ideas in groups."

Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?

Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key
is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.

 For example: Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been

disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to

fully understand the other persons perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of

view, then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .(blah blah your previous
activities)

What is your management philosophy?

 "I think management should provide guidance, direction, leadership, and finally set an
example to subordinates."
 "My management philosophy is to provide an environment that leads to productive
employees. I achieve this through conflict management, keeping the morale high, providing
encouragement to low performers, and also rewarding the strong performers."
 "I believe in setting an example. My favorite managers in the past were the ones that worked
smart and efficiently. I learned a great deal and found that leading by example is a strong
way to influence directs to work diligently."
 "Before I was in management, I had many types of managers. I learned a lot from observing
their management styles. I also learned a lot from the bad managers I had. I had a manger
who was never there, another that didn't care, and another that had a phrase similar to, 'do as
I say, not as I do.' So the traits I acquired are from my good managers such as working smart
instead of working long, but the philosophy I always think about is from my bad managers.
So I believe I should lead by example, provide guidance and growth by giving important
feedback, and to be accessible to everyone."

If you want a shorter answer that is to the point, you can consider this one.

 "I believe management should provide guidance for employees to do their job well. This
includes several meanings. First, it means management should provide challenging tasks
related to the job that gives employees experience. This also stretches their abilities and
brings growth. Also, by guiding employees to do their job well, it benefits the company by
having productive employees."

What qualities do you feel a successful #manager should have?

Focus on two words: leadership and vision.

 Here is a sample of how to respond:
 The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership--the ability to be the visionary
for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and direction
for subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of
their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .
 A true manager is someone who can guide and direct an entire team in a result-oriented
business environment. They understand how to motivate, delegate and follow up, to get the
job done. They have a clear perception of what it is that they want and how to deliver it to
meet and exceed expections‖.

Then give an example of someone who has touched your life and how their impact has helped in your
personal development.

Tell me about your last position

 "I was a staff auditor for a small accounting firm. I performed audits for small to medium size
businesses. This involved meeting the clients and retrieving data required to complete the
audit. I worked closely with my supervisor that presented my findings of the audit to the
clients."
 "I worked for a large insurance company as an agent. I made sales to new customers and
provided customer service to existing customers. I worked with three other people in my
group and we helped each other by sharing ideas and experiences."
 "I was a program manager for a manufacturing company. I was in charge of cost analysis
concerning different quantities of manufacturing. I also worked on planning the procedure for
the next deliverables."
 "In my last position, I was a senior auditor. My duties included auditing governmental
businesses and Native American tribes. For all the audits I was conducting, I was the in
charge auditor overseeing the audits of other team members and doing a portion of the audit
myself. I have experience in conducting an audit from beginning to end without supervision
and I worked with controllers and senior accountants on a regular basis. Along with working
with experienced and knowledgeable client's, I also had to work with junior level accountants
that didn't know all the details of auditing. I was clear and concise in asking for what I
needed. In the last year I was working as the senior auditor, I planned and organized each
visit to our client's site. I regularly trained and managed new members of our team and I was
the go to person for technical auditing questions."

What could you have done to improve your relationship with a manager you
didn't like?

 "If I communicated my problems earlier, I feel we both would have benefited. I waited several
months before approaching my manager, and after our talk, our relationship got much better.
So I could have improved my relationship by talking about problems sooner than later."
 "I feel I should be more understanding of different work styles. I didn't like my manager not
communicating enough, but that didn't mean we couldn't approach him. So I'm learning to
work seamlessly with different types of people."
 "One of my managers gave too much criticism. I value criticism, but hearing something
negative every other day was difficult. I think I could have communicated how the criticism
affected me in order to improve our relationship."
 "I had a manager in the past I didn't like that much, but I couldn't say he was a bad manager.
Our personalities conflicted and we had some arguments. This affected my performance and
willingness to work in the beginning, but I asked myself this same question. I thought I should
try to get along with my manager despite my personal feelings. I set them aside and
maintained a professional relationship. Taking this approach really helped. Because I was
 willing to look past minor differences, our work relationship got stronger and I performed at a
higher level."

What were the most memorable accomplishments in your last position?

 "I remember the day I completed an audit from beginning to end all by myself. Since I was an
entry level auditor, this accomplishment really felt good because it was my first major step."
 "One day our director came out of his office asking who wrote up the documentation for ABC
firm. I didn't know if he was upset or impressed. I said I did it and he basically said, great job
and went back to his office. This was memorable because the director never did this before."
 "The most memorable accomplishment I had as a sales associate for a software company
was closing a deal worth $17 million. This was the second largest order our company ever
had and it felt like hitting a grand slam."
 "My last position was selling copy machines. I had one month where I broke the sales record
for a given month. I think that was a great accomplishment. However, throughout the
calendar year, I exceeded the average number of sales by 20% ten out of twelve months.
Having a great month is good, but I feel it is a greater accomplishment maintaining solid
numbers throughout the whole year."
 "I think the greatest accomplishment in my last position was implementing a simple process
that reduced the number of broken builds by 20%. Whenever we have a broken build, it
slows down work for 20 different people. That puts risk on slipping the ship date. But my
process involved following 25 steps prior to building to ensure a successful build. The 25
steps only took 15 minutes to complete and we reduced the number of build breaks
significantly. It worked for our product and upper management instructed other groups in our
organization to put this process in place. I really felt excited about that accomplishment."

Why do you want to leave your current job?

Bad answer↓

―I can‘t stand my boss, or the work I‘m doing.‖

stay away from badmouthing your job or employer. Focus on the positive.

Good answer ↓

 ―I‘ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I‘m looking for a new challenge, to broaden
my horizons and to gain a new skill-set – all of which, I see the potential for in this job.‖
 "I want to find a company with more opportunities. My previous company was very small and
didn't have opportunities for growth. After learning about the work environment here, I felt this
is exactly the type of place I want to work."
 "My current company is very large and it's difficult to do different tasks. We have routine work
that never changes. I want to work in an environment where I can utilize more of my skills."
 "Our family moved to live near a better school district for our children. This area is great and I
want to find a job closer to my new home. My previous job was too far away to commute."

Or

Bad answer ↓

―He was completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I‘ve moved on‖

Remember: if you get the job, the person interviewing you will some day be your previous
boss. The last thing they want is to hire someone who they know is going to badmouth them
some day. Instead of trashing your former employer, stay positive, and focus on what you
learned from him (no matter how awful he really was).

Good answer:↓

 ―My last boss taught me the importance of time management – he didn‘t pull any punches,
and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and
to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible.‖
 "I really enjoy what I'm doing, but I feel I'm following a routine. I looked around for more
opportunities to grow, but because the company is small, I'm very limited. I want to work in
an environment that will help me realize my full potential and a place I can contribute
everything I'm capable of doing. My current job doesn't provide these things for me and that's
why I want to work here. I know ABC Company has a lot of opportunities for growth and
encourages employees to take on challenging projects to learn more. That is what I'm
looking for."

Is there anything that you do not like about your last or current job?

I was quite enthusiastic while joining my last job. Towards the end, the number of challenges and
opportunity to grow further started diminishing. A challenge loving and growth oriented person like me
doesn‘t enjoy this.

If you are allowed to change one thing about your last job, what would it be?

 I have been working at a senior level since last many years. These roles have always needed
me to make real time decisions. Sometimes the facts, figures and other information in real
time cases are not complete & still we have to make a decision. In such cases, there exists a
probability of making inaccurate decisions. Knowing this, I usually run down my old decisions
to see the outcome. It makes sure that I don‘t repeat a mistake ever again in future. While
carrying out one such exercise, I realised that the product promotion strategy that I
recommended would have been different, if I had had the complete data and figures but there
was no way to get them in real time.

Can you tell us something about your previous boss?

All my bosses possessed some skills worth learning. I have always tried to learn something new from
them including my previous boss.

If you're very happy with your current job, why do you want to leave?

 "I like the work I'm doing and I like everyone on my team, but I have a strong desire to learn
other aspects I can't learn in my current position."
 "I have been in my current position for four years and I want to gain experiences in other
areas. I love my job, but I want to grow more as a professional."
 "I love to learn new things and after several years in my current position, I realized I was
doing the same thing over and over again most of the time. So the only reason I want to
leave my current job is to broaden my knowledge by gaining other experiences."
 "I have been with my previous group for more than three years. I was doing the same thing
on a regular basis. Although we received different projects from time to time, it was very
similar to my previous work. So I had a desire to gain new experiences and learn from
different products. I believe having a variety of experience is good for my career so I made
the decision to leave my current job."

Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor

"In the entire time I have been in the workforce I cant recall a time in which I have had a
misunderstanding with an employer. I have been very lucky to have worked under such great people
in my working life. If I have ever had a concern I have always been able to confine in my one up
manager."

What do you expect from your manager?

 "The most important thing I want from my manager is constructive feedback so I know where I
need to improve. I want to continually grow and having a good manager will help me achieve
my goal."
 "I expect my manager to provide work that is relevant to both the company and my growth.
My manager should know my strengths and also help me work on my weaknesses."
 "I expect my manager to be a smart person who works hard. If my manager is setting a
positive example, I believe I'll be more encouraged to work harder. Having a manager that
bosses people around without doing any work is very discouraging. So I expect my manager
to lead by example."

Why do you like sales?

 "I like sales because I like talking with people and I'm good at making people feel
comfortable."
 "I enjoy sales because it requires strong communication skills and that's one of my strong
traits. I like the challenge of making a sale and I feel good whenever I make a good sale."
 "I like sales because it fits my personality. I enjoying working with all sorts of people and I like
to provide great customer service by answering questions about products professionally."

How long have you been looking for a job?

 "I sent out my resumes just last week. I'm very excited to join a company where I can help
out."
 "I've been looking for about a month now. Because of the slow economy it's taking a little
longer than I expected, but I'm confident that I can be a valuable asset to any company."
 "It's been about 2 months now. I wasn't as aggressive in the beginning because I was taking
some classes, but now that I'm done with class, I'm really trying now."
 "To be honest, I've been looking for a job for quite a long time. The job market hasn't been
that great and it's been a little rough. But I spent my year productively by reading up on new
technologies, self studying, and trying to challenge myself with small projects. I definitely
learned a lot and I'm really ready to start working again."

Why do you want to work at our company?

Tell them what you like about company→Relate or connect it to your long term career goals

 ―Sir, it‘s a great privilege for anyone to work in a reputed company like yours. When I read
about your company I found my skills are matching your requirements where I can showcase
my technical skills to contribute to the company growth.‖
 My goal is to achieve the highest level of proficiency. I find your company , is right place
where I can best utilise my education and skills‖

What do you look for in a job?

I look for opportunities that enable me to grow as professional and help me in serving the
organisation.
I look for challenges which can bring best out of me to advance in my career path.

How do you intend to learn what you need to know to perform well for this job?

 "I have experience in learning new concepts without training. I usually look through books or
manuals to find answers. Because I'm good at learning, I'll study relevant material to help me
do my duties well."
 "I have experience in this area so I won't need much training. However, I know different
companies have different ways of doing things, so I'll learn company policies and methods
quickly to apply my existing knowledge to do a good job."
 "The first couple weeks are important. I think it's important to study the correct material, ask
the right questions, and put in extra effort to learn what I need to know. This is what I usually
do to make sure I'll be performing well."

How did you prepare for this interview?

The intention of this HR interview question is to decipher how much you really care about the job or if
you‘re simply going through the motions or winging it. Kennedy says the best way to answer is by
saying,
―I very much want this job, and of course researched it starting with the company website.‖
Beyond explaining how you‘ve done your homework, show it. Reveal your knowledge of the industry,
company or department by asking informed questions and commenting on recent developments.

If you're told to do something that you feel is illegal, what would you do?

 "I would first verify if it's legal or not. If it is legal, then I would continue with the work. If it's
illegal, I would not do the work and tell my manager that this work is illegal. I would also let
Human Resources aware of the situation."
 "I'd verify if the work was legal or not. If it wasn't legal, then I'd confront my manager and my
manager's manager with this incident."
 "I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. I would rather question my manager to verify if it is illegal
or not. If I'm not convinced through facts, then I would investigate through other means. If I
find it is illegal, I will not continue with the work and inform Human Resources of this incident."
 "If I'm not sure, I would verify whether it's legal or illegal before performing the task. If I find it
is legal, then I would continue with the task. If not, then I would report the request to the boss
of the person who asked me to do it. If the boss does not take appropriate action, I would find
out why and report the incident to Human Resources myself."

If you were unfairly criticized, what would you do?

 "I'd probably ask for clarity on the criticism. I think it's important to accept criticism for self
improvement, but if it's unfair, then I will clear things up by asking for clarity."
 "When I'm unfairly criticized, I usually think about the criticism and try to view it from a
different angle. If I still can't see why I was criticized, then I'll approach the person and initiate
a dialog to resolve the unfair criticism."
 "I usually use all criticism to help me grow. If I was criticized unfairly, there must be a little
truth to it. I'll learn as much as I can from it, but if it was really out of line, I would definitely
approach the person and ask for clarity."
 "If I was unfairly criticized in private, then I would initiate dialog asking why he or she thought
this way. I would try to understand their point of view and explain my point of view. If I was
unfairly criticized in public, then I would be a little upset but I would wait to address the
 problem until the person criticizing me was alone. I would do this because if I'm upset, I
wouldn't want to start an argument without thinking. So after some time, I would approach the
person and ask him or her why I was criticized. If it was justified, then I would use that as
constructive criticism to improve myself. If not, then I would tell that person that it isn't good
to publicly criticize someone when they are not sure if it is correct."

What are you looking to gain from your next job?

 "I want a position where I'll be challenged. I want to learn a lot of new things and I want to
continually grow. So I'm looking for a job that will provide these things for me."
 "I want to gain experience in many areas of accounting. I want a position where things are
not routine and where many of my accounting skills are utilized."
 "In my next job, I want more opportunities to write automation. In my previous position, we
didn't have these opportunities because we outsourced this work to other groups."
 "For the last several years, I have done a wide variety of things. I have set my goals and
continually moved forward. I have worked in a time constraint environment, juggled many
tasks at one time, and even managed several people. However, one of my goals is to
improve my creative side of design. Working for a large company demands a lot of work from
each designer. So although creating graphics came naturally for me, I never had the luxury of
creating work without being pulled in four different directions. So I want to find a position
where I can use more of my creativity."

What aspects of this job interest you the most?

 "I'm very excited about this job because of the variety of different work. I'm well rounded and
it's always exciting when I can use many of my skills for a job."
 "The most interesting aspect of this job is the product you're working on. I think it's so
exciting working on a product that twelve million people use. I want to be on a team where
my work will make many people enjoy our product more."
 "I like the fact that this position requires someone who is detail oriented. Because we're
working with sensitive data, it's important that all the information is perfect. This type of
challenge always interested me."
 "Ever since I was studying mechanical engineering in college, I had a strong interest in
automobile engines. This position is to help the engine design team to create better fuel
efficient cars. When I read that, it really jumped out to me. I knew I really wanted this
position because it combined my interest and my experience into one. So being on a team
where I can work on something I love is what appeals to me the most."

How would people you have worked with describe you?

 My managers would describe me as someone who would rather tirelessly overcome

obstacles on my own than continuously seek managerial guidance. I make my managers‘
lives easier in this way. For example, when I first started working at firm C, I was asked to
figure out ways to cut costs. Instead of relying on my manager, who had other projects to
oversee, I decided to better understand the transportation logistics behind the wood chips that
my employer needed in each facility. After seeing what worked best and what could be
improved, I took this information to my manager, who was grateful for the initiative I took.

How long do you plan on staying with this company?

 "To tell you the truth, I have been working and gaining experience to get into this company.
This is where I want to be and I plan on staying a long time if I'm offered the job."
  "The only time I get bored is if there is no work to do. As long as there's a lot of work, then I'll
be happy and stay a long time. I'm a busy body and I need to do work."
 "This company has everything I'm looking for. It provides the type of work I love, the
employees are all happy, and the environment is great. I plan on staying a long time."
 "One of my goals is to obtain a position in this company. I know that once I start working
here, it'll be for a long time."
 "As far as I can tell, this company has everything I'm looking for. I enjoy this type of work and
the benefits at this company are great. I'm looking for a long term position and if there are
opportunities for advancement and growth here, then I want to stay for a long time."
 I like new challenges and a chance to grow. As long I keeping getting these, I don‘t think I‘ll
need to switch over. I‘d like to believe that this relationship lasts for many years. However, I
haven‘t set a time limit as such.

What if you work here for five years and don't get promoted? Many of our employees don't.
Won't you find it frustrating?

 I consider myself ambitious, but I'm also practical. As long as I am continuing to learn and
grow within my position, I'll be a happy camper. Different companies promote people at
different rates, and I'm pretty confident that working for you will keep me motivated and
mentally stimulated for several years to come.

What do you do when there is no work to do?

 "I always try to be productive even if there isn't much work to do. I use my time to find areas
of improvement within the office, take time to study new things that will help me on future
projects, and volunteer to help other coworkers that might have too much work."
 "Usually when I have nothing to do, I ask my manager if any of my peers need help. If not,
then I usually spend time studying material that will help me on my next project."
 "As a sales associate, there are many times when there is no work. But I always stay busy by
cleaning and rearranging the items I'm selling before customers come in."
 "When I have no direct work, I always find side project such as thinking about a process of
some sort that helps with office efficiency. One time, I created a small tool using MS Word
that helped our team speed up the mailing process."

How do you balance both your family and your job?

 "With my kids in school, it's really easy to manage my time. I have the full day to myself and I
want to be productive by helping a company grow."
 "I'm very organized and I plan everything I do. This helps me to easily find a balance
between family and work."
 "Well, during the day while my kids are in school, I like to work. And in the evenings we
spend time together doing homework. I really enjoy being busy and managing multiple things
in my life."

What do you do when there are too many things to do?

 "I usually plan, organize, prioritize and then work real hard. I always keep my cool and work
on one item after another. I found that this is efficient instead of worrying about how much
work there is to do."
 "I really like it when there is so much work. I'm a fast and efficient worker and I like taking
challenges that are big. With proper planning and execution, I have always managed to
complete all my tasks."
  "I regain my composure, take a deep breath, and work diligently. If there is a chance that I
might not finish something due to the size of the work item, I'll inform my manager and make
sure my manager is aware of my situation."
 "I believe in hard work. A lot can get accomplished by working diligently. In a situation where
there are many things to do, I'll reprioritize my work, plan and organize as much as I can and
work hard."

What have you heard about our company that you didn't like?

 "From my research, I didn't find anything I disliked. This company provides great benefits,
works on exciting products, and is listed in the top 100 companies to work for."
 "When I search for a job, I always look for negative things. However, I didn't find anything
that I didn't like. That's why I'm very excited to have this opportunity to work here."
 "Hmmm... I read up on this company thoroughly and even spoke with a friend who works
here. I didn't hear anything negative about ABC Company. Is there something I should know
before working here?"
Why did you choose career in this field?

I always interested in knowing the other side of any product right from my schooling. And while doing
my career research, I explored various career opportunities and discussed with teachers. These
influence led me to choose *CSE/MBA/BBA* as a course and marketing as my specialization.

What #salary are you looking for?

Bad Answer ↓

―In my last job I earned 50,000 Rs– so, now I‘m looking for 80,000 Rs‖

If you can avoid it, don‘t give an exact number. The first person to name a price in a salary
negotiation loses. Instead, re-iterate your commitment to the job itself. If you have to, give
a broad range based on research you‘ve conducted on that particular role, in your
particular city.

Good answer ↓

 ―I‘m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I‘d expect to be paid the
appropriate range for thisrole, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary
would bear in mind the high cost of living here in Hyderabad.
 ―As a fresher, learning is more important than learning, so my main focus is to gain
knowledge. And I do trust that the company pay will be in consistent to market‖
 I believe that an ideal remuneration for any position recognizes the ability, rewards the
performance and provides the employee an opportunity to indulge in his hobbies and
passions. I am sure that this company also takes care of these. And i expect.......

If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are
doing to still seek to make that change.

 For example: Although Im overall very happy with where Im at in my life, the one aspect I
likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great
internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I
 would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent (blah blah your
activities........) then provide examples

Would you like to ask us anything?

 I would like to know about the career growth I can expect being with this company. I am quite
an ambitious person and this information will be helpful.

Did you have any trouble finding this place?

 "No problem at all. I checked for directions on the Internet and found it pretty easily."
 "A little bit. I didn't realize that there was another building back here, so I drove by a couple
times, but that's ok, I eventually found it."

 What if I say that you are rejected? 

Though I prepared well and performed my level best. But if I am rejected today, I will try to see
opportunity of learning behind it. I will evaluate and improve myself further to make myself worth for
positions like this.

#Telephonic Interview Tips

_Although, it is customary for interviewers to give you an
advance notice of a telephone interview, some will not. They
will just ring up and go for it. Once you start sending out
applications, be prepared for telephone interviews. That call
can come at 8 am Monday morning, 7 pm Friday evening or 9
pm Sunday night.

Practise your voice projection. Speak aloud to practise. Ask

someone else to listen to you or even record and play yourself
back. It‟s amazing how different you sound. You will notice
the bad habits...the “errrrrrs” and “ummmmmms.”

Obviously, telephone practice as well as general interview and

question practice are essential.

Further, you should be able to demonstrate a good knowledge regarding the job, the
company,
its products and services and even its competitors...that means
undertaking research.

Try to anticipate the questions you‟ll be asked that demonstrate

you can do the job. Then, prepare accordingly. Technical
questioning on the telephone is common - as a means to screen
candidates. The questions may not be in great depth, but should
be known by a good candidate.

During the interview, the interviewer has only ears with which
to judge you, and that is something you must exploit.
_ Have your research and company notes to hand. You should
also have a copy of the résumé that you sent to that company.
Remember, the most effective résumés are those that are
especially tailored.

Take a “surprise” call in your stride. If you are looking for

work then no telephone interviews should really be a
“surprise.”

Be calm and collected. Remember to slow your breathing...at

least try by counting to 5 with each inhale and exhale.

Smile - it really makes a difference in your voice so much so

that the person on the other end can tell when you are smiling

Sound positive, friendly, and collected.

If you need time say... “Thank you for calling. Would you
wait just a moment while I close the door?” Rest the phone as
you pull out your resume and company information.

Be professional, as if it was a face-to-face interview. Don‟t be

over-familiar with the interviewer. It does happen!

You should always refer to the interviewer by his or her

surname until invited to do otherwise.

Listen carefully to the interviewer. Listening and

communication skills are essential.

Be factual in your answers.

Do not smoke or eat while on the phone.

Shut out all background noise, such as pets, children playing and
the television.

Take notes. They will be invaluable to you in preparing for

the face-to-face meeting. No need to record the
conversation...that is a bit over the top!

Prompt the interviewer to invite you to interview by saying,

“I am immediately available for interview if you would like
to arrange one now.”

Taking care to ascertain the correct spelling and pronunciation

of the interviewer‟s name shows your concern for the small
but important things in life - it will be noticed.

If you require more details like a Job Description or Person

Specification ask for one.
Thank the interviewer for her time and that you hope to hear
soon. No harm in saying that you are very keen for a face-toface
interview. One school of thought asserts that you should
ask three times for an interview; subtly of course.
“I am immediately available for interview.”
“I really would like an opportunity to meet you and look
around the company.”
“I will be in the area on Monday and it is no problem to pop
in.”

It is difficult to evaluate an opportunity properly over the

telephone. Even if the job doesn‟t sound right, go to the
interview. At the very minimum it will give you practice.
Moreover, once you attend a face-to-face interview the job
may look that bit more attractive as you gather more facts.
You might even discover a more suitable opening elsewhere
within the company; it does happen.

Role-play the following dialogue between a company

representative and a job seeker.

Ram: Hello, can I speak to Ms. Gita?

Gita : This is Gita. May I know who‟s calling?
Ram: I‟m Ram Prakash from Accel Computers. You have been
short-listed for the first round of interviews. I need some
more information from your side.
Gita : Oh sure Mr. Prakash. Please go ahead.
Ram: You have completed your MCA with high first class.
Why did you apply for this job?
Gita : Market sources say Accel Computers is among the front
runners in computer education. I therefore thought it was
the best place to start a career.
Ram: I see. But given your academic background, won‟t you be
tempted to try for bigger and better prospects abroad?
What kind of a commitment can you give us?
Gita : I have no intention of going abroad, Sir. I prefer to work
for an indigenous company rather than faceless MNCs or
foreign companies.
Ram: That‟s very interesting. When will you be available for
employment?
Gita : Immediately, Sir.
Ram: Great. I will get back to you in a couple of days through
e-mail.
Gita : OK, Sir. And thank you for your time.
Ram: You are welcome Gita. Have a good day.
Gita : Thank you, Sir.

Interviewer: “Have a seat; I‟d like to ask you a few questions this
morning if I may. Tell me a little bit about yourself, what you like
to do in and out of school. How would you describe the way you
 deal with people?”
Recommended Answer: “Thank you for the opportunity to meet
with you today. I would describe myself as a typical teenager. I
enjoy school, extracurricular activities, and I work a few hours a
week after school. Dealing with people is one of my strong points,
as I seldom find someone I cannot work with. I have many friends
at school and get along with all kinds of people. I‟m involved in a
club at school in which I am often called upon to mediate between
groups with very different ideas.”

Answer to Avoid: “I don‟t do much besides going to class. I hang

out with my friends a lot and we play video games. I guess I get
along with people OK, and this job looks like it is something fun
to do.”

Interviewer: “What makes you interested in retail sales as a place

to start your career? Have you ever had any retail sales experience?”
Recommended Answer: “I have retail experience in several areas,
from selling raffle tickets for the marching band to my experience
270
in the high school bookstore. I‟m interested in a retail career
because I enjoy working with people, and I‟m looking for a position
which offers both personal and financial growth based on my sales
initiative.”
Answer to Avoid: “I don‟t have much work experience. I‟ve done
a few things in higher secondary school sort of like this, but I
don‟t know how much it is really like it.”

Interviewer: “Unfortunately, many young people do not develop

a strong commitment to their work; how will you be different?
Why should I hire you for this position?”
Recommended Answer: “Sticking with a job to its completion is a
value I truly believe in. I‟ve learned through my school studies
and my music lessons that the only way to succeed is to do the
best job from beginning to end. You should hire me for this job
because I am the type of person you need to continue your success.
I‟m a hard worker who learns quickly, I already possess many of
the skills you‟re looking for, and I have the personal motivation to
get the job done right!”

Answer to Avoid: “I don‟t mind working; it‟s what we all have to

do. I know you will make it clear what I have to do and I‟ll get it
done. I think I can do a good job for you and you won‟t have to
watch over me all of the time.”

#Maths #Teacher #Interview

Savita : Good morning sir.

Member 1 : Good morning Ms. Savita. Please take a seat.
Savita : Thank you, sir.
Member 1 : We learn from your bio-data that you have an
 excellent academic record. Why do you want to
teach and not study further?
Savita : Teaching is my passion sir. And teaching
mathematics to children is a real challenge. I want
to excel in it and plan to take up higher studies
after gaining some teaching experience.
Member 2 : Have you taught before?
Savita : Yes sir. I worked in a rural school in South Tamil
Nadu for three years, soon after completing my
graduation.
Member 3 : As you must be aware this school places a lot of
importance on academic excellence. How will you
motivate students to give their best?
Savita : Sir, I believe in making learning fun and that‟s the
only way students will enjoy learning. Once they
enjoy themselves they will apply it in the examinations.

( #Interview )

General Dialogues Regarding Interview

Interviewer: How many jobs have you had since leaving university?

Candidate: I've worked for six companies.

Interviewer: Why have you changed jobs so often? Candidate: I wanted to earn more money.

Interviewer: What have you done that shows leadership?

Candidate: Well, I lead the sales team. I'm also chairperson of a local business association.

Interviewer: What are your strengths?

Candidate: I'm fluent in Italian and Spanish. I'm good at training sales staff and I get on well with

people. I think I'm very good at organizing seminars for customers.

Interviewer: In what ways has your job changed since you joined the company? Candidate: I now have more
responsibility and work longer hours.

Interviewer: What mistakes have you made?

Candidate: I'm not patient when people don't meet deadlines.

Interviewer: Have you ever worked with a difficult person?

Candidate: Well, the boss in my last company wasn't easy to work with.

A: How many jobs have you had since leaving university?

B: I've worked for (six companies).

A: Why have you changed jobs?

B: I wanted to (earn more money).

A: What are your strengths?

B: I'm good at (training sales staff and organizing seminars for customers).

What did you learn from your last job? → I learned to

What didn't you like about your last job?→ Well, I had a problem with

What are you good at?→ People say that I'm good at

Do you have any special skills?→ My main strengths are

What do you want to do in the future?→ My main aim is to

Where do you want to be in ten years'?→ I plan to be

What do you do in your free time? → I really enjoy

What are your main interests?→ I spend a lot of time

Rohit : Good morning sir. I‘m Rohit Handa. May I come in?

Principal : Good morning Rohit. Come in. You are Rohit Handa from Delhi. I got your

e-mail asking for an appointment. Sit down Rohit. Now tell me more

about yourself.

Rohit : I was a student of Central School in Dehradun. I passed my CBSE

examination with an aggregate of 89%. I belong to the science stream with

computer science as an elective. I‘m seeking admission to your college as

my father has just got transferred to Ghaziabad.

Principal : Have you brought your mark sheets, certifi cates and other related papers?

Rohit : Yes sir. All the records and papers are here in this fi le, including certifi cates

for the extra-curricular activities.

Principal : Leave your papers with me. I‘m afraid there are no vacancies at present. But

there is always a chance that there may be some dropouts. You will have

to wait till the next list is released.

Rohit : Thank you sir. I would be extremely grateful if you could consider my

application when you have vacancies.

Word Meaning

1. seeking : looking for

2. vacancies : seats available

3. dropouts : students who leave

Interviewer : Are you Ravi?

Ravi : Yes Sir. I‘m Ravi Prasad.

Interviewer : Do come in. Have a seat please.

Ravi: : Thank you, Sir.

Interviewer : Ravi, tell me about yourself. Your family background, educational

qualifications (achievements in your college life) and any other thing

you would like to mention.

Ravi : Sir, my father is a teacher in the Allahabad University. He is the Head of the

Department there. I have two brothers. I have just completed my

Masters degree in Business Administration with a specialization in

Human Resources.

Vikram : Sir, may I come in?

Interviewer : Come in Vikram. Sit down.

Vikram : Thank You Sir.

Interviewer : Now tell me, why you applied for the post.

Vikram : Sir, Sri Ram Fibers is a renowned fi rm and I was keen to get into the

corporate world. The post of Junior Engineer in this fi rm was something that

I could take up as I have the qualification and experience required

for this job.

Interviewer : Your résumé here tells me you have done your B. Tech from IIT Delhi. Any

other experience that you would like to mention.

Vikram : Sir, I had the opportunity for a Summer Internship with Voltas, an

established company. I was exposed to the business environment and the

daily routine in the corporate world. I experienced meeting clients,

designing employee benefit plans. I also observed analysis of market

statistics and strategies. I can say that this summer internship has given me

a great deal of confidence

Interviewer : Why do you think you are the right person for this job?
Applicant : Sir I am confi dent that I would fulfi ll your requirement for this job. I hold

a Diploma in engineering with a good academic record. I scored a grade

average of 9.01. My knowledge about automobiles is good as I had

the opportunity of training in an automobile company for my summer

internship. I understand the environment of the workshop fl oor as I

was exposed to it.

Interviewer : Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself.

Applicant : Sir I would like to mention that I have the interpersonal skills that are

required in any workplace today.

Interviewer : You mentioned that you have interpersonal skills. Have you faced a conflict

with any fellow student or a senior? How did you solve it?

Applicant : Yes I have faced conflicts from time to time. When working in/with a team

there are often differences in the operating procedures. On one occasion

the deadline for completion of a major poster presentation project was

not met. There were misunderstandings and disagreements. We discussed

the matter and I was able to convince them to re-do the poster. This

prevented us from getting a poor grade, and in fact, we got a perfect score

for our work.

Situation: Joseph just graduated with a Bachelor degree in Finance. As a result, he wants to find

a job in his field of studies instead of continuing to hold his current Payroll position.

Nancy: Hi. It is good to see you, Joseph.

Joseph: Same here, Nancy. It has been a long time since I last saw you.

Nancy: Yes, the last time we saw each other was New Year‘s Eve. How are you doing?

Joseph: I am doing OK. It would be better if I have a new job right now.

Nancy: You are looking for a new job? Why?

Joseph: I already finished my studies and graduated last week. Now, I want to get a job in the

Finance field. Payroll is not exactly Finance.

Nancy: How long have you been looking for a new job?

Joseph: I just started this week.

Nancy: Didn‘t you have any interviews with those firms that came to our campus last month? I
believe quite a few companies came to recruit students for their Finance departments.

Joseph: I could only get one interview with Fidelity Company because of my heavy work schedule.

A month has already gone by, and I have not heard from them. I guess I did not make

it.

Nancy: Don‘t worry, Joseph. You always did well in school. I know your good grades will help

you get a job soon. Besides, the job market is pretty good right now, and all companies need

financial analysts.

Joseph: I hope so.

Nancy: You have prepared a resume, right?

Joseph: Yes.

Nancy: Did you mail your resume to a lot of companies? How about recruiting agencies?

Joseph: I have sent it to a dozen companies already. No, I have not thought about recruiting

agencies. But, I do look closely at the employment ads listed in the newspaper every day.

Nancy: Are there a lot of openings?

Joseph: Quite a few. Some of them require a certain amount of experience and others are willing to train.

Nancy: My friends told me that it helps to do some homework before you go to an interview.

You need to know the company well—what kind of business is it in? What types of products

does it sell? How is it doing lately?

Joseph: Yes, I know. I am doing some research on companies that I want to work for. I want to be

ready whenever they call me in for an interview.

Nancy: Have you thought about questions they might ask you during the interview?

Joseph: What types of questions do you think they will ask?

Nancy: Well, they might ask you some questions about Finance theories to test your academic

understanding.

Joseph: I can handle that.

Nancy: They might tell you about a problem and want you to come up with a solution.

Joseph: I don‘t know about that. I hope I will be able to give them a decent response if the need

arises.

