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Contents
AcknowledgmentsIntroduction:WhoCanBenefitfromUsingThisBook?
Part1PhrasesforConversation
Chapter1SmallTalk
Openers:ExcuseMe…
TalkingAboutYourself
ShowingInterest
IntroducingYourself
BreakingtheIce
StayinginTouch
SayingGood-Bye
Dialogue:SmallWorld
TopicsforPractice
Chapter2PastExperiences
Openers:Greetings
MakingIntroductions
CatchingUp
PastExperiences
TransitionsandConnectors
DiscourseMarkers
EnjoymentandPleasure
ExpressingEmotions
EndingtheConversation
TimeExpressions
Dialogue:LongTimeNoSee
TopicsforPractice
Chapter3Likes,Dislikes,andInterests
Openers:FeelingThingsOut
Likes
Dislikes
Preferences
Interests
DesiresandDependency
Indifference
MakingOffers
DatesandInvitations
ExpressingEmotions
Compliments
Dialogue:What’sforDinner?
TopicsforPractice
Chapter4ObjectsandProcesses
Openers:TakeaLook!
DescribingObjects
PropertiesandFeatures
CostandEstimates
UseandAvailability
MakingComparisons
MakingContrasts
EvaluationsandJudgments
GivingInstructions
ExpressingEmotions
Dialogue:TheNewSmartphone
TopicsforPractice
Chapter5ProblemsandAdvice
Openers:What’sWrong?
StatingaProblem
AskingforHelporAdvice
IdentifyingtheCauseofaProblem
SympathyandUnderstanding
AdviceandAssistance
AppreciationandGratitude
MakingSomeoneAwareofaProblem
Complaints
Reassurances
ReluctanceandAvoidance
ExpressingEmotions
Dialogue:What’stheMatter?
TopicsforPractice
Chapter6DecisionsandGoals
Openers:WhatAreWeGoingtoDo?
OptionsandAlternatives
ReasonsandPurpose
AdvantagesandDisadvantages
MakingaDecision
IndecisionandHesitation
SettingSchedulesandDeadlines
GoalsandPlans
Encouragement,Recognition,andCongratulations
ExpressingEmotions
Dialogue:AToughDecision
TopicsforPractice
Part2PhrasesforDiscussions
Chapter7Opinions
Openers:AskingforanOpinion
StatinganOpinion
ValueJudgments
Generalizations
AgreeingandDisagreeing
SupportinganOpinion
FiguresandStatistics
MakinganArgument
SolutionsandRecommendations
ExpressingEmotions
Dialogue:TheBestIdeaI’veHeardSoFar
TopicsforPractice
Chapter8GroupDiscussions
Openers:OpeningtheFloor
LeadingaDiscussion
ParticipatinginaGroupDiscussion
Interruptions
ClarificationandExplanations
Misunderstandings
ManagingtheDiscussion
InConclusion
Dialogue:TheHolidayParty
TopicsforPractice
Chapter9SeriousSubjects
Openers:CommonConcerns
OfferingSolutionstoGeneralProblems
LevelsofLanguage
Directvs.IndirectLanguage
Irony,Sarcasm,andEuphemism
ComplaintsandDemands
RulesandConditions
BadNewsandGoodNews
CausesandConsequences
CertaintyandPossibility
ApologiesandAgreements
Dialogue:AHardBargain
TopicsforPractice
Part3PhrasesforSpecialOccasions
Chapter10SpecialOccasions
Openers:WordsofWelcome
HonorsandAwards
SpecialOccasions
Vacations,Holidays,andTrips
Dining
PersonalNotes
Dialogue:HappyBirthday!
Part4PhrasesforTelephoneConversations
Chapter11TelephoneBasics
MakingaCall
ReceivingaCall
CheckingDetails
ConnectingaCall
InformationandServices
TelephoneEtiquette
EndingaCall
MakingSmallTalk
Dialogue:TouchingBase
Practice
Chapter12TelephoneMessages
GivingDetailsoverthePhone
LeavingaMessage
TakingaMessage
EnsuringCommunication
ReturningaCall
AnsweringMachines,VoiceMail,andTextMessages
Dialogue:AMessage
Practice
Chapter13TelephoneBusiness
MakingAppointments
MakingBookingsandReservations
ChangesandCancellations
OrdersandServices
DiscussingaProblem
InConclusion
Dialogue
TopicsforPractice
I
Acknowledgments
wouldfirstliketoexpressmygratitudetoMcGraw-HillProfessionalfortheopportunitytopublishthisbookandtomyeditor,HollyMcGuire,forchoosingmeforthisparticularproject.Iwouldalsoliketoacknowledgethevaluableinsightsmycolleagueand
friend,BarbDonaldson,hasprovidedalongtheway.Mythanksgooutaswelltomystudents:Yuko,Joo-Weoun,Hye-Sin,Chae-
Rin,Mayumi,andSatokofortheirperceptivefeedback.Lastbutnotleast,myappreciationtomyhusband,Erich,forhissupportand
encouragement.
P
Introduction
WhoCanBenefitfromUsingThisBook?
erfectPhrasesforESL:ConversationSkillswaswrittenforESLstudentsandlearnerswhowanttoimprovetheirconversationskillsinsideand
outsideoftheclassroom.ThecontentwasselectedtofamiliarizeyouwiththekindoflanguagenativeEnglishspeakersuseregularlyineverydayconversationsanddiscussionsathome,school,andwork.Althoughitwaswrittenwithintermediate-levelspeakersinmind,thereissomethingforeverymotivatedlearnerwhoaimstodevelophisorherabilitytoparticipateinconversationsanddiscussionsonabroadvarietyoftopics.
HowtoUseThisBookThebookconsistsofthirteenchaptersdividedintofourparts:phrasesforconversation,discussions,specialoccasions,andtelephoneconversations.Progressingindepthanddifficulty,thissecondeditioncoverstopicsrelevanttoeverydaylife.
ObjectivesTheseindicatetheskillsyoucanexpecttogainfromusingthephrasesineachchapter.
PhrasesParts1to3
Thefirstthreepartscoverphrasesforeverydayconversation.Eachchapterbeginswithtypicalconversationopenersandcontainsa
collectionoftopic-relatedphrasesthatwillguideyouthroughanaturalconversationordiscussion.Althoughthephrasesareorganizedthematically,theyarenotexclusivetoanyonetopic.Whereappropriate,referenceismadetophrasesthatappearinpreviouschaptersandcomeinhandywhenyoudiscussdifferentsubjects.
Part4Thethreechaptersinthissectionpresentphrasesthatarecommonlyusedwhenyoumaketelephonecallsforbothpersonalandbusinesspurposes,andtheseareorganizedfromformaltoinformal.Becausethecontentofatelephoneconversationdoesnotdiffergreatlyfromaface-to-faceconversation,thesymbolrefersyoutousefulphrasesfromParts1and2.Youwillfindthesephrasesunderthegivensectionheadingandpagenumber,e.g.,DiscourseMarkers,page30.
Becauselanguageiscloselytiedtoacountry’scultureandcustoms,manyphrasesareorganizedfromformaltoinformal,indirecttodirect,strongtomild,andindegreesofpolitenesssothatyoucanchoosethephrasesthatareappropriatetouseindifferentsituations.Theinformation symbolwillalsoalertyoutolanguageorculturetips.
Youwillseethatsomephrasesandpartsofphrasesappear:
inboldtype
betweenslashes(/)
Boldtypeindicatesphrasesthatrequireadditionalinformation.Forexample:
Letmeintroducemyfiancée,Alice.(Chapter2)
Whydon’tyoutrydoingvolunteerwork?(Chapter3)
Slashesareusedtoshowhowaphraseinboldtypecanbecompletedwithvariousinformation.Forexample:
Don’tyoulookcharming/pretty/handsometoday!(Chapter3)
Pleaseacceptmyapologiesforthemistake/oversight/inconvenience/trouble.(Chapter9)
Slashesalsoindicatehowaphrasecanbevariedwiththeuseofprepositions,gerundsorinfinitives,orsynonyms.Forexample:
Iplantosail/planonsailingaroundtheworldsomeday.(Chapter6)
What’syourview/take/stand/positiononthechangestoourcurriculum?(Chapter8)
Phrasesthatarenotindicatedinboldtypearefixedexpressionsandcanstandontheirown.Forexample:
Whatapity!(Chapter5)
Icouldn’tagreewithyoumore!(Chapter7)
Ofcourseitisnotnecessaryforyoutomasterorevenattempttomasterallofthephrasesundereachheadingandsubheading.Oneortwomaysuityourpurposesquitenicely.Choosethephrasesthatfityourpersonalstyle,andonceyou’recomfortableusingthem,youcantryoutanotherone.ListencarefullytonativeEnglishspeakersandmakeanoteofthephrasesthatyouhearthemuse.
DialoguesThedialogueineachchaptershowsyouhownativeEnglishspeakersmightusetheparticularphrasesinatypicalconversation.IfyouarelearningEnglishinaclassroomsituation,youcanactoutthedialogueasaskitoruseitasamodelforaconversationrole-play.
TopicsforPracticeAttheendofeachchapteryouwillfindalistoftopicstostimulateconversation.Practicewithafriendorclassmate.Themorepeopleyouincludeintheconversation,themerrier.
VocabularyNotesThereareblanklinedpagesattheendofeachchapterforyoutorecordnewvocabulary.MakeapointofwritingdowntheEnglishdefinition.Asyouwillnotice,somewordsandphrasescannotbeeasilytranslatedintoyournative
language.Remember:ItwillbemucheasiertoconverseinEnglishifyoulearntothinkandexplainyourselfinEnglish.
AFinalNoteIntheend,thebestandonlywaytodevelopyourconversationanddiscussionskillsistotalk.IsincerelyhopethatPerfectPhrasesforESL:ConversationSkillswillaccompanyandguideyouontheroadtosuccessfulcommunication!
Goforit!
PART1PhrasesforConversation
“Conversationisthelaboratoryandworkshopofthestudent.”
—RalphWaldoEmerson
CHAPTER
SmallTalk
Objectivestointroduceyourself
tocarryonabasicconversationaboutyourselfandothers
ChanwoniswaitingforhisconnectingflighttoSeattle.He’scometotheUnitedStatesforayeartostudyEnglishbeforehereturnstoKoreatofinishhisdegreeinelectronicengineering.Hehasbeenonshortholidaysabroadwithhisfamily,butthisisthefirsttimethathewillbelivinginanEnglish-speakingenvironmentwithanEnglish-speakingfamily.Ofcoursehe’snervousabouthisabilitytocommunicateinalanguagehehasonlystudiedinschool.He’dliketotalktosomeonewhilehe’swaitingforhisplane,buthe’snotsurehowtobeginorwhattosay.Whatifheusesthewrongword,ornooneunderstandshim?Andwhatifsomeoneaskshimaquestionhedoesn’tknowhowtoanswer?Ifonlyhehadmorevocabulary!Ifonlyhecouldspeakasnaturallyaseveryonearoundhim!
YoucouldbelikeChanwonwaitingforyourflightattheairportwithalongtrip
aheadofyou.Youcouldbehavingacoffeeinacaféoramealinarestaurant,standingsomewhereinaline,socializingataparty,orinteractingwithpeopleyou’veonlyjustmet.Situationsinwhich
peoplestrikeupaconversationoutofcuriosityormutualinterest,orjusttobesociable,presentthemselveswhenyouaretravelinginaforeigncountry.
Whetheryou’remeetingsomeoneforthefirsttimeorconnectingwithanoldfriendoracquaintance,mostconversationsstartoutonapersonalnote.Atfirstyou’remostlikelytotalkabout:
whereyouliveorcomefrom;
whatyoudoforaliving;
whatbringsyoutoaparticularlocation.
Iftheconversationcontinues,you’llusuallymoveontoeverydaysubjectswithwhichyou’refamiliarsuchas:
personalinterestsandhobbies;
theweather;
yourenvironment(theairport,restaurant,hotel,park,beach,etc.);
yourlocation(city,country,school,orworkplace);
currenthappeningssuchassportsandculturaleventsorthenews.
AlthoughEnglish-speakingpeopletendtoengageeasilyinconversationswithstrangers,therearecertaintopicsthatmaybeconsideredtoointimate.Topicsthatshouldbeavoidedare:
maritalstatus,
age,
income,
religion,
politics.
Phrases
Openers:ExcuseMe…Mostoftenaconversationbeginswithasimplequestion,arequestforinformation,oracommentabouttheweatherorsurroundings.Dependingonthepersonyou’retalkingtoandthesituationyou’rein—isthesituationformalorcasual,isthepersonclosetoyourage—therearetwoapproachesyoucantake.
Theindirectapproachisapoliteandunobtrusivewaytotestthewatersincasetheotherpersonisn’tinterestedintalkingatlength:
May/couldIborrowyournewspaper/magazine/thesaltandpepper?
CouldyoutellmeifthisiswheretheplaneleavesforHouston?
Wouldyouhappentoknowagoodrestaurant/anicehotel?
Iwaswonderingifyou’refromaroundhere.ThisismyfirstvisittoLondon.
Sorrytobotheryou,butisthisseattaken/isanyonesittinghere?
Wouldyoumindtellingmewhereyougotthatbook?
CouldItrouble/botheryouforchange?Idon’tseemtohaveanyquarters.
Youwouldn’thappentoknowifthere’sacafé/abank/agrocerystorenearhere?
Thedirectapproachtakestheinitiativeinafriendly,openmanner:
Excuseme,doyouhavethetime?
Thisisagreathotel,isn’tit?
Ican’tbelievehowbusytheairportistoday.
Niceday,isn’tit/eh?
So,whatbringsyouhere?
Doyoucomehereoften?
Areyoufromhere?
TalkingAboutYourselfAconversationwithastrangerisagoodopportunitynotonlytopassthetimebutalsotopracticeyourEnglish.Ifthepersontowhomyouarespeakingisinthemoodtocontinuetheconversation,mostlikelyheorshewillbeinterestedinfindingoutmoreaboutyou.
Nationality I’mKorean/Japanese/German/Mexican.
Residence I’mfromSeoul/Kyoto/Hamburg/Guadalajara.
IcomefromKorea/Japan/Germany/Mexico.
Age* I’mtwenty-five/thirty-two/inmyforties.
Maritalstatus** I’msingle/married/divorced/widowed.
Job I’manengineer/ateacher/astudent/asystemsanalyst.
I’minadvertising/inelectronics/ininsurance.
I’mself-employed/retired.
I’mwithMcGraw-Hill/AT&T/Siemens.Hobbiesandinterests I’minterestedinsports/fashion/traveling/art.
I’mintoaerobics/gourmetcooking/pottery.
ShowingInterestItisimportantandpolite,ofcourse,toshowinterestinwhatyourconversationpartnertellsyou;otherwisewhat’sthepointoftalkingtosomeone?Whileitiscourteoustorespondtothepersonyouhavejustmet,itisevenmoreimportanttobesincereandtoreplyinacomfortable,naturalmanner.
IntroducingYourselfIfyouandthepersonyou’vebeentalkingtohititoff,youmightwanttointroduceyourself.Herearesometipswhenmakingintroductions:
InEnglish-speakingcultures,itisusualforpeopletointroducethemselveswiththeirfirstnamesratherthantheirfamilyorsurnames.ItisveryrarethatAmericansorCanadianswillintroducethemselvesasMr.orMrs.Brown.Iftheygiveboththeirfirstandlastname,forexample“I’mJudySmith”,theywillusuallyexpectyoutocallthembytheirfirstname.AlsointheEnglishlanguagethereisnodistinctionbetweenformalandfamiliaraddress,asisthecaseinmanyotherlanguages.“You”is“you”regardlessofage,socialstatus,orfamiliarity.Becarefulnottoconfuse“howareyou”and“howdoyoudo.”Howareyou
isaquestionandrequiresananswer:I’mfine,thanksorNottoobad(seeAskingaboutSomeone’sWell-Being,page22-23).Howdoyoudolookslikeaquestionbutisreallyagreeting,anditisacceptabletorespondwithHowdoyoudo,oroneofthephrasesthatfollow.Ifyouwanttoknowaboutsomeone’shealth,it’sbettertoask,Howareyoufeeling?orHowareyou?Traditionallypeopleshakehandswhentheymakeintroductions,particularly
inbusinessorformalsituations.Menalmostalwaysshakehands,whereaswomenmayormaynot.Whenmeetingawomanforthefirsttime,waitforhertoofferherhand.
Inmorecasualandinformalsituationsshakinghandsisnotalwaysthecustom.Youngpeoplewillusegestures,suchaswavingtheirhand,toacknowledgetheperson.Ifyouarenotsurewhattodoinaparticularsituation,doasothersdo.Weusetheverbtomeetwhenwewanttosaythatwemakeaperson’s
acquaintance.Ifsomeoneasksyou:Howdidyoumeetyourhusbandorwife,theymeanhowwereyoufirstintroduced,notwhendidyouseehimorherlast.
Example:A:Howdidyoumeetyourhusband?B:Actuallyhewasafriendofmybrother ’sfromhiscollegedays,andatfirstIdidn’tevenlikehim.
Responses
BreakingtheIceTalkingtosomeoneyou’vejustmetcanbeawkward,especiallyifyou’renotsurewhattosayorask.Walkingawayorcuttingtheconversationshortcanappearrudeandunfriendly.Sowhatcanyoutalkabouttobreaktheice?
Ifyoufeeluncomfortableaboutaskingdirectquestions,“yesorno”questionsshowthatyou’reinterestedintheotherpersonandallowtheotherpersontoelaborateiftheywishto.NativeEnglishspeakersareoftenmoredirectandwillalmostalwaysaskstrangerswherethey’refromandwhattheydoforaliving.
QuestionstoAskifthePersonIsNewtotheCity
IsthisyourfirsttimetoNewYork?
HaveyoubeentoVictoriabefore?
