EXPRESSIONS AND PHRASES TO MAKE A CONVERSATION

Asking for suggestions What shall we

get him? buy him? give her?

Making suggestions Lets

What about Responding to suggestions Thats a good idea. X Im not sure. X No, I dont think so.

get him a book. buy him a DVD. give her a CD. a DVD?

SHOWING INTEREST Im happy for you Oh, great! Oh, nice. Im sorry for you Oh, dear. What a shame. Im surprised Wow! Youre joking! Really? Im not surprised Oh, right.

CONTINUING A CONVERSATION Questions you can ask someone who

went to the cinema What did you see? What was it like? Who did you go with? stayed at home all weekend What did you do? was ill What was wrong? Are you OK now? went away for the weekend What was it like? Where did you go? Who did you go with? Where did you stay?

PLANNING A DAY OUT Asking people what they want to do What do you want to do (tomorrow)? Where would you like to go? Do you want to (go to Regents Park)? Saying what you want to do Id like to (go to the beach). I want to (go to Chessington). Id rather (stay at home).

TALKING ABOUT NEWS To start a conversation about the news, we can say: Did you hear about the plane crash? No, where was it?
Good news Oh, thats good.

Did you read about the couple on Everest? No, what happened?
Surprising news Really? Youre joking!

Bad news Yes, isnt it awful? Oh, dear. Are they OK? Oh, no thats terrible. Tip: News is a singular noun. The news is terrible.

TALKING ON THE PHONE Asking to speak to people Hello, can I speak to (Lisa), please? Hello, is that (Chris Morris)? Calling people back Can I call you back? Ill call you later. Can you call me back? Saying who you are This is (Lisa Smith), from (3 DUK). Its (Katrina). Speaking. Other useful phrases I got your message. Call me on my mobile. Hold on a moment, Ill get him/her.

TALKING ABOUT HEALTH

Asking about someones health How are you? Are you OK? Whats wrong? Whats the matter? Expressing sympathy Oh, dear. Thats a shame. I hope you get better soon. Giving advice Why dont you (go home)? You should (take the day off). Drink lots of water.

SAYING GOODBYE
Have a Nice holiday! Nice weekend! Good trip! In two weeks. Next year. On the next course. An email. You too. Thanks, I will. Yes, see you.

See you

Send me/us

Yes, of course.

A postcard

FINDING THINGS IN COMMON

Im a bit nervous I cant speak Turkish Ive got a dog I dont go out much I had a great time AGREE So am i. DISAGREE Oh, Im not. Oh, I can. Oh, I havent. Oh, I do. Oh, I didnt.

Neither can I So I have Neither do I So did I

STARTING A CONVERSATION
People you know How do you know David and Jane? Do you know Pam Jones? Are you a friend of Davids? Where people live Do you live near here? Meeting someone in the past Didnt we meet in Milan last year? Where did you meet David? Peoples jobs or studies Youre a student at the English Centre, arent you? What do you do?

ENDING CONVERSATIONS It was nice to see you again. I hope we meet again soon. It was nice meeting you. See you at school, probably. Lets keep in touch. See you later, maybe.

APOLOGIES, REASONS AND PROMISES For apologies we often: Im (really) sorry, (but) I cant/couldnt + infinitive. Im really sorry, but I cant see you tonight. Im sorry, I couldnt finish it yesterday. For reasons we often use: I have to/had to + infinitive. I have to take a client out to dinner. I had to help Kate. For promises we often use: Ill + infinitive. Ill do it now. Ill see you on Friday, I promise. To respond to an apology we often use these phrases: Oh, dont worry. Another time, maybe Oh, dear. What happened? Oh, right. Why not?

Agreeing, disagreeing and asking for opinions

Agreeing Yes, maybe youre right. Yes, definitely. I agree (with Jackie). Yes, I think so. Disagreeing Im sorry, I dont agree. Im not sure about that. No, definitely not. No, I dont think so. Asking for opinions What do you think? What about you? Do you think.? Do you agree (with that)?

OFFERS, SUGGESTIONS AND REQUESTS.

Making offers Shall I make some posters? Can I give a hand? Ill help you, if you like. Making requests Will you organize that? Could you give me a hand? Can you do that? Responding to offers Yes, thatd be great. Great, thanks a lot. Yes, why not? No, dont worry. Thanks anyway. Making suggestions Shall we start? Lets decide who does what. Why dont we ask Steve?

Leaving phone message Asking to speak to someone Can I speak to (Peter Parker), please? Is (Peter) there, please? Could I speak to (Jim Moore), please? Leaving a message Could you ask him/her to phone me tomorrow? Could you ask him/her to phone me back? Just tell him (Peter parker) called. Saying where people can contact you He / She can ring me at the office. He / She can get me on my mobile. He / She can call me at home this evening.

COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS Complaints Im sorry, but Ive got a bit of a problem. Im afraid Ive got a complaint. Im sorry, but I think theres something wrong with the TV. Requests I wonder if you could check for me? I wonder if I could have some more towels, please? Could I speak to the manager, please? Could you help me? Would you mind sending someone to look at it?

INVITATIONS AND MAKING ARRANGEMENTS Asking about peoples arrangements Are you doing anything next Friday? Are you free on Tuesday? What are you doing on Monday? Saying yes or no Yes, Id love to. Id love, but I cant. Yes, thatd be great. Inviting someone to do something Would you like to come? Why dont we meet for a drink? Arranging a time and place Where/What time shall we meet? How about six thirty?