Nancy: They will want to know you a little bit before they make a hiring decision. So, they may
ask you to describe yourself. For example, what are your strengths and your weaknesses? How

do you get along with people?

Joseph: I need to work on that question. How would I describe myself? Huh!

Nancy: Also, make sure you are on time. Nothing is worse than to be late for an interview. You

do not want to give them a bad impression, right from the start.

Joseph: I know. I always plan to arrive about 10 or 15 minutes before the interview starts.

Nancy: Good decision! It seems that you are well prepared for your job search. I am sure you

will find a good job in no time.

Joseph: I hope so.

Nancy: I need to run; otherwise, I will be late for school. Good luck in your job search, Joseph.

Joseph: Thank you for your advice. Bye!

JOSEPH: Hi, Alice, it‘s Joseph. How are you?

ALICE: Oh, hi, Joseph! I was just thinking about you.

JOSEPH: That‘s nice. I was wondering if you‘d like to go to a movie tonight.

ALICE: Sure, I‘d love to! What‘s playing?

JOSEPH: I was thinking about that new comedy Lights Out. What do you think?

ALICE: Sounds great!

JOSEPH: OK, I‘ll pick you up around 7:30. The movie starts at 8:00.

ALICE: See you then. Bye!

Hello? Hi, Stephanie, how are things at the office?

STEPHANIE: Hi, Luke! How are you? Can you please stop and pick up extra paper for the computer printer?

LUKE: What did you say? Can you repeat that, please? Did you say to pick up ink for the printer? Sorry, the
phone is cutting out.

STEPHANIE: Can you hear me now? No, I need more computer paper. Listen, I‘ll text you exactly what I
need. Thanks, Luke. Talk to you later.

LUKE: Thanks, Stephanie. Sorry, my phone has really bad reception here.

Situation: Lintel, a computer chip manufacturing company, currently has a job opening in its

Finance department. Joseph Miller is the first applicant to be interviewed this morning by Lintel‟s
Finance Manager Mike Gates.

Mike: Good Morning, Joseph. I am Mike.

Joseph: Good Morning.

Mike: How are you doing?

Joseph: I am doing fine. Thank you.

Mike: How was the traffic coming over here?

Joseph: I am so glad that the traffic was light this morning. No traffic jam and no accidents.

Mike: That is good. Joseph, let‘s start the interview. Are you ready?

Joseph: Yes, I am.

Mike: First of all, let me properly introduce myself. I am the Finance Department Manager. As

you know there is an open position in my department, and I need to fill this position as soon as

possible.

Joseph: Please, tell me a little bit about the position.

Mike: It is an entry-level position. The new employee will have to work closely with the

Accounting department. He will also have to deal with the bank on a daily basis.

Joseph: What type of qualifications do you require?

Mike: I require a four-year college degree in Finance. Some working experience would be

helpful.

Joseph: What kind of experience are you looking for?

Mike: Doing office work is good. However, since this is an entry-level position, I do not require

a lot of experience. I am willing to train the new person.

Joseph: That is great!

Mike: Joseph, tell me a little bit about yourself.

Joseph: I was a student at West Coast University, and I just graduated with a Bachelor degree in

Finance. I have been working part-time as a payroll clerk for the last two years.

Mike: What are you looking for in a job?

Joseph: The job should help me see what Finance is all about. I have learned a lot of Finance

theories at school, and now it is time for me to put them into practice.

Mike: Anything else?

Joseph: I also hope that it will help me grow in my field.

Mike: What are your strengths? Why should I hire you?

Joseph: I am a hard-working person and a fast learner. I am very eager to learn, and I get along

fine with people.

Mike: OK. Now, let me ask you a few quick questions. You do not mind working long hours, do

you?

Joseph: No, I do not.

Mike: Can you handle pressure?

Joseph: Yes, I can. When I was going to school, I took quite a few courses each semester while

working at least twenty hours every week. And, I handled that situation very well.

Mike: Do you still have any questions for me?

Joseph: No, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the job. I believe that I can handle it with

ease, and I hope to have the opportunity to work for you.

Mike: Joseph, nice meeting you. Thank you for coming.

Joseph: Nice meeting you too. Thank you for seeing me.

A: "Hey John. I have some great news."

B: "What happened?"

A: "I got a job offer from Dell."

B: "That's great. I thought you said you didn't get the job."

A: "I thought I did bad on the interview, but I guess I was wrong. I'm so happy right now."

B: "I bet. That's great news. I'm very happy for you."

A: "Thanks. I feel like celebrating. Let's go have a beer. It's on me."

B: "Sounds good."

A: "Hey Matt. I just got a job at a consulting firm."

B: "Congratulations. That's great!"

A: "I'm so happy. I don't have to worry about finding a job and interviewing anymore."

B: "When do you start?"

A: "I start next Monday."

B: "You're going to have to put in a lot of hours you know."

A: "I know. I'm a little nervous, but it's pretty exciting."

B: "I bet. You must be stoked."

A: "Yeah. I'm going to celebrate tonight. Wanna hang out?"

B: "Sure. It's on you right?"

A: "Of course. How about Toby? Should we call him?"

B: "I don't know. He's a little depressed. He's having a hard time finding a job right now."

A: "I should still tell him. In the least, I can refer him to my company. It might help."

B: "That sounds like a good idea."

Jacob: You look so concerned, Dorothy. What's on your mind?

Dorothy: I'm worried about the interview tomorrow. It's so important to me. You know, I've
been looking for a job for three months, and this is my first interview.

Jacob: Don't worry too much, Dorothy. Everything will work out just fine.

Dorothy: I hope so.

Jacob: Come on, Dorothy. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Janice is thinking of whether or not she should quit and look for another job somewhere else
because she hasn't gotten a raise in three years....

Eddie: What are the chances of getting a raise this year?

Janice: Chances are slim!

Eddie: Wow! You haven't gotten a raise for how many years now?

Janice: (Heave a sigh). It's been three years! The company keeps losing money and they can't afford to give
anyone a raise.

Eddie: That's too bad. Did you ever think of working somewhere else?

Janice: Yeah. In fact, I have an interview next Monday.

Eddie: Good luck!

Kent is going to have a job interview the next day. His friend Reese is trying to give him some
advice.

Reese: So, how was your interview?

Kent: I haven't gone to the interview yet. It's tomorrow. I'm so nervous.

Reese: Don't worry. You should do fine. You have the experience.

Kent: I hope so.

Reese: Remember, they want someone who works well with people. You've got to show them how easy-
going and personable you are!

Kent: Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

Situation: Burt is applying for a new job and is very confident about himself.
Raelene: Hi, Burt. I heard you're looking for a new job.

Burt: Yeah. I just had an interview yesterday.

Raelene: Oh. How did it go?

Burt: I think I did well. They said they would make a decision by this Friday.

Raelene: This Friday? Looks like they want to hire the person as quickly as possible.

Burt: Yeah! I think so, too.

Raelene What are your chances of getting that job?

Burt: I believe I have a very good chance. The director seems to like me.

Raelene: Well, good luck, then.

Burt: Thanks. I hope it helps.

#Talking about #job , #Describing

Kumar : You look too young to be a doctor! And how is your job?
Is it as exciting as mine?
Suresh : Well! ... exciting .. er... yes, in a way. It is as high-risk a job
as yours, because one wrong diagnosis or a careless
movement of the lancet and my career is as good as dead!
Ravi : Do you have fixed working hours when there are no outpatients
or theatre-operations?
Suresh : No, we are not bound by time-schedules, only duty
schedules. And other aspects like transfer are only in
government hospitals and private chain-hospitals.
Promotions .. well, you climb the career ladder on the
percentage of patients you successfully send out with full
recovery. In other words, your career growth is synonymous
with your experience measured by the trust your patients
have in you.
Prabhu : How about you? Are you with Kumar? You look as young
as him!
Gopal : No, I‟m the bride‟s cousin. I am a trainee at an engineering
unit. I have been appointed through my Institute‟s
placement interviews.
Prabhu : Normally trainees are green at their jobs and are bound to
get “kicked around” a bit before they get stream-lined into
a specialised area of work. How is it with you?
Gopal : Well, nothing to provoke complaints, but the boss is a
demanding, tough task-master. He has a reputation of
having sacked thrice as many trainees as he has had
promoted. So I‟m already on the look out for another
opening so that I can quit before he dismisses me!
Prabhu : You trainees are paid quite a sum these days ! Thirty years
ago an “apprentice” as he was called then, earned a
 “stipend” of a maximum of Rs.100/- per month!
Gopal : Yes, job benefits are sound and having a pay-slip showing
a five-digit salary when we are just out of college, is quite
intoxicating. Besides, we have all other facilities and perks.
There‟s travel allowance, over-time pay when we work
late hours; and there are luncheons and dinners galore on
the slightest pretext of a conference. And the work is really
challenging enough, to not burn out with fatigue or
boredom.
Prabhu : So when does your training get over?
Gopal : It‟s a six month traineeship, then if I satisfy my boss I am
promoted right away into „executive‟ position. From
thereon success depends on quantitative and qualitative
project completion. The more impressive my portfolio,
the better are the chances of growth.
Prabhu : All the best Gopal!
Shiva : Hey! Don‟t leave me out! I‟m Shiva, the bride‟s kid brother,
and I am with the largest group in India. It‟s called the
UGGI, the Unemployed Graduate Group of Idlers!
All : Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!! ...

Fay asks Jerry for advice on how to succeed at a job interview in English

Fay: Hi Jerry. I'm thinking of applying for a job with a multinational company, but I'm worried about having an
interview in English. Can you give me any good tips?

Jerry: Hmmm. That's a tough one. I guess the first thing is to try to make a good impression. We often say,
"you never get a second chance to make a first impression". You really need to get off to a good start.

Fay: That sounds like good advice. Maybe I could sing and dance for them, ha ha ha! Then they'd really be
impressed! But seriously, how do I make a good first impression?

Jerry: To begin with, you should firmly shake the interviewer's hand while greeting him or her with a smile. Be
sure to keep eye contact, especially when listening to the interviewer.

Fay: Ah, "body language" is really important, isn't it?

Jerry: Yes, it is. The second thing is to have confidence. You get confidence from being prepared. You should
learn a little bit about the company before the interview. Find out what they do, how long they've been in
business, what their business motto is, that kind of thing. You should also anticipate possible questions, and
think about how you will answer.

Fay: Should I memorize my answers beforehand?

Jerry: No! Definitely not! That sounds very mechanical. You should be natural when you speak. Just think
about how you want to answer, and choose the right words at the time of the interview. That way, you can
use the interviewer's own words in your answer, which shows you've been listening. Then you're sure to
make a good impression.

Fay: I never thought about that before. You're really smart, Jerry! But what should I do if I can't remember an
English word when I'm answering a question?
Jerry: In that case, you have to paraphrase. In other words, you have to explain what you want to say. For
example, if you forget the word "manufacturing", you can say "making a product" instead. Or instead of
"statistics" you could say "using many big numbers to describe something".

Fay: That's very helpful, Jerry. Thanks so much. Ah, one more thing. Should I ask about the salary during the
interview?

Jerry: No, either let them bring up the topic of money, or else wait for a second interview. If you prepare well,
make a good first impression, have confidence, and use English naturally, you're almost certain to be
interviewed again. Good luck!

Practice yourself Some Other rare Corporate Questions which you may came across
in future

How do you rate your communication skills?

You have stayed in your current job for quite a long time, why?
How would you compensate for the lack of experience you have for this position?
What is your style of management?
What do we need to do to ensure continuous optimum performance?
Do you see yourself as a leader?
Will you be happy to work in night shifts or over the weekends?
Have you ever committed a mistake at work?
What motivates you and makes you feel valued at work?
Are you planning to go for further studies?
What are the most important things for you as a manager?
Is there any particular kind of person you cannot work with?
Where do you see your career path both now and in the immediate future i.e. next 12 months?l What
could prevent you progressing/realising your aspirations?
Will you be happy to re-locate, if required?
Can you work independently?
Discuss your five characteristics.
Discuss your weaknesses and how do you plan to overcome it
What ambition do you have for the future?
Are you willing to work for long hours, if the project demands that from you?
What do you feel are the ‗new‘ required leadership behaviours to enable a step change?
What do you see as your immediate next move and what would you imagine the next one to be?
What experiences do you need to make that happen?
Discuss the most stressful situation you came across in your previous job.
What skills and knowledge do you need to develop to be more rounded?
What personal styles help you?
Tell us something about your achievements at your previous job.
What resources do you need to help you – personal, organisational or professional?
What personal styles hinder you?
Why do you want to work for us?
What are your strategies to motivate your team/networks/stakeholders?
What do you do with good ideas?
Do you need to further develop creativity or business acumen?
What other professional skills would you like to develop?
What experiences do you need to make that happen?
What motivates you and makes you feel valued at work?
Do you see yourself as a leader?
What are the ways to raise your performance levels even higher to be seen as outstanding in what
you do? What holds you back at times? Are you aware of anything that holds the team back?
 How do you feel about your development so far?
What motivates you and makes you feel valued in the work place?
What do you need in order to become effective more quickly and how do we help?
What support can you get from your team?
What resources do you need to help you?
Would you work holidays/weekends?
What support do you get from your manager, peers, and direct reports?
What ambition do you have for the future?
Tell me how you handled a difficult situation.
What do you like the most and least about working in this industry?
What motivates you and makes you feel valued at work?
How satisfied are you with your performance in your current role?
What would you need to do to increase your performance in your current role?
How do you see your career progressing? How would you like to achieve this?
What do you feel your particular strengths are and how can the organisation best utilise them
What areas do you need support with? How can we address these?
What part in the team do you play?
What questions haven‘t I asked you?
How did you hear about this position?
How do you manage your own work/life balance?
What is more important to you money or success?

A #group of #management #trainees are talking about the #preparation of #presentations.

Making the #Presentation

 To make a really effective presentation, you will need to do

more than just get the words out in the right order.
 Enthusiasm is essential. Try to smile, and make eye contact
with members of the audience as often as possible.
 Remember, if you look bored, why should anybody else
want to listen.
 Never mumble or gabble. Remember to speak slowly and
clearly, and keep your voice at a steady pitch. Pause
regularly to allow the audience to digest what you have
said.
 Short words and simple sentences will have more impact
than the long and complicated syntax. Be sure to avoid
jargon, too.
 Experienced presenters will use gestures to emphasise their
points.
 Convert statistics into charts and graphs wherever possible,
and put any lengthy detail into a handout which people
can read at their leisure. PowerPoint is a very useful
program for using in presentations.

Helpful phrases for a #presentation

In the following pages you will find useful phrases to provide you with the basic structure of a
presentation in English.

Introduction

On behalf of Company I would like to welcome you here today. My name is Max Mustermann
and I am the CFO of Global Travel.

Hi, I‘m Max and I am the head of marketing of Global Travel.

Good morning/afternoon/evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Max Mustermann and I

am delighted to be here today to talk to you about…

I‘d like to introduce my colleague Max Mustermann.

Hi everyone, I‘m Max from Accounts and today I‘d like to talk to you about…

Introducing the topic

Today I am here to talk to you about…

As you all know, today I am going to talk to you about…

I would like to take this opportunity to talk to you about…

I am delighted to be here today to tell you about…

Today I would like to outline…

Structuring the presentation

My talk is divided into _____ parts.

I‘ll start with / Firstly I will talk about… / I‘ll begin with

then I will look at …

next…

and finally…

I will be glad to answer any questions that you may have at the end.

Beginning the presentation

I‘ll start with some general information on…

I‘d just like to give you some background information about…

Before I start, does anyone know…?

As you are all aware / As you all know…

Changing the topic/speaker

Right, let‘s move on to…

This leads me to my next point, which is…

I‘d now like to look at / consider…

Now I will pass you over to /hand over to Max Mustermann.

Does anyone have any questions before I move on?

Summary

To sum up…

So to summarise the main points of my talk…

Just a quick recap of my main points…

Inviting questions

Does have anyone have any questions?

I will be happy to answer your questions now

If you have any questions, please don‘t hesitate to ask

If you have any further questions, I will be happy to talk to you at the end.

Conclusion

I‘d like to conclude by…

That brings me to the end of my presentation, thank for listening / for your attention.

Thank you all for listening, it was a pleasure being here today.

Well that‘s it from me. Thanks very much.

 I‘m about to wrap up …
 This concludes my presentation…
 That brings me to the end of my presentation
. Just to recap/summarise …
 My allotted time is up, so I‗ll conclude by saying …
 That brings me to the end of my presentation
, To conclude/In short/To summarise
, If you would like more information on this, …
 Thank you very much for coming.
 I appreciate your attending/attention.
 Are there any questions?
 I‘d be interested to hear your views, so if you have any questions we can open the floor now.

George: Now let's think about the preparation for the presentation.

What do you have to prepare for it?

Sara: The most important thing is to know about the audience, find out

about

Luigi: Yes, but you need to make sure of your objectives first, so decide on the objectives—what

you want the talk to achieve.

Sara: Yes, but to do that, you need to know about the audience—their knowledge, what they want

to know, everything like that.

Luigi: Yes, all that's important

Hal: Yes, true

George: So, audience and objectives.

Others: Yes / right / okay.

Hal: Then the third thing is you have to go through the content, gather information, organize it,

decide on a structure.

Sara: Yes, get a good structure, I agree. Then once the structure is okay, you need visuals, any

graphs and that sort of thing

George: Yes, the visual supports.

Sara: Then, well, you could write it all out. At least the introduction—just to practice it. Some

people write out everything, some don't. It depends.

George: Yes, I think that's a good point. But practice is really very important. A key part of the

preparation is to actually practice it, to give the presentation practice… until you could do it just

from notes. Then, what else?

Luigi: Check all the language, keep it simple, make sure there's no mistakes on the visuals.

Spelling and all that.

Hal: And I think you should check that the room is okay and the equipment.

George: Yeah…imaging, no slide projector, or….

Sara: Or the overhead hasn‗t got a bulb in it.

In presentation: (Comment on the following statements. In your opinion, are they essential, helpful, or
unhelpful

for a successful presentation?

1. Tell a joke at the beginning.

2. Speak more slowly than you normally do.

3. Smile a lot.

4. Involve the audience.

5. Invite questions during the presentation.

6. Always keep to your plan.

7. Move around during your presentation.

8. Use a lot of gestures to emphasize important points.

9. Read out your presentation from a script.

10. Stand up when giving your presentation.)

[#Introducing yourself]

Good morning, everyone.

Let me introduce myself. My name is

I'm a specialist in

[Structuring the presentation]

I'm going to divide my talk into four parts.

First I'll give you…after that; finally

[Inviting questions]

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to

 [Changing the topic]

Right, let's now move on to

OK, I'll now look at

[Changing the topic]

To sum up

So to summarize

[Referring to visuals]

If you look at the graph

Class Work

ask.

I'll be glad to answer any questions (at the

end of my talk.)

[Giving background information]

I'll give you some background

information

Let's start with the background.

[Referring to the audience's knowledge]

As you know

As you are aware

[Changing the topic]

Right, let's now move on to

OK, I'll now look at

[Changing the topic]

To sum up

So to summarize

[Referring to #visuals]

If you look at the graph

Class Work

ask.

I'll be glad to answer any questions (at the

end of my talk.)

[Giving #background information]

I'll give you some background

information

Let's start with the background.

[Referring to the #audience's knowledge]

As you know

As you are aware

#Reading

Could I draw your attention to the chart?

If you take a look at the first year, you'll see

[#Ending]

Thanks very much. Any questions?

Well, that's all I have to say. Thank you for listening.

A group of #managers are #discussing whether to offer an #employee a full-time

#contract.

Bob: Good, everyone's here now. There's coffee if you want it. Right, can we start please? As you

all know, Roberto's been working as assistant to Carla Nuñez for six months now. He's just finished his
probationary period. How do you feel about offering

him a full time contract?

Maria: I'm not sure we should do it really. It says in

this report that he's been late to work a few times and

he can be rather

Nicole: Oh I don't think that's too important

Bob: Could you let her finish please?

Nicole: Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to butt in

Maria: Another thing about Roberto I'm not happy

about: he leaves exactly on time every day. Also, he doesn't have lunch with us very often, you

know, he goes off on his own

Bob: I'm not sure that's relevant.

Nicole: Mmm, maybe.

Maria: What about his actual work? In my opinion, it's fine. He's done some really good

things.

Bob: Well, I think we should discuss this a bit more. What exactly do you mean by 'good things'?

Maria: He works very hard for Carla, and he is excellent with customers.

Nicole: And he is always very sociable in the office.

Bob: Well, thanks very much. You've all made your views very clear. I think it would be good to keep

Roberto on a probationary period for a further three months. We can re-evaluate after that

Practice the #conversation below with your #partner.

A: How do you feel about (offering him a full time contract)?

B: I'm not sure we should do it really. It says in this report that (he's been late to work a few times)

and

C: Oh I don't think that's too important

A: Could you let her finish please?

C: Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to butt in

B: Another thing I'm not happy about is (he leaves exactly on time every day

[#Starting]

[Speeding up]

Class Work

OK, let's get down to business.

Right, can we start please?

[Asking for #reactions]

How do you feel about this?

What do you think?

[Dealing with interruptions]

Could you let her finish please?

Could you just hang on a moment please?

[Keeping to the point]

I'm not sure that's relevant.

Perhaps we could get back to the point. Let's leave that aside for the moment.

Reading
I think we should move on now.

Can we come back to that?

[Slowing down]

Hold on, we need to look at this in more

detail.

I think we should discuss this a bit more.

[Summarizing]

OK, let's go over what we've agreed.

Right, to sum up then

Class

Speeding up:

I think we should move on now.

Can we come back to that?

[Slowing down]

Hold on, we need to look at this in more

detail.

I think we should discuss this a bit more.

[Summarizing]

OK, let's go over what we've agreed.

Right, to sum up then

Presentation
During the #meeting

Useful English Phrases for Participating in a Business Meeting

Good morning/afternoon, everyone.

If we are all here, let's

. . . get started (OR)

start the meeting. (OR)

. . . start.

Welcoming and Introducing Participants

Please join me in welcoming (name of participant)

We're pleased to welcome (name of participant)

It's a pleasure to welcome (name of participant)

I'd like to introduce (name of participant)

I don't think you've met (name of participant)

Introducing the main topic

I would like to begin by looking at …

Let‘s get started, shall we?

So, let‘s begin…

Stating the Principal Objectives of a Meeting

We're here today to

Our aim is to ...

I've called this meeting in order to ...

By the end of this meeting, I'd like to have ...

Giving Apologies for Someone Who is Absent

I'm afraid.., (name of participant) can't be with us today. She is in...

I have received apologies for the absence of (name of participant), who is in (place).

Reading the Minutes (Notes) of the Last Meeting

First let's go over the report from the last meeting, which was held on (date)

Here are the minutes from our last meeting, which was on (date)
Dealing with Recent Developments

Jack, can you tell us how the XYZ project is progressing?

Jack, how is the XYZ project coming along?

John, have you completed the report on the new accounting package?

Has everyone received a copy of the Tate Foundation report on current marketing trends?

Moving Forward

So, if there is nothing else we need to discuss, let's move on to today's agenda.

Shall we get down to business?

Is there any other business?

If there are no further developments, I'd like to move on to today's topic.

Stating your purpose

The purpose / objective / aim of this presentation is to …

Our goal is to determine how / the best way to …

What I want to show you is …

My objective is to …

Today I‘d like to give you an overview of …

Today I‘ll be showing you / reporting on …

I‘d like to update you on / inform you about …

During the next few hours we‘ll be …

Structuring

I‘ve divided my presentation into three (main) parts.

In my presentation I‘ll focus on three major issues.

Timing (Optional)

My presentation will take about 30 minutes.

It will take about 20 minutes to cover these issues
. This won‘t take more than …

Handouts

Does everybody have a handout / brochure / copy of the

report? Please take one and pass them on.

Don‘t worry about taking notes. I‘ve put all the important
statistics on a handout for you.

I‘ll be handing out copies of the slides at the end of my

talk.

I can email the PowerPoint presentation to anybody who

wants it.

Introducing the Agenda

Have you all received a copy of the agenda?

There are three items on the agenda. First,

Shall we take the points in this order?

If you don't mind, I'd like to ... go in order (OR)

skip item 1 and move on to item 3

I suggest we take item 2 last.

Saying why your topic is relevant for your audience

Today‘s topic is of particular interest to those of you / us

who …

My talk is particularly relevant to those of us who …

My topic is / will be very important for you because …

By the end of this talk you will be familiar with …

Referring to visuals If you take a look at…,

you will see that…
Please look at this…, which shows…
As you can see from this…
The next slide shows…

Moving on to another part of the presentation

So, we‘ve looked at… and now I‘d like to…

Having looked at…, let‘s move on to…

Let‘s move on to…

Now, turning to…

Moving on now to…

Allocating Roles (secretary, participants)

(name of participant) has agreed to take the minutes.

(name of participant) has kindly agreed to give us a report on this matter.

(name of participant) will lead point 1, (name of participant) point 2, and (name of participant) point 3.

(name of participant), would you mind taking notes today?

Agreeing on the Ground Rules for the Meeting (contributions, timing, decision-making, etc.)

We will hear a short report on each point first, followed by a discussion round the table.

I suggest we go round the table first.

The meeting is due to finish at...

We'll have to keep each item to ten minutes. Otherwise we'll never get through.

We may need to vote on item 5, if we can't get a unanimous decision.

Introducing the First Item on the Agenda

So, let's start with

Shall we start with. .

So, the first item on the agenda is

Pete, would you like to kick off?

Martin, would you like to introduce this item?

Addressing the audience directly

I‘m sure you‘ll all agree that…
Did you know that…?
You will all be aware that…

Expressing different options

We‘ve considered two options
As I see it, we have three options. One is…. The other is….
There are two alternatives… The first is …, and the second…

Highlighting advantages and disadvantages

What are the advantages? … There are, however, some disadvantages…
The benefit of… is…. On the other hand, there are some problems too

Interesting facts

According to an article I read

recently, …
Did you know that … ?

I‘d like to share an amazing

fact / figure with you.

Stories and anecdotes

I remember when I attended a

meeting in Paris, …

At a conference in Madrid, I was once

asked the following question: …

Let me tell you what happened to

me …

Going back

As I said / mentioned earlier, …
Let me come back to what I said before …
Let‘s go back to what we were discussing earlier.
As I‘ve already explained, …
As I pointed out in the first section, …

Emphasising important information …

is extremely important …
is totally unacceptable What we mustn‘t do is…
We really must…

Adding ideas

In addition to this, I‘d like to say that our IT business is

going very well.

Moreover / Furthermore, there are other interesting facts

we should take a look at.

Apart from being too expensive, this model is too big.

Talking about (difficult) issues

I think we first need to identify the problem.

Of course we‘ll have to clarify a few points before we start.

We will have to deal with the problem of increasing prices.

How shall we cope with unfair business practices?

The question is: why don‘t we tackle the distribution

problems?
If we don‘t solve this problem now, we‘ll get / run into

serious trouble soon.

We will have to take care of this problem now.

We are currently having difficulties with …

Giving explanations
This is due to…
There are two reasons for this. First,….
Second… One reason for this is…. Another reason is…

Making recommendations

We‘d suggest …

We therefore (strongly) recommend that …

In my opinion, we should …

Based on the figures we have, I‘m quite certain

that …

Contrasting
However / on the other hand / although / in spite of this

Showing a consequence
Consequently / therefore / as a result

Quoting a well-known person

As … once said, …

To quote a well-known businessman, …

To put it in the words of …

Closing an Item

I think that covers the first item.

Shall we leave that item?

If nobody has anything else to add,

Referring to other parts of the presentation

As I‘ve already said…

I‘d like to go back to something I mentioned earlier…

I‘ll come back to this in a moment

Next Item

Let's move onto the next item

The next item on the agenda is

Now we come to the question of.

Giving Control to the Next Participant

I'd like to hand over to Mark, who is going to lead the next point.

Right, Dorothy, over to you.

Recommendation

So, I would suggest that we…

My proposal would be to…

I‘d like to propose…

We recommend…

In my opinion, the only way forward is…

Rhetorical questions

How would you deal with this?

What did we learn from this?

What‘s the explanation for this?

How do we manage to do this?

How will this affect us?

Suggesting and Agreeing on Time, Date and Place for the Next Meeting

Can we fix the next meeting, please?

So, the next meeting will be on... (day), the . . . (date) of.. . (month) at...

What about the following Wednesday? How is that?

So, see you all then.

Thanking Participants for Attending

I'd like to thank Marianne and Jeremy for coming over from London.

Thank you all for attending. Invitation for #questions

I’d be glad to answer any questions you may have
Clarifying a question
Any questions?
Sorry, could you say that again, please?
So, let’s throw it open to questions
I didn‘t quite catch that
I‘m not sure what you‘re getting at Are there any questions?
Could you go over that again? I would welcome any comments or suggestions
Welcoming a question
Go ahead
Certainly
Please do
That’s a good question
That’s interesting
 When you say…, do you mean…?
If I understand you correctly, you‘re asking…

Showing you understand

Yes, I quite see your point

That‘s an accurate observation
I can understand your concern but…
Clearly that‘s important but…
You needn‘t worry about that. I can assure you that

Expressing an alternative point of view

Yes, I see your point but I‘m sure you will understand…

Well, I have some doubts about that

However, I know you‘ll appreciate…

On the other hand, if we consider…

Evading a question

Perhaps we could deal with that later

I don‘t have the figures with me

I‘m afraid that‘s not my field

I‘m sure Mr X could answer that question

I‘m afraid I‘m not able to answer that question at present

Checking satisfaction

Is that clear?

Does that answer your question?

May we go on?

Summarizing

Let me sum up. Firstly, …, secondly, …, and finally ….

I‘m now approaching / nearing the end of my presentation.

Let me just run over the key points again

At this stage, I‘d like to go over the main points of this morning‘s presentation

I‘d like to briefly summarise the main issues

To sum up…

So, as we‘ve seen in the presentation today…

Before we close, let me just summarize the main points.

To sum up, ...

In brief,

Shall I go over the main points?

Finishing Up

Right, it looks as though we've covered the main items

Is there Any Other Business?

Closing/ending

Thanks for your participation.

I‘d like to leave you with the following thought/idea
I‘d like to conclude by…
Thank you for your attention
Thank you for listening

FIRST DAY AT WORK

Situation: Joseph was hired as a financial analyst by Lintel. Today is Joseph‟s first day at work.

Mike: Good morning, Joseph.

Joseph: Good morning, Mike.

Mike: Let me take you to your cubicle and then I will give you a tour of our facility.

Mike: Here is your cubicle, your ―home away from home‖ from 8:00 to 5:00 every day, Joseph.

Joseph: Oh, very nice!

Mike: Drop your belongings here, and let‘s go!

Joseph: OK, I am ready Mike.

Mike: That is Mary over there. She is our senior financial analyst. You will be working with her

in the future. Let‘s go say hi to her.

Mike: Mary, this is Joseph, our department‘s new addition.

Mary: Welcome aboard, Joseph. I am very glad to see you. Boy! I was swamped with work the

last couple of weeks. But, I can see myself going home at a more decent time from now on.

Joseph: Thank you. I am very happy to be here. Just let me know whenever you need me. I am

glad to be of any assistance.

Mike: I am giving Joseph a tour of our facility so that he knows his way around here.
Mary: See you later, Joseph.

Joseph: OK, Mary.

Mike: We are now in the Finance department. Next to us, on your left, is the Accounting

department. On your right is the Human Resources department. Go downstairs and we are in the

Engineering department. Further down, at the end of the hallway is the Production area. Seventy

percent of our merchandise is produced right here in this facility. We also have one smaller

manufacturing facility overseas that handles the rest of the production. You will be dealing with

Saleem, the Production manager. I will introduce you to him later because he is in a meeting at the

moment. Let‘s go back to your desk so that we can talk about your duties.

Joseph: OK.

Mike: Like I said during the interview, one of your daily jobs is to deal with the bank to keep

track of our financial resources. Every morning, you will access our account through the Internet

to get financial information.

Joseph: I should have a login and password, right?

Mike: Yes, I will call our bank and inform them that you are our new employee. Your next task

is to call overseas to get other necessary information.

Joseph: What kind of data do I need to get from our people overseas?

Mike: You will need financial data about their current and future projects.

Joseph: Do they need any information from me?

Mike: Yes, you need to work with them on their budgets. You can fax or e-mail them the

information. If you need to talk to them, call them as soon as you get in. Remember that they are

eight hours ahead of us.

Joseph: The fax machine and the copier are in the next room, right? I saw them when you took me

around.

Mike: Yes. Make sure that you create a file for each overseas project. You and I will review

them at the end of every week.

Joseph: In the beginning, can you review the files with me more often? I just want to make sure

that I do my job correctly.

Mike: Yes, come see me whenever you have questions.

Joseph: Thank you.

Mike: It is almost the end of November, so your next major task is to help prepare the budget for

next year. You will work closely with Mary on this project.

Joseph: That is a long and tedious task. There will be a lot of calculations and a lot of questions to

ask, right?

Mike: Yes. So, it is better that both of you start working on this project as soon as possible.

Joseph: I will get together with Mary soon.

Mike: OK, that should be enough for now. I leave you on your own to get organized.

Joseph: Thank you, Mike

English At work / Business

"Do you know what's wrong with the printer?"

"Who do we call to report a problem with the printer?"

"When is the printer going to be fixed?"

"The printer next to the break room is broken. Where is the other printer?"

"The copy machine is jammed again."

"The copy machine is broken."

"We need to get the copy machine fixed."

"A technician is coming this afternoon to fix the copy machine."

"Where is the paper for the copy machine?"

"We need to order more paper. We're running low."

Company Policies

"How long are we allowed for lunch?"

"How long is our lunch break?"

"If I only take a 30 minute lunch, can I leave 30 minutes earlier?"

"What time should I report to work?"

"Is there a strict policy on working hours?"

"Are we allowed to start work an hour later if we work an hour more?"

"What is the dress code here?"

"Are we allowed to wear casual clothes on Friday?"

"Does this company have the casual Friday thing?"

"If I have ten vacation days, am I allowed to use them all at once?"

"What holidays do we have off?"

"Do our vacation days expire?"

"Does this company allow telecommuting?"

"Are we allowed to work from home?

In Busy Condition

"I'm busy with work."