Areyounewtothecompany?
Areyoufamiliarwiththisarea?
Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?
QuestionstoAskWhythePerson’sHere
Areyouhereonbusiness/aholiday?
DidyoucomeheretostudyEnglish/totravelaround?
Doyouplantostayherelong?
Whichschool/universityareyoustudyingat?
Howlongareyoustaying/visiting?
QuestionsAboutthePerson’sExperiencesSoFar
Haveyouseenmuchofthecity/country?
Sohowdoyoulikeitheresofar?
Howwasyourflight/trip/firstlesson?
Theweather ’sbeengreat/nice/verycold,hasn’tit?
Areyouusedto/haveyougottenusedtothefoodyet?
QuestionsAboutthePerson’sPersonalInformation
Whereareyoufrom?
Wheredoyoucallhome?
WhatpartofBrazil/RiodeJaneirodoyoulivein?
Areyoutravelingaloneorwithfamily/friends?
Doyoulikemusic/theater/sports/skiing/swimming?
Whatdoyoudoforaliving?
Whatkindofbusinessareyouin?
Ifyou’rethepersonbeingintroduced,you’llwanttoshowinterestintheotherpersonaswell.Ifyouranswertoaquestionisnegative,it’sagoodideatorespondwithaquestionsoasnottocutofftheotherpersonorforcehimorhertocarrytheconversation.
Haveyoubeenherelong?No,I’vejustarrived.Andyou?
Haveyoubeentothemuseum?No,notyet.Haveyou?
Areyoustayingverylong?No,onlyafewdays.Howlongareyouherefor?
Soasnottosoundlikeaparrot,youcanrespondtoaquestionbyaskingthesamethinginanotherway:
Whereareyoufrom?FromOsaka.Andwheredoyoucallhome?
Areyouhereonbusiness?Yes,Iam.What/howaboutyou?
Howlongareyoustayinghere?Twoweeks.Areyouhereverylong?
Whatdoyoudoforaliving?I’manarchitect.Andwheredoyouwork?
Otheracceptabletopicsforsmalltalkaretheweather,localsightsandattractions,theeventyouareattending,andtheservicesorfacilitiesinthehotelwhereyou’restaying.
StayinginTouch
It’sbeengreatseeingyou/talkingtoyou.
We’llhavetostayintouch.
Weshouldgettogetheragain/sometime/soon.
Lookmeupnexttimeyou’reintown.
Don’tforgettogivemeacall/sendmeane-mail.
Dropinsometime.
Responses
Givemeacall/aring/abuzz.
That’sadeal.
I’lldothat.
I’llsuretry.
Youcancountonit!
Forsure.
Youbet!
SayingGood-Bye
Responses
WishingSomeoneWell
Haveaniceday/apleasantevening/asafetrip/anenjoyableflightback.
Enjoyyourflight/stay/tour.
Goodlucktoyou!
Allthebest.
Takecarenow.
Takeiteasy.
Responses
Youhaveaniceday,too.
Iwishyouthesame.
Sametoyou.
Likewise.
You,too.
Dialogue:SmallWorldThisdialoguetakesplaceatanairportcafé.Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Jenny:Excuseme.Doyouhavethetime?Brett:Uh,sure.Letmetakealook.It’stento.Jenny:Thanks.I’msorrytobotheryou,butmywatchseemstohavestopped.Brett:Noproblem.Jenny:I’malwaysalittlenervousaboutthetimewhenIhavetoflysomewhere.Brett:Iunderstand.Youwouldn’twanttomissyourflight.Jenny:No,that‘sforsure.I’mflyingtoLasVegastoseeafriendandI’mreallyexcited.Brett:Yeah,Vegasisquitetheplace.Jenny:Haveyoubeentherebefore?
Brett:Actually,Ilivethere.Jenny:You’rekidding!Haveyoulivedtherelong?Brett:Aboutfiveandahalfyearsnow.Jenny:Wow,thenyoumustknowthecityprettywell.Brett:Well,I’mawayonbusinessalot,butIgetaround.Jenny:I’mkindoftheopposite.Brett:Andwheredoyoucallhome?Jenny:IworkinVancouver,butI’moriginallyfromSaltSpringIsland.Ibetyou’veneverheardofit.Brett:Asamatteroffact,Iwasthereonasailingtriplastsummer.Jenny:Really?That’sinteresting.Brett:It’sabeautifulplace.Jenny:Oneofthebest.Wow,thisisasmallworld!Brett:SohowlongareyoustayinginVegas?Jenny:Justaweek.Unfortunately,that’sallthetimeIcouldgetofffromwork.Brett:Look,here’smycardwithmycellphonenumberande-mail.Bytheway,myname’sBrett.Jenny:I’mJenny.Brett:Nicetomeetyou,Jenny.Jenny:Nicetomeetyou,too.Brett:I’llbebackinthreedays.Maybewecangettogetherforanightout.Jenny:That’sadeal.Hey,I’dbettergetgoing.Brett:Yeah,youdon’twanttomissthatplane.Jenny:Itwasgreattalkingtoyou,Brett.Brett:Samehere.Jenny:Andthanksforyourcard.Brett:Mypleasure.Haveagoodflight,anddon’tgambleawayyourmoney.Jenny:Iwon’t.Bye-bye.Brett:Seeya!
TopicsforPracticeWhatcanyousayabout:
1.yourjoborstudies;
2.yourfamily;
3.thecity/townorcountryyoucomefrom;
4.thecity/townorcountryyou’revisiting;
5.theflightorjourneyyou’vebeenon;
6.thereasonyou’reatyourlocation(hotel,airport,restaurant,city,school);
7.theweatherorclimate;
8.somethingyou’veseenordoneonyourtrip;
9.arecentsports,social,orculturalevent;
10.averydifferentcustomorhabitthatyou’venoticed?
VocabularyNotes
* InEnglish-speakingcountriesitisnotcommontotalkaboutyourageortoaskacompletestrangerhisorherage.Infact,itcanbeconsideredrude,particularlyifthepersonismucholderormuchyoungerthanyouare.** Again,maritalstatuscanbeconsideredpersonalinformation,andapersonmaytakeoffenseifaskedifheorsheismarriedornot.Somepeoplemaynotwishtomentioniftheyaredivorcedorwidowed.
CHAPTER
PastExperiences
Objectivestointroducefamilymembers,friends,andacquaintances
totalkandinquireaboutpastexperiencesandevents
Juttaisshowingherhusband,Franz,aroundthecityofVictoria,BritishColumbia,whiletheyarevisitingonaholiday.ThreeyearsagowhenshewasofferedanexcitingnewjobasaneditorialassistantwithapublisheroftradejournalsinNuremberg,Germany,JuttaattendedanintermediateEnglishcourseatalanguageschoolinVictoriatobrushuponherhighschoolEnglish.Duringherthree-monthstudiesshemetmanyforeignstudentsandmadefriendsfromJapan,Korea,andMexico.AlthoughJuttahaslosttouchwithYuko,Ryeowon,andPatricia,sheoften
wonderswhathappenedtothem,andhowtheirliveshavechanged.WhileJuttaandFranzarevisitingtheButchartGardens,shespotsagroupofKoreantourists.TheirguidelookssomuchlikeRyeowon,butthatwouldbetoomuchofacoincidence!Thegroupmovescloser,andJuttacallsRyeowon’sname.Theyoungwomanturnsaroundwithalookofsurpriseonherface.
Ifyouhavetraveledorstudiedabroad,chancesarethatwhenyouleastexpectityouwillrunintosomeone—aformerclassmateorcolleague,ateacher,orafriendofafriend—onaholiday,ataconference,ata
wedding,orevenonthestreet.Timehaspassed,and,ofcourse,youhavealottocatchupon.Therearesomanyexperiencesyouhavetoshare,somanystoriesyou’dliketotell,andsomanyquestionsyou’reanxioustoask.
Phrases
Openers:GreetingsWhenyouhaven’tseensomeoneforalongtime,it’scustomarytobegintheconversationbyaskingabouttheotherperson’swell-beingandbycommentingpositivelyonchangesthatyoumaynotice.
AddressingSomeoneWhoseNameYouCan’tRemember
Idon’tmeantobeforward,butdon’tIknowyoufromsomewhere?
Coulditbethatwe’vemetbefore?
Youremindmeofsomeone.Youwouldn’thappentobeMargarete?
Don’tIknowyoufromlastyear ’sbookfairinFrankfurt?
Haven’twemetbefore?
Youlookfamiliar.
AskingAboutSomeone’sWell-Being
Howareyou?
Howarethings?
Howhaveyoubeen?
How’sit/everythinggoing?
So,how’slifebeentreatingyou?
How’veyoubeengettingalong/makingout?
Responses
Justfine.Andyou?
Great.Andyourself?
Couldn’tbebetter.Howaboutyou?
Prettygood.
Can’tcomplain.
Nottoobad.
GeneralComments
It’sgood/great/toseeyouagain/torunintoyoulikethis.
You’relookinggreat/good/well.
Youhaven’tchangedmuch/atall.
You’vehardlychanged.
It’sbeenages/solong/suchalongtime.
Ican’tbelieveit’syou.
Isthatreallyyou?
Smallworld,isn’tit?
MakingIntroductionsWhetheryou’retravelingonbusinessorforpleasure,youaremostlikelyinthecompanyofanotherperson.Whenyouintroducefriendsandfamily,youshouldchoosefamiliarlanguage(seeChapter1),andintroducethepersonwithhisorherfirstname.
Whenintroducingathirdperson,itisagoodideatogivesomeinformationabouttheperson:
howthepersonisrelatedtoyou:husband/wife,fiancée/fiancé,son/daughter,niece/nephew,etc.
wherethefriendoracquaintanceisfromandwhat’shisorherjob
Responses
CatchingUpOnceyou’vegottenreacquainted,youwillwanttofindoutaboutfriendsandacquaintancesthatyouhaveincommonandreminisceabout“thegoodoldtimes.”
AskingAboutRecentEvents
Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthistime?
Where’veyoubeenhiding/keepingyourself?
What’scooking/up/new/thescoop?
Whathaveyoubeenupto?
So,what’sthestory?
Anythingnew?
AskingAboutFriendsandAcquaintances
Iwonderwhateverhappenedto/becameofGuido.
HaveyouheardanythingfromTomoko?
HaveyouseenMaria-Teresalately?
Doyouknowanythingaboutourteacher?
DidyouknowthatAndregotmarried/promoted?
TalkingAboutFriendsandAcquaintances
ThelastIheard,Guidohadchangedjobs.
It’shardtokeepupwithAnastasia.She’salwaysonthego.
Ihaven’theardfromherforages.
Weusedtoe-mail,butlatelyweseemtohavelosttouch.
That’sgreatnews.I’mreallyglad/happyforhim.
SharedExperiences
Rememberwhenweheldamockelectioninourafternoonclass?
Didn’twehavefun/agoodtimeonthatcampingtrip?
Wasn’tthefoodinthecafeteriadelicious/awful?
Don’tyoumissthebeach/scenery/goingouttothedisco?
Thosewerethegoodolddays/goodoldtimes!
PastExperiencesReconnectingwitholdfriendsoracquaintancesisanopportunitytoexchangestoriesaboutyourexperiences.Timehaspassedsinceyoulastsaweachother,andyouareinterestedinfindingoutwhathashappenedinthemeantime.
AskingAboutPastExperiences
Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthistime?
Haveyoubeenuptoanythingexciting/interesting?
WhathappenedafteryouwentbacktoJapan?
I’mdying/anxioustohearaboutyournewjob/whatyou’vebeendoing.
So,whathaveyoubeenupto?
So,fillmein.
IntroducinganExperience
You’llneverguesswhathappenedtomeinPhoenix.
Themostinterestingthinghappenedtometheotherday.
LetmetellyouaboutwhathappenedwhileIwasinToronto.
Know/guesswhathappened?
Guesswhat?
TransitionsandConnectorsEveryonehasastorytotell.Whetherit’sajokeorshortanecdote;alengthyaccountofanadventure,game,orevent;areportofanaccidentormishap;orthesummaryofanintriguingconversation,theseaccountsmakeupalargepartofyourdailyconversations.Totellagoodstoryyoudon’thavetobeaprofessionalentertainer;youjustneedtoconnectyourthoughtsandtoaddalittledramaattherightmoment.
AskingAboutExperiences
Whathappenedonyourvacation/trip/whenyouwenttoFrance?
HowdidyoumakeoutwhileyouwereinLondon?
SohowdidyourvisittoNewYorkgo/turnout/workout?
WhateverbecameofyourplanstotakepartintheTourdeFrance?
WhatdidyouexperienceonyourcruisetoAlaska?
Didanythinginteresting/unusual/excitinghappentoyouonyourholiday?
I’vealwayswondered/wantedtoaskyouaboutyouryearinCalifornia.
We’dlovetohearthelatestnews.
Beginnings
Onemorning/afternoon/dayonourholidayinFrancewedecidedtogoforashortwalkinthecountryside.
Tostart/tobeginwith/firstoff/itallstartedwhenwehadbreakfastandgotreadyforourwalk.
Sequence
Next/thenextthing,wefollowedasetofredandwhitetrailmarkersfromourhoteltotheLotriver.
Alongthewaywesawasignpointingtoahistoricalvillageonahilloverlookingtheriver.
Then/sothenweclimbedupandspentsometimecheckingoutthevillage.
Inthemeantimeithadstartedtorain,sowewentintosomeshops.
Whilewewerelookingaround,therainstoppedandwecontinuedonourwalk.
Onthewaywepassedthroughanothersmallvillage.
Wekeptonwalkingbutafterawhilewenoticedthattherewerenomoreredandwhitetrailmarkers.
Afewmiles/kilometerslaterweaskedfordirectionsatafarmhouse,butthewomansaidshedidn’tknowofanytrailleadingbacktoourhotel.
Afterthat/afterwardwedecidedtoturnaroundandgobacktothevillage.
AddingDramaandInformation
Allofasudden/suddenlyitstartedtorainagain,onlythistimeitstartedrainingcatsanddogs.
Bythetimewegottothevillagewewerewet,hungry,andtired.
Totopitoff/tomakemattersworse,whenwegottothevillagecafé,theyhadfinishedservinglunch,andallwecouldhavewasacupofcoffee.
Unfortunatelythatdaywasanationalholiday,andtherewasnobusservice.
Infact/asamatteroffacttherewasnotaxiinthearea,either.
Luckily/fortunately/asluckwouldhaveit,therainsoonstoppedandwecontinuedon.
Luckyforuswecametoasignpointingtothevillagewhereourhotelwaslocated.
However,itwassevenkilometersawayandbeforeweknewit,itwasalreadylateafternoon.
Frankly/actually/truthfully/totellyouthetruthwethoughtwewerenevergoingtofindourwaybackbeforedark.
Asitturnedoutwecametotheriverwhereatlastwesawtheredandwhitetrailmarkers.
Concluding
Finallywemadeourwayalongthemuddyriverbank.
Intheendwegotbacktoourhoteljustbeforedarkandintimefordinner.
Tomakealongstoryshort/longstoryshortwecleanedup,haddinner,andwenttobed!
Themoral/lessonofthestoryiswhenyougoonawalkinaforeigncountry,neverleaveyourhotelwithoutamap.
Itjustgoestoshowyouthatyoushouldneverleaveyourhotelwithoutamap.
DiscourseMarkersBecausepeoplethinkontheirfeetwhentheyholdaconversation,theyuse“littlewords”calleddiscoursemarkerstofillinthegapswhentheyaresearchingforwords.Discoursemarkersdonotchangethemeaningofthesentence.Infacttheyhavenoliteralmeaningandcanbecomeabadhabit,asinthecaseof“like”or“youknow,”whenthespeakerusesthemtoooften.CommondiscoursemarkersinEnglishincludethefollowing.
Starters
Asyouknow/yousee/see
Now/then/okay/allright
Imean/well/so/oh
Say/why
Examples:Well,I’dlovetohearaboutyourtrip.Now,whathaveyoubeenupto?So,afterwegottotheairport,wehadtowaitfivehours.
Fillers
Uh/er/em
Like/youknow
Examples:Westayedatthisgreathotel,youknow,rightonthebeach.Itwas,like,thebestplaceweeverstayed.
QuestionTailsandTags
Whereasmanylanguageshavefixedquestiontags,suchasn’est-cepasinFrench,verdadinSpanish,andnichtwahrorgellinGerman,forinstance,Englishusesthesamehelpingverbsthatformaquestion,andeachquestiontagdependsontheverbtense.Commonexamplesare:It’saniceday,isn’tit?orYouhaven’tmetmyfiancée,haveyou?Forhelpwithquestiontags,youcanconsultagoodgrammarbook.
KnowwhatImean?
Don’tyouthink?
Ornot?
Right?
Eh?*
Examples:
Travelingisoneofthebestwaystogainexperience,don’tyouthink?
Terrificgame,eh?
EnjoymentandPleasure
ExpressingEmotionsEmotionscanbedifficulttoexpress,particularlyinalanguagethatisnotyournativetongue.Tosayhowyoufeelandtomakesurethatothersunderstandyourfeelings,youwillneedtousespecificphrasesandidiomaticexpressions.
AstonishmentandSurprise
That’sincredible/fantastic/amazing/farout/unreal/awesome.
That’shard/difficulttoimagine.
Idon’tbelievethatforaminute!
You’vegottabekidding/joking!
You’reputtingmeon/pullingmyleg.
Whatacoincidence!
Noway!
Belief
Ibelieveyou/it.
Icanimagine.
That’strue/forsure.
Isn’tthatthetruth!
Ibet!
EndingtheConversationWe’llhavetogettogether/dothisagainsometimesoon.
Itwasgreattoseeyouagain.
I’msogladweranintoeachother.
Ireallyenjoyedseeingyouagain.
Let’skeepintouch/gettogetheragain.