IN A SHOP What a shop assistant say Can I help you? What size do you want? What size is that one? Ill have a lookyes, heres a medium. The fitting rooms over there. Does it fit? Here you are. Thats $ 19 altogether. How would you like to pay? Check the amount and sign here, please. Heres change and your receipt.

What customers say Im just looking, thanks. Excuse me. Have you got this T-shirt in a smaller size? Can I try it on, please? OK, Ill take it. Could I have this map, please? Do you sell batteries?

LIKES AND DISLIKES Phrases to say you like something I really love. Im really/very/quite interested in I enjoy Im really/very/quite/keen on.. I think is/are great/brilliant/wonderful Phrases to say you dont like something I really hate I dont like at all I cant stand. really get(s) on my nerves. I cant bear. Im not very keen on ..drive(s) me crazy. I thinkis/are really boring/annoying.

Phrases to say something is OK I thinkis/are all right. I dont mind.

SHOWING CONCERN, GIVING AND RESPONDING TO ADVICE Showing concern Oh, dear. Whats the matter? I can see why youre upset. Oh, how awful!

Giving advice Have you tried talking to him about it? Well, maybe you should talk to him again. Why dont you talk to her about it? Id take her out for a really nice meal. Maybe you ought to spend more time together. Responding to advice Well, its worth a try, I guess. I tried that, but Yes, thats a good idea. I might try that. Yes, you could be right.

Asking for and making recommendations Asking for recommendations Do you know any good places to stay? Whats the best way to (get around? Is there anything else worth visiting? What about (places outside Delhi)? Have you got any other tips? Recommending things Its probably best to (use rickshaws) Id recommend (the trains). You should definitely see (The Red Fort). Thats well worth seeing. You really must go to (Agra). Not recommending things Dont bother going to (the museums). It isnt really worth visiting. Dont drink the water. I wouldnt eat anything thats sold in the street. Responding to recommendations Thats good to know. That sounds good. Thanks, thats really useful. Yes, Ive heard that before. Softening opinions and making generalisations We often use these phrases in bold to soften our opinions: Some of them can be quite rude at times They tend to get rather loud. Thats not very normal behavior. Generally speaking, most people who go to matches are just loyal fans. You get a few who can be a bit too enthusiastic. On the whole, most fans just want to see a good game.

Explaining what you need. Saying you dont know the name of something. Im sorry; Ive forgotten what is called. Im sorry, I dont know the word for it. I cant remember what theyre called. I dont know what its called in English. Describing what something is used for Its a thing for (opening bottles of wine). Its stuff for (getting marks off your clothes). You use them to (put posters up on the wall). Im looking for (something for mu mobile). You use it when (the batteries are dead). Describing what something looks like Its a type of (liquid). Theyre made of (metal). Theyve got (a round top). It looks like (a black box). Checking something is the right thing Do you mean one of these? Oh, you mean (stain remove). Is this what youre looking?

Discussion language Inviting people to speak (Paul), you had something you wanted to say? Whats your opinion? What do think? Ways of agreeing That may be true, but what about? Yes, absolutely. Yes, Id agree with that. Ways of disagreeing Thats not true, actually. Well, Im not sure about that. Im not sure I agree, actually. Asking to speak Sorry, do you mind if I interrupt? Can I just say something here? Can I make a point here? Allowing someone to interrupt Sure, go ahead. Yes, of course. Not allowing someone to interrupt Can I just finish what I was saying? If I could just finish making this point.

Warnings and advice We give warnings when we think something might be dangerous. Asking for advice Could you give us some advice? What should we do if we see one? What do you think we should take with us? Do you think it a good idea to take some warm clothes? Giving advice If I were you, Id take plenty of warm clothes. Its a good idea to take a spare map in case you lose one. Dont forget to tell them when you expect to back. Make sure you take plenty of water. Youd better come up immediately. Giving warnings Watch out for bears. Be careful when youre crossing the rivers. Whatever you do, dont lose your partner. Dont come up too quickly, or less you could be in trouble. Responding to advice/warnings. Yes, we will. Thats a good idea. I hadnt thought of that. Thats really useful, thanks. Right, thanks. Thats very helpful.

At the doctors Im not feeling very well. I havent been feeling very well recently. Ive got a terrible stomach ache. My chest hurts. I keep getting really bad headaches. I cant stop sneezing. Do I need some antibiotics? Im allergic to penicillin. How often should I take them? Do I need to make another appointment?

Asking for, giving and refusing permission Asking for permission Do you think I could (send a few emails)? Is it OK if I (borrow a couple of books)? May I (download some photos onto your computer)? Would you mind if I (gave my girlfriend a call)? Can I (make myself a sandwich)? Do you mind if I (do some washing)? Giving permission A: Can I make myself a sandwich? B: Yes, of course. A: Do you mind if I make myself a sandwich? B: No, not at all. Refusing permission No Sorry, I dont think we have the software for that. Sorry. Actually.

Checking information Asking someone to repeat information Sorry, what did you say (your name) was again? Sorry, I didnt get all of that. Could you say it again, please? And could you tell me (his surname) again? Sorry, I didnt quite catch that. Can you give it to me again, please? Checking that the information you have is correct Is that (Kramer) with a (K)? Do you mean (this Wednesday)? Is that spelt (G-R-O-N-E-R)? Are you talking about (the London party)?