"Can I do this later?"

"Does this have to be done now?"

"When do you need this by?"

"When is the deadline?"

"I'm not going to have time for any other assignment until Thursday."

"I'll try to free up my schedule."

"I'm pretty sure I can meet the deadline."

"If I don't get any help on this, I won't be able to complete it on time."

"I'll do whatever I can to make sure this is done on time."

"You can count on me."

"Have I ever let you down?"

Giving/Asking Business Cards

"Do you have a business card?"

"Could I have one of your business cards?"

"Can I have your business card?"

Responding to these questions are very easy. You can just say 'sure' or 'no problem.'

"Can I get your phone number or email address?"

"What is the best way to contact you?"

"Can I get your contact information?"

"Let me give you one of my business cards."

"My contact information is on my business card. Let me give you one."

"You can reach me by calling the number on my business card."

"My email address is on my business card."

 General Office

If you can't find a file, you can ask around.

"Do you know where the ABC file is at?"

"Do you have the ABC file?"
"Is anybody using the ABC file right now?"
"Did you check the file cabinet? It should be there."
"Check the bin. Sometimes people throw it in there after they are done."
"Oh... it's on my desk. I forgot to put it back."
"It's in my office. I'll get it for you."

If you see a file or a book you need on someone's desk, you can ask to borrow it.

"Are you using this book right now?"

"Can I borrow this book?"
"Are you finished with this file?"
"Are you done with this report?"

"Can I use this file?"

If you need something, it is common to ask around. Here are some examples of what you might need in the
office.

"Do you have an extra mouse? Mine broke."

"Do you have another network cable? The one I have is too short."
"Do you have a blank floppy disk I can have?"
"I ran out of labels. Do you have any I can have?"
"Can I borrow your stapler?"
"Do you have a hole puncher?"
"Do you have a staple remover by any chance?"

A: "I can't get the printer to work."

B: "Did you check to see if it had paper?"

A: "Yeah. That's the first thing I checked."

B: "I don't know then. You might have to call the technician."

A: "How do I do that?"

B: "Just tell the admin and she should take care of it."

A: "Is there another printer that I can use?"

B: "Yeah. There's one down the hall next to the supply room."

A: "Oh yeah... I remember that one. Thanks."

B: "No problem."

A: "Do you have a lot of work?"

B: "Yeah. I'm pretty busy. Why?"

A: "Oh. I needed some help on documenting this process."

B: "Does this have to be done right now?"

A: "The manager wants it by Friday."

B: "I'll try to free up my schedule. Remind me again tomorrow morning, and I'll help you in the afternoon."

A: "Do you need to read the documents first?"

B: "Yeah. That would help."

A: "I'll print you a copy and then drop them off."

B: "Make sure you drop it off before five because I have to leave early."

A: "No problem. Thanks."

A: "Are you new here?"

B: "Yeah. I just started yesterday."

A: "Welcome aboard. I'm Jack."

B: "I'm Mark. Nice to meet you."

A: "What are you going to be working on?"

B: "I'm going to work on the planning team. But I haven't started yet. I'm still in training."

A: "The planning team is great. Our marketing team works with them closely. We'll end up working together
sometimes."

B: "That's great. Oh, can I ask you some questions?"

A: "Sure."

B: "Does this company have a casual Friday?"

A: "Not really. You can get away with wearing slacks, but I've never seen anyone wear jeans."

B: "That's alright. Do you know any good places to eat around here?"

A: "Yeah there's a deli right across the street. They have fresh sandwiches and sometimes hot dishes like
teriyaki. It's pretty good."

B: "That sounds good. Thanks for the info."

A: "No problem. If you need anything, I sit right around the corner here."

#Requesting #Equipment

"I'm out of staples. Do we have any more in the supply room?"

"The supply room is running low on pens. I think we should get more."
"My monitor is very old. It's a little blurry and it gives me a headache when I look at it for a long duration.
 Could I get a new monitor?"
"My computer is too slow. It slows down my work. I would like a faster computer. It will increase my
efficiency on many of my tasks."
"I would like an ergonomic keyboard. I can type much faster with those."
"Can I get a new chair? This one is so uncomfortable."
"Can you get me a headset for the telephone? I'm on the phone most of the day and I would like to free up
my hands.‖

#Late At Work

"Sorry I'm late. Traffic was unusually bad today."

"I apologize for being late. I had to drop off my wife at work. It took longer than I thought."

"I had a dentist appointment this morning and it was longer than I expected."

"I'm sorry for being late. I got stuck in every light this morning."

Very Late:
"Hi Barbara, I'm going to be 30 minutes late today. My car is having trouble this morning, so I arranged for a
ride with a friend."

"Hey Jack, I'm running a little late today. I just got out of my dentist appointment and it was longer than I
expected."

"Mark? This is Pat. I'm stuck in traffic. I think there is an accident that is holding up traffic. I'm going to be a
little late."

Leaving Work Early

"I have to leave a little early today. Is it ok if I finish my work at home?"

"I have a dentist appointment at four. I have to leave early today."

"I have a dentist appointment tomorrow at four. Is it ok if I leave early tomorrow?"

"I have to pick up my wife at the airport tomorrow. Is it ok if I leave at three?"

"I have a conference with my son's teacher tomorrow at three thirty. I have to leave at three. Will that be
ok?"

"I have a terrible headache. Is it ok if I leave early today?"

"I think I might be coming down with the flu. I should get some rest and try to fight this thing off early. May I
leave early today?"

"I'm not feeling well. I think I should get some rest. Will it be ok if I go home early today?"

"My son got sick and I have to pick him up from school. Will that be ok?"

Sick day

Martha? This is Jack. I have a fever and I will not be able to come in today."
"Hi Mary, I have to use a sick day today. I'm feeling terrible right now."
"Hi Steve, this is Mark. I wanted to let you know that I am too sick to come in today."
"Hi Andrew, this is Josh. I'm pretty sick so I will not be able to make it in today. I was feeling
 sick last night and thought I would be better after some sleep, but it just got worse."

"Hi Sam, this is Jessica. I have some urgent personal matters I have to deal with. I won't be
able to make it in."
"Mark? This is John. My dad went into the emergency room this morning. I'm not sure what
the problem is, but I don't think I can make it in today. I'll send you an update later."
"My son all of the sudden got really sick. I have to take him to the hospital now. I doubt I
can make it in today. Will that be ok?"
"Jake? Will it be ok if I take the day off? My grandmother just passed away and I don't think
I will be able to work today."

Asking for Vacation

"Will it be ok if I use a personal day this Thursday?"

"I have to catch up on a lot of errands, so can I use a vacation day on Monday?"

"My parents are coming into town. Can I take Thursday and Friday off?"

"I would like to use my vacation days for the first week of June. Will that be ok?"

"Will it be ok if I take the last week of July off?"

"Can I schedule a vacation for the second week of August?"

"I was wondering if I can take a vacation. Can I take the first two weeks off in September?"

#Vacation #Travel

JULIE: I just bought a ticket to New York City. I‘m so excited to see the city!

SOPHIE: Good for you! Traveling is so much fun. I love discovering new places and new people.
When are you leaving?

JULIE: Next week. I‘m taking the red eye. It was cheaper. Hopefully, I‘ll be able to sleep on the
plane.

SOPHIE: I wish I could go with you! New York City is a magical place. You will have so much fun.

JULIE: I hope so. I‘m going to visit my brother who lives there. I will stay for a week and then take
the train down to Washington, D.C.

SOPHIE: That sounds like a great vacation. I‘m looking forward to a week at the beach for my
summer vacation. I just want to relax.

Prabha : Hi Sudha! How was your vacation?

Sudha : Great!We had lots of adventure and excitement!
Prabha : Adventure?! How come? You were going to Pune for a
quiet holiday at your grandfather‟s farm, weren‟t you?
Sudha : Yes. You see, we had to go to Pune en route Bombay to
pick up my aunts and via Hyderabad for a stop-over as Dad
had some business deals to complete. Dad came up with a
suggestion that we try different modes of transport. So we
 booked air and train tickets at the booking counters, boarded
the train to Hyderabad, took a flight to Bombay and from
there we completed our journey to Pune by road.
Prabha : So that was the adventure!
Sudha : It was just one of the many. The adventure started from
home when we couldn‟t get the car started so we had to
phone for a call taxi.We were delayed on our way due to
traffic snarls, and we managed to reach the railway station
at the nick of time. Surprisingly, the train was starting out
as scheduled so we scrambled into the coach with the porter
pushing us in along with our luggage. With the train
departing on time we arrived at Hyderabad, without much
ado but it was difficult to find the three star hotel in which
we had booked rooms well in advance. By the time we
checked in we were exhausted!
As we had to catch a 7 a.m flight with the reporting time at
6 am we asked the reception to give us an early morning
call at 4 a.m. He woke us only at 5.30 a.m. So we had to dash
to the airport, run up to the check-in desk, weigh our luggage
- fortunately we had no excess baggage - collect our boarding
passes and rush to the departure lounge. It was only then
that we noticed the weather conditions! Yes, you guessed
right! There was heavy fog! So you can imagine what
followed: the flight was delayed by fog! We finally boarded
the plane at 8 am found our seats with the help of the air steward
and relaxed only after we had fastened our seat
belts, and watched through the porthole the plane taxiing
along the runway before it took off. The flight was not bumpy
in spite of the weather and the pilot being a veteran, the
plane cruised at a comfortable altitude. The touchdown was
so smooth that I didn‟t realise we had landed. When we
alighted from the plane and walked to the terminal building
we found our aunties waiting to receive us. They had rented
cars for our drive down to Pune. So we piled in into two
Ambassadors and from here the excitement began.
Prabha : I don‟t see what is so exciting about riding in a car.We are
doing it every day, aren‟t we?
Sudha : It‟s not the car ride I‟m talking about! It‟s the road! The
beautiful scenery on either side; the cool freshness of the
air! There‟s nothing like travelling by road if you want to
know your country!
Prabha : So, how did the rest of your vacation go?
Sudha : I‟ll tell you later, it‟s time for the Morning Assembly.

A: "Jack. Can I see you in my office?"

B: "Sure."

A: "You have been late 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Is this going to be a continual problem?"

B: "I'm so sorry. I really got unlucky this morning."

A: "Being late once in a while is based on luck. If you are late frequently, it shows that you are irresponsible.
How are you going to fix it?"

B: "Last week, I had a lot of personal problems. I took care of all those problems and I don't have any excuse
to be late anymore. I planned on coming in to the office early today, but there was an accident that held up
traffic."

A: "You better start anticipating all problems because I'm not going to tolerate your tardiness any longer. Is
that clear?"

B: "Perfectly clear. I will not be late again."

A: "That's all."

A: "Hey Martha, is there anything urgent that needs to be done today?"

B: "No. I don't believe so. Why?"

A: "I have a terrible #headache and I was wondering if it would be ok if I could leave a little early today."

B: "I don't see why not. You can make up the time later in the week."

A: "That's what I was thinking too. But as for today, I don't think I can be productive."

B: "It's already two o'clock now. What time were you going to leave?"

A: "I'm just going to wrap up and leave pretty soon. Probably in about thirty minutes."

B: "Ok. Get some rest. If you are sick tomorrow, give me a call."

A: "Aright. Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow."

A: "Hi Martha. This is Jack. I think I caught a flu or something. I feel worse than yesterday."

B: "You better stay home today then."

A: "I think that will be best. I'll log my sick day tomorrow when I get in."

B: "No problem. Just get some rest. We have everything covered here so don't worry."

A: "Ok. Just in case something happens, you can call me at home. I'll be here all day."

B: "Ok. Thanks for calling. I'll see you when you get better."

A: "Aright. Thanks. Bye."

#Hard Drive

"I have all the information saved on my hard drive."

"I finished the presentation preparation and I saved it on my hard drive."

"I have the documents you are looking for saved on my computer."
"I have the information on my computer. Do you want me to put it on a floppy disk for you?"

#Network share and public share

"I have those files in my public folder. Just go to John01 public. You should see all the documents there."

"I saved it at John01 public. Go ahead and take what you need."

"I'll need all the information on ABC Company. Didn't you say you have the information? Can you put them
on a public share?"

"Hey John, I don't have permission to get into John01. Can you check the permissions on the folder?"

"I don't have write access on the folder. Can you give me write permissions?"

"I don't want anybody changing the data, so everyone only has read permissions."

#Software

"What software do you use here?"

"What kind of application do you use to keep track of all these records?"

"Martha told me about TaxIt. When can I get a copy?"

"Is there a manual how to use this program?"

"How do you use this?"

"TaxIt won't open any more. I think it's broken."

"I can't get TaxIt to work. Can someone help me with this?"

"Microsoft Office applications do everything we need. That's all we use here."

"What version of Office do you use here?"

"What software do you use for word processing?"

"All the documents are saved using MSWord. Do you have Word or another application that will be able to
read the information?"

"We use a different word processing application. Can you save as a text file?"

"I can't open the file that you gave me. What version of Word are you using?"

A: "Barbara, did you finish the report on XYZ Company?"

B: "Yes. I just finished today."

A: "I would like to review them before we send the report. Can you give me a copy?"

B: "Sure. Would you like a hard copy?"

A: "No. Just send me the path to the location of the report. I'll look them over on my computer."
B: "Sure. I'll give you permission for the folder. You can find them at barbara01 slash XYZ. I'll give you
permission right now."

A: "Great. Thanks."

A: "John, are you having problems with your network?"

B: "I think our whole network is down for upgrades. It should be back up in an hour."

A: "That's too late. I need the review documents from the company network share."

B: "I have a copy of that on my computer."

A: "Really? Can I get a copy?"

B: "Sure. But since the network is down, I'll have to put it on a disk for you."

A: "That would be great."

B: "Do you have a floppy disk?"

A: "I think I have one on my desk. Here it is."

B: "Ok. It's saving now. Here you go."

A: "Thanks. You saved me a great deal of trouble. I'm so glad you had a copy of this on your machine."

B: "No problem. I'm glad I could help."

"My computer is giving me problems again."

"My computer broke, but luckily I saved my work on a disk."

"My computer is too slow."

"Something is wrong with my computer."

"I work with the computer most of the day."

"All my work is done on the computer."

"We are upgrading our computers this week."

"I hope we upgrade our computers soon. The ones we have are way too old."

"My computer froze. What should I do?"

"My computer is not responding and I haven't saved my data yet. What should I do?"

A: "Don't we need a tax software to do this work?"

B: "Yeah. Don't you have it installed on your computer?"

A: "No. They said they would install it for me, but they didn't do it yet."

B: "Go ask your manager. He probably forgot."

A: "That's a good idea. Is there an instructional manual for this software?"

B: "It's in the second file cabinet under Software Applications."

A: "Thanks. I'll probably need it when I get the software."

B: "Actually, it's not that difficult to use. I think you should be able to figure it out without the manual. The
manual is only good for advanced options that we don't really need."

A: "You're probably right. Many of the manuals I've read were not that helpful. Do you mind if I come to you
for questions when I am using the software?"

B: "Not at all. Feel free to ask any questions. If I know the answer, I'll let you know."

A: "Great. I better go find the manager to get the software installed on my computer."

#Email At #Work

"My email is getting full. I better delete some old mail."

"I better save my emails to my hard drive so I can make some room in my inbox."

"How do I request more storage space for my email account? I am constantly running out of space."

"You're running out of email space too? I have the same problem at least once a month."

"I hate getting the mail that I am running low on space."

"I just started my job so I haven't received my email address yet."

"My email account hasn't been created yet. They said I should receive it tomorrow."

"I haven't received any emails in the last four hours. I think the server is down or something."

"I think the exchange server is down. Is somebody taking a look at this problem?"

"I can't send anything right now. Is anybody else having a problem with their email?"

"It could be a network problem, but my email account is not working."

"I can't access my email right now. I think the server is down."

"Who should we contact if we are having email problems?"

"I keep getting junk mail in my work account. How did they get this email address?"

"How do I prevent junk mail?"

"Don't open any mail with the title, 'Your request has been approved!!!' It contains a virus. Please delete
this mail at once if you see it."

__________________________________________

A: "I'll have the report ready for review tonight. Will you be able to look at it tomorrow?"

B: "I'm not going to be in the office tomorrow. Can you email it to me? I'll look at it from home."

A: "Sure. What's your email address?"

B: "It is someone@hotmail.com."

A: "The file is pretty big. Will the email allow me to send a file that big?"

B: "If it is under one mega byte, you shouldn't have a problem."

A: "I don't think it's that big. I'll send it tonight. Just get back to me when you finish the review tomorrow."

B: "Ok. I should be done with it by noon."

A: "That would be great. Thanks."

-----------------------------------
A: "The manager wants us to work on the data analysis together."

B: "Did you get an email from her?"

A: "Yeah. You were on the µto' line as well."

B: "I never got it yet. When did you get the mail?"

A: "I got it about 30 minutes ago. Should we have her send the mail again?"

B: "No, I don't want to bother her right now. Can you just forward the mail to me?"

A: "No problem. I'll do it now."

B: "I'm still not getting it."

A: "Maybe your exchange server is down."

B: "I think you're right. Can you send it to my personal account? It is someone@hotmail.com."

A: "Sure. Sending now."

B: "I got it. Thanks for forwarding me the mail. After I read it, let's get together to discuss how we are going to
work on the data analysis."

A: "Perfect. Just ping me when ever."

______________________
A: "Hi Jack, this is Cindy from the audit team."

B: "Hi Cindy."

A: "I'm calling in regards to the 2003 bank statements you sent over to me last week. I cannot find the August
statement. Can you resend that one by any chance?"

B: "I can fax them over to you in about an hour. Will that be ok?"

A: "That would be great. I also have questions on several of the withdrawals. Do you know who I should
contact to straighten this out?"

B: "You should talk to Joe Smith. He is our senior accountant over here. His number is 555-123-4567."

A: "That was Joe Smith at 555-123-4567?"

B: "That's correct."

A: "Do you have his email address. I might need it later."

B: "Sure. It's joesmith@ourcompany.com."

A: "joesmith@ourcompany.com. Ok. Thanks for all your help."

B: "No problem. Have a good day."

A: "You too. Thanks again. Bye."

Meeting At Work

"Hi Jack. Do you know who is coming to your meeting at 2:00?"

"Who all did you invite to the triage meeting?"
"Hi Jack. How long do you think the meeting will be?"
"I have to schedule another appointment at 4:00 but I don't want it to overlap with yours. How long is
the meeting going to be?"
"Is the meeting going to be more than an hour?"
"What time was the meeting again?"
"When are you going to make that presentation? I thought it was today?"
Here are common statements people use when they can't attend a meeting.
"I have another appointment that conflicts with your meeting. I will not be able to make it."
"I have another meeting that I cannot miss. I won't be able to make yours."
"I won't be able to go to the 3:00 meeting. I have another appointment at the same time."
"I can't go to the meeting at 4:00. I have a doctor's appointment. Can you take notes for me?"
"I'm going to be out of town tomorrow, so I won't be able to attend the quarterly meeting. Can you
send me a mail on the topics that were discussed?"

#Cancelling a #meeting

"There are four people who will not be able to attend the meeting tomorrow. I am going to reschedule
the meeting to a more convenient time."

"The director asked that we postpone the finance meeting until the quarterly report comes out. So I'll
send an update with the new date and time later this week."

Some meetings are weekly meetings that occur at the same time. It is common that these meetings
are canceled when there is nothing to talk about.

"There is nothing new to discuss this week, so we are going to cancel this week's agenda meeting."

"I am running late this morning. Let's postpone the meeting until the afternoon."

"I can't make it in tomorrow, so let's cancel this week's meeting. I'll email everyone if something new
comes up."

"I have a question. Why is marketing not handling the portion on end user analysis? They usually did this
work in the past."
"How will the new addition to our project affect the deadline that we have?"

"Are we making sure to incorporate user feedback on the changes we are making?"

Starting your #opinion

"I agree with Mark. The correct approach is to send out the tools to our partners before making it public to
everyone."

"In my opinion, I think we should introduce our new line of printers in August. Many companies get more
funding at this time, and students are school shopping. Our target market will be more responsive to our ads
during this time period."

"I think we can go either way. I believe both solutions will take care of it."

Asking for #clarity

Asking for clarity is similar to asking a question. The only difference is that they already answered it and you
don't understand. So you should state exactly what you don't know, or ask for clarity on a specific part of the
question.

"I didn't understand why we are going to be late. I thought we had everything planned out early. What were
the reasons again?"

"Can you elaborate on how this process can help the sales department?"

"Can you clarify the second step in your solution proposal? I don't understand why it is necessary."

#Asking for #Feedback

"What did you think about my presentation?"
"Did you think the meeting went ok?"
"Can you provide feedback on the meeting we just had?"
"Did you find the meeting useful?"
"Did the meeting help to clarify the current situation?"
"Is there any part of our discussion during the meeting that you are still unsure about?"

Providing Feedback
Even if you think the meeting was boring and useless, you can't say that unless you are talking to a
close friend. Many times in the office, you have to give a professional answer.
"I thought the presentation went well. You provided great information and I think everyone was
impressed."
"The meeting went well. We covered a lot of information and made some important decisions."
"The whole presentation went pretty well, but next time I would recommend that you talk a little
slower. When we were running out of time, you started speaking too fast and it was hard to keep up."
"Most of the time, our weekly meeting is pretty dull, but today was quite useful."
"I understand what is happening to our project now, but I'm still unclear about exactly who is affected
by this change."

#General Statements

"I have to go. I have a meeting I'm late for."

"I have to go to a meeting now. I'll talk to you later."

"I forgot about my 1:00 meeting. I don't have much time for lunch."

"I'll finish the feedback form after my meeting."

 "I'll be in meetings all day today."

"I have five meetings today, so I won't have time to help you with this now. Let's set up a time for
tomorrow."

"The meeting went an hour over."

"The meeting was canceled."

"The meeting started 15 minutes late."

"George didn't arrive to the meeting on time."

"We finished late because John had problems with his computer during the presentation portion of the
meeting."

"Are you going to the company meeting next week?"

"Can you set up a meeting for our brainstorm session?"

"My calendar looks pretty clear on Thursday. Set up a meeting for that day."

___________________________

Talking to #Co-Workers

"I missed the meeting. Can you fill me in?"

"I had a doctor's appointment so I missed the meeting. What happened?"

"I couldn't make it to the meeting today. Anything interesting I should know about?"

"I missed the meeting. Was there anything new?"

"Matt looks pretty upset right now. Do you know what's going on?"

"Did something happen recently? Matt looks pissed off."

"I think Matt is mad about something. Do you know what it could be?"

"Matt talks to me like he is mad all the time. Does he do that to you?"

"Does Matt talk to you like he is upset? Or is it just me?"

"It's not you at all. He talks to me that way too."

"Matt is way too moody."

"If he knew what he was doing, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"What is wrong with Matt these days?"

"He is having one of those days again. I think his manager just gave him a hard time."

"What do you think about our manager?"

"He gets too mad easily and he doesn't really help us out that much. What do you think?"

Asking for help or offering #help

When you offer to help someone, you are asking your co-worker if they want to give you some of their work.
Here are a couple of ways you can offer some help.

"I finished my project already so I have extra bandwidth. Let me know if you need help with anything."

Bandwidth is usually used as a networking terminology. But in this context, it means having extra time.

"You're doing the analysis on ABC Company? I did that last year. If you need any help, just let me know."

"I'm pretty familiar with your project so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

Asking for help is a little more difficult. You will have to see what the work environment is like and what type
of relationship you have with your co-workers.

"I'm having trouble implementing Plan A on ABC Company. Can you look at my work and see if I am missing
a step?"

"Can you help me analyze the finance data? This is my first time and I don't want to screw it up."

"Do you have a few minutes to help me with the data migration tool? I can't figure it out."

"Have you worked with Jake yet? He can't do anything right."

"The problem with Jake is that he doesn't know that he is an idiot."
"I remember helping Jake out so much, and then he stabs my back."
"I don't think he does his own work. He goes around asking everyone to do a portion of his work and says he
did it all."
"If you have to work with Jake, remember the things I told you."
"Is management blind or am I being too sensitive about this?"
"I think the manager likes him because he kisses her ass all day long."

Kissing ass refers to butt kiss and brown nosing. Basically, a person who butt kisses is a person always
saying good things to the manager, giving compliments, showing off in front of the manager, and doing
anything possible to look good.

"The manager is blind because he is a total brown-noser."

"I can't believe this company is paying $75,000 a year for this fool."

#Complaining about the #company

"This is a dead end job. I don't see much of a future here."

"I hate the redundancy. It's so boring."

"Work isn't exciting for me anymore. I am doing the same thing over and over again."

"This company doesn't care about employees that much. I haven't received a fair raise in 3 years."

"I don't know if it is my manager or this company, but I'm really getting sick of my job."

"What do you think about all the politics in this company?""The politics suck here. But it is the same for any
large corporation. The best way to deal with it is to take advantage of the rules."

"I don't know how much longer I can take this job. I've been thinking about applying to a different company."
"Have you ever thought about leaving this company?"
"What company do you want to switch to?"
"I started applying for other jobs. There are a lot of positions open."
"I've been looking for jobs on monster.com. They have a lot of positions available."

______________________________________________________________

A: "Hey Jack. How is your day going?"

B: "Just finishing the project. Other than that, not much. How about you?"

A: "I'm just about finished for the day. I have one more task to do, but I wanted to take a break first."

B: "Did you have to work with Jake on that project?"

A: "Unfortunately, yes."

B: "Oh my gosh. I feel so sorry for you."

A: "Don't remind me. I'm just glad it's over."

B: "Yeah. I remember when I worked on the data conversion tool with him. Everything he did, I had to re-do. It
would have been faster if I did it alone."

A: "That's exactly what happened to me. It took me longer because I had to re-do everything he did. That
really pissed me off."

B: "Next time the manager wants me to do a project with him, I'm going to tell him that I will do it myself."

A: "That's a good idea. Hopefully, the manager will realize how useless he is."

B: "Exactly. If you're not busy, you can do my work."

A: "Ha ha. I got enough to do."

B: "Yeah. I'm just kidding."

A: "Aright dude. I better finish my work. I'll talk to you later."

_____________________________________________

A: "Hey Jordan, did you go to the team meeting this morning?"

B: "Yeah. The manager presented a new project to us that we'll have to do."

A: "Damn it. I shouldn't have missed that meeting, but I was stuck in another meeting. What else did you guys
talk about?"

B: "Everything else was the same. We talked about progress of current assignments, due dates, about hiring
another worker, that's all."

A: "What's the new project about?"

B: "It's hard to explain. She sent out mail to all of us. You can just review the document she sent out."

A: "Ok. I'll do that."

_____________________________________

A: "Hey Bob, do you have a few minutes?"

B: "Sure. What's up?"

A: "I'm having problems with my computer. I don't know what's wrong with it."

B: "Let's go take a look at it. Oh. Here is the problem. You have a boot sector virus. Install the anti-virus
software. That should take care of the problem."

A: "Great thanks.

______________________________

A: "How is your day going?"

B: "The same as usual. How about you?"

A: "Me too. I'm getting sick of work man."

B: "I'm already past that stage."

A: "What are you still doing here then?"

B: "It pays the bills."

A: "Why don't you find another job?"

B: "Well, I thought about it, but if I put in two more years, then I get a good pension. I can't give that up.
Anyway, this job is boring, but at least it's easy."

A: "Well, you've been here for eight years. You have some things to stay for. I've only been here for two
years. I can't see myself doing this for another two years. I want to gain more experience in other areas."

B: "Have you brought this up to the boss? Maybe you can go into management."

A: "They usually want a person with an MBA degree or a person willing to put in 80 hours a week."

B: "That's what it takes man. Either this or that."

A: "Yeah. I better think about what I want. Why didn't you go into management?"

B: "It would have taken too much time. I have a family that I want to spend time with, so it wasn't worth it for
me. But you're single. You can put in a few good years and put yourself in a good position before thinking
about settling down."

A: "You have a point. I'll see what my options are. Hopefully the manager will help me out with my career."

B: "She's pretty cool about that. Just be honest with her and she'll show you some doors."

A: "That sounds good. Thanks for the advice."

B: "No problem. Good luck."

Talking to the #boss

"Did you want to review my project?"

"I just completed the assignment. Did you want to review it?"

"This is my first project and I was wondering if you could review it real quick?"
"I think I covered all the bases, but could you do a quick check."

"Hi Roger, can we set up a time to discuss my progress so far?"

"I was wondering if we can meet to discuss how I am doing."

"Can I get some feedback on my performance?"

"Where do you think I need to improve?"

"What areas do you think I should work on?"

"Did you finish reviewing my project I completed?"

"Hi Mark, this was my first project, and I wanted to know how I did so I can improve."

"Where do you think I could have done better?"

"Is there any areas that I could have done better?"

"What should I do better for next time?"

#Asking for more #work

"What areas did I do well, and what areas did I do poorly.

Hi Mark, I finished all my weekly duties already. Do you have more work I can do?"

"I've been completing my work early on a regular basis. Can I have more responsibilities?"

"I have a lot of extra time. I usually double check all my work, but that doesn't take much time. Is there any
additional work I can do?"

I had extra time on my hands so I started investigating the network problem. If you don't mind, I would like to
work on this project to help the office productivity around here."

I have spent every minute on this project and have been putting in serious overtime. This project is a lot
bigger than we anticipated. I am going to need some help to complete it on time. Do you have anyone
available to help me?"

The Alpha project has been eating so much of my time that I didn't have much time to work on the Beta
project. Is there anyone with extra bandwidth to help me finish the Beta project?"

#Complaining and Showing #Frustration

"I can't believe I messed that up. I don't think I am stupid, but this is suggesting otherwise."

"I am so frustrated at myself. How did I not catch that?"

"It's frustrating working with Tim. I'm doing everything I can to help and I am trying to be understanding, but
he is slowing our project down immensely."

I'm having a hard time working with ABC Company. They are always late and the work they do has
numerous errors. It is really frustrating because I have to spend a great deal of time proof reading the
material. I recommend not giving ABC Company any more work."

"Hey Mark. I'm doing all the projects you gave me, but John gives me additional work. I don't mind it, but
lately it's been too much."
"Hey Mark. John has been assigning a lot of work to me. I have a lot of current work I am doing, so I would
like to know what work has more priority."

_________________________________________________________________

A: "Hi Matt, I finished the assignment on the documents. Did you get a chance to review them?"

B: "Yeah. I already reviewed them. It was pretty good."

A: "Since it was my first project, I was wondering if I can get some feedback."

B: "Well, you finished the project on time. And seeing how it was your first assignment, you did very well."

A: "Thanks. If it wasn't my first assignment, where do you think I need to improve?"

B: "That's a fair question... I think you could have spent a little more time documenting the difference between
Process A and Process B. You showed a lot of the similarities, but lacking a little on the differences."

A: "I'll keep that in mind. How about the structure? I changed the template a little because I wanted to add a
section for recommendation."

B: "I liked the addition. Usually people just enter it into the comment section on the bottom but having a clear
section makes it stand out. That was good."

A: "Was there anything else? I like to get feedback early so I can improve."

B: "No problem. Everything else on the assignment was great. The only other tip I can give you is sending me
more updates. If I knew you were stuck on section C for a while, I could have saved you a lot of time. So keep
me aware on your status."

A: "That makes sense. I'll do that. Thanks for the feedback."

B: "Don't mention it. And good job on the assignment."

A: "Thanks."

A: "Hi Mark. I completed Project A and didn't have anything else to work on. Should I find something to do, or
did you have something lined up?"

__________________________________________________________________________

B: "I won't have another assignment for you until next Monday. What will you be doing until then?"

A: "I'm not sure, I was thinking about investigating the reporting issue we are having, but that's a low priority
now. But if there is nothing else to do, it might be good to finally fix that."

B: "How about John. He told me that he needed a little help on Project C. Why don't you ask him if he still
needs help. If not, then check out the reporting issue."

A: "John? I've been meaning to talk to you about him."

B: "What's the problem?"

A: "I don't want to be out of line, but he's very difficult to work with. He looks over my shoulder all the time and
doesn't like how I am doing things."

B: "Yeah. He is like that. I appreciate your feedback, and you are not the first to bring this up. Although he is
difficult, he does get a lot of work done around here."
A: "I completely agree, and I will continue to work with him as well as I can. I just thought I should let you
know instead of keeping it bottled up."

B: "I appreciate your honesty. But for now, you're going to have to tolerate his methods a little longer. I'll see if
the director is willing to have a talk with John about this problem."

A: "Ok. Well, I'll go see what type of help John needs. If there is nothing, I'll work on the reporting problem.
Either way, I'll send you an email letting you know what I am working on."

B: "That would be perfect. Thanks."

A: "Thanks. I'll talk to you later."

B: "Ok. Bye."

____________________________________________________________________

Talking to your #Subordinate or Direct

What is the status of the marketing documents?"

"How far along are you in your analysis?"

"Are you almost done with the technical report?"

"When are you going to finish the design plans?"

"Can you give me a status on your progress so far?"

"How is the reporting assignment going?"

"When can you give me a working draft by?"

"At the end of every week, can you send me a weekly status mail? I'll email you a template you should follow.
You should email it to me every Friday."

"I want you to send me a status report at the end of every week. You should include what you did for that
week and what you plan on doing for the next week."

"Can you send me a weekly status report? If you haven't done it before, let me know and I will send you a
template to use."

#Project Change

"I know you have been working on the database using excel, but we need to use SQL. Can you make the
necessary changes?"

Hey Jackie, I reviewed your report and there are a couple areas you have to change. Can you double check
the figures you provided in page 7, and provide a recommendation for step 3? I would appreciate it."

John, when we are discussing something in meetings or small groups, I noticed that you don't allow the other
person to complete their sentences. I do appreciate your contributions, but I think you should always hear the
other person out. Can you try to do that?"

#Deadline

Here is your new project. You have two weeks to complete it. After you review the project, let me
know if there will be any problems."
 "You have until the end of this month to complete your assignment. It is critical that everyone
completes on time."
"We have two more days to complete the test pass. If anyone cannot complete their portion on time,
let me know as soon as possible."
"We are not required to send in our analysis until Wednesday, so you have a couple more days to
complete it."
"Do you think you can finish the marketing report by Friday?"
"Our deadline is fast approaching. I try to minimize weekend work, but we might have to work this
Saturday if we do not finish on Friday."