Takecare/takeiteasy.
Catchyoulater/anothertime.
TimeExpressions
WhenreferringtothetimeinEnglish-speakingcountries,nativeEnglishspeakersgenerallydifferentiatebetweennightanddaybyusinga.m.andp.m.Forexample,breakfasttimeisat7:00a.m.anddinnertimeisat7:00p.m.(ratherthanat19:00).Itisalsocommontosayseveninthe
morningoreveninginordertoclarifythetimeofday.Ratherthantentotwelveoraquarteraftertwelve,nativeEnglishspeakersshortenittotentoorquarterafter.
Time: at5:00
Day: onMonday/Friday
Month: inJune
Year: in2005
Date: onthe2ndofMarch/Marchthe2nd
Deadline: by7:30/tomorrow/Saturday/theendofthemonth
Other: inthemorning/afternoon/evening
atnight/thebeginning/theend
ontheweekend
from9:00to/until12:00
since8:00/Friday/January/1995/lastweek/Igothere
fortwohours/threedays/sixmonths/tenyears/alongtime/manyyears
duringlunch/theflight/myholiday/theweek
Dialogue:LongTimeNoSeeThisdialoguetakesplaceatagolfclub.Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Susan:Mark,Idon’tbelieveit.There’ssomeoneIknowoverthere.Linda!Linda:Oh,mygosh.Susan.SusanMacrae,isthatyou?Susan:SusanEdisonnow,butyeah,it’sme.
Linda:Noway!Nicetoseeyou,Susan.Like,it’sbeenages!Susan:Iknow.Gee,youhaven’tchangedabit.Linda:Idon’tknowaboutthat.Whathaveyoubeendoingallthistime?Susan:Oh,theusual.Youknow,life,work,family.Andyourself?Linda:Well,that’salongstory.Susan:I’dlovetohearit,butfirstletmeintroducemyhusband.Mark,meetLindaFranzen.Oratleastitwas.Linda:Stillis.Hi,Mark.Nicetomeetyou.Mark:Howdoyoudo,Linda.Susan:LindaandIlivedinthesamedormatcollege.Mark:SothisistheLinda…?Linda:Ihopeyouhaven’ttoldanystories.Susan:Nothingthatisn’ttrue.Linda:NowI’mreallyintrouble!Anyway,howcomeIhaven’tseenyoutwoherebefore?Mark:Well,weonlyjoinedthegolfclubthissummer.Susan:MarkgottransferredtoPortlandlastsummer,andsincethenwe’vebeenbusygettingsettledintoournewhouseandthentherearethekidsandalltheiractivities.Linda:Youalwayswereago-getter,Susan.Areyoustillintoacting?Mark:Acting?IstheresomethingIshouldknow?Susan:Oh,itwasjustamateurstuff.Butthatwasn’tallwedidforkicks,wasit?Linda:Don’tremindme.Susan:Thegoodoldcollegedays,huh?Butdidn’tyougotoEuropeforawhile?Linda:Yeah,ItraveledaroundandthenIendeduplivinginItalyfortenyears.Susan:Wow!WhatwereyoudoinginItaly?Linda:Well,firstIhadaballjusttouringaroundandthenIgotajobteachingEnglish.That’showImetGiorgio.You’llhavetomeethim.Look,let’sgettogetherfordinner.Susan:We’dloveto.Theremustbeamillionthingstocatchupon.LikewhateverhappenedtoBrenda.
Linda:You’llneverguess,butsheendedupinNewZealand.Susan:Whatdoyouknow!Weusedtohaveariottogether!Linda:Didn’twe!Anyway,sorryIhavetorun,butgivemearing.I’minthebook.Susan:Soarewe.EdisononCormorantDrive.Linda:Gotit!Well,itwasgreatmeetingyou,Mark.Mark:Samehere.Linda:Susanalwayshadgoodtaste.Hopetoseeyousoon.Susan:Youcancountonit!
TopicsforPracticeTellastoryabout:
1.yourlastholiday;
2.yourlastbusinesstrip;
3.oneofthehappiestmomentsinyourlife;
4.theluckiestorfunniestthingthat’severhappenedtoyou;
5.anunforgettabletravelexperience;
6.anaccomplishmentatworkorschool;
7.thehistoryofyourcompany/townorcity;
8.adisasteroraccidentthatyouhaveexperienced;
9.howyoumetyourbestfriend/wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend;
10.howyougotyourjob.
VocabularyNotes
* EhisconsideredatypicallyCanadianquestiontail,butitisalsousedinGreatBritainandformerBritishcolonies,althoughthepronunciationwillvaryslightly.
CHAPTER
Likes,Dislikes,andInterests
Objectivestoexpresslikes,dislikes,andpreferences
totalkandaskabouthobbies,interests,andleisuretimeactivities
MihoandLanxinaretwoofthemanyinternationalstudentswhoattendhighschoolinNorthAmericaeveryyear.NotonlywilltheyhavetogetusedtoanewschoolsystemandEnglish-onlyinstruction,buttheywillfindthemselvesinanewculturalenvironmentwithouttheirfamiliesandthefriendstheyhavegrownupwith.AlthoughbothgirlsknowthatgoingtohighschoolintheUnitedStatesorCanadaisagreatopportunity,theyareunsureofhowwelltheywillfitinandhoweasilytheywillbeabletomakefriends.Whatwilltheyhaveincommonwiththeirclassmates?Howsimilarwilltheirinterestsbe?Willtheybeincludedintheactivities,sports,andgamesthatinterestAmericanandCanadianteenagers?Andwhatiftheirclassmatesaskthemquestionstheydon’tknowhowtoanswer?
Commonlikesandinterestsarethebasisonwhichyoumakefriendsand
developlastingrelationships.Theyarealsothesubjectsyouprobablytalkaboutthemostfrequently.
Phrases
Openers:FeelingThingsOutDoyouhaveanyhobbies?
Areyouinterestedinsports/music/computers?
Doyouhaveafavoritekindoffood/music/sport?
Howdoyouspendyourspare/free/leisuretime?
Whatdoyoudo/liketodoinyourspare/free/leisuretime?
LikesIlikevs.I’dlike
Ilikeicecreammeansthaticecreamgivesmepleasureorenjoyment;inotherwords,ittastesgoodtome.
I’dlike(wouldlike)icecreammeansthatIdon’thaveanyicecreamatthemoment,butIwishIhadsome.
Examples:I’dlikeabigbowloficecreamrightnow,wouldn’tyou?I’dreallyliketoseetheGrandCanyonsomeday.
Also,weuseI’dliketorequestorordersomething,ortooffersomethingtosomeone.
Examples:I’dlikeacoffeetogo,please.
I’dliketwoticketstothe8:00show.Wouldyoulikeasodaoraglassofjuice?
Verbs
Nouns
Verbs/AdjectiveswithPrepositions
ImpersonalSubjects
FeelingsforPeople
SlangExpressions
I’mreally/heavilyintomodernart/painting.
Sun-Woogetsoffonfootball/playingtennis.
Claudiareallydigsyournewoutfit/JohnMayer.
ThisCDreallyturnsmeon.
Hikingisrightupmyalley.
Thatleatherjacketishot/sohot/totallyhot.
Alfonso’sareallycool/neatguy.
Rejoinders
Ilikepizza.SodoI/Ido,too.
Satoko’scrazyaboutsushi.Me,too.
Katecouldn’tlivewithoutherdishwasher.Samehere.
Andreareallygetsoffonreggae.Samegoesforme.
Thismusic’shot.Youbet!
DislikesThesimplestwaytoexpressadislikeistomakeapositiveintoanegative.Manyofthepreviousexpressionscanbemadeintocleardislikes.
Examples:Ilikedancing,butIdon’tlikesquaredancing.
You’refondofcomedies,butyou’renotfondofromanticcomedies.
Sascha’sreallyintojazz,buthissisterisn’tintomusicatall.
Choosingtherightphrasetoexpressyourlikesanddislikesisalwaysanindividualmatter.Itisalsoamatterofhowdeeplyorstronglywelikeordislikesomethingorsomeone.
Verbs
Adjectives+Prepositions
ImpersonalSubject
FeelingsforPeople
Slang
Rejoinders
AsyoucanseefromChapter1andthepreviousexamples,youcanagreewithapositivestatementbyadding“too”;forexample:Ido,too,orMe,too.Whenyouagreewithanegativestatement,useeitherorneitherinstead.Asimpleruletorememberis:
toofortwoormorepositives;
Examples:Ireallyloveanespressoafterameal.Ido,too.Wegetoffonjazz.Me,too.
eitherorneitherfortwoormorenegatives.
Examples:Ican’tstandthisrain.Ican’t,either.Idon’tcaremuchforjunkfood.NeitherdoI/Idon’t,either.
AskingAboutLikesandDislikes
How/howmuchdoyoulikerapmusic/mynewcamera/playingvideogames?
What’syourfavoritecolor/music/game?
Whatkindofsports/movies/fooddoyouprefer/favor?
What/whichfashions/TVshowsareyouinto?
Whatdoyouthinkoftennis/theweather/Beyoncé’snewsong?
Preferences
Interests
PersonalSubject
I’minterestedintennis/videogames/painting/cooking.
Chiafindsyoga/travelingfascinating/interesting/stimulating.
Norbert’sinvolvedinlocalpolitics/recycling/helpingkidswithcancer.
Lourdeshelpsout/volunteersatthelibrary/attheSPCA/atthehospital.
Tomo’samemberofaconversationclub/theRedCross/theYMCA.
Yi-Tingbelongstoabookclub/AmnestyInternational/Greenpeace.
ImpersonalSubject
Tennis/painting/cookinginterestsme.
Documentarymoviesareofgreatinteresttome.
Modernartintrigues/fascinatesme.
CommonInterests
Wehavealotincommon.
Wesharethesameinterests.
We’rebothinterestedinthesamethings.
EuropeansandAmericanssharecommongroundintheirvalues.
DesiresandDependencySometimesyourfeelingstowardsomethingorsomeonegobeyondsimplelikesorpreferencestobecomedesiresanddependencies.Althoughinsomecasesyoumaybeexpressingyourtruefeelings,inothersyoumayexaggerate
forthesakeofeffect.
Desires
Dependency
IndifferenceWekindof/sortoflikethispainting.
Idon’tmindournewoffice.
Theperformancewasratherinteresting.
Themoviewasnotbad/so-so.
Theweatherdoesn’tmattertome.
Itmakesnodifferencetomeifwegooutorstayhome.
It’sallthesametomeifitsnowsorrains.
Icantakeitorleaveit.
It’ssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother.
MakingOffersChoiceofwordsandtoneappliestosituationsinwhichyouoffersomethingtosomeone.Whenyouaredealingwithstrangersorcustomers,wouldlikeismorepolitethanwant.
Ifyouwanttorefuseanofferfromsomeone,asimpleanswerisalwaysbest.Itisnotnecessarytoexplainyourselfortogiveadetailedreasonthatmaysoundinsincereoroffendthepersonwhoismakingtheoffer.
Offers
PositiveResponses
Wouldyoulikeacupofcoffee?
NegativeResponses
CanIgetyousomethingtodrink?
DatesandInvitationsWhenyoumeetsomeoneyoulikeandgetalongwith,it’sonlynaturaltowanttoseehimorheragain.Youcaninvitesomeonetoyourhomefordinner,toaclubforagameofgolf,ortoattendasocialoccasionsuchasawedding,birthdayparty,orcelebration.
Adate,ontheotherhand,isusuallyanarrangementbetweentwopeoplewhohavearomanticinterestineachother,althoughitisalsocommonforfriendstomakealunchortheaterdate,forexample.Traditionallyithasalwaysbeenthemanwhoasksthewomanforadateandwhopaysthecheck,butitisnowacceptable,thoughnotusual,forawomantoaskamanoutorforthemtosplitthecost.
Dates
Invitations
PositiveResponses
NegativeResponses
AnotherTime
Offeringtopay
Letmegetthat.
Lunchisonme.
Mytreat.
It’sonthehouse.*
ExpressingEmotions
Excitement
I’mlookingforwardtothereunion/seeingmyclassmates.
Ican’twaittostartschool/canhardlywaittostartschool.
I’mreallyexcited/thrilled/stoked/firedup/woundupaboutthegame/goingtothegame.
I’mraringtogo/chompingatthebit.
I’mallgungho.
Enthusiasm
Hurrah/hurray/hooray!
Goodmove/goodshow!
Farout/cool/sweet/brilliant/excellent!
Wow/yippee/yeah!
ComplimentsI’dliketocomplimentyouonthedeliciousmeal/onthegreatparty.
Brightcolorsreallysuit/becomeyou.
Youlookgreat/fantasticinthatdress/shirt.
Thoseearringslookgoodonyou/gowellwithyourhair.
IreallylikeyourT-shirt.
Don’tyoulookcharming/pretty/handsometoday!
Responses
Iappreciatethecompliment.
That’sniceofyoutonotice/tosaythat.
Thanksforthecompliment.
Really?Doyouthinkso?
Why,thanks!
Dialogue:What’sforDinner?Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Mike:HeySarah,what’sfordinner?Sarah:Gee,I’vebeensowoundupaboutmyjobinterviewtomorrowthatIhaven’tgivendinnerasinglethought.Mike:Icouldreallygoforsomethingspicylikechili.Sarah:Spicy?I’mnotintospicyfoodrightnow,andactuallyIdon’tfeelmuchlikecooking.Mike:Well,don’tlookatme.Ihatecooking.Andbesidesyou’retheexpert.Thatspaghettiyoumadetheothernightwasawesome.Sarah:Flatterywillgetyounowhere.Whatdoyousaytoorderingapizza?Mike:Goodidea.I’mcrazyaboutpizza.Infact,myfavoriteisHawaiian.Sarah:Ican’tstandpineappleonpizza.Mike:Ididn’trealizeyouweresofussy.Sarah:I’mnot.It’sjustthatIprefertoeatfruitfordessert,notwiththemaincourse.Mike:HowaboutifIorderHawaiianandyouordersomethingelse?Sarah:Butawholepizzaistoomuch,andIdon’tcareforleftoverpizza.Mike:Well,there’salwaysChinesefood.Don’twehaveamenusomewhere?
Sarah:Thelasttimeweorderedfromthatplacethefoodwasgreasyandittookthemforevertodeliver.Butyouknowwhat?There’sanewGreekrestaurantdowntown.It’llbemytreat.Mike:Butdoesn’tGreekfoodhavelotsofgarlic?Justthethoughtofgarlicturnsmeoff.Sarah:Garlic’sgoodforyou.Ican’tgetenoughofitmyself.Mike:Atthisratewe’llnevergetanythingtoeat.I’mstarving.Sarah:Can’tyouthinkaboutanythingbutyourstomach?Mike:Notwhenit’sgettingclosetodinnertime.(ThephoneringsandSarahanswers.)Ally:Hi,Sarah.Sorryforthelatenotice,butwouldyouandMikecaretocomeoverfordinnertonight?Sarah:Yeah,sure.IsthereanythingIcanbring,likeasalad?Ally:No,justbringyourselves.Issix-thirtyallright?Sarah:That’sfine.Seeyouthen.Mike,guesswhat?Ally’sinvitedusoverfordinner.Mike:Sweet!Didshesaywhatshewashaving?Sarah:Really,Mike!Hey,weshouldpickupsomewineontheway.Whatdoyouthink,redorwhite?Mike:Actually,I’drathergetsomebeer.Sarah:Ohno,herewegoagain.
TopicsforPracticeHowmuchdoyoulike…
1.walkingintherain;
2.music;
3.gettingupearly;
4.spendingthedayatthebeach;
5.horrormovies;
6.thecolorsredorblue;
7.violenceontelevision;
8.Mozart;
9.applepieandicecream;
10.goingtoparties;
11.travelingtoforeigncountries;
12.goingtothedentist;
13.gambling;
14.Christmas;
15.catsordogs;
16.yourbossorteacher;
17.videogames;
18.snowboarding;
19.shopping;
20.teamsports?
VocabularyNotes
*Thisphraseisusedwhentheownerofarestaurantorbargivesaguestsomethingforfree.
CHAPTER
ObjectsandProcesses
Objectivestodescribeobjects,products,andprocesses
tocompareandevaluateobjects,products,andprocesses
Andreahasbeenpromotedtoseniorbuyerforawell-establishedcompanythatsellsfootwearandleatheraccessoriesprimarilyinItaly.RecentlythecompanyhastakenoverachainofshoeretailerswithoutletsinAustria,Switzerland,andGermany.InhisnewpositionAndreawillbetravelingfrequentlytoAsiatodiscusstheproductswiththecompany’ssuppliers.Aswell,hewillbeattendinginternationalshoefairswherehewillbebuyingnewproducts.AlthoughAndreaisfamiliarwiththetechnicaltermsoftheshoefashion
industry,hewillnowhavetodiscusshiscompany’sproductsinmoredetail.Whenitcomestodealingwithforeignsuppliers,heneedstoaskandanswerquestionsinaprecisemannersothathewillavoidmistakesandmisunderstandingsthatcouldcosthiscompanytimeandmoney.
Onadailybasismanyofyourconversationsfocusonobjects,devices,andmachinesthatyouuse,produce,buy,andsellatwork,school,home,orthestore.Inadditiontodescribingobjectsandprocesses,youneedtoexplainhowtouseoroperatedevicesandmachinesandtogive
othersinstructionsandexplanations.
Phrases
Openers:TakeaLook!How’dyouliketosee/takealookatmynewiPad?
I’vegotthistoolI’dliketoshowyou.
HowaboutIshowyoumyflat-screenTV?
WanttoseewhatI’vegot?
TakealookatwhatIjustbought.
Checkthisout!