____________________________________________________________________________

Subordinate asking you #Questions

"I'm not sure about that one. I think the information you are looking for is in a manual I saw in the file
cabinet. Why don't you check there?"
"Do a search on Google and see if you can find the information there."
"I think Stacy will know the answer. She is very familiar with that topic."
If the question is more process related where it involves an opinion, you can answer telling them what
you would do.
"I'm not sure on the exact procedure, but if I were you, I would do the forth step before the third one."
"I don't think we ever decided on a specific way. I think it might be better to do this before that."
These are vague sentences, so you should fill in the details depending on your situation.

#Encouraging

Hey James, I think you're doing a great job and it is not going unnoticed."

"You're doing great. Keep up the good work.""I told my manager about your performance. He was quite
impressed. Keep up the good work."

"I had a hard time on my first project too. Don't let it get you down. I'm sure you will do better next time."

"It wasn't as bad as you think. I also saw definite improvements so you shouldn't give up."

"Your work has been pretty good, but I really think you can do better. You have potential and I hope you start
trying a little harder."

Reprimanding
[ expression of #disapproval ]

"You have been late for work on a regular basis. You better start coming to work on time."

"This is your third warning. If you are late for work again, we will have to take more serious action on
you. Is that understood?"

"Being late for work once in a while is understandable. But there is no excuse to be coming in to work
late every day. You better start coming in on time."

When a direct doesn't turn in a project, it's a pretty serious no-no. I would definitely be upset, but as a
good manager, I wouldn't accuse the employee without giving them a chance to explain. Here is an
example.
 "The report was due last Friday. What's going on?"

This is more like a trap question. Unless it is a life or death situation, the excuse shouldn't be good
enough. Here is a generic excuse.

"I was working on three other assignments. I just couldn't finish them all."

This is not a good excuse, so you can start reprimanding the employee. You gave them a chance to
explain, and since the excuse wasn't good enough, you can basically, 'let them have it.'

"If you were not going to finish on time, at least you could have let me know. Regardless, you knew
how important this project was and you knew about the due date. What am I going to do with you?"

"You should have at least told me that you wouldn't be able to finish. Then I could have asked Mary
to finish it. This is very irresponsible of you. Is this going to be a continual problem in future
projects?"

A: "John, are you going to complete the report on time?"

B: "I am confident that I will have it done by this Friday."

A: "How far along are you?"

B: "I have completed the preliminary review, analyzed the data, and I am almost done writing the analytical
review."

A: "That's great. It looks like you are ahead of schedule. When you are done, send it to me for review."

B: "I'll send it to you Friday morning. That should give you a day to review it."

A: "That's great. Keep up the good work."

____________________________________________________________

A: "Can you give me an update on your assignments?"

B: "Yeah. I'm helping with the performance testing, I've met with the partners for the integration project, and
I'm finishing up the documents on the internal tool."

A: "That's good. Can you start sending me a weekly report? That will help me keep track of your progress
regularly."

B: "No problem. Do you want it by the start of Monday, or do you want it Friday evening."

A: "I'm probably not going to read it until Monday, so just send it to me by Monday morning."

B: "What do you want me to include in the weekly report?"

A: "Include what you did for the week, what you're going to do for the next week, and include any other issues
you have."

B: "I'll start doing that this week."

A: "Great. Thanks."

___________________________________________________
A: "John, can I see you in my office?"

B: "I'll be right over."

A: "Have a seat... I'm concerned about your performance lately. Is there something I should know about?"

B: "I've been pretty occupied at home. I apologize for letting it affect work. I'll definitely pay more attention."

A: "I understand, but I'm still having to take some heat on your work. You have been late numerous times,
your projects are not as detailed as it used to be, and you missed a deadline last week."

B: "I am really sorry, and I won't let it happen again. I understand that I have been underperforming, and I will
step it up."

A: "I hope so. I'll explain it to the director. But I don't know how much more he will tolerate. That's all I had so
you better go back to work."

B: "Ok. I really will change things around. Thanks for understanding."

Business #Trip

"Where are we going for our business trip?"

"Where are we going this time?"

"What city are we traveling to?"

"What is the objective for this business trip?"

"What is our goal for this business trip?"

"What do we want to accomplish for this business trip?"

"What is the primary purpose for this business trip?"

"What day are we departing for our business trip to Los Angeles?"

"How long are we going to be there?"

"How long is the business trip scheduled for?"

"What time is ABC Company expecting us?"

"Who should I report to when I get to ABC Company?"

"How much is the per diem?"

{Diem is for "per day" or "for each day"}

"How much per diem do we get a day?"

"How do we get the per diem?"

"Isn't the per diem too low?"

"What do they expect us to eat with this amount of per diem?"

"Is the business trip really going to take us all five days?"
"If we finish on the fourth day, can we come back early?"

"I think we can finish a day early. Can we come back on Thursday if we complete our work early?"

_____________ talking to people on business trip__________________

Who should I contact if I have a question regarding inaccurate data?"

"Who should I contact if I have a question with this type of problem?"

"I am going to be calling my manager frequently with critical updates. What phone should I use?"

"How long does it take to get to the airport from here?"

"How bad is the traffic around this time to the airport?"

"Where is the closest place to eat around here?"

"Is there a fast food restaurant nearby?"

"Does this building have a cafeteria?"

"Do you have a cafeteria close by?"

#Eating during the #Business #Trip

What kind of food do you guys want to eat today?"

"Anybody want to go for lunch?"

"I'm going to lunch. Anybody want to join me?"

"Let's go in 20 minutes. I have to finish this real quick."

"I can't make it. I have to finish this and it will take me another 30 minutes."

"I'm going to pass today. I brought a bagel with me."

"I have a small sandwich. I'm just going to eat here."

"Where should we have dinner tonight?"

"Hey, let's go to the Italian restaurant next to the hotel."

"We can either go to the steak house in the hotel, or the Italian restaurant next door."

____________________________________________________________

A: "Hey Mark, I'm assigning you on the Tully project. You'll have to go to California in two weeks."

B: "What is my objective over there?"

A: "You have to review financial documents over there. If you find something missing, work with their
accountants to get the documents you need to complete the analysis."

B: "How large is this project?"

A: "It's pretty big, so take someone with you. I think you can finish in a week if two of you are working on
it."
B: "Do we have to arrive there at a certain time?"

A: "Not really, but you should get there before lunch to settle in. Then you can get in half a day."

B: "Who should I contact when I get there?"

A: "I'll email you the details, but you should go book your flight soon."

B: "Will do. Do you have a recommendation on who should go with me?"

A: "Either Seth or Josh."

B: "Ok. I'll find out who has more time."

A: "Great. Keep me informed."

B: "Got it."

_________________________________________

A: "Hey Seth, you wanna go for lunch soon?"

B: "How about in 30 minutes. I'm almost done with this section."

A: "Ok. Where do you want to eat?"

B: "I'm ok with anything, but let's go to a fast food place."

A: "There's a Burger King around the corner. Let's go there."

B: "Sounds good. One quick question... I'm going to finish all my work tomorrow. If we finish tomorrow, I
suggest we head back home tomorrow evening. What do you think?"

A: "I think that's doable. We'll see how much we get done today, and if we're close, I'll let them know that
we'll be done tomorrow."

B: "Sounds good."

( #Complaints )

#General statements or complaints

[ Cubicle = small space or compartment partitioned off.]

"It's not that bad, but there is no privacy."

"I wouldn't mind it so much if the manager couldn't see every minute of my day."
"I hate it. Even if they can't give us offices, they could at least give us cubicles."
"The reason I hate it so much is because I can't take a small break. Since the manager is always
looking at everyone, even when I am not working, I have to pretend like I am."
"There are a lot of distractions. I can hear everything everyone says in the whole office."
"Mary sometimes turns on the music. It's not that bad, but sometimes I want it quiet."
"If I have a complaint about something, I can't talk to the manager because everyone will hear. I have
to set up a meeting and use the conference room."

Questions and Requests

"I don't have another outlet near my desk. Can I get a power strip?"
"Can I move to a different location? The sun always glares off my monitor and I have trouble working."
 "Can I sit on the other side of the room? This is too close to the door and it gets cold here."
"I get hot easily. Would it be possible if I sit next to the door? It is much cooler there."

_________________________________________________________

A: "How are things at work?"

B: "It's not too bad. But I hate our office setting."

A: "Are you in a cubicle?"

B: "No. I would be happy with a cubicle. We have 10 desks all in a large room. The supervisor is at one
end with a view of everyone."

A: "That sucks. You have no privacy."

B: "I know. I can't even take a small break because everyone is watching. But that's not the worst part. I
can hear everyone talking all day long and it's so distracting."

A: "I feel sorry for you."

B: "I can't even complain about something to the supervisor because everyone can hear."

A: "Why do they have the office set up like that?"

B: "I'm not sure. Maybe they want to save money, or maybe they think it's more effective."

A: "Is anybody in an office?"

B: "Only the people above the supervisor."

A: "Maybe if they got out of their office and worked in the open space they would realize how terrible it is."

B: "I guess I'll just have to tolerate it for now."

__________________________________________________

A: "Do you have cubicles in your company?"

B: "No. Everyone has their own office."

A: "You're so lucky. I'm in a cubicle."

B: "I'm so glad we have our own office. There is so much privacy and we can take breaks whenever we
want."

A: "How does management know if you are working or not?"

B: "Our company doesn't really keep track of little details. Our performance is based on our assignments
and projects. Management doesn't care when it's done, they just want the person to do a good job and turn
it in on time."

A: "I like that method. In our company, our manager wants to know every detail almost every hour. If we
are a little behind, the manager gets mad and starts worrying."

B: "I would hate that environment."

A: "I agree. It's not a good work environment. Do you ever play video games in your office?"
B: "Not when it is busy, but when we are experiencing a down time, I close the door and start a game of
Star Craft. If someone comes in, I quickly switch the view on the monitor."

A: "You're so lucky."

B: "I don't take it for granted, but I wouldn't mind a window office soon."

A: "Shut up you freak."

#Accomplishments

"I have exceeded the average for all sales categories. I was in the top 3 for renewals, I was second in
accessory sales, and the most in new services. Overall, I was the first in our store and third in the whole
region."

If you are a computer engineer, then it will be a little different.

"I finished all my assignments on time, I fixed the most amount of code errors, I did code reviews on
numerous occasion, and I created a program that helped the installation process. This ultimately reduced
the installation time by 40%."

Some General Statements

"I feel I did a great job. I exceeded all my goals, and I made the most sales throughout the year."

"I am very happy with my performance over the year. I completed all my projects and I even took on three
additional assignments. I also helped the junior employees on a regular basis."

"I'm happy with my results. The project I have been working on was a success. During the process, I
managed to overcome all obstacles and finished on time. We have increased our revenue while
decreasing cost."

"I believe I am on track. This year I have learned a great deal. I am very familiar with all our tools and I
even completed my first project successfully."

These are general sentences you can say, but if you have a list of accomplishments, you should say them
one by one in a paragraph. But make sure you speak clearly and slow enough so the other person can
keep up.

"I have accomplished a great deal this year. I analyzed all monthly sales data, wrote up a thorough report
for each one, I also created a process of submitting the report form that saved an hour for each report, I
worked on four projects that were all successful, and I created a How-To document for new employees."

Self #Improvement

I feel I need to be more technical. I realized how important it is to know different computer applications. In
order to improve, I have researched some classes I can take, and I even bought a couple of books. In the
next 3 months, I am going to concentrate on learning these new tools."

An area I would like to improve is in planning. I plan all my work and I complete everything on time, but I
feel if I do a better job at planning, I can be more efficient with my time. In order to work on this, I created
a checklist of everything I should think about before starting a project. Using this checklist will make me
think of potential obstacles that I wouldn't normally think about, verify that I am not forgetting something,
and keep me on track to complete ahead of time. I am going to do this and see how much it improves my
efficiency for the next 2 projects. Afterwards, I'll report how much it helped or didn't help."

#Compensation

I have done more and better work than anybody else. I have learned everything on my own in the
first three months without any training, and I have been a great employee. An 8 percent raise is not
what I had in mind. I want a minimum 20 percent raise."

I agree that you have performed well, but 20 percent is a large raise. Where did you get that number
from?"I did very well this year and exceeded all my goals. Why am I only receiving a four percent
raise?You actually got the maximum raise this year. Most of the people didn't get anything. Some
people got a two percent raise. So you should actually be happy with your raise. The economy is
down and the company needs to save money. They can't give large raises this year."

#Leaving the #company

Hi Mark, unfortunately I have to tell you that I am leaving the company. I really enjoyed my time here
and I appreciated all your help on my tasks. I have to put in my two week notice."

"Hi Mark, I received an offer from a different company. This is a great opportunity for me so I
accepted the offer. My decision on leaving is not because I didn't like my duties here. I really enjoyed
my experience. But I am at a point where I want to find other challenges. I hope you can
understand."

Hi Mark, unfortunately I have to tell you that I am leaving the company. I really enjoyed my time here
and I appreciated all your help on my tasks. I have to put in my two week notice."

"Hi Mark, I received an offer from a different company. This is a great opportunity for me so I
accepted the offer. My decision on leaving is not because I didn't like my duties here. I really enjoyed
my experience. But I am at a point where I want to find other challenges. I hope you can
understand."

______________________________________________________________________

A: "Hi Mark, I have something important to tell you."

B: "Come on in. What's on your mind?"

A: "Well, I have decided to leave the company. I had a wonderful time here, but it is time to move on
for me."

B: "May I ask why?"

A: "I got an offer from ABC Company. It's a management position and I really don't want to let this
opportunity pass me by. You know I have been looking for a management position here, but all the
positions here are full."

B: "I understand your decision and you have my support."

A: "Thanks for understanding. I can work here two more weeks."

B: "Ok. Will you be able to finish your current assignment?"

A: "Yes I will. And if you hire someone within two weeks, I would be happy to provide training on my
areas."
 B: "That would be great. We're going to miss you here."

A: "I'm going to miss this place too. Thanks."

_________________________________________________

A: "Hi Mary, I interviewed with another company and they offered me a position. I wanted to let you
know before I made my decision."

B: "I'm sorry to hear that. But I appreciate you telling me before you accepted the offer."

A: "I really enjoy my work here, but I was concerned about the lack of opportunities. I put in effort to
gain more experience here, but the projects are limited."

B: "What would help you to decide to stay?"

A: "I would consider staying more if I could change my position. I would love working in this same
group, but I would like to be doing something different. And finally, they offered me 6 percent more
than my current salary."

B: "When do you have to make a decision by?"

A: "They want me to respond in a week."

B: "Let me see what I can do and I'll let you know tomorrow or on Wednesday. Can you wait until
then?"

A: "That's not a problem."

B: "Great. I'm going to do everything I can to keep you on board."

A: "I appreciate what you are doing for me."

B: "It's the least I can do. You're a valuable asset here."

Unsuccessful #product launch

Tom: I'll never forget the trouble we had with that face cream. We launched it and you know it was a real
winner. I mean, it was going

really well.

David: Hmm, great.

Tom: When suddenly people started phoning and complaining it

was burning their skin.

David: Burning their skin? You mean, like a kind of allergy.

Tom: Yeah, it was making red marks on their faces. The

newspapers heard about it and wanted to know what we were doing

about it.

David: Huh, typical. They don't exactly help, do they? So what

did you do?

Tom: We didn't know what to do. You see, we'd tested it for over six months, and there'd been no bad
reaction to it.

David: So what was the problem?

Tom: Well, we'd invested a lot in the product and the launch. I mean, you know what advertising

costs are these days, then suddenly the number of complaints doubled in the space of a week or so.

David: Doubled? Incredible? Did you manage to keep it quiet?

Tom: No, our Managing Director got more than a bit worried. Said all this was harming the

company's image. So we recalled the product and lost a lot of money. I tell you, the only people with red
faces were us. Since then, we've kept away from skin care products.

[ I've got a problem with, Can you give me some more information? , There are some problems with, We can
give you a refund.

I can talk to the manager, We can send you a new one.

#Perform

Daniel : I heard that you performed very well in this program. You are going to be one pillar of our
company in the near future.

Megan: It's my duty as an employee to carry it out. I receive help from several departments while the
whole matter was on the verge of failure. Most importantly, we didn't lose heart, but believed we could
succeed at last.

Daniel: Never give up, then we can defeat our rivals, no matter how strong they are. Stick to your
faith, we can overcome adversity successfully. Good job, Megan !
Megan: Thanks for your praise. I will believe in myself as I did this time and keep on my work.
Moreover, I realized teamwork is the key to success.

On the verge of: Close to

Example : I was on the verge of calling the doctor when he suddenly got b

#Overtime

Dan : It's quitting time. I'm gonna clock out now. See you, guys.

Tony : Wait, Dan. Did you work on all the papers and documents we need for tomorrow's
brainstorm meeting ?

Dan : Not yet. But I can finish those tomorrow.

Tony : No way ! We need those materials and numbers first thing in the morning. You got to
finish them tonight.

Dan : Ugh, I am through working overtime !

Tony : This is business. We have a deadline to meet. And you wont' be the only one under
pressure. We've all got to crank out this project tonight.

I am through working overtime: I don't want to work overtime anymore.

Example: I am through with him. [ Do not want to have any dealings with him ]

Max: These are just some rough ideas I have. Maybe we can try this out.

Michelle: Good points, Max. But we should take a look at the figures Dan got for us. Dan, what
are these figures based on? And how solid are they?

Dan: The figures are based on first quarter's profits. I believe they are very solid.

Michelle: But these figures do not support Max's argument. And I noticed the numbers didn't
add up. Anyway, I want you to go over these numbers once again. We can't use them before they prove to
be right.

Dan : Got it. I'll go through all the materials again.

Michelle : OK, guys. We've been sitting for 3 hours. We'd better get up and stretch our legs.
We'll discuss it further later today.

If a situation does not add up, there is no reasonable or likely explanation for it.
Example : Why would she disappear the day before her holiday? It just doesn't add up.

Renee : We need to book a meeting room. But the meeting rooms are almost booked out. I'm
still working on that.

Michelle : Please try your best to get us a room. Your know we cannot reschedule the
rehearsal.

Renee : I'll do my best. And I'll make sure all the presentation slides are ready on the
computer.

Michelle : Good. And don't forget to give me the rundown on the rehearsal.

Sam: No problem. Renee and I will see to it.

Michelle: Then that concludes our meeting today. Let's roll.

Renee: I'm proud of working with you and delighted to assist all of you in work.

Michelle : Well, we are going to make a product presentation to Topcraft Co. I think it's about
time for you to be in charge of a case like this.

Renee : But I don't think I'm qualified yet. I'm not much of a talker.

Michelle : I know this might be a rather giant step for you, but you have to grow into this. You
don't want to do the chores or run errands for somebody all your life, do you ? Think about that.

Renee : Maybe you're right. OK. I'll take this job and do my best to see the work through.

Michelle : I'm happy for you. Welcome to the real world. It's not perfect, but you're gonna love it.

*See the through : To continue doing a job or activity until it is finished, especially when it is difficult
Example : The course would take me three years to complete, but I was determined to see it
through.

Harbor: Please have a seat. Let's start with where we left off last time.

Renee: Honestly, what you mentioned last time will be a real challenge for our company.
That's more than a technical issue. Can't we do it our own way ? We'll do whatever we can.

Harbor: That's all very interesting, but not good enough. We want something more original
and concrete. Any ideas ?

Renee: Hmm, I think I got one. But I have to make sure if it is feasible. I'll let you know ASAP.

Harbor: OK, sounds good to me. I look forward to a favorable result. Now, let's go through the
details again. I don't want any last-minute changes, you know.

Renee: I understand your concern. We won't let you down

* Feasible : able to be made, done or achie

Example : With the extra resources, the scheme now seems feasible.

Renee : Besides, as you can see from this pie chart, our model PUR038 is very competitive
on the market. If you'll refer to the figures in your handouts, you'll see that this item is very sought-after and
there is a big market for it.

Harbor: Please give us some good reasons why we should purchase this item.

Renee: One good thing about this item is its high technology. And its high tech leads to
durability. It can save time and money, which I know is your company goal. Therefore, this product is just
right for your needs. We highly recommend this item for your company.

Harbor: Your presentation is very impressive. We do have great interest in this item. But we'd
like to try it out before we place an order for it.

Renee: That's for certain, Mr. Harbor. Here is a sample for your company. And we look
forward to receiving your order in the near future.
 Sought-after : wanted by many people and usually of high quality or rare
Example : At the age of seventeen she is already one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses.

Lindsay: Let's get started. Today we're deciding which items will be the key products that we are going
to promote this quarter. Any ideas ?

Michelle: I think we can keep promoting our item PUR038. It sells like hot cakes! We can make it hotter
in the marketplace.

Max: I don't think that's a good idea. We still have a lot of competitive items on standby.
There are good products, too. Since PUR038 sells like hot cakes, it can speak for itself. We can put our
effort into other products such as our cutting board series.

Sam: I agree. The cutting boards have been sought-after on the market recently. We are
supposed to plan a big promotion for our CB series.

Lindsay: That's a good point, Sam. Any objection ? If not, then CB series will be our key items this
quarter. That's all for today's meeting.

Sell like hot cakes : to be bought quickly and in large numbers

Example : His new video game is apparently selling like hot cakes.

Michelle: We're now discussing the promotion plan on CB series. Everyone of us will
get a new assignment today. Before we decide on how to market our products, I want to hear your
thoughts about this.

Dan: We need sponsors. I can look it up on the computer files and find out our previous
sponsors. I'll visit them and try to win them around.

Michelle: Good idea, Dan. Then you will be in charge of this. Any other thoughts ?

Renee: I volunteer to visit all of our suppliers and see if they are interested to support us. If
our promotion succeeds, they will also benefit by it.

Michelle : Great. And this will be your assignment. I'm looking forward to a favorable
result. OK. We will be discussing how to market CB series after I got your feedback. Let's roll !

*Look it up - To try to find a piece of information by looking in a book or on a computer

Example : If you don't know what the word means, look it up in a dictionary.

Sam: We're going to discuss how to market CB series real soon. Did you work on your project ?

Max: Absolutely, I've sorted out all the materials we need and sifted three great ways of marketing from

your previous records.

Sam: Oh, that's good. That way, we can learn from our experience and avoid the same mistakes.

Max: You've got it. We can discuss them carefully over the meeting and choose the best way to promote
our key products.

Sam: Seems you've got it all planned out. Now I can finally stop worrying and get back to work

Max: Why were you worried about my work.

 Sam: Because I was worried about your bad cold affecting your job performance. It seems like I was
worried for nothing.

Explanation : Plan out - to think about and decide what you are going to do or how you are going to do
something
Example : I've planned out the day - train to town, some shopping, then a slap-up meal and a
show.

Dan: I've won over three sponsors for our promotion plan. They've promised to support our plan no matter
how we would market our items. I think I've lucked out !

Renee: Oh, I envy you ! I'm out of luck. No suppliers so far would like to support our plan.

Dan: How come ? What's the problem ?

Renee: Beats me. Maybe it's because I'm not much of a talker. I tried so hard to chat with them about
anything I could think of, but I just couldn't be enthusiastic about gossiping.

Dan: I see what you mean. You used to work with papers and documents. You are not so used to dealing
with our suppliers. You've still got a lot to learn about how to be a sales representative.

Renee: I know I wish someone could help me with this.

Dan: Hey, you're talking to him, Renee. Don't worry. I'll help you out.

Explanation : Lucky out - to be very lucky

Example : The Giants really lucked out in last night's game.

Michelle: Thanks so much for your hard work. I'm so impressed by your feedback. We got our sponsors now.
We have won over several suppliers supporting us and everything. Good job, everyone.

Sam: That's part of our job. We're glad we helped.

Michelle: Good. And it's time to discuss how we should promote our key items. There's plenty of
information in your handouts. Now speak your minds.

Sam: We definitely need to choose Internet as a means of marketing. It's the current trend.

Michelle: That's right. We can create a promotion page with attractive banners, and so our company
website can stay unchanged but we can still attract buyers.

Sam: Then the decisions are made. Let's do that.

Explanation : Speak your mind - To say what you think about something very directly
Example : He's certainly not afraid to speak his mind.

Michelle: Renee, did you talk to our suppliers about our promotion details ?

Renee : Yes, I did. I've asked them to insert fliers into the shipments to our customers. That way the
customers who never bought our CB series can also receive the information and know about our promotional
products.

Michelle: Do you need someone to help you send messages to customers by email ?

Renee: No thanks. That's my job. I am on top of that.

Michelle: Oh, and did you discuss the exhibitions we talked about last night with our channel ?
 Renee: Of course I did. And they've promised to help us with that

Michelle: Wow, I'm impressed. Renee. You've improved a lot as a sales representative.

Explanation: On top of that - To be able to control a situation or deal with it

Example: The stock market has been unpredictable, and you really have to stay on top of your investments

Renee: What are we going to do with the prices ? There must be a discount or how can we compete in the
marketplace ?

Dan: I got an idea. We can use e-coupons.

Michelle: Please explain your idea, Dan.

Dan: Here's what I thought: We spread out the news that we got e-coupons on our promotion page. Buyers
using e-coupons through Internet can buy three get one free. Mix & Match is acceptable.

Renee: Ooh, that's a major selling point. I'm willing to buy more if I can Mix & Match things. People might buy
them for themselves or as gifts.

Dan: But if they buy through our distribution channels, we don't offer "buy three get one free" because the
prices are comparatively lower already.

Michelle: Fair enough. So we all agree to this plan, right ? Then it's finalized.

Explanation : Spread out - Move outward, distribute over an area

Example : We spread our papers out on the table.

Renee: Hello, this is Renee Chang calling from Alpha Co. Please get me the extension 41.

Secretary: Mr. Martin's office. May I help you ?

Renee: Oh, hi, Miss Wood. This is Renee. How are you ? I'm calling again to discuss the exhibitions with Mr.
Martin. Is he available ?

Secretary: Sorry, Renee, Mr. Martin can't come to the phone. He's all tied up in the staff meeting. But he said he
would be free tomorrow morning and you two could discuss it over brunch. What do you say ?

Renee: Perfect ! Thanks so much for your help. I owe you one. Let's do lunch sometime. My treat.

Secretary: That's great. We'll talk later then.

Explanation : Tied up – Busy

Example : I'm afraid we can't meet till Wednesday - I'm tied up on Monday and Tuesday..

Lindsay: How did we do ? I heard our CD series are selling like hot cakes.

Michelle: Not selling like hot cakes. They are selling like crazy ! Look at these sales figures !

Lindsay: Very good. I'm glad that CD series have taken off so well.

Michelle: It was a group effort I couldn't have done this without my team.

Lindsay: All of you are a great asset to our company. By the way, do you think sales will keep going up
like this ?
Michelle: The quality of our product is superior to others and our prices are very competitive. So it looks
promising. But we still need to keep any eye on the market saturation factor.

Explanation : Keep an eye on - To watch or looking after something

Example : Will you keep your eye on my suitcase while I go to get the tickets ?

Michelle : Thank you for inviting me to your dinner party. I'm sorry to have kept you
waiting. I was stuck in traffic. I hope you started without me.

Harris: No worries. I'm so glad you could make it, Michelle. Come on in. Just drop your coat
here and make yourself at home.

Michelle : Thank you. Here's a little something for you. I hope you like it.

Harris: Oh, my favorite whiskey ? You shouldn't have. Thanks for the gift, Michelle. I do love
it.

Michelle: How are your wife and your lovely twins in Australia ?

Harris: Oh, they are all well. I just flied home last month. Jane and Dick are fifth graders now.
Ah, kids are growing up so quickly.

Explanation : Stuck - unable to move, or fixed in a particular position, place or way of thinking
Example : Seven of us were stuck in the lift for over an hour.

Lindsay: Did you receive any feedback from Kate about pricing and samples we sent
last week ?

Michelle : Yes, we just talked on the phone. She has received our samples and she
thinks they look good. But ...

Lindsay: But what ? What's her concern ?

Michelle : She thinks both our pricing and minimum order quantity are too high. She
needs to know if we can requote the price.

Lindsay: If we could requote the price, could she accept the current MOQ ? [MOQ] =
minimum order quantity

Michelle : She didn't confirm, but she said she would try her best to convince her boss.

Lindsay: OK, fair enough. Tell her we'll send out the revised pricing by today.

Explanation : On the phone - To be using the telephone

Example : That son of mine is on the phone all day!

Max: I'm here to talk to you about your new purchase order.

Reiner: What seems to be the problem ?

Max: As you know, there is a global shortage of plastic raw materials. We have tried our
best to offer the best price for you. However, our supplier insists on increasing MOQ to 1,000 dozen
or they will have problem processing your order.

Reiner: 1,000 dozen ? That's a large order. I don't think we can accept this.
 Max: Please understand that we offer you the very best price. And, we are willing to
separate the whole batch into three shipments to benefit your company.

Reiner: Hmm. Sounds fair. But I need to think it over. I'll let you know by this Friday.

Max: Thank Ms. Reiner. I'm looking forward to your favorable reply.

Explanation : Think it over - To consider an idea or plan carefully before making a decision
Example : I'll think it over and give you an answer next week.

Lindsay: Kate just called and left a message. She wanted to know whether we
received her email.

Michelle : I just received her email ten minutes ago. Due to their current factory
discontinuing item GSL, she wants to know whether we have a source that can produce this item.

Lindsay: We do have a source who can produce this item, don't we ?

Michelle : Right. She wants us to provide pricing and samples for their approval ASAP.

Lindsay: Does she mention what size and color she requires ?

Michelle : Yes. She requires size "10x12x1" inches in blue, red and brown

Lindsay: Send her our pricing today and tell her we can send samples no later than
this Friday.

Explanation : Pricing - To establish a selling price for a product

Example : The pricing has to be attractive enough to generate more sales in this competitive
market.

Max: Ms. Reiner said she will accept 1,000 dozen on the condition that we lower
the price to $15 per dozen.

Michelle : She's driving a hard bargain. How much per dozen now ?

Max: The current price is $18 per dozen.

Michelle: Will we make any money on this order if we agree to her price ?

Max: Definitely. Not a large profit, though.

Michelle : What do you think we should do ?

Max: I think we should make it $15. After all, she is one of our best customers and
she's been loyal to us all these years.

Michelle : OK. Make it to $15. The price is for Ms. Reiner only. Got to fill her in
on the good news.

Explanation : Drive a hard bargain - To expect a lot in exchange for what you pay or do
Example : It's more than I planned to pay, but you drive a hard bargain.

Reiner: This is Reiner speaking.

 Max: Good afternoon, Ms. Reiner. I'm calling to tell you the good news.

Reiner: Oh, is this regarding the price.

Max: You're right. After negotiating with our supplier, we now can offer you $15 per dozen.

Reiner: That's perfectly wonderful ! Thanks for trying so hard. Please increase the quantity to
meet the requested MOQ, which I believe is 1,000 dozen. [MOQ= Minimum Order Quantity]

Max: I'll get on it immediately. Thank you for your long-standing support.

Explanation : Long-standing - Having existed for a long time

Example : The two high-tech companies are involved in a long-standing copyright infringement lawsuit.

Moore: I'd like to know what would be your production lead time for a new order of 10K forks.

Sam: We can prepare 10K forks for you in 2 weeks.

Moore: Could you please check if you can ship earlier ? This is top urgent. This order is for
one of our customers.

Sam: Let me check the production schedule .. I believe we can ship the good by air freight
in 10 days if we work overtime three days in a row.

Moore: That would be great ! I will be sending you a new purchase order in no time.

Sam: Thank you. We will proceed with your order as soon as we receive it.

Explanation : Production lead time - Period between receipt of an order and until when it is available for
packing or shipment.
Example : The introduction of high-tech machines in the process will shorten production lead time.

Moore: Did you receive my purchase order ? I sent it by fax a minute ago.

Sam: Yes, the fax came in just now. We got both your order and sales contract.

Moore: Good. Please confirm my order of 10K forks and sign the contract by return.

Sam: Before we sign the contract, I'd like to reconfirm a few things

Moore: Sure, go ahead.

Sam: Stop me if I'm wrong. The goods should be shipped to L.A. by air. The freight term is
FOB CKS airport. The payment will be made by T/T. No barcode required.

Moore: Correct. We will make the payment as soon as we receive the goods. Please process
our order immediately.

Sam: Sure. We will send the signed contract over and proceed with your order in no time.

Explanation : In no time - Very quickly or very soon

Example : The children ate their dinner in no time.
Sam: I've prepared five cartons of our catalogues and fliers ready for the show.

Michelle: I believe you've made sure that four lines of products are printed on the catalogues
and fliers, right?

Sam: Of course. You can count on me !

Michelle: Thank you, Sam. By the way, when is the application deadline ? Max said he'd like to
send out the form as soon as possible.

Sam: The deadline is this Friday. I've filled him in on the product lines and exhibition cost
as well. He can send the application form anytime now if you okay it.

Michelle: Good. Tell him to proceed immediately. Let me know if he needs copies of my I.D.

Sam: Oh, one more thing, the fair attendants should wear the badge. And our banners and
signs can only be displayed in and around our own booth, not in aisles.

Explanation : Fill in - To give someone extra or missing information

Example : I filled her in on the latest gossip.

Michelle: Guys, we are going to participate in the Home Product Fair in Boston. And I will be
responsible for the exhibition this year.

Sam: Oh, that's wonderful ! Congratulations, Michelle ! We are so happy for you.

Michelle: Thanks, everyone. Today each of you will get a new assignment. Any volunteers ?

Max: I'll get in contact with the show management and collect all the application forms and
papers we need. I'll also check the daily event schedule of the show.

Sam: I'll have the catalogue of our products ready and will prepare fliers for the show.

Renee: Dan and I will work on the design of our booth.

Michelle : Great ! You guys are excellent. Oh, I forgot to mention that one of you will be
going to Boston with me. I'll let you know my decision next week. Now that's all for today. Let's roll.

Explanation : Get in contact - Communication with someone

Example : Get in contact with the management if you should need any help.

Michelle: Designers, how are booth design going ?

Renee: Oh, Michelle ! Don't call me a designer. You're making me blush.

Dan: But I like that title. You can call me a designer, Michelle.

Michelle: Haha. OK, joking aside, how are the things going ?