DescribingObjectsTalkingaboutobjects,machines,andprocessescanbeacomplicatedbusiness.Forthispurposeyoumayrequirespecializedlanguageandvocabulary(engineering,IT,telecommunications,medicine,manufacturing,foodpreparation,etc.).Sinceyou’reprobablyalreadyfamiliarwiththetechnicalterms,allyouneedaresomesimpleandusefulexpressionsthatyoucanreadilyemploy.
What’sthisfor?
What’sitcalled?
Whathaveyougotthere?
What’sthissupposedtobe/todo?
Whatkindofmachine/object/tool/device/gadgetisit?
What’sthemake/brandname/model/serialnumber?
IfEnglishspeakersdon’tknowtheparticularnameofanobjectordevice,theyusenondescriptwords,suchas:device/gadget/widget/contraption/orslangexpressions,suchas:doodad/dooie/doohickey/thingamabob/thingamajig/whatchamacallit.
Examples:WhatamIsupposedtodowiththisdoodadonthetop?TheDollarStoresellsallkindsofgadgetsandcontraptions.Pleasehandmethatthingamaboboverthere.
MeasurementsandDimensions
Whatsizeisit?
Howbigisit?
Howlong/wide/high/deep/bigaroundisit/doesitmeasure?
What’sthelength/height/depth/circumference?
Howmuchdoesitweigh/carry/hold?
What’sthemaximumload/capacity?
It’s10inches/22.5centimetreslong/wide/high/deep/around.
Thelength/width/height/depth/circumferenceis10inches/22.5centimetres.
Itmeasures10inches/22.5centimetresinlength/width/height/depth/circumference.
It’sa5-metre-longvehicle/a½-inch-wideband/an80-foot-highbuilding/a20-ouncebottle.
Itweighs10pounds/4.5kilograms.
It’s10pounds/4.5kilogramsheavy.
It’sthesizeofabaseball/abook/agiantsail.
Itfitsintoyourpocket/glovecompartment/closet.
It’s10by5by2inches/22.5by12.5by5centimetres.
It’sflat/two-dimensional/three-dimensional.
Itholds1gallon/4litres.
Shape
Whatdoesitlooklike?
Whatshapeisit?
It’stheshapeofacigar/balloon/walnut.
It’scigar-shaped/balloon-shaped/walnut-shaped.
Itlookslike/resemblesaballooninshape/size.
CommonGeometricalShapes
PropertiesandFeaturesDescribingthesizeandshapeofanobjectwithstandardphrasesisrelativelyeasy.Discussinganobjectinmoredetail,however,requiresawidervarietyofphrases.
Material
What’sitmadeof?
Whatmaterialsdidtheyusetomakeit?
It’smade/constructedofglass/plastic/wood/metal/leather.
Itconsistsofglass/plastic/wood/metal/leather.
It’sasteelrod/agoldring/astonewall/abrickhouse.
Color
Whatcolorisit?
Whatcolor/colorsdoesitcomein?
It’swhite/red/blue/yellowandbeige.
It’sdark/medium/light/pale/brightgreen.
It’sayellowish/reddishcolor.
Origin
Itwasmade/produced/manufactured/assembledinChina/theUSA/Germany.
Itis/wasmade/produced/manufacturedbySony/Philips.
Itwasdesigned/built/constructedbyanarchitect.
ThetelephonewasinventedbyAlexanderGrahamBell.
MethodofProduction
Itwasmadebyhand/machine.
It’shandmade/machine-made/man-made/mass-produced.
Itwasprefabricated/pre-assembled/extruded/molded/mixed/packaged/wrapped.
Itwasmadetoorder/custom-made.
Properties
It’swaterproof/ovenproof/fireproof/childproof.
It’sheatresistant/water-resistant/stainresistant.
It’sdishwashersafe.
It’sdense/solid/liquid/gaseous.
FeaturesandFunctions
Whatcanitdo?
Whatfunctions/featuresdoesithave?
Itcomesinfourcolors/tensizes/sixpatterns.
It’smultipurpose.
Itoperates/runsonelectricity/battery/solarpower/fuelcells.
It’seasytouse/cheaptooperate/efficienttorun.
Itperformsefficiently/inallweatherconditions.
Ithasallthefrills/bellsandwhistles.
Quality
CostandEstimatesHowmuchisit?
Howmuchdoesitcometo?
Howmuchdoyoupay/whatdotheycharge?
What’stheprice?
What’sthedailyrate?
What’sthedamage?
AmericanandCanadianCurrency*
$1.29 onedollarandtwenty-ninecents/adollartwenty-nine
$15.99 fifteendollarsandninety-ninecents/fifteenninety-nine
$5.00 fivedollars/bucks
25cents aquarter
10cents adime
5cents anickel
1cent penny
Itwas/cost$50.
Theychargedme$50.
Thepricewas$50.
It’s/wasworth$50.
It’svalued/appraisedat$50.
Itcameto$50.
Ifyoupaidmoreforsomethingthanitwasworth,youcansay:
Ipaidthroughthenose.
Theyrippedmeoff.
Itwasarealrip-off.
Whenyoudon’tknowtheexactcostorvalueofanobject,youwillhavetocomeupwithanestimateorapproximatevalue.
It’sworthabout/around/approximately/circa/nearly$1,000.
It’sintheneighborhood/intheregionof$1,000.
It’s$1,000giveortake/plusorminus/moreorless.
Aball-parkfigureis$1,000.
Ithasanestimated/approximatevalueof$1,000.
Anestimate/guesstimatewouldbe$1,000.
Weestimateitsvalueataround$1,000.
UseandAvailability
PurposeandUse
Whatdoesthisdo?
What’sthisusedfor?
HowcanIuse/operate/utilizethis?
What’sitspurpose/use/function?
Howdoesitwork/go/operate?
It’sforcuttingmaterial/hammeringnails/storingdata.
Arefrigeratorisusedforkeepingfoodcold/tokeepfoodcold.
Thisproductisdesignedtosavetime.
Itserves/actsasawaterheater/anansweringmachine/acalculator.
Ithasabunchofuselessgimmicks.
Availability
Where/howdidyouget/buyit?
Where’sitsold?
Whereisitavailable?
Who/whichstorecarriesit?
It’ssoldatWalmart/BestBuy/HomeDepot.
Youcanget/buy/orderitonline.
FutureShopcarriesit.
Popularity
Espressomachinesarereally“in.”
AniPhoneisthelatestthing/fashion/rage.
Xistheleadingbrand.
Everybody’sbuyingit.
You’vegottohaveit.
It’sinhighdemand.
Thestorescan’tkeepitinstock/ontheshelves.
MakingComparisonsTherearemanywaystocompareobjects,processes,andfunctions.Notethatthecomparisonsareshowninthefollowingorder:adjective,countnoun,non-countnoun,verb,andadverb.
ExpressingaDifferencewithaPositiveVerb
Aisunlike/differentfrom/differentthan/distinctfrom/dissimilartoB.
AdiffersfromB.
Aisbetter/bigger/cheaper/easiertouse/handiertocarrythanB.
Aismoreadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovativethanB.
Bislessadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovativethanA.
Ahasmorefeatures/functions/uses/advantagesthanB.
Bhasfewerfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesthanB.
Ahasmorecapacity/power/storagespace/valuethanB.
Bhaslesscapacity/power/storagespace/valuethanA.
Acosts/weighs/sells/isworthmorethanB.
Bcosts/weighs/sells/isworthlessthanA.
Asmellsbetter/runsfaster/operatesmoreefficientlythanB.
Bsmellsworse/runsslower/operateslessefficientlythanA.
ExpressingaDifferencewithaNegativeVerb
Bisnotasbig/durable/useful/efficientasA.
Bdoesn’thaveasmanyfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesasA.
Bdoesn’thaveasmuchcapacity/power/storage/valueasA.
Bdoesn’tcost/weigh/sellasmuchasA.
ExpressingSimilarity
Aislike/similarto/equalto/comparableto/thesameas/muchthesameasB.
AandBarealike.
Afunctions/acts/worksinthesamewayasB.
Aisasbig/good/easytouse/advanced/expensiveasB.
Ahasasmanyfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesasB.
Ahasasmuchcapacity/power/storagespace/valueasB.
Acosts/weighs/sells/isworthasmuchasB.
Toemphasizethelackofdifference,wecanaddadverbssuchasjust,exactly,orprecisely.
Examples:Thiscoffeeisjustastastyastheleadingbrand.Ahasexactlyasmanybuilt-infunctionsasB.
ExpressingaSmallDifference
Aisalmostas/nearlyas/isn’tquiteas/big/good/easytouse/advanced/expensiveasB.
Ahasalmostasmany/nearlyasmany/doesn’thavequiteasmanyfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesasB.
Ahasalmostasmuch/nearlyasmuch/doesn’thavequiteasmuchcapacity/power/storagespaceasB.
Acostsalmostasmuchas/nearlyasmuchas/doesn’tcostquiteasmuchasB.
ExpressingaLargeDifference
Aisn’tnearlyasbig/good/easytouse/advanced/expensiveasB.
Aisalot/way/much/farbigger/better/easiertouse/moreadvancedthanB.
Ahasalotmore/manymore/waymorefeatures/functions/usesthanB.
Superlatives
Cisthebest/theworst/biggest/theeasiesttouse/thehandiesttocarry.
Cisthemostadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovative.
Distheleastadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovative.
Chasthefewestfeatures/functions/uses/advantages.
Chastheleastcapacity/power/storagespace/value.
Ccosts/weighs/sells/isworththeleast.
Adverbs
Foremphasisyoucanaddqualifyingadverbssuchas:considerably,definitely,really,byfar.
Examples:RunningshoesAareconsiderablycheaperthanRunningshoesB.PrinterAisdefinitelymorecompactthanPrinterB.CameraAtakesbyfarthebestqualitypictures.MachineAisreallythefastest.
MakingContrasts
Tocompareandshowacontrast,youcanusevariousconnectors:
Co-coordinatingconjunctions:but,yet;Adverbs:nevertheless,nonetheless,however,regardless;Subordinateconjunctions:whereas,while,although,eventhough,though;
Prepositions:despite,inspiteof,unlike;Phrases:ontheonehand,ontheotherhand,incontrast,atthesametime,forallthat.
PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions,but/yetittakesupalotofspace.
PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions;however/nevertheless/nonetheless/regardlessittakesupalotofspace.
Whereas/whilePrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions,ittakesupalotofspace.
Although/eventhoughPrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions,ittakesupalotofspace.
Despite/inspiteofitssize,PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions.
Unlikeotherprintersinitspricerange,PrinterAtakesupalotofspace.
OntheonehandPrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions;ontheotherittakesupalotofspace.
PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions.Atthesametimeittakesupalotofspace.
EvaluationsandJudgments
Praise
CameraAisagoodbargain/agooddeal/goodvalueforyourmoney.
CameraAlivesuptoitsname/promise/advertising/reputation.
I’vehadonlygoodexperienceswithCameraA.
CameraAisworththemoney/buying/having.
There’snothinglikeCameraA.
Youcan’tbeatCameraA.
CameraAisbeyondcomparison.
CameraAisthebestmoneycanbuy.
LotionBworkswonders.
Icouldn’tlive/do/managewithoutmylaptop.
Criticism
Thistoasterisarealpieceofjunk/garbage/trash.
MyDVDplayerisalemon/completewasteofmoney.
Thisgadgetservesnousefulpurpose.
AnyproductofCompanyA’sthelastthingI’dbuy/want.
I’vehadnothingbuttroublewiththisscanner.
Mybatterychargerdoesn’tworkworthadarn/damn/hoot.
Thesecheapknivesbelonginthetrash/dump.
Youcanhaveit!
It’slikethrowingyourmoneyoutthewindow.
GivingInstructionsTheeasiestwaytodescribeaprocessistorefertotheoperatingmanual,user ’sguide,manufacturer ’sinstructionsor,inthecaseoffoodpreparation,therecipe.Writteninstructions,however,maynotalwaysbeathand,andeveniftheyare,sometimesguidesarewritteninlanguagethatisn’teasytodecipher.Wheninstructionsanddiagramsareconfusingorambiguous,youmaybeaskedtoassistsomeoneortoexplaintheprocessinmoredetail.
Todescribeaprocessortogiveinstructions,youcandotwothings:
Usecommandformssuchaspress,select,turnthemachineon,etc.
Example:PressENTERtostartanewline.
Usemodalverbssuchashaveto,needto,ortobesupposedto.
Example:Youhaveto/needto/aresupposedtopressENTERtostartanewline.
Asyougoalong,youwillhavetocorrectorconfirmwhatthepersonisdoing,andifthere’sdangerofcreatingabiggerproblem,awordofcautionmightbenecessary.
Questions
WhatdoIdofirst/next/then/afterthat?
WhatamIdoingwrong?
Whydoesn’tthiswork?
Howcomethisdoesn’twork/nothinghappens?
Ican’tfigurethisout/understandthis.
Ican’tseemtogetthistowork.
Thisdoesn’tseemtowork.
Thefollowingexampleshowsphrasesthatyoucanusetogiveinstructionsonhowtorecordavoicemailgreeting.
HowtoBegin
Firstly/firstofall/tostartoff/taptheGreetingbutton.
Thefirst/initialstep/thingistotaptheGreetingbutton.
WhattoDoNext
Thenextstep/thingistotapCustom.
After/followingthattapRecordanddictateyourgreeting.
ThentapRecordanddictateyourgreeting.
NexttapRecordanddictateyourgreeting.Whenyou’vefinishedrecording,tapStopandreviewbypressingPlay.
HowtoFinish
Finally/lastly/attheendtapSave.
Thefinalstep/thingistotapSave.
MakingCorrections
Whenyougivesomeoneinstructions,itissometimesnecessarytocorrectamistakeorgiveawarning.Itisalsoimportanttoletthepersonknowwhenheorsheisdoingtherightthing.
Youhavetobackupastep/togobacktothefirst/laststep.
Gobackandstartagain/over.
Giveitonemore/anothertry/go.
Erase/delete/cancelthatandtryagain/startover.
Let’stryitanothertime.
Youseemtobedoingsomethingwrong.
Caution
Wait/holditasecondbeforeyougoon.
Slowdownandtakeiteasy/takeyourtime.
Make/besuretopressSELECTfirst.
Becarefultoadjustthesetting/nottopressdowntoohardonthefootfeed.
Takecaretoturntheknobgently.
Remember/don’tforgettopressOK.
Confirmation
Good,nowgoontothenext/followingstep.
That’sright/correct/thewaytogo!
That’sit/thewaytodoit!
Nowyou’recookingwithgas!
Nowyou’reontoit.
You’vegotit!
ExpressingEmotions
Confusion
Ican’tfiguretheseinstructionsoutforthelifeofme.
Idon’tknowif/whetherI’mcomingorgoing.
Ican’tmakeheadsortailsofthis.
I’mcompletely/totallylost/atsea.
Thisisovermyhead/beyondme.
Thishasgotmeconfounded/bamboozled.
Frustration
Thisisdrivingmecrazy/upthewall/aroundthebend.
I’matmywit’send/attheendofmyrope.
Idon’thaveaclue/thefaintestideawhattodo.
Ican’tfigureouthowtogetthistowork.
Ijustcan’tgetahandleonthis.
Thishasreallygotmestumped/stymied.
I’vehadituptohere.
I’mfedup/sickandtired.
Wonder
I’mimpressedwiththequality.
I’mamazed/astonished/flabbergasted/blownaway.
Thesoundqualityblowsmeaway/bogglesmymind!
Thedesignknocksmysocksoff!
Wonderswillnevercease.
Holycow/smokes!
Dialogue:TheNewSmartphoneUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Sean:Hey,Paul,checkthisout!Paul:What’veyougotnow?Sean:GetaloadofmynewMangosmartphone.Paul:Wow!IsthattheMango3000z?Man,everybody’stalkingaboutit.Thatmusthavecostyouanarmandaleg.Sean:Well,itwasn’texactlycheap,butit’swortheverypenny.Paul:Isupposeithasallthebellsandwhistles.Sean:Besidesalltheregularcell-phonefeatures,thisbaby’sgotassistedGPS,plusWiFiandmobilebroadbandaccessthat’smuchfasterthanotherphones.AndIcansendandreceivee-mails,pluseditmessages.Paul:Howmanyapplicationscanyourun?Sean:Besidesthestandardbuilt-inappsthatcomewithit,thereareliterallythousandsmoretodownload.Andwhereasmostphonescanonlydoonething
atatime,withtheMangoyoucanrunthird-partyappsandmulti-taskatthesametime.Paul:I’mimpressedbigtime!BycomparisonmymobilelookslikeitcameoutoftheStoneAges.Sean:Takealookatthesmudge-resistantinterface.Allyouhavetodoistouchanapplicationlikethisandthereitis!Paul:Thesleekdesign’sprettycool,too.Sean:Yeah,andit’slightasafeather.Itweighslessthanfiveounces,andisaboutafourthofaninchthicksoit’sdefinitelypocket-size.Andlookatthisfeature.Ifyouwanttotypeamessage,ithasaQWERTY*keyboardsoyoudon’thavetofiddlearoundwithnumberslikeyoudoonanormalcellphone.Paul:Sincewhenareyouintotypingmessages?Sean:Itextallthetime,butofcourseIdon’thavetonow‘cause—andthiswillknockyoursocksoff,buddy—nowIcanmakevideocallsrightfrommyMango.Paul:Howcanyoudothat?Sean:See,ithastwocameras.Oneonthefronthereandtheotherontheback.Sowhatyoudoisgointoyourcontactslistandfindanumber.Thenyoutouchvideocallandbingo.It’seasyaspie.Paul:Getoutofhere!You’resureit’snotjustsomegimmick?Sean:Noway,man.Mangoreallylivesuptoitsname.Andgetthis,Icanrecordmyownvideosandeditthemintomoviesrighthereonmyphone.YouTube,hereIcome.Paul:Sohowareyougoingtodothat?Sean:Well,Ihaven’tfigureditoutyet.Paul:Lookslikethissmartphone’ssmarterthanyouare.Sean:Saystheguywiththefossilphone.
TopicsforPracticeDescribethefollowing:
1.asurround-soundsystem;
2.amicrowaveoven;
3.anMP3player;
4.acamera;
5.asailboat;
6.adishwasher;
7.acar;
8.ablenderorkitchenmachine;
9.apairofrunningshoes;
10.yourdreamhouseorapartment.
Describehowto:
1.sendane-mail;
2.changeacartire;
3.tieanecktie;
4.makecoffee;
5.parallelparkacar;
6.useanATMmachine;
7.makeapizza;
8.recordamovieortelevisionshow;
9.downloadimagesfromadigitalcamera;
10.burnaCD.
Comparethefollowing:
1.aminivanandanSUV;
2.alaptopandadesktopcomputer;
3.awalkingshoeandahikingboot;
4.abicycleandamotorcycle;
5.ahouseandanapartment;
6.apaperbackandane-book;
7.atelevisionandaradio;
8.ascrewdriverandahammer;
9.anappleandanorange;
10.wineandbeer.
VocabularyNotes
* AustraliaandNewZealandalsousethedollarbuthavedifferentcoins.* QWERTYkeyboard:StandardU.S.keyboardshavethelettersQWERTYarrangedonthetopleftrowofkeys,givingititsname.
CHAPTER
ProblemsandAdvice
Objectivestoexplainaproblemandtogiveadvice
toexpresssympathyandunderstanding
Patriciaisgettingmarriedthissummer,andsheandherfiancé,Matthew,willbelivinginSanFrancisco.Patricia’sfuturein-lawshavewelcomedherintotheirfamily,yettoPatriciatheyseemquitereservedincomparisontoherfamilyinMexico,whoaregiventoexpressingtheirfeelingsandopinionsloudlyandopenly.HerEnglishisverygood—orsoeveryonetellsher—andshehasworkedhardtoloseherSpanishaccent,butshewishestherightwordswouldcometohermorenaturally.Whatwillshedoifthereareproblemsormisunderstandingsthatshewill
havetohandleonherown?Andhowcanshebringupaconcernwithouthurtingsomeone’sfeelings?Willshebeabletohelpifsomeoneasksherforadviceorneedsashouldertocryon?Beingthereforothersissomethingsheisusedtoinherculture,andshehopesthatshewillbeabletodothesameforherfuturefamilyandfriends.
Problemscanrangefromtheinconvenienceofamachinethatwon’twork;tocomplaintsabouttheweather,work,orschool;todifficultiesinourrelationshipswithfamily,friends,orcoworkers;toseriousphysical,
emotional,orpsychologicalconditions.Whilesomepeoplearehabitualcomplainers,othersfinditdifficulttoopenupandairtheirgrievances.Inanycasethebestwaytosolveaproblemistotalkaboutit,andinordertogetadvice,youmustknowhowtomakeyourselfunderstood.
Phrases
Openers:What’sWrong?Youdon’tseemtobeyourself.Isanythingwrong/thematter?
Isthereanythingyou’dliketotellme/talkabout?
Whatseemstobewrong/thematter/thetrouble?
What’sbothering/troubling/eatingyou?
What’swrong/thematter/theproblem?
What’sonyourmind?
What’sthestorywithyou?
Whysoglum/downinthemouth?
Anythingbothering/troublingyou?
StatingaProblemApopularsayingadvisesthatwhenlifehandsyoualemon,youshouldmakelemonade.Inotherwords,everyproblemhasasolution,andyoushouldtrytomakethebestofthings.Nevertheless,problemscomeinavarietyofshapesandsizes,andbeforeyoucanarriveatasolution,youhavetoopenup.
NativeEnglishspeakerssometimesask“What’syourproblem?”when
theyobjecttowhatsomeoneisdoing,forexample,whensomeoneislookingatthemorisangryorupsetfornoapparentreason.It’snotreallyaquestion.
PersonalProblems
Ihaven’tbeenfeelingwell/likemyselflately.
I’vebeenfeelingdown/blue/outofsorts/outofit/undertheweather.
I’mjustnotmyselfthesedays.
I’mjustnotuptothings.
I’monedge.
Stress
I’vebeenfeelingreallystressedout/underpressurelately.
I’muptomyneck/myears/myeyeballsinwork.
Ican’thandle/take/dealwithallthispressureanymore.
I’mfeelingoverworked/overtaxed/overwhelmed/burnedout.
Theweddingplansareallgettingtobetoomuch.
Ican’tseemtomanage/handle/dealwith/copewiththingsanymore.
I’mhavingabad/hardtimewithmyassignments.
Thisnewprogramiscausingmealotoftrouble/nothingbutheadaches.
I’mnotgettinganywherewithmycomputercourse.
Ineedsomedowntime/personaltime.
ProblemswithThings
Theremotecontroldoesn’twork/won’twork/doesn’tseemtowork.
Ican’tfigureoutthisansweringmachine.
Ican’tgetthisswitchtowork/todoanything.
Themicrowaveisonthefritz/kaput/apieceoftrash.
Mylaptopjustbitthedust/Mylaptophadthebiscuit.
MoneyMatters
I’malittlehardup/shortonfinances/shortofmoney/outofcashatthemoment.
I’mhavingtroublemakingendsmeet.
I’mbroke.
ComplainingAboutaProblem
I’mreallybothered/annoyed/irritatedabouttheconstructioninthebuilding.
Ihavealotonmyplaterightnow.
I’mhavingahard/roughtimewithmystudies.
I’mnothavinganyluck/successwithmyinvestments.
Ournewworkscheduleisarealnuisance/bother/painintheneck.
Mybiologyclassisakiller/iskillingme.
Thetrafficisgettingonmynerves.
Gettinganextensiononmyvisaisonebighassle.
There’ssomethingIneedtotalkabout/dealwith.
Ineedtogetsomethingoffmychest.
AskingforHelporAdviceAlthoughyoumaynotalwayswanttoadmitit,sometimesyouneedtoaskforhelp.
AskingforConfidentiality
Ihopeyou’llkeepquietaboutthis/keepittoyourself.
Pleasedon’tbreathe/sayawordtoanyone.
Thisisjustbetweenyouandme.
Don’ttellasoul.
Response
Ipromisenottotellasoul/tobreatheaword.
Mylipsaresealed.
Youcantrustme.
Youcanconfideinme.
Mum’stheword.*
IdentifyingtheCauseofaProblem
AskingAbouttheCause
Howlonghasthisbeengoingon/happening?
When/howdidthisstart/happen?
Whathappened/setthingsoff?
What’sbehind/atthebottomofthis?
Howdidthisallcomeabout?
What’sthestory?
What/whocausedtheproblem/wasthecause?
Whosefault/responsibilitywasit?
BlameandResponsibility
It’sallbecauseofamisunderstanding.
Ithappenedbyaccident/allofasudden/withoutwarning.
Itwasanaccident/amishap/unintentional.
It’sallmy/yourfault/mistake/error.
I’mresponsible/guilty/theguiltyparty/theculprit/toblame.
Itakefull/completeresponsibility.
Iblewit/mychance!
Itaketherap.
Iscrewedup.
Blameitonme.
SympathyandUnderstandingWhenafriendoracquaintanceneedsashouldertocryon,youshouldshowconsiderationandunderstanding.
OfferingSympathy
AskingforSympathy
Trytosee/lookatthingsfrommyside/end/pointofview.
IfonlyyouknewhowIfeel.
Putyourselfinmyshoes.
Youhavenoidea.
AdviceandAssistanceSolutionstoproblemscomeintheformofsuggestions,advice,andoffersofassistance.Asuggestionleavesituptothepersontoacceptorrejectyouradvice.Inotherwords,youdon’twanttobeforwardorsteponanyone’stoes.Whatthepersondoeswiththesuggestionisuptohimorher.Advice,ontheotherhand,dealsmoredirectlywithaproblembyofferingaspecificopinionorsolution.
MakingSuggestions
Problem:Johanna’sclassmate,Chiao-Jung,ishomesickandmissesherfamilyinTaiwan.
Theverbstosuggestandtorecommendrequiretheuseofthesubjunctiveandcanbetrickytouse.Thesubjunctivelooksliketheindicative(simplepresent)andisrecognizableonlywhenyouusetheverbtobe,thethirdpersonsingular,orthenegative.
Example:Isuggest/recommendthatyoubeontime/thathegetmoreexercise/thattheynotworry.
Theeasiestwaytogetaroundthesubjunctiveistouseagerund.
Example:Isuggest/recommendbeingontime/gettingmoreexercise/notworrying.
PositiveResponses
Thatjustmightbetheanswer.
Thatmakessense.
Ineverthoughtofthat!
Itneveroccurredtome!
I’llgiveitatry!
Whydidn’tIthinkofthat!
Nowyou’retalking!
Good/greatidea!
Soundsgoodtome!
NegativeResponses
Thatsoundsliketoomuchtrouble/hassle.
It’suseless/pointless/senseless/nouse.
Thanks,butIdon’tthinkthat’sforme.
Thatmakesnosense.
Whatgoodwouldthatdo?
Alotofgoodthatdoes!
I’drathernot.
Youcan’tbeserious!
Areyoukidding/joking?
Noway!
OfferingAdvice
Problem:Moon-Hee’sroommate,Salman,isalwayscomplainingaboutneverhavingenoughmoney.
PositiveResponses
Thanksfortheadvice.
I’llgiveitatry/dothat.
That’sthebestideaI’veheard.
NegativeResponses
Iknowyoumeanwell/yourintentionsaregood,but…
That’seasyforyoutosay.
That’seasiersaidthandone.
Ifonlyitweresoeasy.
OfferingAssistance
Problem:AnelderlycustomeratthecaféwhereMeikoworksseemstohavelostsomething.
PositiveResponses
That’sverykind/thoughtful/considerate/helpfulofyou.
Ireallyappreciateit.
That’dbegreat.
NegativeResponses
Thanks,butI’llbefine/allright.
Icanmanage/doitmyself.
Thanks,butnothanks.
ConfirmingaSuggestion
Isthatokay/allrightwithyou?
Areyouokay/allrightwiththat?*
Howdoesthatworkforyou?
PositiveResponses
That’sokay/allright/finewithme.
Thatworksforme.
Perfect.
Warnings
Problem:HenrikisplanningtotraveldowntheWestCoast,buthedoesn’thavealotofmoneysoheasksJoseifhethinksitwouldbeokaytohitchhike.
Iwouldn’tifIwereyou!
Becareful/bewareof/awareofdangerouspeople.
Don’thitchhikeatnight,oryoumightbesorry.
Hitchhikingalonecouldgetyouintotrouble.
You’dbetternottakeridesfromstrangers/strangepeople.
Justaheads-up:hitchhikingcanbedangerous.
LastResorts
Ifyouasktenpeopleforhelpwithaproblem,youwillprobablygettendifferentsolutions,butthereisnoguaranteethatanyofthemwillwork.Ifyoureallydon’tknowwhattodo,alastresortorextrememeasuremaybeyouronlyoption.
Problem:AlthoughUllahastrieddifferentdiets,shestillcan’ttakeoffthelastfivepoundsshewantstolosebeforeherwedding.
Iftheworse/theworstcomestotheworst/ifpushcomestoshove,youcantryfasting.
Ifnothingelseworks,youcangoonafast.
Youronlyotheralternativeistogoonafast.
Ifallelsefails,youcangoonafast.
Asalastresort,youcangoonafast.
Allthat’sleftistotryfasting.
AppreciationandGratitude
RespondingtoaThank-You
MakingSomeoneAwareofaProblemTherearetimeswhenyoumighthavetheunpleasanttaskofmakinganotherpersonawareofaproblem.Incaseyoumeetwithhostility,orthepersonfeelsthatheorsheisbeingblamedforsomethingthatisnothisorherfault,youwillhavetoapproachthesubjectinamannerthatwillnotoffendtheperson.Dependinguponthegravityofthesituation,youcanchoosebetweenanindirectandadirectapproach.
Problem:Mariagetsalongwellwithhercolleagues,buttheyshareaverysmalloffice,andtheirnewcolleague,Tiffany,isnotverygoodatputtingthingsbackwheretheybelong.
ComplaintsProblem:Saschaistryingtostudy,buthecanhearloudmusiccomingfromhisneighbor ’sapartment.
Responses
Sorry,Ididn’trealizethat/Ididn’tknow/Iwasn’taware.
I’msorry,itwon’thappenagain.
Ididn’tmeantobotheryou.
Really?That’stoobad.
Noproblem/troubleatall.
ReassurancesIfsomeone’sbeenthrougharoughpatchorhasevenlostalovedone,youcanreassurehimorherthateverythingwillbeallrightoroffercomfortorcondolences.
MakingReassurances
Everything’sgoingtobe/toturnoutallright.
Everythingwillworkout,justyouwaitandsee.
Thingshaveawayofworkingthemselvesout.
Believeme,it’sgoingtobeokay/fine.
It’snotasbad/halfasbadasitseems.
You’llbefine/okay/rightasrain.
You’redoingthebestyoucan.
Wecangettothebottomofthis.
CalmingSomeoneDown
There’snothingtoworry/fret/getupsetabout.
Don’tworry/fret/freakout/sweatit.
Don’tloseanysleepoverit.
Don’ttakeittoheart/letitgettoyou.
Don’tgetyourshirtinaknot.
Takeiteasy/slowly.
Calmdown.
Consolations
Theworstisbehindyou.
Thingscouldbealotworse.
You’dbebesttoputitallbehindyou.
You’reoutofthewoodsnow.
Justchalkituptoexperience.
ComfortandCondolences
I’msorryforyourloss.
Mydeepestsympathies/mycondolences.
Myheartgoesouttoyou.
Mythoughtsarewithyou.
I’llbethinkingofyou.
HumoringSomeone
Whenproblemsgetthebetterofyou,oryoumakethembiggerthantheyare,itmaybenecessarytoseethebrightersideofthings.Humorcanoftenbethebestmedicine.If,however,thepersonyou’retryingtohelpismerelyfeelingsorryforhim-orherself,heorshemightneedarealitycheck.
Whatdoesn’tkillyouonlymakesyoustronger.
It’snottheendoftheworld.
Thingsareneverasbadastheyseem.
Somedayyou’lllookbackandlaugh.
You’llgetoveritinnotime.
You’lllive.
Lookonthebrightside.
Lightenup.
Chillout.
PuttingThingsinPerspective
Don’tmakeamountainoutofamolehill.
Don’ttakeitsoseriously/toheart.
Don’tgetcarriedaway.
Howaboutcomingbacktoearth?
Getoverit!
Getreal/agrip!
WhenAdviceIsIgnored
Althoughwemeanwell,sometimespeopledon’ttakeorappeciatetheadvicewegive.
Don’tcomerunningtome.
It’syourbusiness/funeral.
It’suptoyou.
Suityourself.
ReluctanceandAvoidanceDependingonthecircumstances,itisnotalwayseasyordesirabletotalkaboutaproblem.Sometimesyoumaynotcompletelyunderstandwheretheproblemcomesfromoryoumaynotbereadytotalk.
NotKnowingtheSourceoftheProblem
Ihaven’taclue/thefaintestidea/thefoggiestidea.
Ican’tputmyfingeronit.
Idon’tknowwhat’swrong.
Yourguessisasgoodasmine.
Yougotmestumped/beat.
Don’taskme.
Beatsme!
AvoidingaProblem
I’drathernotdiscussit.
Idon’tfeelliketalkingaboutit.
It’snotyourproblem/concern/business.
Idon’tseetheissue/theproblem/what’swrong.
What’sthebigdeal?
Leavemealone.
Letitbe.
Backoff,whydon’tyou?
ExpressingEmotions
WorryandFear
Thisproblemhasmeworried/concerned/upset.
Thatreallyfreaksmeout.
I’mveryworried/concerned/upset/uptight.
I’mabundleofnerves.
I’mjustsickwithworry/fear.
I’mbesidemyself.
I’mafraid/frightened/scared/freakingout.
EmbarrassmentandShame
I’membarrassed/mortifiedaboutmybadmemory.
Icoulddieofshame/embarrassment.
There’snowayIcanshowmyface.
I’mthelaughingstockofourclass.
I’msoashamedofmyself.
Iwishtheearthwouldswallowmeup.
I’vegoteggonmyface.
Anger
I’mreallyangry/mad/furious/tickedoff/pissedoffaboutmymarks.
Myroommatereallyticked/cheesed/pissedmeoff.
Rush-hourtrafficreallybugs/annoys/bothersme.
Whatreallygetsmeisthewaypeopleignoretherules.
Thatrudesaleslady’sattitudeburnsmeup.
I’vehadit/hadituptoherewithlonglines!
I’msoangryatmybrotherIcouldscream!
Mysonisreallypushingmybuttons.
I’mlosingit/flippingout/goingoffthedeepend!
Sadness
I’mfeelingblue/outofsorts/down/downinthedumps/downinthemouth.
Jeanne’sbesideherselfwithgrief.
Gabriel’sbroken-hearted.
Ijustcan’tsnapoutofit.
Ifeelsobad/sosadIcouldcry.
Dialogue:What’stheMatter?Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Jamie:Katie,wanttogooutwiththegang?Katie:I’msorryifIsoundlikeapartypooperbutI’mjustnotinthemood.Jamie:Yousurehaven’tbeenyourcheeryselflately.Isanythingthematter?Katie:Well,eversinceourbossannouncedthatthecompany’supforsale,everybody’sonedge,includingme.Jamie:Icanunderstandthat.Nobodylikesuncertainty,that’sforsure.