Renee: We've designed the booth in three sizes because we're not sure how large our space
will be. Here you are.

Michelle: These are excellent. You two must have put a lot of thoughts into this.

Dan: Actually, we went online and collected lots of fair related materials. We also referred
to some photos of previous exhibitions on the computer.
Explanation : Blush - To become pink in the face, usually from embarrassment
Example : I always blush when I speak in public.

Max: I have got in contact with the show management and received the application form for
the fair participants. I'm going to send the application form over by today if possible.

Michelle : Good. Anything else ?

Max: I've also got the information about move-in and move-out hours and the show hours.

Michelle: What about the exhibition space ? Do we know where to set up our booth ?

Max: According to John, you know, our temp sales representative in Boston, the exhibition
space is very spacious. And Renee and Dan have completed the design of the booth. They will keep
you updated.

Michelle : Great. Anything else I need to know ?

Max: Oh, I'm trying to say hello to some of the co-organizers of the show. I see some
familiar names on the list. You know, just in case.

Explanation : Update - To give someone the most recent information

Example : We'll update you on this news story throughout the day.

Michelle: Today we'll discuss how we should highlight our exhibition and decide on the focus of
our show. Any ideas ?

Max: The main point of our show is to promote our latest products into the global market.
So I think the demonstration is the most important part of our show.

Renee: I agree with Max. I'm convinced that our products will sell pretty well if we can draw
buyers' attention to our demonstrations. They will be amazed at what they see.

Sam: After all, our products are the results of the latest technology. They are high-tech
items.

Michelle: Good point. Then demonstrations will be the highlight of our show. By the way, Dan,
I'll confirm our daily schedule during the fair later today. And you need to book our flights first thing in
the morning.

Dan: Sure. I'll see to it.

Explanation : See to it - To deal with a task that is waiting to be dealt with

Example : Please see to it that no one comes in without identification.

Michelle: The show is tomorrow. But today we need to check our booth an make sure all our
products are in good condition.

Dan: Yes, Ma'am. Let's go. Maybe we can grab a bite on the way to the fair. I'm hungry.

Michelle: What are you hungry for ?

Dan: A hot dog, the works, would be great.

Michelle: Ah, here comes the shuttle bus. Come on, let's move.
Dan: We are not far from the fair. The map says it's the first turning on the right after the
library.

Explanation : Grab a bite - To get something to eat

Example : I need a few minutes to grab a bite to eat.

Michelle: So you think our quality give us an edge over our competitors ?

Dan: That's right.

Michelle: What do you think about TG Co. next to our booth ?

Dan: I must say I'm quite impressed by their approach to business.

Michelle: I feel the same way. Their way of doing business is quite aggressive.

Dan: But I don't think they'll go very far if they don't improve the quality of their products.

Michelle: So the bottom line is quality.

Explanation : The bottom line - The most important fact in a situation

Example : The bottom line is that we need another ten thousand dollars to complete the project.

Salesperson: Hello, Ma'am. Would you like to take a look at our products ? They are high-tech
items.

Michelle : Hmm, they look interesting. Can I have a copy of your brochure ?

Salesperson: Sure. Do you have a minute ? Why don't you have a seat and let me show you how
to operate this item ?

Michelle: Ok. Go ahead

Salesperson: You see, if you press this red button, the helmet becomes an umbrella. And it's not
heavy at all. You can try it yourself.

Michelle: It is very light. How amazing !

Explanation : High-tech - Very modern looking or made with modern materials

Example : This weapons system is an affordable, hi-tech solution.

Customer: When will I receive the goods ?

Dan: Normally our lead time is 14 days.

Customer: Can you ship it any sooner ? Can the goods arrive no later than this month ?

Dan: We'll do our best. We'll proceed with your order first thing in the morning.

Customer: Thank you, young man.

Dan: No problem. We will inform you of the shipping details before we ship the goods.
Thank you for your order, ma'am.

Customer: I've been looking for a product like this, and now I found it at last. Hope we will have a
good and long-term business relationship.
Explanation : Lead time - Interval between placing an order and receiving delivery.
Example : This video will give you the insights on how to reduce the lead time of building a
website.

Kevin: Good morning, Mr. Thomas. Do you have time now ?

Thomas: Sure, sit down. What is it ?

Kevin: I would like to discuss with you about my job.

Thomas: Is there any problem ?

Kevin: No, not at all. Well, I've been working really hard during the probation period and I
would like to know if I'm qualified for this position and if there's any possibility for a salary raise.

Thomas: I know you've been working really hard these three months and you have
certain abilities that are required by our company. Furthermore, I can see that you do fit in with the
company. I will sure put your request into consideration.

Explanation : Fit in with - Be suited to, belong

Example : I just don't fit in with this group.

Thomas: Kevin, I would like to have a word with you. Have a seat.

Kevin: Thank you.

Thomas: After our last discussion, I decided to give you a salary increase. Starting
next month, there will be a 3,000 yuan raise to your salary. Although your first raise might not sound
considerable, but the company believes that with your ability, sooner or later you will have a better
raise.

Kevin: Thank you very much, Mr. Thomas. As a newcomer of the company, I understand
that you have your consideration and I am satisfied with the raise.

Thomas: I think you deserve this.

Kevin: I will continue to do my best and contribute to the company.

Explanation : Have a word with - Speak with, discuss with

Example : I must have a word with Bryon about the repairs.

Thomas: Stanley, recently I did a careful estimation on your performance of work. I am

satisfied with your capability, efficiency and decisiveness.

Stanley: I am flattered by your praise.

Thomas: As a result, I decided to promote you as the Sales Manager.

Stanley: You can be assured that I acquired all the requirements for this job. I am well
familiar with the department's duty and goals.

Thomas: I am glad to hear that. Nevertheless, we need to talk about your new
responsibilities. Are you clear about your duties as a Sales Manager ?

Stanley: Yes, a Sales Manager should make great efforts to achieve a higher goal
himself. Other than that, he should help the department to define its goals and assist each individual
to achieve their personal target. As a leader of the team, he should also keep the team motivated and
inspired.

Explanation : Be/feel flattered - To feel very pleased and proud because someone has said good
things about you or has made you feel important
Example : They were flattered to be invited to dinner by the mayor.

Thomas: Well begun is half done. Let's start talking about the company's expectation
on you and the Sales Department.

Stanley: I will try my best and I promise not to let you down.

Thomas: Well, actions speak louder than words. Please put in mind that you should be
responsible for every decision you make.

Stanley: Yes, I understand. With greater power, comes the greater responsibility.

Thomas: Good. The company hopes that sales of this year should have a raise of at
least 5%. In addition to this, I observed that some of the employees in the Sales department seemed
to lose interest. I hope you can inspire them with new stimulations.

Stanley: I got it. I will start working on a new sales plan right away. I will have a
meeting with the co-workers.

Thomas: OK. I expect to see a new and energetic team.

Explanation : Well begun is half done - The beginning is the half of every task
Example : Well begun is half done, The early bird catches the worm.

Stanley: Hey, Cesar, we are going to hold a party in our company tonight. Would you
like to join us ?

Cesar: Oh, really ? What's the party for ? A donation or to celebrate someone's promotion ?

Stanley: Are you a fortune teller or something ? I will be promoted as the Sales
Manager next month.

Cesar: Congratulations. I think you deserved that. You tried really hard to increase a 40%
earnings for your company this year. It's a great achievement.

Stanley: Thanks. In fact, I am just a workaholic. I'll see you tonight.

Cesar: Can I bring my wife and daughter along ? I'm afraid that I will feel bored.

Explanation: Workaholic - A person who works a lot of the time and finds it difficult not to work
Example: A self-confessed workaholic, Modric can't remember when he last had a holiday.

Rachel: Listen, everyone. I have a short announcement here. We have a new recruit today. Simon,
would you like to introduce yourself ?

Simon: Hello, my name is Simon. I graduated from the FuJen Catholic University, and I major in Mass
Communication.

Albert: I'm Albert, the Specialist. Welcome to the Public Relations Department.

Sarah: My name is Sarah. I graduated from the FuJen as well.

Simon: What a coincidence ! It's nice to meet you.

Rachel: Starting today, Simon will be assisting Albert with his new project.

Albert: That's fabulous. I really need someone to give me a hand.

Rachel: Albert, could you explain to Simon about his daily routine first ? And then you can proceed
with your project.

Explanation : Give someone a helping hand - To help someone

Example : These tax cuts will give industry a helping hand.

Rachel: As you all know, our client, Royal Company Limited, is planning to hold a product release
press conference next month. They're impressed with our proposal and decided that we shall
organize the activity.

Sally: That's terrific ! We did everything we can on this proposal, it's lucky that we didn't waste our
breath on the presentation.

Simon: Albert, congratulations.

Albert: Well, you reap what you sow.

Rachel: Our first progress meeting with them will be next Wednesday. We should now make certain
arrangements for your duties. Albert, you will be in charge of invitations and brochures. Simon, please
send an invitation to every journalists and reporters on our contact list. Give them a call and confirm
their participation.

Simon: OK. Should I prepare name tags for each of them ?

Rachel: Absolutely. You're getting into the swing of things. As for you, Sally, please contact the hotel
and deal with the venue issue.

Explanation : You reap what you sow - Everything that you do has repercussions. It comes back to
you one way or another.
Example : Watch the way you live your life because you reap what you sow.

Stanley: Good morning, everyone. Let's start our meeting now. We shall have a
discussion about the annual sales target of our department. Polly, please keep track of today's
meeting and send it to everyone by today.

Polly: OK. I will post it on the Internet as well.

Stanley: Thank you. You're very thoughtful. Let's get into the subject matter now. The
company hopes that sales of this year should be raised.

Raymond: How ?

Stanley: I did some analysis on all the factors and I've come up with some solutions.
In the following months, I expect each of you to have at least five new clients every month. Is there
any problem ?

Nancy: No. We will try our best to achieve the goal !

Explanation : Keep track of - To keep a record of something, or make certain that you know or
remember what has happened
Example : His job is to keep track of all the shipments going out to customers.

Rachel: Is Albert there? I want to talk to him. I need to know if the brochures will be ready on
Friday.

Simon: Hold on, please.

Albert: Rachel, this is Albert speaking.

Rachel: Albert, I just received a call from Royal Company Limited. They want to know if the
brochures will be sent to them on Friday.

Albert: Well, the printing has been delayed because the printing factory had a power failure
the other day. The electricity had been cut out.

Rachel: Albert, we're having a tight schedule here. Please give them a call instantly. We need
to get the brochures done and sent to our client on Friday. No delay. Ask the printing company to try
their best and solve the problem.

Explanation: A tight schedule - very busy

Example: I am on a tight schedule. Can you help me out with this project ?

Stanley: Are they interested in working with us ?

Raymond: Not for now. They said that they would love to accept our deal if the price was
negotiable.

Stanley: I see. What's your opinion ?

Raymond: They don't have enough budget, we can find someone else. I don't like to work with
people who bargain over prices.

Stanley: Raymond, I think you're a good salesman but you haven't shown any passion
with your job recently. You give up easily when someone turns you down. I believe if you show
enough aggressiveness to your clients, they would have a second thought.

Raymond: OK. I will pay them a visit tomorrow.

Explanation : Have second thoughts - To change your opinion about something

Example : You're not having second thoughts about getting married, are you ?

Stanley: I received your email just now. You can't imagine how surprise I was when
you mentioned you decided to resign.

Raymond: Yes. I've made up my mind.

Stanley: Why do you want to leave ? Is it because I'm incapable ?

Raymond: No, you're not incapable. It's not about you, I found the job tiresome and my income
unstable. Not to mention, I dislike having to fawn on clients for contracts.

Stanley: I am sorry to hear that. Are you sure you don't want to give this a second
thought ?

Raymond: Yes. There's no need to reconsider.

Explanation : Make up your mind - To decide
Example : I haven't made up my mind where to go yet.

Nancy: Stanley, I've got something to tell you.

Stanley: Fire away, I am listening with open ears.

Nancy: I just came back from Sunrise Limited, and they decided to sign a one-year contract with us.
Furthermore, I have talked Manfield Corporation into extending the contract.

Stanley: Excellent ! I told you so. Where there's a will, there is a way.

Nancy: Yes. I'm glad that I listen to your advice.

Stanley: I'm pleased with your ability and strength.

Explanation : Fire away - Start to talk

Example : You've got more questions? Well, fire away.

Kathy: I'm calling to inform you that I'm resigning at the end of this month.

Rachel: Really ? What a surprise.

Kathy: I know. As a matter of fact, I'm getting married next month. My husband made a new
investment in Shanghai which turns out to be a remarkable success. So we decided to relocate to
Shanghai.

Rachel: Congratulations ! I am happy for you. I would like to send you a floral basket. Should I send it
to your office ?

Kathy: No, its OK. Don't bother.

Rachel: It's no bother at all. I insist on sending my regards to you. It's nice working with you.

Explanation : Bother - trouble or difficulty

Example : It will be an awful lot of bother going by bus.

Polly: Wow, the restaurant is awesome. I can hardly recall the last time I actually dined in a
restaurant.

Nancy: I couldn't agree more. We worked like hell for the past few months, yet, I am happy with the
result. We achieved our goals with flying colors.

Stanley: Everyone, may I have your attention, please ? First, I would like to thank all of you for
devoting yourself to the job and achieving the company's goal and I would also like to show my great
appreciation to you. You guys make an outstanding team. You're the best. Give yourself a round of
applause.

Peter: An outstanding leader makes an outstanding team. Your strong ambition and executive power
have made an influence on us.

Stanley: Thank you very much. at last, I have good news for you. All of you will be rewarded
an extra bonus. Now, let's toast and celebrate our glory !

Explanation : With flying colors - Complete success

Example : They passed inspection with flying colors.
Mary: I've just popped in to thank you very much for organizing last weekend's trip to the seaside for
the old folk.

Julia: That's very kind of you. They all seemed to enjoy it.

Mary: They certainly did. Everything went like clockwork, in fact I don't think you could have done it
better.

Julia: I'm not sure about that, there were one or two things that could have been improved.

Mary: In a perfect world perhaps, but as far as I'm concerned it was a great success. So thank you
again.

Explanation : If you say that something happens like clockwork you mean that it happens without any
problems or delays, or happens regularly.
Example : He reorganized Standard Brands twice a year, like clockwork.

Dan: The parents of children in our street are a lot less worried these days.

Chris: Why's that ?

Dan: One of the neighbors had a very fierce dog which scared everyone. Last week it bit one of the
children so badly, she had to be treated in hospital.

Chris: That must have been an awful experience for the little girl. But why did you say they are not
worried now ?

Dan: Well they complained about the dog to the police and the police forced the owner to put it
down.

Chris: Oh I see. Well I'm sure that was for the best.

Explanation : If you say that something is for the best, you mean it is the most desirable or helpful
thing that could have happened or could be done, considering all the circumstances.
Example : In the long run, it was for the best ....

Jack: You're out exercising your dog I see.

Eric: Yes, dogs have to be exercised daily, otherwise they get out of condition.

Jack: What's his name ?

Eric: Rover.

Jack: That's a good name for a dog. Why is he woofing and wagging his tail ?

Eric: Can't you see ? He wants one of us to throw that stick as far as we can for him to fetch.

Jack: I can't disappoint him. Come on boys, ( throw stick ) go fetch !

Explanation :If someone is out of condition, they are unhealthy and unfit, because they have stopped
exercising regularly.
Example : He was too out of condition to clamber over the top.

Eddie: I'm sorry that the parrot is squawking its head off.

Denise: What's the matter with it ?

Eddie: Well it's just spotted a cat outside the window and it really doesn't like cats.

Denise: Do you ever let it out of its cage ?

Eddie :My father does. It's very attached to him so it perches on his shoulder and behaves itself
when he's around.

Denise: Would you ever let it out ?

Eddie: Oh no, because it's more than likely to give me a nasty nip if I do.

Explanation : If you are attached to someone or something, you are very fond of them.
Example : She is very attached to her family and friends.

Alistair: Why are you talking to your computer. Is it lonely ?

David: No, don't be silly, I'm trying out some new speech recognition software.

Alistair: How does it work ?

David: Well, I just speak what I want to say into the microphone and my words appear on the screen.
It's magic !

Alistair: It must be very expensive.

David: It's not cheap but I haven't actually paid anything yet.

Alistair How come ?

David: I've got it on thirty days' free trial. If I'm not satisfied with it, I can return it free of charge as
long as I do so within 30 days.

First clerk: I've just had a terrible hour and a half.

Second clerk: Why, what happened ?

First clerk: Well I had a lady customer come in who wanted to buy a pair of shoes. And you know
we've got a really good range.

Second clerk: We certainly do. Did she buy a pair ?

First clerk: No, but she didn't leave before getting me to bring her every single pair we had in the
shop. And she complained about every single one.

Second clerk: I'd say she was impossible to please.

Terry: What do you think of my new suit ?

Michael: Not bad. I like the wide lapels and the pant cuffs. It reminds me of one I saw in the
department store the other day. Did you get it there ?

Terry: No, I got it at that new outfitters on the main street.

Michael: How much did it cost ?

Terry: Three hundred and fifty dollars.

Michael: What ? You could have got the one from the department store for $200. You've been
ripped off !

Explanation : If someone rips you off, they cheat you by charging you too much money for something
or by selling you something that is faulty
Example : The Consumer federation claims banks are ripping you off by not passing along savings on
interest rates ...

Jenny: Look what I've got.

Fay: Wow, that's the snazziest looking handbag I've ever seen. Where did you get it ?

Jenny: I got it in Paris on my last trip.

Fay: I bet it cost a fortune ?

Jenny: No it didn't, I got it for half price because the shop was having a clearance sale.

Fay: What a bargain ! You'll have to take me with you next time.

Explanation : Something that is a bargain is good value for money, usually because it has been sold
at a lower price than normal.
Example : At this price the wine is a bargain ...

Andy: I wish I could play the piano like you.

Dee: I'm sure you could if you tried. You should take some lessons.

Andy: I took some when I was younger but I was hopeless.

Dee: Why was that ?

Andy: I found that I was tone-deaf, which really made it impossible.

Dee: Never mind, why don't you try learning the drums? Then being tone-deaf shouldn't matter.

Explanation : If you wish something were true, you would like it to be true, even though you know that
it is impossible or unlikely.
Example : I wish it weren't true.

Maggie: I had a terrible time on my last trip to Europe.

Bernard: Why, what happened ? Did you have an accident ?

Maggie: No, my luggage went astray. When I arrived in Paris and went to collect my case from
the baggage carousel, it never arrived.

Bernard: What happened to it ? Had somebody collected it by mistake or stolen it ?

Maggie: No, it had been sent on to London by mistake.

Bernard: Did you get it back.

Maggie: Yes I did, but it took two whole days. I was absolutely furious.

Explanation : If something goes astray, it gets lost while it is being taken or sent somewhere.
Example : Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray.
Niall: Don't you find these rowing machines hard work ?

Harry: I certainly do, but they're supposed to be.

Niall: How often do you come to the gym for a workout ?

Harry: Three times a week at least if I can manage it.

Niall: No wonder you look so fit and trim.

Harry: Thanks. Stick at it and you can be the same.

Explanation : If you stick at a task or activity, you continue doing it, even if it is difficult.
Example : He became more and more irritated by her inability to stick at anything.

Girl: "Hello " ?

AJ: "Hi it's me what's up baby ? I'm sorry ! Listen ! I'm gonna be late tonight so don't stay up and
wait for me OK ?"

Girl: "Where are you ?"

AJ: "Wait wait ! Say that again ?"

Girl: "Hello ?"

AJ: "You're coming in and out I think my battery must be low. Listen ! If you can hear me we're
going to a place nearby, alright ? Gotta go " ( click )

Explanation : That battery is low means you are running out of battery.

Jenny: Vanessa! Guess what. Leo proposed to me!

Vanessa : Wow. Love is in the air. Did you accept?

Jenny: Not yet. I have some doubts...like the age factor. I'm really robbing the cradle here.

Vanessa: So he's eight years younger...he's mature for his age.

Jenny: I'm worried about the cultural differences, too.

Vanessa: You guys have the same interests and similar personalities. AND you have the same
dreams.

Explanation : If something is in the air it is felt to be present, but it is not talked about
Example : There was great excitement in the air ...

Jeff: Do you have a driver's license ?

Mike: No. I am going to take the test in a couple of weeks .

Jeff: Didn't you drive in your country ?

Mike: Yes, but I have to brush up on my driving.

Jeff: And. You have to study the traffic rules too !

Mike: Yes, there is a lot of new things I must learn.

Explanation : If you brush up something or brush up on it, you practise it or improve your knowledge
of it.
Example : Eleanor spent much of the summer brushing up on her driving.

Robert: I am going to look at new cars tomorrow.

James: I wish I could have one.

Robert: Why don't you come along ?

James: I'd like to but I don't want to be tempted.

Robert: I am sure you could get a good deal.

James: No, buying a new car is out of the question for me right now.

Explanation : If you say that something is out of the question, you are emphasing that it is completely
impossible or unacceptable.
Example : - For the homeless, private medical care is simply out of the question ......

Billy: Bill is going to sing tonight.

Lucy: Oh, no !

Billy: Don't you like his singing ?

Lucy: It's not that. Don't get me wrong !!!

Billy: What's the problem then ?

Lucy: He only knows one song.

Explanation : If you say ' Don't get me wrong ' when you want to make sure that someone does not
misunderstand what you are doing or saying, or why you are doing or saying it.

Example : - Don't get me wrong, it's interesting work.

Peters: Please have a seat.

Albert: Thank you

Peters: I'm Mr. Peters. The personnel manager. What can I do for you.

Albert: I am looking for a position as a sales representative.

Peters: We may have an opening next week. Please leave your resume, I will keep in touch with you.

Albert: Thanks. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Explanation : If you cross your fingers , you put one finger on top of another and hope for good luck. If
you say that someone is keeping their fingers crossed, you mean they are hoping for good luck.
Example : - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they turn up soon.

Shirley: Guess who I met at the grocery store.

Leonard: I can't imagine.

Shirley: Do you remember Mr. Johnson from our old neighbourhood.

Leonard: That name rings a bell, but I can't place him.

Shirley: He used to live in the building next to ours.

Leonard : Oh yes, now I remember. He had dark hair and wore glasses.

Explanation: If you say that something rings a bell , you mean that it reminds you of something else,
but you cannot remember exactly what it is ......

Janet: Good afternoon Bob, isn't it a lovely day ?

Bob: Yes, it is Janet !

Janet: It is the kind of day when you want to go outside.

Bob: Janet, let's get to the point. Do you want the afternoon off ?

Janet: Yes, Bob.

Bob: Alright. As soon as you finish typing. You can go.

Explanation : When someone comes to the point or gets to the point, they start talking about the thing
that is most important to them.

Robb: Are you ill ?

Seles: Not really ! I am just tired.

Bobb: Didn't you sleep well last night.

Seles: No, I tossed and turned all night.

Robb: I am sorry to hear that, I hope you sleep better tonight.

Seles: Thank you. I'm sure I will.

Explanation : If you toss and turn, you move restlessly in bed and cannot sleep properly, for example
because you are ill or worried.
Example : - You feel as if you've been tossing and turning all night, and wake up feeling worn out.

Han: What kind of Chinese food would you like to have.

Joe: I'd like to have spring rolls.

Han: Fine. By the way, do you know how to use chopsticks ?

Joe: It's a piece of cake.

Han: How in the world did you learn to use them ?

Joe: I was stationed in Taiwan for five years, you know.

Explanation : If you think something is very easy to do, you can say it is a piece of cake. People often
say this to stop someone feeling worried about doing something they have to do.

Mei: Is Mrs. Johnson joining us for dinner ?

Susie: Not that I know of.

Mei: I was hoping she would come with us.

Susie: Why ?

Mei: I would like her to try some of our traditional Chinese foods.

Susie: That's very kind of you.

Explanation : You say ' Not that I know of ' when someone has asked you whether or not something is
true and you think the answer is; ' no ' but you cannot be sure because you do not know all the facts.

Mahoney: Do you remember the restaurant we went to Friday.

Marcus: Sure I do. It was the ' Silver Castle '.

Mahoney: No, we've never been to the ' Silver Castle '.

Marcus: Maybe it was the Gold Coin.

Mahoney: No Gee. It is on the tip of my tongue.

Marcus: Never mind. The food was terrible.

Explanation : If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and
that you will be able to remember it very soon.
Example : - A sarcastic remark was on the tip of her tongue.

Carol: What are your chances of getting into Yale ?

Judy: My chances are slim.

Carol: I hear those Ivy League Colleges are tough to get into.

Judy: I know. I'd have better chance at the state University.

Carol: Sure. It's not a bad school either.

Judy: I'd rather be a big fish in a small pond.

Explanation : If you say that someone doesn't stand a chance of achieving something, you mean that
they cannot possibly achieve it.
Example : - Neither is seen as standing any chance of snatching the leadership from him.

Mike: Shall I pick you up at 5 or 6 ?

Joei: It doesn't make any difference.

Mike: O.K, I will pick you up at 5.

Joei: No problem !

Mike: Shall we play badminton or table tennis on Sunday ?

Joei: It doesn't make any difference.

Explanation : If something makes no difference, it does not have any effect on what you are doing.
Example : - It is sad to see him go but it won't make any difference to the way we conduct our affairs.
Stacey: Sue, can you drive Jane and I to the doctor on Monday ?

Sue: I think so.

Stacey: We need a ride very badly, are you sure you will be able to help out ?

Sue: Sure. I will mark it on my calendar so I don't forget.

Stacey: Thanks you are a good friend.

Sue: You can always count on me when you need help.

Explanation : If you count on someone or count upon them, you rely on them to support you or help
you.
Example : - I can always count on you to cheer me up .........

John: Would you like to go out to dinner or to a movie ?

Karen: Either one, it is up to you .

John: What would you prefer ?

Karen: I really don't care, I just want to get out of the house.

John: Well, then how about dinner and a movie ?

Karen: That's a great idea !

Explanation : If you say that it is up to someone to do something, you mean that it is their
responsibility to do it.
Example : - The choice was up to Paula.

Daryl: I am upset. Somebody told my boss I have a part-time job.

Smith: And he doesn't like that ?

Daryl: No, he doesn't. He thinks that I am too tired to work.

Smith: I am sorry. I have to admit I told him.

Daryl: You told him ? Why ?

Smith: I couldn't help it. He asked me point-blank.

Explanation : If you can't help the way you feel or behave, you cannot control it or stop it from
happening. You can also say that you can't help yourself.

If you say something point-blank, you say it very directly or rudely, without explaining or apologizing.

Walter: I have to photocopy these two documents. I need a copy of this one smaller than the
original, and of the other larger.

Dawn: Well you'll need to use the reducing and enlarging facility on the photocopier.

Walter: The copy of this one should be half the size of the original, and the other twice the
size.
Dawn: Lift the lid and put the first document on the glass face down. then press the button
marked 200% and you'll get a copy twice the size of the original.

Walter: OK. What about the other one ?

Dawn: When you've copied the first one, put the other one face down on the glass, press the
button marked 50% and you'll get a half-size copy.

Nerys: Look at all the waste paper in the waste bin next to the photocopier.

Rolf: There is rather a lot but it's the same with all the photocopier.

Nerys: What do they do with all that waste paper ?

Rolf: As far as I know they just throw it out as trash.

Nerys: That's really wasteful. There's a better way of dealing with it than that.

Rolf: Well we should try to recycle all our waste paper. That would save the company a lot of
money and help the environment.

Explanation : Wasteful - Action that is wasteful uses too much of something valuable such as time,
money, or energy.
Example : This kind of training is ineffective, and wasteful of scarce resources ........

Billie: Why has the photocopier stopped ?

Lesley: Oh, it's probably because the paper has jammed. You'll have to open the door and look inside
the machine to check.

Billie: Oh yes, I can see where a sheet of paper has got stuck.

Lesley: You need to follow the instructions printed inside the door to remove it and restart the
machine.

Billie: That wasn't too difficult. Well, I'll restart the machine and hope for the best.

Lesley: You'll need a lot of hope for that machine. It's very temperamental and really needs replacing.

Explanation : Temperamental - If you describe something such as a machine car as temperamental,

you mean that it often does not work properly.
Example : I first started cruising in yachts with temperamental petrol engines ........

Quentin: This document is A3 size and I've got to make three A3-sized copies.

Vicky: That's no problem on this photocopier as it's got an A3 paper tray.

Quentin : I've put the document face down on the glass, what do I do next ?

Vicky: Open the door and check that there's paper in the A3 paper tray.

Quentin : Yes, it's almost full.

Vicky : Close the door, select the A3 paper tray on the control panel and then press the
green button to start copying.
Ginny: I want to make some A4 copies but I've never used a photocopier before. Could you
please help me ?

Heather: Of course. First of all lift the lid and put the document you want to copy face
down on the glass.
Ginny: OK. What do I do now ?

Heather: Make sure that it's straight and within the A4 lines marked on the glass. Then
lower the lid.

Ginny: There, done that. Now what ?

Heather: Enter the number of copies you want using these button and then press the
big green button to start.

Ginny: That's a breeze !

Explanation : Face down - In a position so that the face is down

Belinda: Oh no ! It's always the same.

Henry: What's the matter ?

Belinda: The photocopier's run out of paper.

Henry: Have you looked in the store cupboard for more ?

Belinda: Yes, of course. But that's out of paper as well.

Henry: That's really bad luck. If your job's really urgent, I would go to the copy bureau across
the street.

Belinda: Thanks. It is and I will.

Explanation : If you run out of something, you have no more of it left

Example : We are running out of time ...........

Hanna: You've been working on that file for almost five hours without a break. You must be
starving.

Lenore: Yes, I am a bit peckish, especially as I didn't have anything for breakfast.

Hanna: Well the only place you can get food around here at this time of day is the " Dog and
Duck " across the road.

Lenore: What's the food like there ?

Hanna: It's not bad. They don't do hot food but their ploughman's lunch is really tasty. The
bread and cheese are always really fresh and they make their own pickle.

Lenore: Sounds good. I'll shoot over straight away. Care to join me ?

Thomas: Have you studied the election statistics ?

Digby: Yes I have. Of the votes cast, 40 percent were cast for the White Party, 35 percent for
the Blue Party and 25 per cent for the Black Party.
Thomas: So, since more voters cast their votes for the White Party than either of the
other two parties, it's a White victory.

Digby: Under our first-past-the-post electoral system that's true.

Thomas: How many voters actually voted ?

Digby: Seventy percent of those eligible to vote actually voted, which is more than that at the
last election.

Explanation : Cast - When you cast your vote in an election, you vote.

Lenore: It's election day today, so don't forget to vote.

Abby: I can't be bothered, what difference will it make ? The parties are all the same.

Lenore: It took a long struggle to get everyone the right to vote. You should exercise your
democratic right, otherwise one day you may find it's been taken away.

Abby: Oh, well all right. What time does the polling station close tonight ?

Lenore: At 10 pm

Abby: I'll go as soon as I get home from work.

Explanation : Can't be bothered - If you say that you can't be bothered to do something, you mean
that you are not going to do it because you think it is unnecessary or because you are too lazy.
Example : I just can't be bothered to look after the house.

Tim: Have you been following the election so far ?

Leila: Yes and with only two weeks to go things are really hotting up.

Tim: That's true and it's one of the dirtiest election campaigns I can remember.

Leila: I have to agree with you. Both campaign teams have been spreading nasty rumors and even
lies about the opposing candidate.

Tim: Their television advertising has also been very negative, attacking the opponent's character
and record.

Leila: It's not really much of a recommendation for democracy.

Explanation : Hot up - When something hots up, a lot of activity and excitement starts to happen.

Example : Campaigning is expected to start hotting up today.

Vera: My feet are killing me !

Dan: Why ? What have you been doing all day ?

Vera: I have been going from house to house canvassing voters to vote for our party at the next
general election.

Dan: Is that really necessary ?

Vera: Oh yes ! Most voters want to discuss the election issues face to face with a party
representative and to express their own views.
Dan: Democracy in action !

Explanation : Face to face - If you come face to face with someone, you meet them and can talk to
them or look at them directly.

Example : It was the first face to face meeting between the two men.

Jeff: Well, it's almost lunch time, what would you like to eat ?

Danny: Oh, I'd like some really typical city food.

Jeff: Well, for that we'll have to go to the east side of town.

Danny: What sort of food can you get there ?

Jeff: The sort of food the locals really like.

Danny: Like what ?

Jeff: Pie and mash, that's is one of my favorites too and I know one of the best places to get it.

Jilly: This takes me back, I haven't been to the seaside since I was a child.

Nicola: I haven't been for ages either.

Jilly: Tell you what, let's go on the pier and get some cotton candy.

Nicola: But that's for kids and it's pure sugar; it'll ruin your figure.

Jilly: I don't care, it was one of my favorite things to have when we came to the seaside.

Nicola: Well, if you're going to relive your childhood, I'm going to have to do the same.

Explanation : Take me back - If you say that something takes you back, you mean that it reminds you
of a period of your past life and makes you think about it again.

Example : I enjoyed experimenting with colors - it took me back to being five years old.

Frank: Teach me how to make a pot of tea.

Brian: Well, first of all you need a china teapot. Tea doesn't taste so good from a metal one.

Frank: What next?

Brian: Rinse out the teapot with very hot water to make it hot.

Frank: Then boil the kettle?

Brian: That's right. Then put two or three teaspoons of tea into the teapot, take the kettle to the pot
and pour the boiling water over the tea.

Frank: Can you drink it straight away ?

Brian: No, you have to let the teapot stand for a few minutes and then the tea will be ready to drink.
Laura: Thank you for inviting me to tea, it's really good of you.

Melanie: Not at all, we're delighted to have you. May I pour you a cup of tea ?

Laura: Oh, yes, thank you very much. What beautiful china !

Melanie: I'm glad you like it. This is part of tea service which my grandmother left me. I
was her only granddaughter.

Laura: It's all so artistically decorated.

Melanie: It is very fine work and genuine Chinese porcelain.

Laura: No doubt that's why your tea tastes so good.

Melanie: Thank you. They do say that tea always tastes better from real porcelain.

Explanation : China - China is a very thin clay from which cups, sauces, plates, and ornaments are
made.

Example : Judy collects blue and white china.

Sharon: I didn't really enjoy that movie at all.