Katie:Especiallywhenyoumightendupwithoutajob.Jamie:That’sreallytoobad.So,what’sthestory?Katie:It’sallbecausethemanagementgotcarriedawayandtookontoomuchdebt.Jamie:Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?Katie:Forsometimeasitturnsout.I’mworriedsickaboutmyjobandfuriousatthesametime.Jamie:Well,ifIwereyou,Iwouldn’tfreakout.Withyourqualifications,youshouldn’thaveanytroublefindinganotherjob.Katie:ButIdon’twantanotherjob.AndJamie,thisisjustbetweenyouandme.Jamie:Iwon’tbreatheaword.AndKatie,don’tworry.Thingsalwayshaveawayofworkingout.Katie:That’seasyforyoutosay.It’snothappeningtoyou.Jamie:Iguesslifejustneverisabowlofcherries.Katie:You’retellingme.Itseemslikeeverything’shappeningatonce.Jamie:Why,issomethingelsewrong?Katie:Yeah,I’mhavingtroublewithmystupidcar,andIcan’treallyaffordanybigrepairsrightnow.Jamie:Iknowareasonablemechanic.HowaboutifIhavehimtakealook?Katie:Thanks,Jamie,butwhat’stheuse?Jamie:OrIcouldlendyousomemoneyifyou’dlike.Katie:WhatgoodwouldthatdowhenIalreadyoweenoughonmycreditcards?Jamie:Well,ItriedbutIguessI’mnoDoctorPhil,*amI?Katie:You’reagoodshouldertocryon,andIreallyappreciateit,Jamie.Look,whydon’tyougooutwithoutme?Jamie:Whatfunwouldthatbe?Anyway,nowthatyou’vegotafewthingsoffyourchest,Istillthinkit’ddoyougoodtotakeyourmindoffeverything.Katie:How?Withicecream?Afeel-goodmovie?Somefreshair?Jamie:Itellyouwhat.Let’swalkovertothevideostoreandstopforicecreamonthewayback.Katie:Now,you’retalking.Ifeelbetteralready.
TopicsforPracticeTalkaboutarecentproblemyou’vehad:
1.atworkorschool;
2.withyourhealthorphysicalfitness;
3.withyourfamilyorfriends;
4.withyourcarorcomputer;
5.withmoney;
6.thatwascausedbyamistakeoranaccident;
7.thatyouneededhelpwith;
8.thatyouwereabletosolveonyourown;
9.thatwasn’tasbadasitseemed;
10.thatyouwereworriedabout.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetosomeonewho:
1.wantstostopsmoking;
2.isunhappyatworkorschool;
3.hasgainedtoomuchweight;
4.hadafightordisagreementwithafriendorlovedone;
5.wantstomakefriendsinanewcityortown;
6.hastroublesavingmoney;
7.ishomesick;
8.isupsetbecauseheorshedidn’tgetajobheorshereallywanted;
9.isnervousaboutflying;
10.oftenhasbadheadaches?
VocabularyNotes
* ABritishslangexpressionmeaning“don’tsayaword”or“keepyourlipssealed.”*Saying“Areyouokay/allright”meansthatyouareaskingaboutsomeone’shealth.* Dr.PhilMcGrawisapopulartelevisionpersonality,psychologist,andauthorwhoisknownforhisfrankadvice.
CHAPTER
DecisionsandGoals
Objectivestoexploreoptionsandtalkaboutdecisions
tomakeplansandsetschedules
tosetgoalsandrecognizeachievements
WhenPavelemigratedfromRussiatotheUnitedStatestwoyearsago,heparticipatedinanintermediateEnglishcoursefornew-comers.Headjustedquicklytohisnewenvironment,and,becauseofhisbackground,hewashiredbyanengineeringcompanywithstrongbusinesstiesinEasternEurope.Pavelreadsextensivelytobroadenhisvocabulary,andinhissparetimehe
playssquashandsocceratalocalsportsclub.HeiscomfortablespeakingEnglishonaneverydaybasisandhaslittletroubletranslatingfromEnglishintohisnativeRussianwhennecessary.Hismainconcernisthathewon’tbeabletoparticipateconfidentlyinthekindofplanning,goalsetting,anddecision-makingforwhichhisteamisresponsible,andheworriesthathislanguageskillsmightnotliveuptohisprojectleader’sexpectations.
Onceyouhavedefinedaproblem,asinChapter5,youwillneedtomakedecisionsaboutthethingsyouwanttobuyoracquire;thechangesyouintendtomakeatwork,school,orhome;orthegoalsyou
hopetoachievethroughfutureendeavors.Whileyouaresometimesfacedwithmakingdecisionsandplansonyourown,mostfrequentlyyourconversationswillincludefamily,friends,orcoworkerswhoseinputyouneedtotakeintoconsideration.
Phrases
Openers:WhatAreWeGoingtoDo?Weneedtomakeadecision/todosomethingabouttheproblem/situation/issue.
Whatareouroptions/choices/alternatives/possibilities?
Whatchoice/option/alternative/solutiondowehave?
Whatcanwedoaboutthissituation/issue/problem?
Howdoesthisappeal/soundtoyou?
Howcanwegoaboutthis?
Thesituationcallsforadecision.
OptionsandAlternativesOnceyouhaveidentifiedtheissues,youcangoaboutexploringyouroptions.Hopefullyyoucanmakeachoice,butsometimesyoumayfindthatunderthecircumstancesyouhavenochoiceatall.
Situation:MariaandPabloneedasecondcar.Althoughthey’dliketobuyabrandnewone,theycan’taffordto,andtheydon’treallywanttogointodebt.
Options
Wecouldalwaysbuyausedcar.
Oneoption/choice/possibilitywouldbetobuyausedcar.
Perhaps/maybeweshouldconsider/lookatbuyingausedcar.
Wouldn’titbesmartertobuyausedcar?
Wecouldkeepausedcarinmind.
Alternatives
Ratherthan/insteadofbuyingausedcar,wecouldleaseanewone.
Asanalternative/alternativelywecouldleaseanewcar.
Anotheroption/choicewouldbetoleaseanewcar.
NoChoice
Wehavenoalternative/choice/optionbuttowaitandsaveourmoney.
Ouroptionsarelimitedtowaitingandsavingourmoney.
Wecan’tdoanythingexceptwaitandsaveourmoney.
Ouronlyoption/choice/possibilityistowaitandsaveourmoney.
Thebestwecandoatthispointiswaitandsaveourmoney.
ReasonsandPurposeBeforeyoucanmakeadecisionorsetagoal,youneedtoclarifythereasonsbehindyoursituationanddeterminethepurposeyourcourseofactionwillserve.
Situation:Maximilianwouldliketoapplyforamorechallengingjob,butthecompanieshe’sinterestedinprefercandidateswhoarefluentinbothspokenandwrittenEnglish.
StatingaReason
Because/sincecompaniesarelookingforcandidatesfluentinEnglish,IneedtoimprovemyEnglish.
Becauseof/duetoacompetitivejobmarket,IneedtoimprovemyEnglish.
CompaniesarelookingforfluentspeakersofEnglish.Asaresult/consequently/thereforeIhavetoimprovemyEnglish.
ThereasonIneedtoimprovemyEnglishisthatcompaniesarelookingforfluentspeakers.
Mymotivation/incentiveforimprovingmyEnglishisabetterjob.
StatingaPurpose
I’mgoingtotheUnitedStatesfor*Englishlessons/togetmoreexperience.
I’mgoingtotheUnitedStatesso/sothatIcanimprovemyEnglish.
I’mgoingtospendayearintheUnitedStatesto/inorderto/soastoimprovemyEnglish.
I’mgoingtotheUnitedStatesforayearbecauseIwanttoimprovemyEnglish.
Thepurposeof/thepointingoingtotheUnitedStatesistoimprovemyEnglish.
AskingAboutReasonsorPurpose
WhyareyougoingtotheUnitedStatesforayear?
WhatareyougoingtotheUnitedStatesfor?
What’sbehindyourgoingtotheUnitedStates?
Howcomeyou’regoingtotheUnitedStates?*
WhatareyourreasonsforgoingtotheUnitedStates?
WhatreasondoyouhaveforgoingtotheUnitedStates?
WhatpurposewillgoingtotheUnitedStatesserve?
What’syourmotivation/purpose/incentiveingoingtotheUnitedStates?
AdvantagesandDisadvantagesMakingdecisionsinvolvesnotonlymakingcomparisonsandcontrasts,asoutlinedinChapter4,butalsotakingagoodlookattheadvantagesanddisadvantageseachchoicehastooffer.
Situation:ErikoandMun-Jungarelivingwithahomestayfamilyinthesuburbs.Althoughtheygetalongwiththeirhosts,theywouldlikemoreprivacyandindependencesothey’rethinkingaboutmovingtoanapartmentdowntown.
Advantages
Theadvantages/benefits/merits/assetsofdowntownareitscentrallocationandconvenience.
Theprosarelocationandconvenience.
Theconvenienceofdowntowncanbeablessing/abonus.
Astrongpoint/goodthingisthecentrallocation.
Downtown’scentrallocationandconvenienceareadvantageous/beneficial/favorable.
Ontheplus/positiveside/upsidedowntowniscentralandconvenient.
Thecentrallocationandconveniencespeakfordowntown.
Wecanbenefit/profitfromtheconvenientlocation.
Theconvenientlocationcouldworkinourfavor.
Disadvantages
Thedisadvantages/drawbacks/liabilitiesofdowntownarethe
expensiverentsandthenoiseatnight.
Theconsaretheexpensiverentsandthenoiseatnight.
Thenoiseatnightcanbeacurse.
Aweakpoint/badthingistheexpensiverents.
Ontheminus/negativeside/downsidetherentsdowntownaremoreexpensiveandthere’smorenoiseatnight.
Theexpensiverentsandthenoiseatnightspeakagainstdowntown.
AddingInformation
Inaddition/additionally/ontopofthat,wewouldhavetospendlessonpublictransportationifweliveddowntown.
Furthermore/moreoverwe’dhavetospendlessonpublictransportation.
We’dalsospendlessonpublictransportation.
Notonlywouldwebeclosertoshopping,butwe’dspendlessonpublictransportation.
Alongwith/aswellasspendinglessonpublictransportation,we’dbeclosertoshopping.
MakingaDecisionAccordingtoSophocles,quickdecisionsareunsafedecisions,whichiswhydecision-makingisoneofthemostdifficultthingsyouhavetodo,especiallywhenitconcernsyourhealth,welfare,andmoney.Oftenyoumightprefertoavoidordelaytheprocess,butfindyoucan’twhenyouarefacingurgentmatters.Decisionscaninvolvealongandpainfulprocessofpersuasion,compromise,commitment,consensus,andverification,especiallywhenotherpeopleareinvolved.Inthiscase,youmaybecalledupontomakepromisesasasignthatyouwillholdupyourendofthebargain.Seeingadecisionthroughalsorequiresconsiderabledeterminationtoreachadealthateveryonecanlivewith.
Persuasion
Urgency
Thisisimportant/urgent/critical/highpriority.
Thisisofutmostimportance.
Thisisanemergency.
It’samatteroflifeanddeath.
Wecan’twaitonthis.
There’snotimetohesitate/towaste/tofoolaround.
Thesituationhasreachedcriticalmass.
Compromise
I’msurewecanwork/figuresomethingout.
Wecanfind/workoutacompromise.
Let’smeethalfway/inthemiddle.
Weneedsomegiveandtake/someleeway/someroomtomoveonthis.
Wecantrytofindahappymedium.
CheckingandVerifying
Canwegooverthisagain?
Canyourunthatpastmeagain?
Iseverybodyonthesamepage?
Doweseeeyetoeye?
Ineedtocheckthatoncemore.
Let’swalkthroughthisagain.
DefiningaDecisivePoint
Inthefinalanalysis,itismoneythatmakesthedifference.
Whenitcomesrightdowntoit,it’sallaboutmoney.
Whenall’ssaidanddone,it’samatterofmoney.
Anywayyoulookatit,it’sthemoneythatdecides.
Itallcomesdown/boilsdowntomoney.
Thecruxofthematterismoney.
Italldependsonmoney.
Attheendoftheday,it’sallaboutmoney.
StatingaDecision
I’vedecidedtotakeoutaloan/decidedontakingoutaloan.
I’vemadeadecisiontoquitmyjobandgobacktoschool.
I’vetakenthefirststeptowardsellingmyhouse.
I’vemadeupmymindtorepaintthelivingroom.
I’veoptedforalifeinsurancepolicy.
I’llhavethesteakandlobster.
Thisisthedeal.
AskingforaCommitmentorConsensus
Who’sforit/infavor?
DoIhaveyoursupport/agreement?
CanIcountyouinonthis?
Areyouapartofthis?
Areyouokaywiththis?
MakingaCommitment
Youcanbank/countonme.
I’minonthis/infavorofthis.
I’llgoalongwiththat.
I’llback/supportyoualltheway.
I’mbehindyou100percent/alltheway.
Youhavemyvote/pledge/commitment.
Promises
Ipromise/sweartosticktoourdecision/agreement.
Igiveyoumyword/wordofhonor/promise.
Iwillabidebyourdecision/deal/agreement.
Iwillkeepmyendofthebargain.
Youcanholdmetoit.
Iwon’tgobackonit.
Crossmyheartandhopetodie.
Adeal’sadeal.
Determination
Youcan’ttalkmeoutofthis/changemymind/stopme.
There’snothingmoretodiscuss.
I’mnotmoving/budginganinchonthis.
Mymind’sset/madeup.
I’mstickingtomyguns/withit.
I’mdoingthiscomehellorhighwater.
It’sadonedeal.
That’sit/final.
IndecisionandHesitationSometimesthebestdecisionmaybenodecision:ifyoucan’tsay“yes,”youhavetosay“no.”Whileindecisioncanappeartobeprocrastination,waitinguntilthetimeisrightcanshowprudence.
Indecision
You’restraddling/sittingonthefence.
You’rewavering/seesawing/hemmingandhawing.
Ijustdon’tknow.
I’mnotsureaboutthat.
Ican’tsayonewayortheother.
Ican’tmakeupmymind.
Idon’tknowwhereIstand.
It’sdebatable.
HesitatingandDelay
Ineedtosleeponit/thinkitover/mullitover/giveitsomemorethought.
Maybeweshouldtakeourtime/waitandsee.
I’mhavingsecondthoughts/gettingcoldfeet.
Weshouldlookbeforeweleap.
Let’skeepitonthebackburner.
Let’snotmakeanyhastydecisions/moves.
Tomorrow’sanotherday.
SettingSchedulesandDeadlinesItisusualtoattachatimelinetoadecision;thatis,youneedtosetatimeordeadlineforwhenactionshavetobeginorbecompleted.
AskingAboutDeadlines
What’sourtimeline/timehorizon/timeframe?
Arewetalkingshorttermorlongterm?
What’sthedeadlineonthis?
Whatarewelookingattime-wise?
When’sthefirstpaymentdue?
Whendoestheofferexpire?
Howsoondowehavetoknow?
Bywhen/whattimedoestheprojecthavetobecompleted?
SettingaDate
Wecanplan/schedulethatfortomorrow/nextweek.
I’llpencilthatinforTuesdayafternoon/Apriltenth.
Let’ssetadatefortheparty.
I’llmakeanoteofitforFriday.
Asuitable/convenienttimewouldbesometimenextweek.
TheassignmenthastobeinonMonday.
Weneedadecisionby2:00/Friday/nextweekatthelatest.
Thepaymentwillbe/comedueonthefifteenth.
FutureTime
tomorrow/tomorrowmorning/afternoon/evening/night
nextweek/month/year
thedayaftertomorrow/theweekafternext
thefollowingThursday/week/month
infiveminutes/twohours/fivedays/threemonths/tenyears
fiveminutes/hours/fivedays/threemonths/tenyearsfromnow
by9:00/Thursday/nextFriday/October/2025
GoalsandPlansSettinggoalsandformulatingplansareanintegralpartofdecision-making.Goalsnotonlyguideyouractions,buttheintentiontoachievethemcanmotivateanddriveyou.
AskingAboutShort-TermPlans
Whatareyouplanningtodoforthesummer?
Whatareyoudoingontheweekend?
Whatdoyouhaveinmindforyourhoneymoon/aftergraduation?
Whatareyougoingtodoaboutajob?
Areyoudoinganythingafterschool?
Got/haveanyplansfornextyear?
Short-TermPlans
I’mplanning/hopingtotraveldowntheWestCoast.
We’rethinkingaboutbuildingahouse.
I’mgoingtomovetoanislandforthesummer.
Iintendtorenovatemycondo.
AskingAboutLong-TermGoals
Whatareyourprofessionalgoals/objectives/aims/targets/ambitions?
Whatgoals/objectivesdoyouwanttoreachinyourlife?
Whatdoyouhopetoachieve/accomplishincollege?
Wheredoyouwanttobeprofessionally/personallyinfiveyears?
Whatareyouaimingtodoinyourcareer/inyourprivatelife?
Wheredoyouseeyourself/yourbusiness/infiveyears?
StatingGoalsandPlans
Mygoal/aim/objection/dream/ambitionistostartmyownbusiness.
Ihope/aspiretowriteabook.
Iplantosail/planonsailingaroundtheworldsomeday.
Idreamofretiringattheageofforty.
It’smydreamtoclimbMountEverest.
I’mstrivingtomakeamilliondollars/I’maimingforamilliondollars.
Ourtargetistoretireearlyandtravelaroundtheworld.
IhavemysightssetonanOlympicgoldmedal.
I’msetonmakingadocumentary.
MyNewYear’sresolutionistostopsmoking.
Encouragement,Recognition,andCongratulations
Whenafriendorfamilymemberisstartingoutonanewundertaking,youcansupportthemwithwordsofencouragement,recognition,andcongratulations.
Encouragement
You’vegotwhatittakestowintherace!
Youcanhandle/doit!
Youwerecutoutforthis!
Goon,giveitatry/ago/yourbestshot!
Don’tbeafraid/giveup/quitnow.