Gareth: Why not ? I thought it was really exciting with lots of action.

Sharon: Typical man, that's just what you would like.

Gareth: Well what would you have wanted ?

Sharon: Some love interest, not just car chases and fights.

Gareth: Typical female, you're only interested in romance.

Explanation : Love interest - Details about love and romance

Example : Fay Wray was the love interest in the 1933 version of King Kong.

Marie: That was a really violent movie.

Jean: It certainly was. There seemed to be one killing about every ten minutes.

Marie: I know. I began to get a bit sick of it long before the end.

Jean: Why are so many movies so full of violence ?

Marie: It's because violence is good box office I suppose.

Jean: You must be right. Well the next movie I go to see will be romantic comedy.

Explanation : 1) Box office - The box office in a theater, cinema, or concert hall is the place where the
tickets are sold.

2) Box office - When people talk about the box office, they are referring to the degree of success of a
film or play in terms of the number of people who go to watch it or the amount of money it makes.

Example : The film was a huge box office success

Walt: Thank goodness the ads are over. They go on for far too long.

Ingo: Yes, there'll be just a few trailers and then the movie will start.

Walt: I don't mind trailers, at least they're not trying to sell you anything.

Ingo: Of course, they are, they're trying to sell you the latest movies.

Walt: Well, I suppose so, but they're a lot more exciting than the ads.

Ingo: If you ask me, they're sometimes a lot more exciting than the movies themselves.

Explanation : A trailer for a film or television program is a set of short extracts which are shown to
advertise it.
Example : .... a misleadingly violent trailer for the film.

Augus: Where are you off to in such a hurry ?

Martin: I'm just off to the movie theater to see the latest Nicole Kidman movie.

Augus: I've seen it, it's really good. Have you got a ticket ?

Martin: No, I'll buy one at the box office.

Augus: You could have saved yourself a lot of time by buying it on the internet.

Martin: I didn't know you could do that. You must show me how to do it.

Explanation : Off - away from a place or position, especially the present place or position

Melanie: You're looking very pleased with yourself ? How come ?

Jim: Look what I've got - two tickets for the premiere of the latest Tom Cruise movie and
the reception afterwards.

Melanie: Wow! How did you get them ?

Jim: I got them through my friend. His brother's in the movie distribution business.

Melanie: Are they good seats ?

Jim: I'll say. They're in the front row of the balcony, right in the middle.

Explanation : If you do something through someone else, they take the necessary action for you.

Walter: That's the fifth race in a row that you've won. You're by far our best driver.

Ryan: Well, I think my results are a bit flattering because I've had quite a lot of luck and our
car is always so reliable.

Walter: Nonsense, you're head and shoulders above the others in your division.

Ryan: Do you really think so ?

Walter: Absolutely. So much so that we are thinking of entering you in the next division for the
new season.

Ryan: That means a more powerful car and longer races. It'll be a lot tougher.
Explanation : If you say that someone or something stands head and shoulders above other
people or things you mean that they are a lot better than them.

Example : I am very impressed by your magazine. It is head and shoulders above any other.

Greg: Do come in and sit down. How are you ?

Heather: I'm fine, thanks. Have you had a chance to look at my proposal ?

Greg: Yes, I have, that's what I mainly want to talk about.

Heather: I wasn't sure whether it was exactly the kind of thing you wanted.

Greg: Oh, have no worries. It's precisely what we need and your work is absolutely first-
class.

Heather: Well, I must say that's a great relief

.Explanation : If you describe something or someone as first-class, you mean that they are excellent
and of the highest quality.
Example : The food was first-class.

Jack: Those watercolors are really beautiful.

Caroline: I'm glad you like them. I painted them last year.

Jack: You painted them yourself ? I can't believe it, they're so good.

Caroline: They're not that good, but I'm glad you like them.

Jack: You're so talented, I wish I had your skill.

Caroline: You should try your hand yourself, I'm sure you could do just as well if not better.

Ali: That was an absolutely delicious meal.

Isabel: I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's a recipe I haven't tried before.

Ali: Your cooking is always superb but this time you've excelled yourself.

Isabel: Sounds like you want to get something out of me.

Ali: Don't be suspicious, I really meant it.

Isabel: Well, they always say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Explanation : If one excels himself, he does better than what he is regularly doing.

Example : You have excelled yourself with this feat of courage.

Kathleen: Have you finished my accounts yet ? I sent you all the paperwork three weeks ago.

Damien: Well, almost but I've still got some work to do on your investments and your
real estate.

Kathleen: What's the problem ?

Damien: There's no problem, but you sold some shares during the financial year at
quite a profit and you also made a lot of money on the apartment you sold. Those were capital gains.

Kathleen: So what you are trying to do ?

Damien: Well I'm working on how I can minimize the capital gains tax you're going to
have to pay on the money you made from the sale of those assets.

Explanation : Capital gains are the profits that you make when you buy something and then sell it
again at a higher price.

Example : Gains from the sale of privately-owned cars and household goods are exempt from capital
gains tax.

Coral: Morale is a bit low in our company at the moment, especially in the HR department where I
work.

Shelby: I'm not surprised, business hasn't been good at all lately.

Coral: It certainly hasn't and it's forecast to get worse.

Shelby: What effect will that have on your plans for the next financial year ?

Coral: Well, all departments are being told to economize, and the HR department's training budget is
being cut to the bone.

Shelby: That's surely a bit short-sighted. I would have thought that upgrading the skills of its staff
should be a high priority for any company.

Explanation :If something such as costs are cut to the bone, they are reduced to an absolute
minimum.

Example : Profit margins have been slashed to the bone in an attempt to keep turnover moving.

Libby: What's in that bag ? Whatever it is, I bet it was expensive.

Penny: It's a new cocktail dress, absolutely irresistible.

Libby: That's the second dress you've bought this month and you've already bought three pairs of
new shoes.

Penny: A girl needs to look her best at all times.

Libby: But you've been spending like there's no tomorrow.

Penny: Do you want me to go round looking like a tramp ?

Explanation : If someone does something like there is/was no tomorrow, they do it very fast, in large
amounts and without thinking carefully

Example : After his win on the football pools, he began spending money like there was no tomorrow.

Billie: Did you enjoy your theme park visit ?

Vaughan: On the whole yes; there was certainly a lot to see and we had a very full day.

Billie: You don't sound totally enthusiastic.

Vaughan: Well that's because the entrance fee was quite high, but once inside we had to shell
out a lot more money for extras which I think ought to have been included in the ticket price.

Billie: What sort of extras ?

Vaughan: Well, for example, traveling between the different attractions on the electric bus. We
had to pay for each separate journey.

Explanation : If you shell out for something, you spend a lot of money on it.

Example : Do you expect me to shell out to gratify your vanity ?

Terri: Hettie was complaining to me yesterday that there's always so much month left at the
end of the money.

Marlene: She's always moaning like that. She just can't manage her money.

Terri: But she's always dressed like a film-star.

Marlene: Well, that's just it. She blows all her money on clothes and shoes and wonders why
she's always so short of cash at the end of the month.

Terri: I suppose she is rather extravagant.

Marlene: She certainly is. She needs to learn how to budget.

Explanation : If you blow a large amount of money, you spend it quickly on luxuries.
Example : Before you blow it all on a luxury cruise, give a little thought to the future ...

Jean: So how are we going to conduct this negotiation ?

Angus: Well, obviously we're not going to put our cards on the table straight away.

Jean: No, that would be naive. We've got to get a feel for what their negotiating limits are.

Angus: That's right. We really need to get a sense of what their bottom line is.

Jean: Then we'll know how far we can push them.

Angus: Yes, but remember they will be doing the same in relation to us.

Explanation : The bottom line in a business deal is the least a person is willing to accept.

Example : She says $95,000 is her bottom line.

Jason: We'll give you the order if you can guarantee delivery in three weeks.

Keith: If you confirm the order today, we'll deliver in two weeks. We'll have to because we have an
urgent order that we must start working on in two weeks' time.

Jason: If you can deliver in two weeks, that would give us a big advantage over our competitors.

Keith: We definitely can, our workers are very experienced and we have the latest equipment.

Jason: Looks like we've got a win-win situation here. You've got our order.

Keith: That's great. We'll start on it straight away.

Explanation : A win-win situation is one in which an agreement is reached that is beneficial to both
sides.

Guy: Which company were you selling to ?

Harry: Compexon, it's a number one in automotive components.

Guy: Did you get a good deal ?

Harry: Not really. They beat us down as far as they could.

Guy: That's tough. Where do you go from here ?

Harry: We'll have to reduce our costs a lot to make any real profit on the deal.

Explanation : If you beat down a person who is selling you something, you force them to accept a
lower price for it than they wanted to get.
Example : Beat down the seller to the price that suits you.\

Mr. Armstrong: We can offer you ten thousand pieces for immediate delivery at $500 per thousand.

Mr. Hawkins: Four hundred fifty dollars would be a fairer price. We could get them from Vortex for
that price.

Mr. Armstrong: But you know as well as I do that the Vortex company is in no position to offer
immediate delivery.

Mr. Hawkins: Five hundred dollars is considerably more than the market rate and we're not going to
pay more than that.

Mr. Armstrong: OK, we'll meet you halfway : $475

Mr. Hawkins: We can live with that. You've got a deal.

Explanation : If you meet someone halfway, you accept some of the points they are making so that
you can come to an agreement with them.

Mr. Klein: This price leaves us with a very small margin.

Ms. Johnson: It's the best price that I can offer.

Mr. Klein: What about another two per cent. It's not much to ask.

Ms. Johnson: No, as I said, that's our best price.

Mr. Klein: You drive a hard bargain.

Ms. Johnson: Not hard, just fair.

Explanation : If people drive a hard bargain, they argue with determination in order to achieve a deal
which is favorable to themselves.
Example : Ukraine was always gong to drive a hard bargain before signing the treaty.

Gavin: We've put forward a number of possible options for an agreement. Now we need you to make
a decision.

Jake: None of them seem to us completely satisfactory. We'd like to explore other possibilities.
Gavin: Look, there's no point in dragging this negotiation out, and we need a decision by the end of
the day.

Jake: We would like to consider all possible options.

Gavin: We've considered all the realistic ones. It's time to put your cards on the table and make your
position clear.

Jake: At this point I think our side had better take some time out so that we can discuss among
ourselves.

Explanation : If you put or lay your cards on the table, you deal with a situation by speaking openly
about your feelings, ideas, or plans.
Example : Put your cards on the table and be very clear about your complaints.

Chairman: Well we have interviewed everyone on the shortlist. What did you think of them ?

Panel member 1: I thought they were variable. The second and fourth were very strong
candidates, the third was average and the first relatively weak.

Chairman: That was also my impression. To be fair to the first, he had rather less experience
than the others.

Panel member 2: The last candidate seemed outstanding to me. She answered all our
questions very confidently, and was very well qualified.

Chairman: On the other hand the second candidate was also well qualified and had rather more
experience.

Panel member 1: It's going to be very difficult to decide which of them is going to get the job.

Explanation : If you describe someone or something as outstanding, you think that they are very
remarkable and impressive.
Example : He is outstanding at tennis and golf.

Rory: You look relieved, what have you been doing ?

Barnaby: I've just been interviewed for a reporter's job on the evening paper.

Rory: How did it go ? Did they go through your resume in detail ?

Barnaby: Yes they did, especially where I'd worked for their main competitor.

Rory: What's your overall feeling about how it went ?

Barnaby: Well I think I made a good impression. But I'll only know for sure when they write to
me to give me their decision.

Explanation : If someone or something makes an impression, they have a strong effect on people
or a situation.
Example : He has told me his plans and he's made a good impression on me ...

Magda: What are you reading ? Looks like a letter.

Quentin: It is, it's a letter informing me that I've been shortlisted for a senior marketing
manager's job with the airline.
Magda: That's great ! Why are you looking so worried ?

Quentin: It lists the interviewing panel. It's a bit scary.

Magda: Who's in the line-up ?

Quentin: The president, the managing director, the HR director and the head of marketing.
That's pretty high-powered panel.

Explanation : A line-up is a group of people or a series of things that are assembled to take part in a
particular activity or event.
Example : The program is back for a new series with a great line-up of musicians and comedy acts.

Greta: How is your job hunting going ?

Orlando: I haven't really started yet because I'm still working on my career portfolio.

Greta: Is that the same as a resume or c.v. ?

Orlando: It's similar but it's more detailed. It will give potential employers a complete
picture of my qualifications, experience and capabilities.

Greta: That will be quite a folder.

Orlando: Not only a folder. I'm planning to upload it to my website.

Greta: Wow ! That sounds really impressive.

Explanation : A portfolio is a set of pictures by someone, or photographs of examples of their work,

which they use when entering competition or applying for work.

Valeri: Look at the job ad. What do you think ?

Darrel: Let's see : HR manager; at least ten years' experience preferably in at least two different
industries; experience of change management; ability to deal with the unexpected.

Valeri: They're asking for quite a lot.

Darrel: Well, maybe, but I know your resume and you definitely meet the criteria for the job.

Valeri: So you think I should apply ?

Darrel: Of course, Have a go. You'll be a strong candidate.

Explanation : Meet the criteria - Meet the standard

Danny: I'm thinking of applying for a marketing manager's job.

Victor: Well you've got plenty of experience, so you should have a good chance.

Danny: I'm going to work on my resume tonight after work.

Victor: I'd wait until you get the job description if I were you.

Danny: Why do you say that ?

Victor: Well then you'll be able to tailor your resume to fit the job.
Explanation : If you tailor something such as a plan or system to someone's needs, you make it
suitable for a particular person or purpose by changing the details of it.
Example : ... scripts tailored to American comedy audiences.

Zara: I'm going to start working from home in a few weeks. I've already got a computer. What other
equipment do you think I'll need ?

Otis: Well apart from a telephone of course, you'll need a fax, a printer and a way of copying
documents.

Zara: My home office is quite small. Will they take up much room on my desk ?

Otis: They will take up a certain amount of room. But if space is at a premium, you could get one of
the all-in-one machines.

Zara: What advantage do they have ?

Otis: You get a telephone, fax machine, document scanner and printer all combined into one fairly
compact unit.

Zara: That sounds just what I need.

Explanation : If something is at a premium, it is wanted or needed, but is difficult to get or achieve. (

scarce )

Example : If space is at a premium, choose adaptable furniture that won't fill the room.

Bunny: I get fed up with having to change the rolls on our fax machine.

Elvira: What ? You're not still using a fax that uses special paper ?

Bunny: Yes, my boss is very tight-fisted and won't change it until it breaks down.

Elvira: That's a shame. The modern plain paper fax machines are a lot easier to use. You don't have
the bother of changing rolls.

Bunny: I know, but, as I said, the boss is too mean to change ours.

Elvira: Try telling him that the new machines are a lot cheaper to run.

Explanation : If you are fed up, you are unhappy, bored, or tired of something, especially something
that you have been experiencing for a long time.
Example : I am fed up with reading how women should dress to please men ...........

Lily: How are your shares doing this year ?

Kevin: Not as well as I expected. Over half of them are down.

Lily: What were you hoping for ?

Kevin: Well I hit the bull's-eye with hotel shares last year. They went up a lot and I was expecting
them to do even better this year.

Lily: Hotel shares are well down this year. You should have sold them before they dropped so far.

Kevin: I know, but I left it too late. Now nobody wants them. Just my luck.
Explanation : If you leave something too late, you delay doing it so that when you eventually do it, it is
useless or ineffective.
Example : I hope I haven't left it too late.

Lennie: I've just been talking to John James.

Peter: That's interesting. What did he say ?

Lennie: He told me how well his company was doing.

Peter: Really ? I'm surprised. From what I've heard things aren't going well for him.

Lennie: Well he told me that he expects his order book will soon be full.

Peter: I'd take that with a pinch of salt if I were you. He's known for being over-optimistic.

Explanation : If you take something with a pinch of salt, you do not believe that it is completely
accurate or true.
Example : You have to take these findings with a pinch of salt because respondents tend to give the
answers they feel they should.

Linda: I was almost fooled by a telephone call I had yesterday.

Becky: Not one of those telling you that you had won a wonderful prize.

Linda: Yes, a week's vacation for two. It sounded great.

Becky: What made you smell a rat ?

Linda: When they told me I had to ring a special telephone number to claim the prize. Then I was
sure it was a scam.

Becky: Yes, those calls are charged at unbelievably high rates.

Explanation : If you smell a rat, you begin to suspect or realize that something is wrong in a particular
situation
Example : If I don't send a picture, he will smell a rat .......

Georgina: That's the last time we give a party. It'll take ages to clean up this mess and get back
to normal.

Greg: Yes, look at these wine stains on the carpet and the scratch marks on the table.

Georgine: I know, they'll be almost impossible to get rid of completely.

Greg: Oh no! Look here, people have been stubbing their cigarettes out on the sofa.

Georgina: I can't believe it ! That really makes my blood boil.

Caroline : This is going to cost us a fortune.

Explanation : If you say that something makes your blood boil you are emphasizing that it makes you
very angry.
Example : It makes my blood boil to think two thugs decided to pick on an innocent young girl.

Oliver: Why are you so late ? Problems with your make-up ?

Dodie: Don't be sarcastic. It was my girlfriend Susie.

Oliver: What's her problem this time ?

Dodie: She's just broken up with her boyfriend so she needed a shoulder to cry on.

Oliver: She never seems to be able to hang on to anyone for very long.

Dodie: It's not her fault, she just seems to have bad luck with men.

Explanation : If someone offers you a shoulder to cry on or is a shoulder to cry on, they listen
sympathetically to all your troubles.

Harry: Why don't you come to the soccer match on Saturday ? It's a really important game and a lot
of us are going. We'll have a really good time.

Felix: I wish I could, but I've got other fish to fry.

Harry: Like what ?

Felix: Well I'm playing golf with one of our most important clients.

Harry: Business before pleasure !

Felix: I'm afraid so. But a lot of future business depends on it.

Explanation : Other fish to fry - Other things to do

Tony: I've just been using our department's new photocopier. It took me quite a time to get
the hang of it.

Georgina: Mary's just been telling me about it. Apparently it's a very versatile machine which
can do lots of things.

Tony: That's just it. There are lots of menus available on the control panel and they each
have lots of options. It can be quite confusing.

Georgina: I suppose that's the price you pay for its versatility.

Tony: I know but you really need a training course to get to grips with it.

Georgina: Perhaps that's something we ought to suggest to the boss.

Explanation : Get the hang of - If you get the hang of something such as a skill or activity, you
begin to understand or realize how to do it.
Example : It's a bit tricky at first till you get the hang of it.

Edgar: This is our new photocopier. What do you think of it ?

Cathy: It looks very compact and stylish but how easy is it to use ?

Edgar: It's a lot easier than previous models. The designers have put a lot of thought into making it
easier to use.

Cathy: What's the main thing they have done ?

Edgar: They've made the control panel very clear and intuitive, so that you won't waste a lot of time
working out how to operate it.
Cathy: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let me have a try.

Explanation : Thought - Thought is the activity of thinking, especially deeply, logically, or with
concentration. Example : He had given some thought to what she had told him.

Marvin: Just what I need ! I've got a really urgent copying job and the photocopier's on the blink.

Cherie: What's the matter with it ?

Marvin: I'm not sure, but when this light is blinking, it means the machine is out of order.

Cherie: Don't worry, I'll call the Service Department. They can normally get a technician here in under
half and hour.

Marvin: Thanks a lot. This sort of things always seems to happen when I've got an urgent job to do.

Cherie: I know. It can be really frustrating at times.

Explanation : On the blink - If the machine goes on the blink, it stops working properly.
Example : ....... an old TV that's on the blink.

Sidney: Gordon's really in trouble with his father.

Jerome: Yes, his sister told me. Still it's his own fault.

Sidney: Yes, fancy borrowing his father's car without permission.

Jerome: And then crashing it into the garage door.

Sidney: No wonder his father went up the wall.

Jerome: It's understandable; the repairs are going to cost him a fortune.

Explanation : Drive up the wall - To make someone extremely angry

Example : When his son fails an examination, he runs up the wall.

Hayley: You should have seen what happened at the mayor's New Year reception yesterday evening.

Julia: I had to miss it. Tell me what happened.

Hayley: Well, Laura Dixon approached the mayor's wife to tell her about the new fashion boutique
she's just opened in the main street, but the mayor's wife turned her back on her.

Julia: Well that wasn't a very friendly thing to do. But I think I know why.

Hayley: Really ? Well go on, tell me.

Julia: Somebody told me that the mayor's wife had been thinking about opening a similar boutique.
She was probably jealous that Laura had done it before she did.

Explanation : Turn one's back on - Deny, reject; also abandon, forsake.

Example : I can't turn my back on my own daughter, no matter what she's done.

Zack: I hate these automated telephone systems.

Magnus: You're not the only one. I can't stand them either.
Zack: You're listening to one recorded voice after another telling you to press the key on your
telephone for the option you want. Sometimes you have to do that four or five times.

Magnus: I know, and more often than not, when you finally get to the department you want,
you're told that all their customer assistants are busy and that you should ring back later.

Zack: That's right, you spend all that time pressing buttons to get the right option but you still can't
get to a real person who will sort out your problem.

Magnus: Yes, that's what really gets up my nose.

Explanation :If you say that someone or something gets up your nose, you mean that they annoy you.
Example : He's just getting up my nose so much at the moment.

Melanie: Well I just couldn't believe it.

Imogen: You don't look best pleased. What happened ?

Melanie: I bumped into Dana in the street just now and started to talk to her but she
just cut me dead.

Imogen: Well, she can be moody at the best of times.

Melanie : That's true but I've still been trying hard to think if there's anything I've said or done
recently to make her behave like that.

Imogen: I wouldn't worry if I were you. She'll be in a better mood tomorrow. I'm sure.

Explanation : Cut someone dead - Pretend not to see or recognize someone

Example : After I declined to lend him any more money, he cut me dead every time he saw me.

Thea: We've had a Chinese friend staying with us over a festival and she said that it was like
Chinese New Year in some ways.

Perry: That's interesting. What did she mean by that ?

Thea: Well, she said just as we have a family get-together at festival they do the same in China at
New Year.

Perry: Do they eat special food ?

Thea: Of course. On New Year's day, for example, they eat a special vegetarian dish with several
different ingredients. They'll also eat a whole fish.

Perry: What's the point of all that ?

Thea: Well it's all to do with bringing wealth and prosperity to the family in the coming year. The
names of all the foods sound the same as words connected with money and good fortune.

Explanation : Get-together - an informal meeting or social gathering, often arranged for a particular
purpose

Zelda: Where are you going on vacation this year ?

Tiffany: Well, we were thinking about going on a Caribbean cruise. It's a beautiful part of the world.

Zelda: It certainly is. I went on one last year. But the weather can sometimes be really bad.
Tiffany: I know. I've been reading weather reports for the Caribbean on the internet. They seem to
have lots of hurricanes.

Zelda: They certainly so. When we went on a cruise, we called at Jamaica and the Cayman islands
and both had been battered by tropical storms two weeks before. You could still see a lot of damage.

Tiffany: Well, if I decide to go. I'll just have to hope for the best.

Phelps: Gordon can you come over here, please ? Which one is better ?

Brown: I have no idea.

Phelps: Come on, can't you make up your mind for once ?

Brown: Well, this one really reminds me of you, but I know you like the other one.

Example : Roland sometimes saw me as a shoulder to cry on.

Lacey: Why don't you ask Gordon to change the light bulb for you ?

Anthony: He's always busy. It's easier if I do it myself.

Lacey: Watch out!

Anthony: Thank you. You saved my life.

Explanation : Watch out : used to warn someone of danger or an accident that seems likely to
happen
Example : "Watch out!" he shouted, but it was too late - she had knocked the whole tray of
drinks on the floor.

A: Did Johnny break up with Helen ?

B: That's what I heard. Johnny's always busy and Helen's got a new boyfriend.

A: Looks like they're back together again.

B: Who knows.

Glenda: A lot of fishermen have been lost at sea in this latest disaster.

Peregrine: I know. We'll probably never know how many.

Glenda: But there've been one or two stories of a few who have survived.

Peregrine: Yes, I heard that one was picked up clinging to a raft about two hundred kilometers
from land. Apparently he had been on a boat with a crew of five.

Glenda: What happened to the others ?

Peregrine: Two others were originally clinging to the same raft but they didn't make it. They were
just too exhausted to hang on, slipped off and drowned.

Explanation : If you make it, you are successful in achieving something difficult, or in surviving
through a very difficult period.
Example : You're brave and courageous. You can make it.
Dougal: I've never experienced an earthquake before.

Anya: Nor me, it was horrifying. It was as if the whole earth was falling apart.

Dougal: What I wasn't prepared for were the aftershocks.

Anya: No, I thought an earthquake was just one thing.

Dougal: Me too. But the whole area was shaken by aftershocks for quite a long time after the main
quake.

Anya: I never want to go through that again.

Explanation : Fall apart - Collapse, break down, either physically or mentally and emotionally.
Example : Their fragile coalition soon fell apart.

Romola: I've just seen a guitar advertised at an amazing price on the internet.

Harley: I know you've been wanting to buy one for some time. Is it a good make ?

Romola: Oh yes, it's one of the top brands and it's described as in excellent condition.

Harley: Are you going to buy it ?

Romola: The price is so good, I think I have to go for it.

Harley: I'd be very careful if I were you. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can set up as a guitar dealer or any
kind of dealer on the internet. You might be dealing with a crook.

Explanation : Tom, Dick or Harry - an ordinary person / all ordinary people

Example : Riding a bicycle is not at all difficult. Every Tom, Dick or Harry should be able to do it.

Ivan: Larry's become a real stock-market junkie. He's always checking share prices on the internet.

Joe: Yes, he's always talking about which companies are on the way up, and which ones are on
the way down.

Ivan: The most important thing he reckons is the price-earnings ratio of their shares. That's what he
goes by in deciding whether to buy or sell.

Joe: What's that and why does he think it's so important ?

Ivan: It's the market price of the share divided by the earnings per share. If its P/E ratio is high, that
probably means a company is expected to grow.

Joe: My grandmother has done quite well out of the stock market and I've never heard her talk
about the P/E ratio. She just buys shares of companies whose names she likes.

Explanation : If you go by something, you use it as a basis for a judgment or action.

Example : If appearances are anything to go by, he must be very rich.

Trudie That's a really cute cellphone.

Hedda Yes, it's the latest model. It's got 50 MP camera, you can access the 5G internet and there
are lots of other features.

Trudie How much did it cost ?

Hedda I don't know, my mother bought it for me.

Trudie That was really nice of her.

Hedda It was I suppose, but she bought it mainly to keep tabs on me. She's always ringing up to
check where I am.

Explanation : Keep tabs on me - To watch something or someone carefully

Example : I like to keep tabs on my bank account so that I don't overdraw.

Phyllis: Well, the marketing director said it would never bring results but he's changed his mind.

June: So what's the new approach ?

Phyllis: He's decided that we're going to start a direct marketing campaign.

June: I thought he said he would never do direct marketing.

Phyllis: He certainly did, but he's done a complete U-turn on this.

June: Well let's hope his new strategy works.

Explanation : U-turn - A complete change from one opinion or plan of action to an opposite one
Example : This year's government budget represents a complete U-turn on welfare spending.

Russell: We're all so frustrated because our departmental manager is just hopeless.

Joanne: What do you mean exactly ?

Russell: Well he doesn't know how to manage people. He just antagonizes everybody. We're all
hoping he'll get fired.

Joanne: Don't look round now, but you'd better zip your lip quick.

Russell: Why what's the matter ?

Joanne: He's heading straight for us.

Explanation : Zip your lip - Be quiet, stop talking

Example : Hey, zip your lip, I'm sick of your nagging me all morning.

Donald: Why are you looking so worried ?

Petra: Well, my boss has just given me my first independent project to run.

Donald: That's great news. What's the problem ?

Petra: Well I'm not sure I've got enough qualifications or experience to do a proper job. I don't really
think I'm good enough.

Donald: Stop running yourself down. If he didn't think you were good enough, he wouldn't have given
you the assignment.

Petra: Do you really think so ?

Donald: Of course. You'll be fine.

Explanation : Run somebody down - To criticize someone unfairly
Example : I don't like him being so cynical. He's always running people down.

Kieran: Look at those kids over there. One's trying to scoop goldfish out of the pond and the other's
trying to drag the cat by its tail, poor thing.

Maxine: And those two little girls at the end of the garden are pulling the flowers out of the flower bed.

Kieran: This is supposed to be a children's party not a wrecking operation.

Maxine: I know, it's getting a bit out of hand.

Kieran: What are we going to do ?

Maxine: Don't worry. We'll get them all together and play a game. That'll keep them occupied and out
of trouble.

Explanation : Out of hand - Out of control

Example : The soccer fans got out of hand, and threw bottles at the police.

Alaric: I've decided to run in this year's charity marathon.

Gilbert: You mean the one they're holding in two months' time ?

Alaric: Yes, I think I could get round in about six hours and raise a lot of money.

Gilbert: Oh, come on, get real ! You haven't done any serious running for years and you're
overweight. You'll never finish the course.

Alaric: You just wait and see. I've already started training.

Gilbert: OK, I'll give you five dollars per kilometer, but only if you finish the course.

Explanation : Get real - Be realistic, understand what's going on

Example : You think he's going to help you ? Get real !

Naomi: Haven't seen you for ages. What's new ?

Hector: Well, I've got a new job. I'm a sales manager for an office furniture company.

Naomi: Wow, that's great. How did you get it ?

Hector: Well I was looking through the job ads in our trade paper a few weeks ago when the one for
my present position caught my eye.

Naomi: Why was that ?

Hector: Well, it was offering an exceptionally good salary plus very good prospects for promotion, so I
went for it.

Explanation : Catch someone's eye - To get someone's attention

Example : She looked at the shopwindow, where a beautiful skirt caught her eye, and she could not
help buying it.

Malcolm : They've just announced that our flight will be delayed by six hours.
Deirdre: What ! Oh no ! That means it won't be leaving until 3:30 in the morning.

Malcolm : I'm afraid so. What shall we do in the meantime ?

Deirdre: Let's find some seats in a quiet part of the terminal where we can stretch out and
catch some z's.

Malcolm : Sounds like a good idea. We've had a hectic day and I'm pretty tired.

Deirdre: Me too. Look, there are some in that corner over there. Let's go before somebody
else gets to them.

Explanation : Catch some z's - Take a nap, go to sleep

Example : I stayed up all night studying so I'd better catch some z's.

Andy: What's the matter ? You look really fed up.

Kevin: I am, I've been having a very frustrating day so far.

Andy: What's the problem, boss being difficult ?

Kevin: No, I've been beating my brains out trying to fix a fault in our department's computer network.

Andy: I suppose there must be some bug in the system somewhere.

Kevin: That's what I thought, but I haven't been able to find one yet, so I'll be working late tonight.

Explanation : Beats one's brains out - To exert or expend great mental effort
Example : The detective beat his brains out to unlock the mystery.

Gloria: Freda ! Put the kettle on. My feet are killing me and I'm dying for a cup of tea.

Freda: Had a hard day ?

Gloria: I'll say. I've been on the go all day, hardly had a minute to sit down.

Freda: Why was that ?

Gloria: Well, our store held a clearance sale today and our department was absolutely jam-packed
with customers all day.

Freda: That's because nobody can resist a bargain.

Explanation : On the go - In constant activity, very busy

Example : I was dead beat, having been on the go from morning till night.

Harry: Where's Jay ? He was here just now and I need him.

Lea: He's gone to make another call.

Harry: I've tried to catch him several times but always just missed him.

Lea: That's because he's been in and out all day.

Harry: What's been going on ?

Lea: There have been quite a number of emergency calls and he's the only technician available to
go out and deal with them at the moment.
Explanation : In and out - Coming in and going out very often
Example : In the final years of his life, he was always in and out of hospital.

June: Where's David gone ?

Miriam: He's just finished changing the oil in his car and he's gone to take the used oil to the local
collection center.

June: Couldn't he just have poured it down the drain ?

Miriam: What ! Of course not. Used engine oil is full of harmful chemicals.

June: I didn't know that.

Miriam: Oh yes it's classed as toxic waste and it's got to be disposed of without harming the
environment.

June: Pity it can't be reused.

Miriam: Well actually I think it can. I've heard that the harmful stuff can be removed and then it can be
used again.

Explanation : Dispose of - To get rid of

Example : I disposed of the old medicine by flushing it down the to

Pearl: Oh no, here comes Greg, Mr. Smarty Pants.

Robin: I'll bet he's going to tell us all about how to fix this bike.

Pearl: I'm sure you're right. He's always shooting his mouth off about all the things he can do.

Robin: Yes, whether it's computers, bikes or cars, he always boasts that he can fix them.

Pearl: He thinks he's some kind of technical genius.

Robin: Well I don't need a genius to fix this bike. It'll only take me ten minutes.

Explanation: Shoot your mouth off - To talk too much in a loud and uncontrollable way
Example : I hate hearing him shooting off his mouth about English literature; he doesn't know a thing
about it.

Thea: Have you heard the latest?

Nicole: Do you mean about Patsy and George breaking up ?

Thea: No, that's old news. It's about Dolly.

Nicole: Oh, I haven't heard anything about her.

Thea: Well, she's just gone into hospital for a facelift.

Nicole: I'm not surprised. She's been looking her age for some time.

Explanation: Latest = Latest news

Myra: There's a really unpleasant group of girls in my class.

Opal: What do you mean, what do they do ?

Myra: Well they're always talking among themselves but as soon as I arrive they say things like, " I
can't tell you now, I'll tell you later. "

Opal: So they don't share things with you but try to cut you out.

Myra: Yes that's right. And I don't know why they do it.

Opal: Well I wouldn't let a bunch of gossipy girls make you miserable. You should try to find new
friends elsewhere.

Explanation : Cut you out - To not allow someone to share something or be included in something
Example : They cut me out of the conversation.

Tonia: We never see you these days. Have you lost interest in your friends ?

Jennifer: No of course not. But I'm taking a correspondence course in hospitality management.

Tonia: What's that all about ?

Jennifer: It's about hotel management, catering, organizing events, all that kind of
thing.

Tonia: That sounds like a lot of stuff to cover.

Jennifer: It is and it involves two or three hours of study every evening.