Keepyourchinup!
Knockyourselfout!
Neversaynever!
Breakaleg!*
Goforit!
RespectandRecognition
Ifithadn’tbeenforyou,wewouldn’thavebeensuccessful.
Weallthinkveryhighlyofyou.
Wetakeoffourhatstoyou.
Ihavetohandittoyou.
Thecreditisallyours.
You’vemadeagreatcontribution.
Youhaveourrespect.
Respect!
Hatsoff!
Congratulations
ExpressingEmotionsMakingadecisioncaninvolveyourheartaswellasyourhead,soitisusefultoknowtherightwordstoexpressemotionssuchashope,anticipation,doubt,regret,anddisappointment.
Hope
Ihope/praytoGodI’llbeacceptedintomedicalschool.
I’mhopeful/optimistic/positiveaboutgettingagoodjob.
Itrustthateverythingwillworkoutforyou.
Ihavehighhopesforourchildren/thatourchildrenwillgotocollege.
Hopefully/Godwilling/withanyluckwe’llmakeaprofitonthesale.
I’dliketothinkthatmykidswilldowellincollege.
I’llkeepmyfingerscrossedforyou.
Anticipation
Ican’twaittotakesailinglessons.
I’mreallylookingforwardtogradschool/togoingtogradschool.
I’mallwoundupaboutmynewjob.
I’monpinsandneedles(feelingnervous).
He’sraringtogo.
He’seagerasabeaver.
Doubt
Ihaveserious/grave/naggingdoubtsaboutputtingourhouseupforsale.
We’rehavingsecondthoughtsaboutputtingourhouseonthemarket.
I’mnotconvincedaboutthisexerciseprogram/thatthisexerciseprogramistheanswer.
Idoubtthatwe’llsellourhouse.
Iwonderaboutputtingourhouseupforsalerightnow.
I’mnotsure/certainaboutsellingourhouseinthepresentmarket.
Idon’tknowif/whetherweshouldsellourhouse.
Weshallsee.
Regret
HadIknown/ifI’dknownthatthelaptopwasgoingonsale,I’dhavewaitedtobuyit.
IwishIhadthoughtofapplyingforavisaearlier.
Iregretnotputtingmoreeffortintomystudiesatschool.
I’msorryaboutwastingmymoney.
NexttimeI’llbemorecareful.
Icouldkickmyself.
Disappointment
Iwasreallylookingforwardtotheyogaclass/takingtheyogaclass.
Ihadmyheart/mindsetongettingapromotion.
Theexhibitionletmedown.
Mypartnerleftmeinthelurch.
I’mcrushed/devastated/blownaway.
Ihadmyhopesup.
Dialogue:AToughDecisionUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Gina:Areyoudoinganythingthisweekend,Josh?Josh:Nothingexciting.Thedeadlineforcommunitycollegeregistrationisapproachingfast,andIstillhaven’tmadeupmymindwhichcoursetotake.Gina:Whatareyouroptions?Josh:Well,I’vebeendebatingwhethertotakeacourseonhowtobuildabasicwebsiteoroneonpersonalfinancialfundamentals.Gina:That’satoughchoice.Iguessitallboilsdowntowhichonemeetsyourgoals.Josh:Mylong-termgoalistostartupmyownbusiness.Gina:Goodforyou!Josh:TheadvantageofbeingabletobuildyourownwebsiteisthatIcangetmyselfoutthereontheInternet.Gina:Forsure.There’ssomuchyoucandoontheweb.Afriendofminesellsthejewelryshemakesonline,andshe’sdoinggreat.Josh:Ontheotherhand,Ineedtoknowhowtomanagemyfinances.Gina:Hmm.Soundslikesixofone,andhalfadozenoftheother.Josh:I’veevenconsideredtakingbothcoursesatthesametime.Gina:You’reabrightguy,Josh.Goforit!Josh:Thedownside,however,isI’dhavetoforkoutalotofmoneyatonce.I’mnotamillionaireyet.Gina:Isupposegoingintodebtinordertolearnhowtomanageyourmoneywouldbedefeatingthepurpose.Thereisn’tacompromise,isthere?Josh:No,it’soneortheother.Anyway,enoughaboutme.Gotanyplansyourself?Gina:Yeah,guesswhat?IenrolledintheHerbalStudiesCertificateProgram.Josh:Howcome?Ithoughtyouintendedtogotomedschool.Gina:Myparentshavetheirheartsetonmebecomingadoctor,butholistichealingandalternativetherapyaremoreupmyalley.Andthegoodthingaboutthecourseisit’sreallyhands-on.Icanhardlywait!Josh:IwishIwasasenthusiastic.Anddecisive.ThemoreIthinkaboutittheharderitgets.Gina:Maybeyoushouldn’tthinkaboutitsomuch.Josh:Yeah,butIdon’twanttomakeadecisionI’llregret.
Gina:Inanycase,youhavetotrustyourself,listentoyourinnervoice.Josh:RightnowallIhearfromtheinsideismystomachgrowling.Gina:Then,let’sgotomyfamily’srestaurant.Mygrandpaalwayssaidnevermakeaharddecisiononanemptystomach.Josh:Soundslikeawiseman.Washeajudge?Gina:No,acook.Hestartedthebusiness.
TopicsforPracticeTalkaboutarecentdecisionyou’vemade:
1.aboutworkorschool;
2.aboutaholidayortrip;
3.aboutyourmoney;
4.abouthowyouvotedinthelastelection;
5.aboutsomethingyouwantedorneededtobuy;
6.thatwasverydifficulttomake;
7.thatwasveryeasytomake;
8.thatinvolvedyourfriendsorfamily;
9.thatrequiredyoutodosomeresearch;
10.thatyouregretorwishyoucouldchange.
Talkaboutyourgoalsorplans:
1.foryourcareerorjob;
2.foryourfamily;
3.foryournextvacation;
4.foryourhealth;
5.foryourretirement;
6.forateam,club,ororganizationyoubelongto;
7.forthenextfive/ten/twentyyears;
8.tochangesomethinginyourlife;
9.todosomethingyou’vealwaysdreamedof;
10.tolearnsomethingyou’veneverhadtimefor.
VocabularyNotes
* Forisfollowedbyanoun,whereastointhecaseofexpressingpurposeisnotapreposition,buttheinfinitiveformofaverb:todo/tobe/tolearn,etc.* WhenyouaskaquestionbeginningwithHowcome,youdonotinvertthesubjectandverb.* Thisexpressionoriginatedinthetheaterandmeans“goodluck!”
PART2PhrasesforDiscussions
“Ouropinionsdonotreallyblossomintofruitionuntilwehaveexpressedthemtosomeoneelse.”
—MarkTwain
CHAPTER
Opinions
Objectivestoexpressyouropinionandtoaskothersfortheiropinions
toagreeordisagreewithanopinion
tosupportanopinionwithfacts,statistics,andexamples
Marie-ClairehasbeenacceptedintoagraduateprogramataU.S.universitywhereshewillcontinueherjournalismstudies.Sheiswellawareofhowdifficultitwillbetomakeherwayinsuchacompetitivefieldastelevisionjournalism.Evenifshe’sluckyenoughtolandajobinhernativecountryofFrance,shewillnotgoasfarasshehopestoinaglobalenvironmentwithoutadvancedEnglishskills.WhilestillinschoolMarie-Claireattendedintensivesummercoursesin
EnglandandtraveledwidelywithherfamilythroughoutEurope.Shehasbecomeacompetenttranslator,butgoodacademicskillsarenotenoughforher.Inordertoparticipateinresearchprojects,toconductinvestigativeinterviews,tomakeconvincingargumentsinbothspeakingandwriting,andtoexchangeandchallengeopinionsindiscussionsofcurrentaffairs,Marie-ClairemustmasteridiomaticphrasesandemploythemwiththeeaseofanativeEnglishspeaker.
Everyonehasanopinion,andinculturesthatvaluefreedomofspeechpeoplevoicetheiropinionsonanarrayofsubjectsrangingfromthetrivial(theweather,traffic)tomoreserioustopics(education,health)to
controversialissues(globalwarming,capitalpunishment,stem-cellresearch).Givinganopinioncanbeeasy,particularlyifyou“jumponthe
bandwagon”andechopopularpublicopinionorrepeatviewsyouhearorreadinthenews,ontelevision,orathome.Beingabletoexpressaninformedopinionandtomakeaconvincingargumentsupportedbyfactsisasignificantachievementinasecondlanguage.
Phrases
Openers:AskingforanOpinionWhatdoyouthinkaboutthecity’splantoreplacetheoldbridge?
Whatdoyoumakeofthenewcafeteria?
What’syouropinionof/ontheschool’sfoodservices?
What’syourview/take/stand/positiononthechangestoourcurriculum?
Wheredoyoustandondrunk-drivinglaws?
Howdoyoufeelabouttherecentweather?
What’syourreactiontothePresident’sspeech?
I’dliketohearwhatyouthinkabouttheeducationsystem.
I’dlikeanhonestopiniononmypresentation.
StatinganOpinionAnopinioncanbestatedinapersonalwaybyshowingpersonalownership—
thatis,itisyouropinionandyouwanttostressthat.Youcanalsogiveanopinionintheformofanimpersonalstatementbyputtingforwardwhatsomeoneshouldorshouldn’tdoaboutaparticularissue.
LookattheLetterstotheEditororeditorialsinyourlocalnewspapertoseehowpeopleexpresstheirviewsoncurrentissues.
Ithink/feel/believe/findthattheoldbridgeshouldberepairedinsteadofreplaced.
Isupport/favor/advocate/standfor/opposeelectronicsurveillance.
I’mconvincedthatgunsdon’tbelonginpeople’shomes.
I’mfor/against/opposedtouniversalhealthcare.
Myopinion/position/stand/viewpointonspankingisthatitshouldbeaparent’sright.
Inmyopinion/viewsmokingshould/shouldn’tbeallowedinrestaurantsandbars.
Frommypointofview/perspectivebullyinginschoolshouldn’tbetolerated.
AsfarasI’mconcernedthecityshould/shouldn’tsetupaneedleexchangedowntown.
Ifyouaskme,thepriceofgasolineisoutrageous.
ThewayIlookatitsportshasbecometoomuchlikeabusiness.
AsIseeit/thewayIseethingsgoodmannersshouldbetaughtinschool.
Itseems/appearstomethatchildrenarelosingtouchwithnature.
Someone/theyshoulddosomethingabouthomelessness.
Thefollowingisalistofadverbsthatcanaddstrengthorconvictiontoyouropinions:
absolutely/completely/entirely/firmly/fullydefinitely/forsure/withoutadoubt
frankly/honestly/personallystrongly/unequivocally
Examples:Ifirmlybelievethatallchildrenshouldbegivenequaleducationalopportunities.
Withoutadoubtthecityneedsamoreefficientpublic-transportationsystem.
Westronglysupportzerotolerancefordrinkinganddriving.
ValueJudgmentsValuejudgmentsarebiasedopinionsbasedonpersonalbeliefsratherthanfactsorreliableinformation.Usuallyvaluejudgmentsarestatementsofwhatisgoodorbad,andtheyarecoloredbyculturalorreligiousbackground,individualpreferences,andexperiences.Becausepeoplecannotbeobjectiveandrationalallofthetime,theyoftenmakevaluejudgmentsandtakethemforinformedopinions.
Valuejudgmentstellusmoreaboutthepersonwhomakesthemthanthesubjectheorsheisdiscussing.Althoughitisdifficultnottomakevaluejudgments,youshouldavoidtheminformaldiscussionsanddebateswhereobjectivityandrationalthinkingarerequired.
Examples:Jonathanisthebestteacherintheschool.Drinkingtoomuchalcoholisbadforyou.SoccerhooligansareabunchofNeanderthals.
GeneralizationsAswellasavoidingvaluejudgments,youshouldbecarefulnottomakehastyorsweepinggeneralizations.Forexample,itisasweepinggeneralizationto
saythat,becauseawomancausedanaccident,allwomenarebaddrivers,whenthereareofcoursemanywomenwhoareexcellentdrivers.
Inordertobevalid,generalstatementsmustbesubstantiatedbyrepeatedexperienceandacceptedascommonknowledge.
Everyoneknows/itiscommonknowledgethatobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.
Ingeneral/generallyspeakingobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.
Obesityusually/generally/commonly/moreoftenthannotincreasestheriskofheartdisease.
Asaruleobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.
Obesitytendstoincreasetheriskofheartdisease.
Inthemajorityofcasesobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.
AgreeingandDisagreeing
AskingforAgreement
Whichopiniondoyousupport/sidewith/agreewith?
Whichsideoftheargumentareyouon?
Whatdoyousaytothat?
Whodoyouagreewith?
Doyouagree/disagree?
Doyouconcurornot?
Doyouseeitmyway?
Areweinagreement?
Areyouwithme?
Agreeing
Disagreeing
Indifference
Idon’tknowwhattomakeofthewholeissue.
Itdoesn’tmattertomeonewayortheother.
It’ssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother.
It’snotworthgettingexcitedabout.
It’sallthesametome.
Icouldn’tcareless.
SupportinganOpinionAconvincingargumentrequiresthesupportoffacts,figures,andexamples.Otherwise,anunfoundedopinioncancomeacrossinadiscussionasbias,prejudice,orjusthotair.
Afactissomethingthatisdefinitelyknowntobetrue.Withoutthesupportoffacts,anopinionisneithersubstantiatednorconvincing.Becarefultodistinguishbetweenprovenandprobablefacts:
Provenfactsareacceptedandindisputable.
Example:Theearthrevolvesaroundthesun.
Probablefactssoundreasonableandareprobablytrue,buthaven’tbeenproven.
Example:TheMinisterofHealthreportedinhisspeechlastnightthatthegovernmenthasspent30percentmoreonhealthcarethisyear.
Anotherdangeristhatyoucanprobablyfindasmanyfactstoopposeanargumentasyoucantosupportit.Ascientificstudymaybeconvincing,butasyoucontinuallyhearinthenews,researcherscomeupwithnewfindingsthatcancontradictpreviousresults.Intheend,youhavetouseyourjudgmentandcommonsense.
Comparethepreviousvaluejudgmentsinthischapterwiththefollowingfacts:
JonathanhasaBachelorofEducationdegreeand15yearsofteachingexperience.
Asmallamountofalcoholcanimpairpeople’sjudgmentandslowtheirreactiontime.
FIFAhastakendrasticmeasurestocontrolaggressivebehavioramonggroupsoffansatsoccermatches.
Facts
It’sclear/obvious/evidentthattheInternethasbecomeamajorsourceofinformation.
Asamatteroffact/infactInternetuseisgrowingworldwide.
ThefactisthattheInternetisapartofourdailylife.
Clearly/obviouslypeopleusetheInternetmoreandmore.
There’snodoubtthattheInternetwillcontinuetogrowinimportance.
I’dliketopointoutthatwithouttheInternet,communicationwouldbeslower.
FiguresandStatisticsSomefacts,suchastherelationshipbetweenobesityandheartdisease,canbeself-evident;thatis,theydonotrequireadetailedexplanationtoprovetheirvalidity.Nevertheless,figuresandstatisticscanbeusefulwhenyouwanttomakeastrongcasefororagainstanissue.Becausestudiesarebeingconductedonanongoingbasis,besuretoquotethemostrecentandreputableones.
FactsThatExpressNumbersandCosts
Theaverageworldpenetrationofmobilecellphoneusestandsat96.2%.
About13countriesstilldonothaveaccesstotheInternet.
About8.6percent/nearlyone-tenthofInternetusersarelocatedintheUnitedStates.
InEurope8outof10peopleusetheInternet.*
Patientswithanalcoholproblemarenearlyfivetimesmorelikelytodieinmotorvehiclecrashes,16timesmorelikelytodieinfalls,and10timesmorelikelytobecomefireorburnvictims.
Americansaresubjectto$4billionworthofalcoholmarketingeachyear.
In2002,alcoholaccountedformorethan$14.5billioninmedicalcosts,or$463percapita,inCanada.**
FactsConcerningTrendsandChanges
Theyears2002,2003,and2007wererelativelyhighdroughtyears,while2001,2005,and2009wererelativelylowdroughtyears.
Carbondioxideaccountsfor/makesupapproximately80percentofthisincrease.
Greenhousegasemissionsincreasedby17percentfrom1990–2007.
Theprevalenceofextremesingle-dayprecipitationeventsremainedfairlysteadybetween1910andthe1980s,buthasrisensubstantiallysincethen.
Many,butnotall,humansourcesofgreenhousegasemissionsareexpectedtoriseinthefuture.
WhenexaminingtheentireACEIndexdataseriesfrom1950to2009,nocleartrendsincycloneintensityareapparent.
Overtheentireperiodfrom1910to2008,theprevalenceofextremesingle-dayprecipitationeventsincreasedatarateofabouthalfapercentagepointperdecade.*
VerbsThatExpressaChange,orLackofChange
grow/rise/increase/climb/surge/skyrocket
decrease/reduce/lower/decline/drop/dwindle/fall/sink/plummet
remain/stay/holdsteady/stagnate/shownochange/leveloff/freeze
fluctuate/change/vary/goupanddown/see-saw
AdverbsThatExpressaRateofChange
sharply/steeply/dramatically/significantly/measurably/exponentially/suddenly
steadily/constantly/consistently/regularly
gradually/slowly/littlebylittle/incrementally
barely/hardly/minimally/marginally/slightly
ExpressinganInexactNumberorAmount
about/around/circa/intheneighborhoodof/giveortake/thereabouts
approximately/roughly/nearly/closeto/approaching
anestimated/projected/adjusted/relative/ballparkfigure
VagueLanguage
Watchforwordsthatsoundvagueandunconvincing.
kindof/sortof/somewhat/moreorlessimportant
alittle,alittlebitdangerous
He’sanexpertorsomethinglikethat/inaway.