Explanation : Correspondence course - A course of study in which you study at home, receiving and
sending off work by post, email, etc.

Lucy: I feel really sorry for my brother at the moment, he's really under stress.

Josh: Why's that ? Has he got some problem or other ?

Lucy: Not exactly. He's trying to get into the country's top engineering school and I've never seen
anyone study so hard. He hardly sleeps at the moment.

Josh: What do you think his chances are of getting in ?

Lucy: If it were just a matter of hard work, there'd be no problem. But the competition to get in is
absolutely ferocious.

Josh: I know. It's such a prestigious university. Getting into anywhere like that these days is really
tough.

Explanation : Ferocious - Fierce and violent

Example : The president came in for some ferocious criticism.

Hannah: There are so many different courses on offer on the course schedule.

Robyn: Yes, I'm finding it difficult to make up my mind which ones are the right ones for me.

Hannah: Maybe it would be best to get some advice from the student adviser.

Robyn: That's a good idea. I don't want to register for a course that turns out to be unsuitable.

Hannah: We'd better do that straight away, because we haven't got a lot of time.

Robyn: I know, the cut-off date is only two days away.

Explanation : Cut-off date – Deadline

Helen: I called and called you today but couldn't get through.

Leo: Sorry, I was stuck in meetings all day. I was out of the office. I didn't even get a break for
lunch. What did you want ?

Helen: I wanted to tell you that your boss called.

Leo: What did he want

Helen: He wanted to tell you that you're fired and not to bother going to any meetings. Honey, now
that you're free all day there are a few things around the house I'd like you to do. Let's have a family
meeting about it.

Explanation : Stuck - Being fixed at a place, unable to move

Example : Seven of us were stuck in the lift for over an hour

Charlotte: Come on, let's go.

Annett: I'm not going to enjoy this.

Charlotte: Don't be such a misery, exercise is good for you.

Annett: Going to the gym is not my idea of fun.

Charlotte: But think what it'll do for your figure.

Annett: OK, let's get it over with as fast as we can and then we'll have some real fun.

Explanation : Get it over ( with ) - Complete, have done with, especially something unpleasant
Example : I might as well sign the check and get it over with.

Wife: Hey honey. It's our 5th year anniversary tomorrow, what would you like to do ?

Husband : Well, what about a romantic night at home ? I can cook you your favorite
dinner.

Wife: No, we've done that every year for the past five years. I want you to take me for
dinner and dancing at that new club that's just opened.

Husband: Hummm ... well all right. We'll go to that new club, but I'm on a budget so don't go
ordering the most expensive dish on the menu.

Explanation : On budget - The amount of money you have available to spend

Rosa: Have you had your exam results yet ?

Melissa: No, not yet. I'm expecting mine tomorrow.

Rosa: I had mine this morning. I was relieved when I opened the envelope !

Melissa: So it was good news.

Rosa: Yes, I passed in all subjects. But I only just scraped through in sociology.

Melissa: Whether you just scraped through or got full marks doesn't matter. You passed.
That's the main thing.
Explanation : Scrape through - Succeed with difficulty in passing an exam

Gough: Now come on, calm down, it's not the end of the world. It was just an exam.

Mahalia: But it was absolutely awful. I just don't know why it happened.

Gough: Why what happened ?

Mahalia: I'd just started on the third and last question when my mind suddenly went
blank. I couldn't remember anything of what I'd reviewed for that topic.

Gough: But you answered the first two questions ?

Mahalia: Well yes, but ......

Gough: Then stop worrying. I'm sure you did enough on those to pass.

Explanation : When your mind is a blank/goes blank, you cannot remember a particular thing, or you
cannot remember anything

Philip: "What PC ?" What are you reading that for ? Thinking of buying a new PC ?

Sam: You've got it. My current machine is four years old and it's a bit slow for the latest video
games

Philip: That's a museum piece ! You've got to get a new one right away.

Sam: I'd like to, but my brother told me that in about six months they'll be selling PCs with even
more powerful chips than the latest ones today.

Philip: It's always like that.

Sam: So I'm of two minds, whether to buy now or wait for six months.

Philip: Oh, go for it. If you wait for the next most powerful chip, you could be waiting forever.

Explanation : Of two minds - Unable to decide about something.

Atasha: That was a really fantastic end-of-year party. Nobody wanted to leave.

Yvette: Yes, I reckon it was the best our office has ever had.

Natasha: What did you like best ?

Yvette: What I enjoyed most was when they persuaded people to stand up on the stage and
do karaoke.

Natasha: Yes that was a lot of fun. The girl from accounts was amazing I thought.

Yvette: Yes, she's normally so shy but she sang like a professional performer. You'd never have
thought she would have had the confidence to do that.

Natasha: It was a real eye-opener.

Yvette: She has real talent. Maybe she ought to think about going professional.
Explanation : Eye-opener - Something that surprises you and teaches you new facts about life,
people, etc
Example : Living in another country can be a real eye-opener.

Felicity: This has been a really great day out.

Berenice : Yes it has. What did you enjoy most ?

Felicity: Well I thought the botanical garden was beautiful. So many flowers and
shrubs were in bloom.

Berenice It: certainly was nice. But I also liked the castle and its museum. Did
you see that display of historical clothing ?

Felicity: Oh yes. Some of the women's dresses looked very uncomfortable. How could
they wear such things ?

Berenice: I know. Now how about going to the country dancing display ?

Felicity: I don't think we've got enough time. Our train

leaves in three quarters of an hour. I think we'd better keep on the safe side and call it a day.

Explanation : ( Just ) to be on the safe side - Being especially careful in order to avoid something
unpleasant
Example : I'm sure it won't rain, but I'll take an umbrella (just) to be on the safe side (= to be ready if it
does rain).

Alice: You've been in such a bad mood all day and you've done nothing but criticize me. I
can't do anything right.

Rob: No I haven't. It's not true.

Alice: Oh yes it is. And I know what the problem is because John's wife told me all about it
on the phone this morning.

Rob: What do you mean, problem ?

Alice: Well I know that you dented the new company car you got yesterday the very first
time that you drove it.

Rob: Well, so what ? Anyway it wasn't my fault

Alice: Well it certainly wasn't my fault so don't take it out on me.

Explanation : Take it out on - To treat someone badly because you are upset or angry, even though
they have done nothing wrong
Example : I know you've had a bad day, but there's no need to take it out on me!

Leslie: My feet are killing me.

Susan: Mine, too. We've been shopping for hours.

Leslie: But we have one more store to hit.

Susan: What's our plan ?

Leslie: When we get there, you make a beeline for the skirts and I'll go to the dresses.

Susan: All right ! Don't forget I'm looking for a dress for work.

Leslie: Let's go ! My money is burning a hole in my pocket.

Explanation : Make a beeline for - to go directly and quickly towards

Example : At parties he always makes a beeline for the prettiest woman in the room.

Steve: Hello, Mr. Willis. What seems to be the problem ?

Mr. Willis: I want to give you a piece of my mind. Do you know what your secretary said to me
yesterday ?

Steve: What's that ?

Mr. Willis: She told me you weren't in the office and I'd just have to wait to talk to you. A
secretary told me to wait.

Steve: I apologize. I will speak to her about the tone she uses with customers.

Mr. Willis: You had better. Otherwise, I might take my business elsewhere.

Explanation : Give a piece of your mind - To speak angrily to someone about something they have
done wrong
Example : I'm going to give that mechanic a piece of my mind if the car's not fixed this time.

Howard: Hello. Do you have a minute to spare ?

Woman 1: I'm sorry. No.

Howard: OK. Excuse me, could I interest you in filling out a survey ?

Woman 2: Don't you know I'm on my lunch break ?

Howard : But this will only take a minute.

Woman 2: I'm on a tight schedule.

Howard: All right. Hi, today is my first day and I was wondering ...

Woman 3: I'm waiting for my boyfriend. Don't bother me.

Explanation : On a tight schedule - very busy

Example : I'd love to go, but I've got a pretty tight schedule today.

Cheryl: Did Chris go talk to his boss yet ?

Paula: I don't think so. He's too scared.

Cheryl: I guess he's just burying his head in the sand like an ostrich.

Paula: Yeah.

Cheryl: He's never going to succeed if he doesn't stand up for himself.

Paula: I told him that just the other day. In fact, I made him sign up for karate lessons.
Cheryl: Hey, that might really help him build up his self-esteem !

Paula: Well, it was a bad idea.

Cheryl: You mean it didn't work ?

Paula: No. He came back from the first lesson with a black eye and a sprained ankle.

Explanation: Stand up for - defend

Example : You must stand up for your rights.

Mrs. Lee : Why are you still awake ?

Miki: I can't sleep. I've been tossing and turning all night.

Mrs. Lee: Is something on your mind ?

Miki: Yeah. I have a big test coming up tomorrow.

Mrs. Lee: Did you study ?

Miki: I've been hitting the books for weeks, but it's all over my head.

Mrs. Lee : Well, no matter what you do, don't fail this test.

Miki: I won't, Mom. I promise I won't let you down.

Explanation : Over one's head - Beyond one's understanding or competence

Example : The math required to complete these figures is way over my head.

Elby: You look rested.

Mark: Yeah, I slept like a baby last night.

Selby: But I didn't sleep a wink.

Mark: Why not ? Did you worry about anything ?

Selby: Not really. I did sleep like a baby.

Mark: But you just said you didn't sleep well.

Selby: Yeah, but like a baby, I was up every two hours looking for something to eat.

Explanation : Not sleep a wink - not sleep at all

Example : I couldn't sleep a wink last night.

Stacey: Doctor Tsai, I‘m really desperate.

Dr. Tsai: What seems to be the problem ?

Stacey: It‘s me. I‘m so unhappy.

Dr. Tsa:i Why ?

Stacey: Eric never helps me out with the kids.

Dr. Tsai: It sounds to me like you‘re really stressed out. You need a break.

Stacey: True, and the only thing I want to break is my husband‘s neck.

Dr. Tsai: Sorry, but I can‘t help you with that.

Explanation : Stressed out - worried, anxious, undergoing the effects of extreme stress
Example : I was really stressed out before the exam.

Mary: I‘ve been hearing rumors about you.

Anthony : What ?

Mary: My friend Susan said that you‘ve been bad-mouthing me behind my back.

Anthony: That‘s a lie. Susan just has a crush on me. So she wants us to break up.

Mary: That‘s crazy.

Anthony: Just look at me. I‘m smart, charming, and I have a good job.

Mary: You forgot to say ―Funny!‖ You‘re very, very funny.

Explanation : Crush - a strong but temporary attraction for someone

Example : She has a crush on one of her teachers at school.

Cara: Hey, Lynne. How was the party last night ?

Lynne: At first, it was great.

Cara: Then what happened ?

Lynne: Some guys started to fight, and then things really got out of hand.

Cara: Did your date do anything to protect you ?

Lynne: No! He ran away as soon as the fight started.

Cara: In that case, you're lucky. He sounds more like a frog than a prince.

Explanation : Out of hand - out of control

Example : The children were getting out of hand again.

Rose: Wow! These packs of noodles are really a bargain.

James: How much are they?

Rose: The store is having a special right now. If you buy five, you get five for free.

James: That is a steal. We'd better stock up on them. They last forever.

Rose: That's true. Also, packs of noodles are always good to have on hand.

James: Look! Cans of soup are also discounted. Push the cart over here and I'll get a dozen.

Rose: With all of this food, it looks as if there's a typhoon coming. Do you know something I don't?
Explanation : Steal - an item that has a very low price, or a price that is much lower than the original
cost
Example : I picked up a new iron at the sale - it was a steal.

Ann: I've got butterflies in my stomach.

Richard: Don't be so nervous. It'll be fine.

Ann: But, I'm afraid they won't like me.

Richard: They're going to love you just as much as I love you.

Ann: Are you sure ?

Richard: Absolutely ! My parents have been dying for me to bring a girl home. In fact,
my mother may end up liking you too much.

Ann: That doesn't sound bad at all.

Explanation : Have butterflies in one's stomach - to feel very nervous, usually about something you
are going to do
Example : I always get butterflies in my stomach before making a speech.

Dave: Marie's been spending a lot of time with Jim lately.

Nicky: Yeah, she's crazy about him. They've been on five dates already.

Dave: Really ? How long have they been together ?

Nicky: A couple of weeks. They're keeping it a secret, though.

Dave: How come ?

Nicky: They're worried about the boss finding out.

Dave: That's a good idea. There are rules against co-worker relationships. Too bad they trusted you
with their secret.

Nicky: Hey, I wouldn't tell just anyone. I know you'll keep it under wraps.

Explanation : Under wraps - concealed or secret

Example : Let's keep this theory under wraps until we've tested it sufficiently.

Stephen: Hi, Karen, it's Stephen.

Karen: Hi, Stephen. I haven't heard from you in a while.

Stephen: Well, I've been busy. I've started my own company.

Karen: Wow. What kind of business is it ?

Stephen: Just a little Internet startup. I'm recruiting staff and I want you to come work for me.

Karen: Actually, I just got started working at the old company again.

Stephen: I didn't realize you were going back. Well, can you recommend someone else ?
Explanation : In a while - after a period of time, usually a moderately short time
Example : Go ahead, I'll along in a while.

Connie: There you are, Steve. We need to talk.

Steve: What's up, Connie ?

Connie: The new computers haven't arrived and the mess still hasn't been cleaned up from the party.
You have to do something.

Steve: I'm sorry, Connie. I've been very busy outside the office. I can't be in two places at once.

Connie: Well, we can't work under these conditions, Steve.

Steve: Don't worry. I'm here now. I'll get it sorted out.

Connie: I hope so. Productivity is very low in this office right now.

Explanation : Sort out - to find a solution to a problem

Example : Did you sort out the mess ?

Father: What are you doing upstairs, Billy.

Billy: I'm working out in my room.

Father: Shouldn't you be studying instead ? You really need to brush up on your Maths.

Billy: I'll get to that later, Dad. Just give me another 30 minutes.

Father: Alright, but you had better start studying by 8.30 p.m.

Explanation : Work out - to exercise in order to improve the strength or appearance of your body

Prefect: Excuse me, is this the Community Service Club ?

Philip: Yes.

Prefect: I have an announcement to make.

Suresh: What is it ?

Prefec:t Mrs. Lim just called to say that she cannot make it today because something unexpected has
come up.

Sara: Oh no ! I guess we'll have to put off the meeting until later.

Explanation : She cannot make it - She is not able to come

Example : Harry works out in the gym two or three times a week.

Puvan: What's the going price for that stamp ?

Mr. Amos: This is a rare stamp but I'm willing to let it go for $500.

Puvan: That's too high a price !

Mr. Amos: You have to understand, it's still in mint condition. My last offer is $450. Hurry, before
it gets snapped up.
Explanation : In mint condition - perfect, excellent condition
Example : This car is in mint condition.

Paula: This movie is so scary. I'm frightened to death !

Leo: Paula, this isn't scary ! This movie is for little kids !

Paula: No it's not... oh, no! That monster is horrible! I'm getting goosebumps !

Leo: That "monster" is just a cute little elf ! What's the matter with you ?

Paula: I've never been good with scary movies. They really freak me out.

Leo: You should try to relax. It's not real, it's just a movie !

Paula: But how can you be so sure? Maybe this is a documentary and you don't even know it ...

Leo No more of such nonsense ! How can this be a documentary ?

Explanation : Goosebumps - small, raised lumps that appear on the skin because of cold, fear or
excitement
Example : You're cold - look, you've got goosebumps !

Wendy: What should we do after our examinations ?

Yani: I'm thinking of taking up scuba diving.

Wendy: That sounds interesting but which center are you planning to go to ?

Yani: There is a scuba diving school set up by an ex-student of our school. It's somewhere in New
Jersey.

Wendy: I hear that scuba diving classes are expensive.

Yani: Yes, but I've set aside some money for this.

Wendy: Then you go ahead, Yani. I don't think I can afford it.

Explanation : Set aside - reserve for a special purpose

Example : We have to set aside some chairs for latecomers

Lydia: I'm coming from Mary's house.

Sheila: How is she ?

Lydia: She is low in spirits.

Sheila: Why ? What happened ?

Lydia: She didn't get through her exam. (means she failed in exam)

Sheila: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Explanation : Low in spirits / In low spirits - feeling sad

Example : I've been in low spirits ( feeling sad ) lately.

Pierre: Gloria, you know, I have always thought you were a beautiful girl.
Gloria: I know, Pierre, but I just don't think of you that way.

Pierre: Perhaps now that you don't have a boyfriend ?

Gloria: No, Pierre, we're friends. You're just not my type.

Pierre: We would be happy together. How am I not your type ?

Gloria: Well, for one thing, you drive a Yugo GV !

Explanation : You are not my type - you are not the type of person that I find attractive
Example : He's a nice enough guy - he's just not my type.

Tyler: Let's get one of these giant lobsters.

Brooke: Do you know how much those cost ? Let's stick to fish and vegetables.

Tyler: Don't worry, lobster here is cheap. It's my treat.

Brooke: Well, in that case, let's get the biggest one !

Tyler: Funny. Hmm. Let's make a bet.

Brooke: I bet I can eat more than you.

Tyler: Whoever loses has to buy everybody tea at Chinatown.

Brooke: You're on. Lobster and crab, here I come.

Explanation : It's my treat - something you buy for another person

Example : No, you paid for dinner last time - this is my treat.

Stuart: I‘m on my way home now. What did you want me to pick up from the grocery store ?

Celina: Can you get me three onions, five apples, some mushrooms, and five packs of spaghetti ?

Stuart: Could you speak up a bit ? It‘s very noisy here.

Celina: Didn‘t I give you a shopping list earlier ?

Stuart: That‘s right. I totally forgot about that. I‘ll just get it from my bag.

Explanation : Speak up - to speak in a louder voice so that people can hear you
Example : Could you speak up? We can't hear at the back.

Ledley: I need some flowers for my girlfriend, Molly

Ian: No problem. We have a three-for-one special on artificial carnations.

Ledley: Carnations are not very elegant. Artificial flowers have no passion.

Ian: About how much did you want to spend ?

Ledley: Money is no object.

Ian: Our most elegant, and most expensive flower is the golden lily.

Explanation : Money is no object - It doesn't matter how much it costs

Example : Get the very best fur coat you can find -- money is no object..

Kidman: Hi, Nadine, what are you doing right now ?

Nadine: I'm playing solitaire.

Kidman: Do you want to go out ? It's Saturday and the night is young !

Nadine: I know ! I challenge you to a game of pool.

Kidman: Now you've caught my interest.

Nadine: When should I pick you up ?

Explanation : The night is young - It is not very late at night and there is plenty of time for other
activities
Example : The night is young, let's have some more fun elsewhere.

Daisy: Hey ! Rise and shine, Brown boy.

Brown: What's going on ?

Daisy: It's your birthday, and I made you breakfast in bed.

Brown: What ? It's too early. I want to sleep in.

Daisy: It's already ten. Now wake up and smell the coffee.

Brown: That's really sweet of you, Daisy. What did you make ?

Explanation : Sleep in - to sleep until later in the morning than you usually do

Graham: Do you have room for dessert ?

Halle: Yes, indeed. I think I'll go for the Homemade Apple Pie.

Graham: All right, let's get that.

Halle: Wait a minute. The Coconut delight sounds scrumptious.

Graham : I changed my mind. I'll go for that, too.

Halle: Hold on ! I heard their Lemon Chiffon cake is to die for.

Explanation : To die for - excellent or to be strongly wished for

Example : She has a figure to die for.

Portman: You have a great view ! How did you find this apartment ?

Sanchez: I lucked out.

Portman: I wish some of that luck would rub off on me.

Sanchez: Are you apartment-hunting ?

Portman: Yes, I've been looking for a place for the last six months.

Sanchez: Well, you're in luck. There's a vacancy next door.

Explanation : Luck out - to be very lucky

Example : The Giants really lucked out in last night's game

Kelvin: Tomorrow is your big day !

Hart: I know. I've got my fingers crossed.

Kelvin: I wish you luck on your exams.

Hart: Thanks, I'll need it. I've got my good luck charm in my pocket, see ?

Kelvin: Oh, a lucky penny !

Hart: I hope it works this time.

Explanation : Get one's fingers crossed - to hope very much that something will happen
Example : I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope it works.

Bob: Linda ! I heard you're expecting ! Congratulations !

Linda: Thank you, Bob.

Bob: How far along are you ?

Linda: Almost four months. And I have more happy news. I had my first sonogram yesterday and
found out that I'm carrying twins !

Bob: Twins ? Well, what do you know ! You and Brian must be ecstatic !

Linda: Oh, we're elated ! We weren't expecting twins at all.

Explanation : To be expecting - to be pregnant

Example : She shouldn't be lifting those boxes if she's expecting.

Kelly: Look how happy he is !

Tom: I don't even know how to change diapers.

Kelly: Those are burp cloths you're holding, not diapers.

Tom: Well, I don't know the first thing about burping a baby, either.

Kelly: Tom, just relax. You're missing out on all the fun !

Tom: Okay. Coochie-coochie-coo !

Explanation : Miss out on - Lose a chance for, fail to achieve

Example : Ruth came late to the party and missed out on all the fun.

Will: I heard about the unbelievably delicious food your wife serves.

Tony: Thanks I have to admit that I'm her biggest fan.

Will: I also heard that she makes a mean bowl of chili, and that her spaghetti is superb.

Tony: Her garlic and tomato spaghetti sauce is beyond comparison, and paired with her handmade
noodles this simple dish is transformed into an out-of-this-world food experience !

Will: You're making my mouth water ! I haven't had a home-cooked meal since I hit the road eight
weeks ago. I hate to miss out on this gourmet feast.

Tony: Give us a ring next time you're in town and Miranda will make you a meal you won't forget for
a long time.

Will: Oh, I wouldn't want to impose on you.

Tony: It's a standing invitation - we'd love to have you over.

Explanation : Hit the road - Begin a journey

Example : I'd love to stay longer but I must be hitting the road.

Stella: Oh, boy, I just broke my shoelace, and I have a cramp in my calf.

Ruby: Stretch it out.

Stella: You know what ? I'm exhausted. Let's call it quits and head back.

Ruby: I want to show you something first. It's right around this corner.

Stella: Susumu, I mean it. i am getting too old for this

Ruby: Come one, Stella. Just a little farther.

Explanation : Call it quits - Stop working, give up

Example : This ground is far too stony for a garden so I'm calling it quits.

Steven: Excuse me, may I speak to Ben ? I can't get through to him. Is he in the office now ? It's
urgent !

Megan: You have dialed the wrong number ! But I can try to get him on the phone. May I have your
name, please ?

Steven: Thank you very much. This is Steven of the Market Department.

Megan: Please hold on for a while, allow me to find out ... I am sorry, but Ben is out. Would you like to
leave a message ?

Steven: Please tell Ben that our goods have reached the customs. We need a truck to transport the
goods. And also when he dispatches the truck, please ask him to let the driver bring the receipt here.
That's all.

Megan: OK, I have written them down. You mean our goods are inspected in customs ? This is an
important matter ! I will tell him as soon as possible.

Explanation : Get through - To succeed in talking to someone on the telephone

Example : I tried to phone her but couldn't get through.

#IDIOMS
about to (do something)

- to be on the point of doing something - I was about to leave when the phone rang.

according to (someone or something)

- as said or told by someone, in agreement with something, in the order of something, in

proportion to something

- According to our teacher, there will be no class next week. We did everything according to

the terms of our agreement.

account for (something)

- to provide an explanation or answer for something

- The bad weather accounts for the fact that few people came to the meeting.

after all

- considering the fact that something happened, something that is usually assumed ―You

don‘t need to phone him. After all, he never phones you.‖

all of a sudden

- suddenly, without advance warning All of a sudden it became cloudy and began to rain.

as a matter of fact

- actually ―As a matter of fact, we have been to the history museum many times.‖ learn

as far as

- to the extent or degree of something As far as I know the movie will start in a few

minutes.

as for

- with regard to, concerning ―As for me, I think that I will return home now.‖

as if

- in the same way that something would be, that

The drink tastes as if it were made with orange juice. It seemed as if the whole town came

to the concert.

as long as

- provided that, on condition that ―As long as you promise to be careful you can borrow my

car.‖

as soon as
- just after something, when I phoned my friend as soon as I finished dinner.

as to

- with regard to, according to

―As to your question, I will answer it tomorrow.‖ The players were put into groups as to

their ability.

as well

- in addition, also, too I plan to take a computer course this summer as well.

as well as

- in addition to ―Please bring your swimming suit as well as your towel.‖

back and forth

- backwards and forwards, first one way and then the other way The argument went back

and forth before the judge made a decision.

better off

- to be in a better situation than before My friend would be better off if he sold his old car

and bought a new one.

break down (something)

- to divide something into parts, to separate something into simpler substances

We tried to break down the problem for further study. The sugar began to break down

soon after it was swallowed.

break up

- to separate, to divide into groups or pieces, to put an end to something

Nobody wanted to break up their groups. We usually break up into small groups during our

class.

by the way

- incidentally ―By the way, could you please bring your laptop computer tomorrow.‖

carry out (something)

- to put something into action, to accomplish something, to do something The scientist

wanted to carry out several experiments before discussing the new medicine.

come on!

- please, hurry, go faster

―Come on, I only have a few minutes before I must go.‖ ―Come on, stop doing that.‖

come up

- to happen unexpectedly I will not be able to go to the party if something else comes up.

come up with (something)

- to produce or find a thought/idea/answer I tried to come up with a name for the new

magazine.

deal with (something)

- to be concerned with something, to take action about something We will deal with the

boxes tomorrow.

end up (doing something or going somewhere)

- to do something that one had not planned to do, to go somewhere one had not planned

to go

We ended up going to a restaurant after the movie last night.

figure out (someone or something)

- to try to understand someone or something, to solve something I finally figured out how

to use the new DVD player.

fill in (something)

- to write words in blank spaces ―Please fill in this form and give it to the receptionist.‖ find

out (something)

- to learn or discover something My mother is angry at me because she found out that I

had quit my French class.

first of all

- the very first thing First of all we prepared the garden and then we planted the seeds.

for good

- permanently The city will close the public swimming pool for good next week.

for sure

- without doubt, certainly, surely ―I will go to the movie with you for sure next week.‖

get back to (something)

- to return to something I was happy to get back to my work after my holiday.

get into (something)

- to become interested or involved in something

I do not want to get into an argument with my friend. We will get into the details of the plan

tomorrow.

get into (somewhere)

- to enter somewhere

My friend wants to get into a good university. I bumped my head as I was getting into the

car.

get out of (somewhere)

- to leave somewhere, to escape from somewhere I want to hurry and get out of my house.

get rid of (something)

- to give or throw something away, to sell or destroy something, to make a cold or fever

disappear

I bought a new television set so I want to get rid of the old one.

get through (something)

- to complete something, to finish something

My friend is having trouble getting through her final exams. I have much reading that I

must get through before tomorrow.

go ahead

- to begin to do something ―Let`s go ahead and start now. We can`t wait any longer.‖

go on

- to continue The game will probably go on for an hour after we leave.

go over (something)

- to examine or review something

The accountant will go over the books tomorrow. We plan to go over that question

tomorrow.

go through (something)

- to discuss something, to look at something, to do something The teacher decided to go

through the exercise before the test.

go with (something)
- to choose one thing rather than another We decided to go with the small rental car rather

than the large one.

hang out (somewhere/with someone)

- to spend one`s time with no great purpose, to spend leisure time with friends

Recently my friend has been hanging out with a group of people who are not a good

influence on him.

have (something) to do with (something)

- to be about something, to be on the subject of something, to be related to something

―The book has something to do with cooking but I am not sure if you will like it.‖ That

problem has nothing to do with me.

hold on

- to wait a minute, to stop, to wait and not hang up the phone ―Please hold on for a minutein fact

- actually, the truth is The man has been to China before. In fact he has been there three

times.

in favor of (someone or something)

- to approve or support someone or something

Everybody is in favor of the new police chief. My company is not in favor of changing our

holiday schedule.

in general

- in most situations or circumstances In general, most of the people in our apartment are

happy with the new manager.

in order to

- for the purpose of They have decided to close down the school for the summer in order

to do some major repairs.

in other words

- in a different (usually more direct) way

―In other words, if you do not finish the assignment by Wednesday you will not pass the

course.‖

in place

- in the proper place or location Everything in the room was in place when we arrived for
the meeting.

in some ways

- in some unspecified way or manner, by some unspecified means In some ways I know

what my friend means but in some ways I do not.

in terms of (something)

- with regard to something

In terms of our agreement with the other company we were not allowed to sell the products

online.

in time

- early enough I did not come home in time to meet my cousin.

keep (someone or something) in mind

- to remember and think about someone or something I told my co-workers to keep the

new starting time for work in mind.

kind of

- somewhat, more or less, moderately I was kind of tired when I arrived home last night.

look for (something)

- to try to find something, to hunt/search for something My friend has been looking for her

credit card all morning but she can`t find it.

look up (something)

- to search for something in a dictionary or other book

I will look up my friend‘s name in the telephone book. I looked up the word in the

dictionary.

make a difference

- to cause a change in a situation It does not make a difference whether our boss comes to

the meeting or not.

make sense

- to seem reasonable His new proposal really does make sense.

make sure

- to make certain, to establish something without a doubt I want to make sure that my

friend is going to meet me tomorrow.

more or less

- somewhat, to some extent I more or less have decided to study business next year.

no matter

- regardless No matter how hard that I try, my piano teacher is never satisfied.

not at all

- certainly not I am not at all happy with my new computer.

of course

- certainly, definitely, naturally ―Of course you can use my car if you want to.‖

on the other hand

- however, in contrast, looking at the opposite side of a matter

He is very intelligent but on the other hand he is very lazy and always gets low marks at

school.

on time

- at the scheduled time, exactly at the correct time, punctually Our train arrived exactly on

time.

once again

- again, one more time, once more I tried once again to phone my boss at his home .

open to (something)

- to be agreeable to learn or hear about new ideas or suggestions Most members of the

class were open to the teacher‘s ideas.

pick up (something)

- to get or receive something

I will pick up my dry cleaning tomorrow. I picked up a copy of the newspaper at the station.

point out (someone or something)

- to explain or call attention to someone or something My teacher was very kind when she

pointed out the mistakes that I had made.

put out (something)

- to produce or make something (a product/brochure/report/CD/movie/paper) The

company puts out a newsletter every month for the employees.

.
regardless of (something)

- without considering or thinking about something, without regard to something Regardless

of the weather we are going to go fishing tomorrow morning.

right away

- immediately ―I forgot to bring my book but I will go home and get it right away.‖

rule out (someone or something)

- to decide against or eliminate someone or something

The police ruled out the man as a possible bank robber. We decided to rule out Monday as

the day to have our meeting.

run into (something – a fact/trouble/problems/difficulty)

- to experience something, to encounter something

The mechanic ran into trouble when he was fixing my car. I ran into some interesting facts

when I was researching my essay.

set up (something)

- to establish something, to provide the money for something

The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine. The

company set up a unique situation to test the new product.

show up

- to appear, to arrive, to be present ―What time did your friend show up for the party?‖

so far

- until now So far no one has entered the speech contest at the television station.

so to speak

- as one might or could say, this is one way to say something

We had a good time at the restaurant, so to speak, although the service was not very

good.

sort of (something)

- to be almost something, to be similar to something, to be not quite something

―Did you finish cleaning the kitchen?‖ ―Sort of, but not really.‖

stick with (something)

- to continue doing something, to not quit something My brother has been able to stick with
his trumpet lessons since he was a child.

take advantage of (someone or something)

- to use someone or something for one‘s own benefit We took advantage of the beautiful

weather and went to the beach.

take care of (someone or something)

- to look after or give attention to someone or something You should take care of your

Health

or you will become sick.

take out (something)

- to remove something from somewhere, to extract something

The teacher told us to take out our books. I took out some onions from the refridgerator.

take over (something)

- to take control of something, to take command of something The large company wants to

take over some of the small companies in our area.

take place

- to happen, to occur The soccer game took place on the coldest day of the year.

to the extent that

- to the degree that, in so far as

I plan to provide information about the new company policy to the extent that I am familiar

with it.

turn in (something)

- to give something to someone, to hand something to someone I arrived at school early

so that I could turn in my essay.

turn out

- to be found or known, to prove to be true It turned out that more people came to the party

than we expected.

up to

- until, as far as a certain point, approaching a certain point

Up to last week I had never been inside a bowling alley. There were probably up to thirty

people at the meeting.

up to (someone) to decide/do (something)

- to be responsible to choose or decide something It is up to the company president to

decide when the meeting will start.

used to

- accustomed to My friend is not used to living in such a big city.

with respect to (something)

- referring to something, concerning something I do not know what the company will do

with respect to the old computer system.

work out (for the best)

- to end successfully I hope that everything will work out for my friend when she moves to

London next week.

BREAK DOWN

1. If a vehicle or machine breaks down it stops working.

Examples of use:

a) Our car broke down on the way to the airport and we missed our flight.

b) My washing machine has broken down.

c) Sorry I‘m late. The train broke down.

2. If you break down you are unable to control your feelings and you start to cry.

Examples of use:

a) She broke down when she heard the sad news.

b) He misses his mother very much, and he often breaks down when he talks about her.

3. To break down is also to become mentally or physically ill because of difficult or traumatic experiences.

breakdown (noun) – a physical or mental collapse.

Examples of use:

a) Not long after her husband died she broke down and had to take some time off work.

b) She had a nervous breakdown after her son was kidnapped.

c) He had a breakdown last year but he's much better now

4. If a meeting, discussion or an agreement (including a relationship or marriage) breaks down it fails or
stops working properly.

Examples of use:

a) The talks between the political parties have broken down.

b) Our marriage has broken down and we are getting a divorce.

CALL BACK

1. If you call back somebody (or call somebody back) you telephone someone who rang you earlier, or you
telephone someone for a second time.

Examples of use:

a) Mr Evans telephoned while you were out: he wants you to call him back.

b) He forgot to book a double room, so he had to call the hotel back.

2. To call back is to return to a place to see somebody again.

CALL OFF

1. To call off something (or call something off) is to cancel a planned event, or an event that has already
started.

Examples of use:

a) They are calling off the tennis match because of the rain.

b) They called off their wedding.

c) Mike is ill so we will have to call the party off.

d) News headline: Spain airport strike called off.

e) The police called off their search for the burglar after they found him hiding in a shed.

f) The Bahrain Grand Prix has been called off.

2. To call off somebody or something (or call somebody or something off) is to give a command to
somebody or something (e.g. a dog) to leave someone alone, or to stop attacking someone.

Examples of use:

a) Call off your dog!

b) The General called off his troops.

c) OK, I agree to your demands. You can call your lawyers off now.

CALL ROUND

To call round is to visit someone, usually for a short period of time.

British and Australian English.

Examples of use:
a) I think I'll call round and see if my grandmother needs anything.

b) We called round yesterday, but you were out.

1. To cheer up is to start to feel happier.

Examples of use:

a) I wish he would cheer up.

b) She was very unhappy last week, but she has cheered up now.

c) He cheers up when he sees his girlfriend.

2. To cheer up somebody (or cheer somebody up) is to make them feel happier.

Examples of use:

a) Harriet has had a very bad week. Let's buy her some flowers to cheer her up.

b) You look sad. What can I do to cheer you up?

EAT OUT

To eat out is to eat away from home, at a cafe or restaurant.

Examples of use:

a) I don't feel like cooking tonight so let's eat out.

b) We have eaten out every night this week!

c) I don't like eating out. I prefer to eat at home.

d) I enjoy eating out with friends and family

FALL OUT

1. To fall out with someone is to become upset or angry with them, and stop being friendly with them.

Examples of use:

a) We fell out over something very small.

b) I fell out with my sister because she broke my necklace.

c) Ingrid and Beatrice fell out when Ingrid crashed Beatrice's car.

d) Marcus and Akos have fallen out.

FALL OVER

1. To fall over is to fall to the ground from an upright position.

Examples of use:

a) The marathon runner fell over.

b) He stood up quickly and his chair fell over.

c) My son is learning to walk and he keeps falling over.

GET UP

1. To get up is to wake up and get out of bed.

Examples of use:

a) It's 8 o'clock: time to get up.

b) I want to get up early tomorrow.

c) We had a day off work yesterday so we got up very late.

d) He's been getting up at 5am every day for years.

e) She gets up early and goes for a run every morning.

f) I get up at 7.30 every day

GIVE UP

1. If you give up something (or give something up) that is bad for you (for example alcohol, smoking, and
eating fatty foods) you stop doing it or having it.

Examples of use:

a) Eric gave up smoking two years ago.

b) We're trying to lose weight so we've given up eating cakes.

c) He had to give up drinking alcohol because it made him ill.

2. To give up something (or give something up) is to stop doing a job, or something else you do regularly.

Example of use:

He gave up work to look after his children.

3. To give up something (or give something up) is also to stop doing something because it is too difficult for
you to continue.

Examples of use:

a) I gave up learning English because I was too busy with work and my family.

b) He wanted to finish the marathon but he had to give up after ten miles.

c) She had to give her job up because her elderly mother was ill.

4. To give up is to stop trying to think of the answer to a question or problem, or a joke.

Examples of use:

a) I give up. I don't know the answer. Tell me what it is.

b) I gave up trying to remember the date of my friend's birthday, and asked her mother instead.
GROW UP

1. To grow up is to become older or to become an adult.

Examples of use:

a) When I grow up I want to be a doctor.

b) He grew up in Thailand.

c) She's growing up fast

2. Grow up is something you say to someone who is behaving in a childish or immature way.

Examples of use:

a) You're being stupid. Why don't you just grow up?

#HANG AROUND
1. To hang around somewhere is to spend time there doing very little.
Informal English.
This phrasal verb can also be hang round and hang about.
Examples of use:
a) Will you stop hanging around the kitchen and go and do something useful!
b) You go on ahead. I'll hang around here and wait for William to arrive.
a. c) I've been hanging round all day waiting for the plumber to arrive.

2. To hang around with someone is to spend time with them

Informal English.
This phrasal verb can also be hang round and hang about with somebody.
Examples of use:
a) We used to hang around together when we were children.
b) She hangs around with Alice and Jenny
#HANG UP
1. To hang up something (or hang something up) means to hang something, especially clothes, on a
hanger or hook.
Examples of use:
a) Your grandmother is coming to visit today, so don't forget to hang up your clothes when you tidy your
room.
b) Could you hang my coat up, please?
#HURRY UP
When you hurry up you do something more quickly.
Examples of use:
a) Can you hurry up and put your coat on, please?
b) It's nearly time for bed so hurry up and finish your homework.
c) Hurry up. Our taxi is here.
d) If you don‘t hurry up we‘ll miss the train.
JOIN IN
To join in something is to become involved in an activity with other people.
Examples of use:
a) Your brother is playing football. Why don't you go and join in?
b) We're playing cards tomorrow night. Come and join in. Everyone is welcome.
c) Amelia is very shy. She never joins in with the other children's games.
LIVE UP TO
To live up to is to be as good as someone hopes or expects.
If someone or something lives up to people's expectations, they are as good as they are expected to be.
Examples of use:
a) Our hotel was amazing and lived up to all our expectations.
b) Last night's concert was good, but I don't think he lived up to his reputation as a world-class
entertainer.
c) Did the Harry Potter movie live up to your expectations?
Yes! It was fantastic!
LOOK AFTER
If you look after somebody or something, you do whatever is needed to keep them healthy and well, or in
good condition.
Examples of use:
a) Eric looks after his family very well.
b) Look after your new shoes.
c) Can you look after your sister while I'm busy with the housework, please?
d) Look after yourself while I'm away.
Take care of has the same meaning.
#LOOK UP (SOMEBODY)
To look somebody up (or look up somebody) is to locate and visit someone you have not seen for a
long time.
Examples of use:
a) Look me up if you are ever in England.
b) I went to Newcastle on business last week and I looked up an old friend.
c) My friends were on holiday in my city, so they looked me up and we all went to a restaurant for a
meal.
LOOK UP (SOMETHING)
To look up something (or look something up) is to try and find a piece of information in a book (such
as a dictionary, directory, thesaurus or encyclopaedia), or by using a computer.
Examples of use:
a) I'm looking up information about phrasal verbs.
b) Look up the meaning of new English words in your dictionary.
c) I looked up her telephone number in the telephone directory.
d) Q. What are you doing ?
A. I'm looking up the population of Brazil for my geography project
MAKE (SOMETHING) UP
To make up something (or make something up) is to invent a story or excuse. This can be something
written or said in order to deceive (a lie), or a story or game to entertain.
Examples of use:
a) He made up lies about me.
b) The politician said that the newspaper reporter made up the information about her expenses claim.
b) The children made up a wonderful game about dragons and kings and queens.
e) It‘s wrong to make up stories about people.
MEET UP
To meet up is to meet someone, or a group of people, in order to do something together.
Examples of use:
a) Can we meet meet up for lunch next week to discuss your plans for the business?
b) The accountant and I are meeting up at 2pm tomorrow to check the business accounts.
c) I‘m meeting up with my friends on Saturday.
d) Are you free on Monday? It would be lovely to meet up for coffee.
a fortune : a lot of money
a no-win situation: a situation that can have only bad results
a win-win situation: a situation that has good results in many ways
about to do something: going to do something very soon
2 weeks ago: 2 weeks before now
ahead of / on / behind
schedule
faster than planned / as planned / slower than
planned
almost all something 90% of something
any minute now very soon
Are we still on for…? Are we going to meet at the time that we already
planned? Say this to confi rm an arrangement.
as a result consequently; as an effect
as far as I know based on the information I have
as for something Say this to introduce a topic.
as long as on the condition that; providing that
at least 21 21 or more than 21
at the most not more than
at 3 sharp at exactly 3 o‘clock; not 2:59 and not 3:01
away on business in another city or country on a business trip
 #Advertising

1 ad abbr. advertisement - advert abbr.

2 advertisement n. item of publicity for a product or service, in magazine, on TV etc

3 advertising agency n. company specialising in producing and placing advertisements for

clients

4 AIDA abbr. Attention, Interest, Desire, Action - the objective of most advertisements

5 benefit n. advantage of a product or service, usually derived from its features

6 billboardUS n. signboard, usually outdoors, for advertising posters; hoardingUK

7 circulation n. average number of copies of a magazine sold in a particular period

8 classified ads n. small advertisements in magazine or newspaper categorised by subject

9 commercial n. paid advertisement on radio or TV

10 coupon n. part of a printed advertisement used for ordering goods, samples etc

11 double-page spread n. advertisement printed across 2 pages in a magazine or newspaper

12 eye-catcherUS n. something that especially attracts one‘s attention - eye-catching adj.

13 features n. special characteristics of a product, usually leading to certain benefits

14 hoardingUK n. signboard, usually outdoors, for advertising posters; billboardUS

15 poster n. large sheet of paper, usually illustrated, used as advertisement

16 prime time n. hours on radio & TV with largest audience, esp. the evening hours

17 promote v. to (try to) increase sales of a product by publicising and advertising it

18 slot n. specific time in a broadcasting schedule, when a commercial may be

shown

19 target n. objective; what one is aiming at - target audience n.

20 U.S.P. abbr. Unique Selling Proposition; what makes a product different from

others

See also: Marketing, Selling

#Banking

1 balance n. the difference between credits and debits in an account

2 bank charges n. money paid to a bank for the bank‘s services etc

3 branch n. local office or bureau of a bank

4 checkbookUS n. book containing detachable checks; chequebookUK

5 checkUS n. written order to a bank to pay the stated sum from one‘s account; chequeUK

6 credit n. money in a bank a/c; sum added to a bank a/c; money lent by a bank - also

v.

7 credit card n. (plastic) card from a bank authorising the purchasing of goods on credit

8 current account n. bank a/c from which money may be drawn at any time; checking accountUS

9 debit n. a sum deducted from a bank account, as for a cheque - also v.

10 deposit account n. bank a/c on which interest is paid; savings accountUS

11 fill in UK v. to add written information to a document to make it complete; to fill outUS

12 interest n. money paid for the use of money lent - interest rate n.

13 loan n. money lent by a bank etc and that must be repaid with interest - also v.

14 overdraft n. deficit in a bank account caused by withdrawing more money than is paid in

15 pay in v. [paid, paid] to deposit or put money in to a bank account

16 payee n. person to whom money is paid

17 paying-in slip n. small document recording money that you pay in to a bank account
18 standing order n. an instruction to a bank to make regular payments

19 statement n. a record of transactions in a bank account

20 withdraw v. [-drew, -drawn] to take money out of a bank account - withdrawal n.

See also: Money

#Company Structure

1 Accounts Dept. n. department responsible for administering a company‘s financial affairs

2 A.G.M.UK abbr. Annual General Meeting of a company‘s shareholders

3 board of directors n. a group of people chosen to establish policy for and direct or control a

company

4 chairmanUK n. person who heads a Board of Directors; head of a company; chairperson

5 director n. a member of the board of directors

6 executive officerUS n. person who manages the affairs of a corporation - chief executive

officer n.

7 headquarters n. a company‘s principal or main office or centre of control

8 manager n. person responsible for day-to-day running of a dept.; executive

officerUS

9 managing directorUK n. senior director after the chairman responsible for day-to-day direction

10 Marketing Dept. n. dept. responsible for putting goods on market, inc. packaging,

advertising etc

11 organisation chart n. a table or plan showing a company‘s structure graphically

12 Personnel Dept. n. department responsible for recruitment and welfare of staff or

employees

13 presidentUS n. the highest executive officer of a company; head of a company

14 Production Dept. n. department responsible for physical creation of product

15 Purchasing Dept. n. department responsible for finding and buying everything needed by a

company

16 R & D Department n. department responsible for Research and Development of (new)

products

17 reception n. the place where visitors and clients report on arrival at a company
18 Sales Department n. department responsible for finding customers and making sales

19 shareholder n. person who holds or owns shares in or a part of a company or

corporation

20 vice presidentUS n. any of several executive officers, each responsible for a separate

division

#Contracts

1 agreement n. an arrangement between two or more people, countries etc; contract

2 appendix n. additional or supplementary material at end of contract, book etc

3 arbitration n. settlement of a dispute by a person chosen by both parties - to arbitrate v.

4 article n. a particular statement or stipulation in a contract etc; clause

5 clause n. a particular statement or stipulation in a contract etc; article

6 condition n. anything necessary before the performance of something else

7 force majeure n. superior, power; unforeseeable event excusing one party from fulfilling

contract

8 fulfil v: to satisfy a condition; to complete the required task; to fulfillUS

9 herein adv: in here; in this (document etc)

10 hereinafter adv: in the following part (of this document etc)

11 hereto adv: to this (document etc) [eg: attached hereto]

12 heretofore adv: up until now; until the present; before this

13 in behalf of in the interests of (person etc); for (person etc); on behalf ofUK

14 null and void invalid; without legal force; not binding

15 on the one hand on one side - on the other hand on the other side

16 party n. the person or persons forming one side of an agreement

17 stipulate v. to specify as an essential condition - stipulation n.

18 terms n. conditions or stipulations

19 warrant v. to give formal assurance; to guarantee

20 whereas conj: it being the case that; in view of the fact that [in introduction to contracts]

See also: Law

.
 #Employment

1 bonus n. additional pay given to employee as incentive or reward

2 curriculum vitaeUK n. short account of one‘s education, career etc; CVUK; résuméUS; resumeUS

3 dismiss v. to remove or discharge from employment; to sack [colloq.]; to fireUS

4 employer n. person or firm who employs people - employee n. person employed

5 fireUS v. [colloq.] to dismiss

6 interview v. an oral examination of an applicant for a job - also v.

7 make redundantUK v. [made, made] to dismiss because of not being needed - redundancyUK

n.

8 maternity leave n. period of absence from work (for a woman) when having a baby

9 notice n. advance warning of intention to resign - to give or tender one‘s notice v.

10 perk abbr. perquisite; something additional to regular salary [eg: free meals; a

car]

11 personnel n. the people who work for a firm

12 personnel officer n. manager responsible for recruitment, training and welfare of personnel

13 promotion n. advancement in rank or position - to promote v.

14 prospects n. opportunity for success, promotion etc

15 recruit n. to look for and employ personnel - recruitment n.

16 resign v. to give up a job - letter of resignation n.

17 retire v. to leave employment, esp. because of age - retirement n.

18 salary n. a fixed, regular payment, usually monthly, made by employer to

employee

19 staff n. the people who work for a firm or a particular department; employees

20 take on v. [took, taken] to employ; to hire

#Import/Export

1 bill of lading n. list of goods and shipping instructions; waybill

2 c.&f. abbr. cost & freight: includes shipping to named port but not insurance

3 c.i.f. abbr. cost, insurance & freight: includes insurance and shipping to named

port
4 cargo n. goods or products that are being transported or shipped

5 certificate of origin n. a document that shows where goods come from

6 container n. huge box to hold goods for transport - container port n. to containerise

v.

7 customs n. 1 government tax or duty on imported goods 2 the people who collect this

tax

8 declare v. to make a statement of taxable goods - customs declaration form n.

9 f.a.s. abbr. free alongside ship [includes delivery to quayside but not loading]

10 f.o.b. abbr. free on board: includes loading onto ship

11 freight n. goods being transported; cargo

12 irrevocable adj. that cannot be undone; unalterable - irrevocable letter of credit n.

13 letter of credit n. a letter from a bank authorising a person to draw money from another

bank

14 merchandise n. things bought and sold; commodities; wares - also v.

15 packing list n. a document that is sent with goods to show that they have been checked

16 pro forma invoice n. an invoice or request for payment sent in advance of goods supplied

17 quay n. a solid, artificial landing place for (un)loading ships; wharf - quayside n.

18 ship v. to send or transport by land, sea or air - also n. shipment n.

19 shipping agent n. a person acting for or representing a ship or ships at a port

20 waybill n. list of goods and shipping instructions; bill of lading - air waybill n.

#Insurance

1 actuary n. a person who calculates risks for insurance companies

2 assessor n. a person who calculates the value of something [eg: a building, car etc]

3 claim n. an application for payment under an insurance policy - to make a claim v.

4 comprehensive n. [of an insurance policy] all-inclusive; providing complete protection

5 consequential loss n. a loss that happens as a consequence of or as a result of another

6 cover UK n. the protection given by an insurance policy [eg: public liability cover]

7 employer‘s liability n. liability or responsibility of a firm for damage caused to one of its

employees
8 goods in transit n. property, merchandise or any goods in the process of being transported

9 insurance broker n. agent who arranges insurance; middleman between insurer & policyholder

10 liability n. 1 the state of being liable 2 anything for which a person is liable

11 liable adj. legally obliged to pay for damage, injury etc; responsible - liability n.

12 loss n. death, injury, damage etc that is the basis for a claim - to lose v.

13 loss adjuster n. a person who assesses the amount of compensation arising from a claim

14 policy n. a contract of insurance [eg: a product liability policy]

15 policyholder n. the person to whom an insurance policy is issued

16 premium n. a payment, usually monthly, yearly etc, for an insurance policy

17 product liability n. liability or responsibility of a firm for damage caused by one of its

products

18 public liability n. responsibility of a firm for damage caused to a member of the public

19 reinsurance n. the insuring of a risk by one insurance company with another - to

reinsure v.

20 risk n. 1 chance or possibility of injury, loss etc 2 person or thing causing risk

#Law

1 attorney n. 1 a person appointed to act for or represent another 2US lawyer

2 barristerUK n. a lawyer who pleads before a superior court

3 brief n. 1UK instructions to a barrister - also v. 2US written statement of facts for a

court

4 case n. statement of the facts in a trial, esp. the argument of one side

5 contract n. a formal agreement, usually in writing, between two or more parties

6 court of law n. the place where law cases are heard and decided; court - courtroom n.

7 evidence n. information presented to a court to prove or support a point in question

8 guilty adj. responsible for wrong; culpable - guilt n. not guilty adj.

9 judge n. public official with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law -

also v.

10 jury n. a group of people chosen to hear the evidence of a case and give a decision

11 lawsuit n. a trial at court between two private parties

12 lawyer n. a person trained in law and who advises or represents others

13 plead v. 1 to defend a law case 2 to declare oneself to be guilty or not guilty - plea n.

14 sentence n. 1 decision of a court, esp. as to the punishment 2 the punishment - also v.

15 solicitor n. 1UK lawyer advising clients & briefing barristers 2US law officer for a city

etc

16 sue v. to start legal action against someone in a court of law - lawsuit n.

17 sum up v. to summarise & review the evidence of a case [said of a judge] - summing

up n.

18 trial n. a formal examination of a case in a court of law - to try v.

19 verdict n. the formal decision or finding of a judge or jury

20 without prejudice without detriment or damage to a legal right or claim

See also: Contracts

#Marketing

1 brand n. a particular make of product - to brand v. - branded adj.

2 consumer n. the person who buys and uses a product or service - to consume v.

3 cost v. [cost, costed, costed] to estimate the price of making a product - costing n.

4 develop v. to create a new product or improve an existing one - product development

n.

5 distribution n. the delivering of products to end-users, inc. advertising, storing etc

6 end-user n. the person, customer etc who is the ultimate (and so real) user of a product

7 image n. the concept or perception of a firm or product held by the general public

8 label n. small piece of paper, metal etc on a product giving information about it

9 launch v. to introduce a new product, with publicity etc - product launch n.

10 mail order n. the selling of goods by post - mail-order catalogue n.

11 market research n. study of consumers‘ needs & preferences, often for a particular product

12 packagingUK n. the wrapping or container for a product

13 point of sale n. the place where a product is actually sold to the public - point-of-sale adj.

14 product n. something made to be sold; merchandise [includes services] - to produce v.

15 public relations n. creation and maintenance of a good public image - public relations officer

n.

16 registered adj. registered or officially recorded as a trademark - ® abbr. - to register v.

17 sponsor n. firm supporting an organisation in return for advertising space - also v.

18 S.W.O.T. abbr. Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

19 total product n. the whole product, inc. name, packaging, instructions, reliability, after-sales

etc

20 trademark n. special symbol, design, word etc used to represent a product or firm - "

abbr.

See also: Advertising, Selling

#Meetings

1 A.G.M. abbr. Annual General Meeting

2 A.O.B. abbr. Any Other Business [usually the last item on an agenda]

3 absent adj. not here; not at the meeting; not present

4 agenda n. a written programme or schedule for a meeting

5 apologies n. item on agenda announcing people who are absent; apologies for absence

6 ballot n. a type of vote, usually in writing and usually secret- secret ballot n.

7 casting vote n. a deciding vote (usually by the chairman) when the votes are otherwise

equal

8 chairman n. the person who leads or presides at a meeting; chairperson; chair

9 conference n. formal meeting for discussion, esp. a regular one held by an organisation

10 conference call n. telephone call between three or more people in different locations

11 consensus n. general agreement

12 decision n. a conclusion or resolution to do something - to decide v.

13 item n. a separate point for discussion [as listed on an agenda]

14 matters arising n. item on agenda for discussion of what has happened as a result of last

meeting

15 minutes n. a written record of everything said at a meeting

16 proxy vote n. a vote cast by one person for or in place of another

17 show of hands n. raised hands to express an opinion in a vote

18 unanimous adj. in complete agreement; united in opinion

19 videoconference n. conference of people in different locations linked by satellite, TV etc

20 vote v. to express opinion in a group by voice or hand etc - also n. - to cast a vote
v.

#Money

1 A.T.M. abbr. Automated Teller Machine; cash dispenserUK

2 banknote n: a piece of paper money; billUS

3 bill US n. a banknote; a piece of paper money

4 black market n. illegal traffic in officially controlled commodities such as foreign currency

5 bureau de change n. establishment where currencies of different countries may be exchanged

6 cash n. 1 coins or bank notes (not cheques); 2 actual money paid as opposed to

credit

7 cash dispenser UK n: automatic machine from which clients of a bank may withdraw money;

ATM

8 cashier n. person dealing with cash transactions in a bank, store etc

9 coin n: a piece of metal money

10 currency n. the money in general use or circulation in any country

11 debt n. money etc owed by one person to another

12 exchange rate n. the rate at which one currency can be exchanged for another

13 foreign exchange n: the currency of other countries

14 hard currency n. currency that will probably not fall in value and is readily accepted

15 invest v. to put money for profit into business, land etc - investment n.

16 legal tender n: currency that cannot legally be refused in payment of a debt

17 petty cashUK n. a cash fund for small, everyday expenses

18 soft currency n. currency that will probably fall in value and is not readily accepted

19 speculate v. (risky) buying of foreign currency, land etc for rapid gain - speculation n.

20 transaction n. a (usually commercial) exchange; a deal - to transact v.

See also: Banking

#Presentations words

1 audience rapport n. relationship of presenter with audience, esp. when good

2 body language n. non-verbal communication through facial expressions, body movements

etc

3 Finally . . . Typical word used to signal the last of several points or subjects

4 flip chart n. a pad of large paper sheets on a stand for presenting information

5 For example . . . Typical phrase used to signal an illustration or sample of a particular point

6 handout n. anything (report, sample etc) handed or given to people at a presentation

7 In conclusion . . . Typical phrase used to signal the summing up or final part of a presentation

8 ladies & gentlemen Polite phrase often used to address an audience of men and women

9 marker n. whiteboard marker a pen with a broad, felt tip for writing on

whiteboards

10 microphone n. electrical instrument that one speaks into for amplification of the voice

etc

11 O.H.T. abbr. overhead transparency; sheet of film with image for overhead

projector

12 overhead projector n. device that projects an o.h.t. onto a screen - O.H.P. abbr.

13 pointer n. device (rod or electric torch etc) for indicating things on a map, screen

etc

14 screen n. large, flat, reflective white surface on which films, slides etc are

projected

15 signal v. to help the audience understand where one is in a presentation -

signalling n.

16 slide n. small (usually 35mm) photographic transparency - slide projector n.

17 To start with . . . Typical phrase used to signal the beginning of a particular subject or topic

18 Turning now to . . . Typical phrase used to signal a change from one subject or topic to another

19 visual aids n. things that one can look at in a presentation [eg: films, maps, charts etc]

20 whiteboard n. large, flat, white surface or board on which to write or draw with markers

Selling

1 after-sales service n. service that continues after a product has been sold [eg: repairs etc]

2 buyer n. 1 any person who buys anything 2 a person employed by a firm to buy

3 client n. a person who buys services from a lawyer, architect or other professionals

4 close v. to finalise a deal or sale; to make a sale

5 cold call v. to telephone a prospect without previous contact - also n.

6 customer n. a person who buys goods or services from a shop or business

7 deal n. a business transaction - also v. dealer n.

8 discount n. a reduction in the price; a deduction [usually expressed as a percentage

(%)]

9 follow up v. to continue to follow persistently; to maintain contact [eg: after a lead]

10 guarantee n. a promise that a product will be repaired or replaced etc if faulty - also v.

11 in bulk in large quantity, usually at a lower price

12 lead n. useful indication of a possible customer to be followed up

13 objection n. a reason given by a prospect for not buying - to object v. see overcome

14 overcome v. [-came, -come] to overcome an objection to show an objection is invalid

15 product n. something made and usually for sale - to produce v. see service

16 prospect n. a possible or probable customer; prospective customer

17 representative n. sales representative person who represents & sells for a firm; salesperson

18 retail v. to sell in small quantities (as in a shop to the public) - also n. see

wholesale

19 service n. work done usually in return for payment - to serve v. see product

20 wholesale v. to sell in bulk (as to a shop for resale to the public) - also n. see retail

50 frequently #mispronounced words.

1. aegis – The ae in this word is pronounced /ee/. Say EE-JIS/, not /ay-jis/. In mythology the ―aegis‖ is
associated especially with the goddess Athene. It is her shield with the Gorgon‘s head on it.

2. anyway – The problem with this word is not so much pronunciation as the addition of an unnecessary
sound. Don‘t add an s to make it ―anyways.‖ The word is ANYWAY.

3. archipelago – Because the word is from Greek, the ch is pronounced with a /k/ sound. Say /AR-KI-PEL-A-
GO/, not /arch-i-pel-a-go/.

4. arctic – Note the C after the R. Say /ARK-TIK/, not /ar-tik/.

5. accessory – the first C has a ―hard‖ sound. Say /AK-SESS-OR-Y/, not /ass-ess-or-y/.

6. ask – The S comes before the K. Say /ASK/ not /aks/.

7. asterisk – Notice the second S. Say /AS-TER-ISK/, not /as-ter-ik/.

8. athlete – The word has two syllables, not three. Say /ATH-LETE/, not /ath-uh-lete/.

9. barbed wire– Notice the AR in the first syllable. Say /BARBD/, not /bob/.

10. cache – The word is of French origin, but it does not end with an accented syllable. A cache is a hiding
place or something that is being hidden: a cache of supplies; a cache of money; a cache of drugs. Say
/KASH/, not /ka-shay/.

11. candidate – Notice the first d. Say /KAN-DI-DATE/, not /kan-i-date/.

12. cavalry – This word refers to troops that fight on horseback. Say /KAV-UL-RY/, not /kal-vuh-
ry/. NOTE: Calvary refers the place where Jesus was crucified and IS pronounced /kal-vuh-ry/.)

13. chaos – The spelling ch can represent three different sounds in English: /tch/ as in church, /k/ as in
Christmas, and /sh/ as in chef. The first sound is heard in words of English origin and is the most common.
The second sound of ch, /k/, is heard in words of Greek origin. The third and least common of the three ch
sounds is heard in words adopted from modern French. Chaos is a Greek word. Say /KAY-OS/, not /tchay-
os/.

14. clothes – Notice the TH spelling and sound. Say /KLOTHZ/, not /kloz/.

15. daïs – A daïs is a raised platform. The pronunciation fault is to reverse the vowel sounds. The word is
often misspelled as well as mispronounced. Say /DAY-IS/ not /dī-is/.

16. dilate – The word has two syllables, not three. Say /DI-LATE/, not /di-a-late/.

17. drowned – This is the past participle form of the verb drown. Notice that there is no D on drown. Don‘t
add one when using the word in its past form. Say /DROWND/, not /drown-ded/.

18. et cetera – This Latin term is often mispronounced and its abbreviation is frequently misspelled. Say /ET
CET-ER-A/, not /ex cet-er-a/. For the abbreviation, write ETC., not ect.

19. February – Just about everyone I know drops the first r in February. The spelling calls for /FEB-ROO-AR-
Y/, not /feb-u-ar-y/.

20. foliage – The word has three syllables. Say /FO-LI-UJ/, not /fol-uj/.

21. forte – English has two words spelled this way. One comes from Italian and the other from French. The
Italian word, a musical term meaning ―loud,‖ is pronounced with two syllables: /FOR-TAY/. The French word,
an adjective meaning ―strength‖ or ―strong point,‖ is pronounced with one syllable: /FORT/.

22. Halloween – The word for the holiday Americans celebrate with such enthusiasm on October 31 derives
from ―Hallowed Evening,‖ meaning ―evening that has been made holy.‖ The word ―hallow‖ comes from Old
English halig, meaning ―holy.‖ Notice the a in the first syllable and say /HAL-O-WEEN/, not /hol-lo-ween/.

23. height – The word ends in a /T/ sound, not a /TH/ sound. Say /HITE/, not /hith/.

24. heinous – People unfamiliar with the TV show Law and Order: S.V.U. may not know that heinous has two
syllables. (The show begins with this sentence: ―In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are
considered especially heinous.‖) Say /HAY-NUS/, not /heen-i-us/.

25. hierarchy – The word has four syllables. Say /HI -ER-AR-KY,/ not /hi-ar-ky/.

26. Illinois – As with Arkansas, the final ―s‖ in Illinois is not pronounced. Say /IL-I-NOY/ (and /Ar-kan-saw/,
not /il-li-noiz/ or /ar-kan-sas/). NOTE: Some unknowledgeable folks may still be trying to
pronounce Arkansas as if it had something to do with Kansas. The pronunciation /ar-kan-zuz/ is waaay off
base.
27. interpret – The word has three syllables. Don‘t add one! Say /IN-TER-PRET/, not /in-ter-pre-tate/.

28. incident – Something that happens is an ―incident.‖ Don‘t say ―incidence‖ when you mean a specific
event. There IS a word ―incidence,‖ but it has a different meaning.

29. ―irregardless‖ – See the real word, regardless.

30. jewelry – The word has three syllables. Say /JEW-EL-RY/, not /jew-el-er-y/. The pronunciation /jewl-ry/ is
common but not correct, as it removes one syllable from the word.

31. library – Notice where the R comes in the word. Say /LI-BRAR-Y/, not /li-ber-ry/.

32. medieval – The word has four syllables. The first E may be pronounced either short [med] or long [meed].
Say /MED-EE-EEVAL/ or /MEE-DEE-EEVAL/, not /meed-eval/.

33. miniature – The word has four syllables. Say /MIN-I-A-TURE/, not /min-a-ture/.

34. Mischievous – This is the adjective form of mischief whose meaning is ―calamity‖ or ―harm.‖ Mischievous
is now associated with harmless fun so that the expression ―malicious mischief‖ has been coined as another
term for vandalism. Mischievous has three syllables with the accent on the first syllable: /MIS-CHI-VUS/.
Don‘t say /mis-chee-vee-us/.

35. niche – The word is from the French and, though many words of French origin have been anglicized in
standard usage, this is one that cries out to retain a long ―e‖ sound and a /SH/ sound for the che. Say
/NEESH/, not /nitch/.

36. orient – This word has three syllables. As a verb it means to place something in its proper position in
relation to something else. It comes from a word meaning ―east‖ and originally meant positioning something in
relation to the east. Now it is used with a more general meaning. Say /OR-I-ENT/, not /or-i-en-tate/.

37. old-fashioned – This adjective is formed from a past-participle: ―fashioned.‖ Don‘t leave off the ED. Say
/OLD-FASHIOND/, not /old-fashion/.

38. picture – There‘s a K sound in picture. Don‘t confuse picture with pitcher. Say /PIK-TURE/, not /pitch-er/.
Pitcher is a different word. A pitcher is a serving vessel with a handle.

39. precipitation – This is a noun that refers to rain or snow, or anything else that normally falls from the sky.
As with prescription (below), the prefix is PRE-. Say /PRE-CIP-I-TA-TION/, not /per-cip–i-ta-tion/.

40. prescription – Note the prefix PRE- in this word. Say /PRE-SCRIP-TION/, not /per- scrip-tion/ or /pro-
scrip-tion/.

41. preventive – The word has three syllables. A common fault is to add a syllable. Say PRE-VEN-TIVE/, not
/pre-ven-ta-tive.

42. pronunciation – This word is a noun. It comes from the verb pronounce, BUT it is not pronounced like
the verb. Say /PRO-NUN-CI-A-TION/, not /pro-nounce-i-a-tion/.

43. prostate – This word for a male gland is often mispronounced. There is an adjective prostrate which
means to be stretched out facedown on the ground. When speaking of the gland, however, say /PROS-
TATE/, not /pros-trate/.

44. Realtor – The word has three syllables. Say /RE-AL-TOR/, not /re-a-la-tor/.

45. regardless – The word has three syllables. Please don‘t add an IR to make it into the
abomination “irregardless”.
46. sherbet – The word has only one r in it. Say /SHER-BET/ not /sher-bert/.

47. spayed – This is a one-syllable word, the past participle form of the verb to spay, meaning to remove the
ovaries from an animal. Like the verb drown (above) the verb spay does not have a D in its infinitive form.
Don‘t add one to the past participle. Say /SPADE/, not /spay-ded/.

48. ticklish – The word has two syllables. Say /TIK-LISH/, not /tik-i-lish/.

49. tract – Religious evangelists often hand out long printed statements of belief called ―tracts.‖ That‘s one
kind of ―tract.‖ Houses are built on ―tracts.‖ Then there‘s the word ―track.‖ Athletes run on ―tracks.‖ Animals
leave ―tracks.‖ Don‘t say /TRAKT/ when you mean /TRAK/, and vice-versa.

50. vehicle – Although there is an H in the word, to pronounce it is to sound hicky. Say /VEE-IKL/, not /vee-
Hikl/.

51. wintry – Here‘s another weather word often mispronounced, even by the weather person. The word has
two syllables. Say /WIN-TRY/, not /win-ter-y/.
The End

Compiled & edited by Mohammed Mushtaq.

For feedback/suggestions please contact
md.mushtaq@msn.com