Thisdrugisalittlebitdangerousifusedbychildren.
ReferringtoaSource
Whenyouusefactsandfigures,itisimportanttorefertoyoursources.Withoutareputableauthoritytobackyouup,anythingyousaycanbeconsideredhearsay,andyourargumentwilllackcredibility.
Accordingtoareport/interview/anarticleintheNewYorkTimes/theLancet…
AccordingtotheFDA/theSierraClub/MADD/UNESCO/DoctorSmith/ProfessorJones…
Astudy/researchconductedbytheUniversityofCalifornia/CenterforDiseaseControlandPreventionshows/proves/reveals/concludes/suggests/hasdiscovered/hasdeterminedthat…
Experts/scientists/researcherssay/claim/state/havefoundthat…
DoctorSmith/ProfessorJoneshasbeenreportedassayingthat…
Toquote/citeawell-known/reputable/reliable/credible/expertsource…
Abook/article/reportsaid/stated…
CommonKnowledge
Commonknowledgereferstoknownfactsthatdonotrequireproof.Inotherwords,wecanarriveattheseconclusionsifweuseourcommonsense.
Itiscommonknowledge/wellknownthatsmokingcauseslungdisease.
Everybodyknowsthatsmokingincreasestheriskoflungdisease.
Asyouknow,alcoholconsumptionimpairsone’sabilitytoreactquicklyindangeroussituations.
Becarefulnottoconfusemyths,urbanlegends,andpopularmisconceptions(beliefsthatarewidespreadbutunfoundedandsometimesblatantlyerroneous)withcommonknowledgethatisbasedonfact.Justbecausealargenumberofpeoplebelievesomethingtobetruedoesn’tmakeittrue.
Examplesofurbanmyths:TherearedeadlyalligatorslivingintheNewYorkCitysewersystem.
Youcangethighbysmokingtheinsideofabananapeel.
GivingExamples
Givinganexampleisaneffectivewaytosupportanopinionandtoillustrateapoint.
Example:
Take,forexample,Michel,whobelievesthatmostpeoplearenotawareofhowmuchwatertheywasteathome.
Letmeofferanexample:aleakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.
Forexample/instancealeakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.
Asanexample/thatisaleakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.
Take,forexample,aleakytoilet,whichcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.
Inthecaseofaleakytoilet,upto200gallonsofwaterarewastedinaday.
One/anotherwaywewasteupto200gallonsofwateradayisbynotfixingaleakytoilet.
Inparticularaleakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.
Let’ssayyouhavealeakytoilet.Youcanwasteupto200gallonsofwatereveryday.
Ifyouhavealeakytoilet,thenyoucanwasteupto200gallonsofwatereveryday.
IdentifyingFactorsandReasons
ThedominantfactoraffectingU.S.emissionstrendsisCO2emissionsfromfossilfuelcombustion.
Onefactor/contributor/reasonforrisingCO2emissionsisthecombustionoffossilfuel.
Fossilfuelcombustioncontributesto/accountsfor/isresponsibleforrisingCO2emissions.
RisingCO2emissionsareattributedtofossilfuelcombustion.
ThereasonwhyCO2emissionshaverisenisfossilfuelcombustion.
Fossilfuelsarewidelyusedincombustion.That’swhyCO2emissionshaverisen.
MakinganArgumentAsyourdiscussionproceeds,youwillwanttodevelopyourargumentbyemphasizingoraddingpoints,andpersuadingotherstotakeyourpointofview.Lookatthefollowingphrasesastheycouldbeusedinadiscussionaboutdrunkdriving.
EmphasizingaPoint
I’dliketoemphasize/stress/pointout/repeat/callyourattentiontothefactthatthreeoutofeverytenAmericansareinvolvedatleastonceintheirlifetimeinalcohol-relatedaccidents.
Ihavetostressthefactthat…
Letmetellyou/saythisagain/repeat/reiterate…
Letmemakeitclear/perfectlyclearthat…
AddingaPoint
Inaddition/additionallyanalarmingnumberofdeathsinmotor-vehicleaccidentsareduetodrunkdriving.
Moreover/furthermore…
Afurther/anadditionalpointis…
Also/aswell…
Besides/ontopofthat…
Incidentally/bytheway/onemorething…
Asithappens…
Ihappentoknowthat…
ReferringtoaPoint
Inregard/relation/response/referencetotheZeroToleranceLaw,implementationhasreducedaccidentscausedbyintoxicatedyoungdriversbyafurther11percent.
Concerning/pertainingtoZeroTolerance…
AsfarastheZeroToleranceLawgoes/isconcerned…
WhenitcomestoZeroTolerance…
MakingQualifications
Dependingonyourpointofview/position/stance/circumstancespenaltiesfordrunkdrivingaretoostiff/lax.
Ifyoutakepenaltiesfordrunkdrivingintoconsideration,thereisagreateffect/noeffectonprevention.
Preventingdrunkdrivingdependsonthepenalties.
Italldependsonhowstiffpenaltiesarefordrunkdriving.
It’samatterofhowstiffpenaltiesarefordrunkdriving.
Relativelyspeaking,penaltiesfordrunkdrivingaretoostiff/lax.
Persuasion
Youhavetoadmit/recognize/considerthatthefactsareindisputable.
Youcan’tignore/overlook/discountthefacts.
Ifyoureallythinkaboutit,you’llhavetoagree/disagree.
Therearemanygood/validreasonstosupport/opposedrunkdrivinglaws.
Anybodywouldagree/see/admitthatthefactsareconvincing.
Itonlymakessense/standstoreasonthatnooneshoulddrinkanddrive.
Thefactsspeakforthemselves.
SpeakingtheTruth
Frankly/truthfully/candidly/honestlyspeakingdrunkdrivingistakingyourlifeintoyourhands.
Totellyouthetruth…
Thetruthofthematteris…
I’mnotlyingwhenIsay…
YoucanbelievemewhenIsay…
Whetheryoulikeitornot…
Iswear…
SolutionsandRecommendationsWithoutarecommendationorsolutiontoaproblem,anopinionisjustanopinion.
Youcanoffersolutionsandrecommendationsby:
makingasuggestion(seepage97);
usingmodalverbs;
usingotherphrases.
UsingModalVerbs
PositiveStatements
NegativeStatements
OtherPhrases
Wecansolve/resolve/takecareofairpollutionbyreducingfossilfuelconsumption.
Onesolutiontoairpollutionwouldbetoreducefossilfuelconsumption.
Onewaytosolve/tocutdownon/toputanendto/togetaroundairpollutionwouldbetoreducefossilfuelconsumption.
Istronglysuggest/recommend/proposereducingfossilfuelconsumption/thatwereducefossilfuelconsumption.
Whatweneedistoreducefossilfuelconsumption.
Thekeytocleanerairistoreducefossilfuelconsumption.
Weneedtothinkoutsideoftheboxifwewanttofindarealsolution.
CallingforSolidarity
Weneedtorollupourshirtsleeves/pulltogether/pullourweight.
We’reallinthistogether/inthesameboat.
Wehavetodoourpart/ourshare.
Wecan’tburyourheadsinthesand/standbyanddonothing.
Let’sactnow/dosomethingaboutitbeforeit’stoolate.
ExpressingEmotions
Youaremorelikelytoexpressanopiniononthebasisofhowyoufeelthanwhatyouthinkaboutanissue.Thestrongeryoufeel,themorevocalyoubecome.
Disgust
Ifindracistremarksentirelyunacceptable/revolting/disgusting/off-putting.
Toomuchviolenceinmoviesreallyputsmeoff/turnsmeoff/grossesmeout.
Thefoodhereisgross/revolting/disgusting/sickening.
Dirtybathroomsmakemesick/nauseated.
Crueltytoanimalsturnsmystomach.
Outrage
Thisisincredible/unbelievable/unreal/outrageous!
Haveyoueverheardanythingsoridiculous?
Ican’tunderstandwhy/howanyonecansay/believe/dothat!
Ijustdon’tgetit.
Canyoubelieveit?
Whatdotheythinkthey’redoing?
Don’tmakemelaugh!
Getoutofhere!
Disbelief
Youcan’tbeserious!
You’repullingmyleg/makingitup!
There’snowayonearth!
Yougottabekidding/joking!
Thisispathetic/unbelievable/ajoke!
Dialogue:TheBestIdeaI’veHeardSoFarThisdialogueimaginesacoffeebreakatthelocalcafé.Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Bob:So,youguysgoingtothemeetingtonight?Ray:Youmeanthetown-hallmeetingaboutthenewresorttheywanttobuildnearCoralBeach?Tom:ThewayIlookatitaresort’sjustwhatweneed.Bob:Idisagree.Thelastthingweneedissomethingthat’llonlymakemoneyforahandfulofstrangers.Ray:Well,ifyouaskme,aresortwouldbringalotofbusinessintothecommunity.Asamatteroffact,thatmarineresortatBedfordHarbourincreasedtaxrevenuesbymorethan25percent.Tom:Weallknowthistowncoulduseaboostlikethat.Ray:Icouldn’tagreewithyoumore.Asitistherejustaren’tenoughjobstokeepouryoungpeoplehere.Bob:I’mnotsosurearesort’stheanswer.Imeanmostofthejobsareseasonal,low-payingservicejobs.Tom:Inmyopinionaseasonaljob’sbetterthannojob.Besidestouristsneedcafésandrestaurants,andthatmeansbusinessopportunities.Bob:Yeah,butyoucan’tliveoffthetouristsinthewinter.Joe,what’syourtakeonthis?Joe:Quitefranklyitdoesn’treallymattermuchwhatanyofusthink.Ray:Whatdoyoumean,Joe?Joe:ThewayIseeit,thedecision’salreadymade.Thosedevelopershavegotthetowncouncilintheirpocket,andthismeeting’sjustawaytomakeeverybodythinkthey’vegotasay.Bob:Regardless,I’mgoingtothemeetinganyway.Somebody’sgottospeakout.Ray:Goodpoint,Bob.Afterall,itisafreecountry.
Tom:Wellifitwereuptome,I’dgiveitthegreenlight.It’stimewestartedlookingforwardinsteadofbackward.Ray:Yousaidit,Tom.Itseemseverytimesomebodycomesupwithanewidea,everybody’sagainstit.Joe:C’mon,youguys.Rememberourcostoflivingwillgoupaswell.Tom:Andsowillpropertyvalues.Idon’thaveanythingagainstthevalueofmyhousegoingup,doyouguys?Ray:Letmegiveyouagoodexample.IknowacoupleinBedfordHarbourwhosoldtheirhouseforfivetimeswhattheypaidforit.Youhavetoagreethat’saprettygoodreturn.Joe:Butthatalsomeansitcostsfivetimesmoreforayoungcoupletobuyahouse,andhowmanyyoungpeoplecanaffordthat?Ray:WhatdidIsay?Somepeoplejustcan’tlookonthebrightside.Joe:WhattheyshoulddoinsteadismaketheCoralBeachareaintoapark.Tom:Getreal,Joe.Weneedjobs,notparks.Jan:Sorrytointerrupt,butitlookslikeyouguyscouldusesomemorecoffee.Bob:NowJan,that’sthebestideaI’veheardsofar.
TopicsforPracticeWhat’syouropinionof:
1.gambling;
2.womeninthemilitary;
3.divorce;
4.cosmeticsurgery;
5.schooluniforms;
6.extremesports;
7.electriccars;
8.bingedrinking;
9.foreignexchangeprogramsforhigh-schoolstudents;
10.tattoos?
Howwouldyouasksomeonehisorheropinionon:
1.usingcellphonesincars;
2.customerserviceindepartmentstores;
3.fast-foodrestaurants;
4.violenceinmovies;
5.testingcosmeticsonanimals;
6.recycling;
7.publictransportation;
8.livingtogetherbeforemarriage;
9.advertisingontelevision;
10.Internetdating?
Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingopinions?
1.Childrenshouldlearnaforeignlanguageatanearlyage.
2.Thevotingageshouldbeloweredto16.
3.Peoplewhoarecaughtdrivingwhentheyaredrunkshouldlosetheirlicenseforlife.
4.Peoplewhocollectwelfareshouldhavetodosomekindofjobtoearnthemoneytheyreceivefromthegovernment.
5.Stoppingclimatechangeistheresponsibilityofindustry.
6.Carsthatrunongasolineshouldbephasedoutinfavorofcarsthatuseelectricity,solarpower,andotheralternativefuels.
7.Religionshouldnotbetaughtinpublicschools.
8.Parentsshouldnotbeallowedtospanktheirchildren.
9.ItisdangerousforchildrentousetheInternet.
10.TheOlympicGameshavebecometoocommercial.
VocabularyNotes
*Source:http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats9.htm.
**Source:Alcohol,TraumaandImpairedDriving,4 thedition,2009.MADD.
*Source:ClimateChangeIndicatorsintheUnitedStates,EPA,https://www.epa.gov/climatechange/climate-change-basic-information.
CHAPTER
GroupDiscussions
Objectivestoleadandmanageagroupdiscussion
toparticipateinagroupdiscussion
Anexperiencedsoftwaredeveloperwithastrongmanagementbackground,Abdulazizhasbeenpromotedtothepositionofbusinessdevelopmentandsolutionsmanagerinaspecialistrecruitmentconsultancy.InthischallengingpositionAbdulazizwillhavetheopportunitytousehismanagementandcommunicationskillstoleadaninternationalteamofITandsoftwaredevelopers,andtobuildcruciallinkswithabroadnetworkofpartnersinNorthandSouthAmerica,Europe,theMiddleEast,Africa,andAsiaPacific.DuringhisstudiesintheUnitedStates,Abdulazizdevelopedasolid
commandoftechnicalEnglishandheisconversantinbusinessterms.Nowthathewillbeco-coordinatingandconductingworkshops,seminars,planningsessions,andbusinessdiscussionsprimarilyinEnglish,Abdulazizneedsabroaderrangeofphrasesinordertokeephisteamontrackandtoconsultwithseniormanagement.
Groupdiscussionsareanintegralpartofyourdailycommunicationonalllevels:personal,business,andpolitical.Throughmeaningfuldiscussions,younotonlyexchangeideasandformulatesolutions,but
youhavetheopportunitytotestthemoutonothersandreceivevaluablefeedback.
Phrases
Openers:OpeningtheFloor
LeadingaDiscussionWithoutacapableleader,agroupdiscussioncaneasilybecomeafree-for-allthatendsinfrustrationanddissension.Toassurethattimeisusedproductivelyandthatallparticipantscontributeinarespectfulandmeaningfulway,askillfulleadershouldbeableto:
providebackgroundinformation,includingfactsaboutthesituationorproblemtobediscussed;
giveeveryoneadequateandequalchancetospeak;
fieldanddirectquestions;
limitthetimeindividualsspeakandpreventonepersonfrommonopolizingthediscussionorinterruptingunnecessarily;
keepparticipantsontopic;
askspeakerstosupporttheiropinionswithfactsorargumentsandtoexplainapointthatothersmaynotunderstand;
askforagreementordisagreementfromotherparticipantswherenecessary;
summarizeatintervalsorhaveoneoftheparticipantssummarizethemainpointsdiscussedsofar;
takeavoteonmattersthatrequireadecisionormotion;
guideparticipantsinarrivingataconclusionorconsensus.
SettingtheTopic
Todaywe’regoingtodiscuss/talkabouttheupcomingtradefair.
We’reheretodaytodiscussthematterof…
Nowthateveryone’shere,let’sgetdowntothebusinessof…
Asyouknow,thismeetinghasbeencalledtodiscuss…
Ourtopicfortoday’sdiscussionis…
BackgroundInformation
We’llbeginwiththeminutesofthelastmeeting/asummaryofourlastdiscussion/arundownofwhat’shappenedsincelasttime.
Ourlast/previousdiscussion/meetingconcludedwiththedecisiontochangeourwebsite.
Beforewegetstarted,letmegiveyouanupdateonoursalescampaign.
Asyouallknow,lasttimewediscussed/talkedabout/wentoverthenewschedule…
GivingaSpeakertheFloor
AskingforComments
Whohassomethingtosaytothatlastremark/comment/point?
Doesanyoneelsehaveanythingtosay/toadd/tocontribute?
Whowouldliketomakeacomment?
Anyfurthercomments/points/remarks?
Comments,anyone?
FieldingQuestions
AskingforResponsestoQuestions
Who’dliketoanswer/take/respondtothequestion?
Doesanyonehaveananswer/response?
CouldIhavearesponse/replytothequestion?
Let’shavesomefeedbackonthelastpoint.
Anycomments?
ParticipatinginaGroupDiscussionAsaparticipantinagroupdiscussion,eachmembershould:
trytomakepointsclearlyandconcisely;
waithis/herturntospeakwithoutinterruptingunnecessarily;
avoidmonopolizingthediscussionevenifhe/shehasalottosayonthetopic;
respectotherpeople’sopinionsandtheirrighttotheseopinions;
respecttheroleoftheleaderandtrynottotakeover.
StatingaPosition
SeeStatingandOpinion,page147,formorephrases.
ReferringtoOtherParticipants’Points
Asyousaid/putit/mentioned…
Accordingtoyouropinion/yourcomment/whatyou’vejustsaid…
Torefertoyourlastcomment/point…
AskingaQuestion
IntroducinganOpposingArgument
Whatyousaidmaybepossible/true,butifyoulookat/considerthefacts…
Iunderstandyourposition,butdon’tyouthink…
Iagreeinprinciple,butyoushouldconsider…
Yourpointiswelltaken,but…
That’savalidpoint,but…
Iseeyourpoint,but…
Ontheotherhand…
MakingContradictions
Yourstatement/remarkclearlycontradictstheevidence.
I’mafraidIhavetocontradict/challengeyouonthis.
Ifyoulookatthefactsyou’llseethattheopposite/thecontraryistrue.
Didn’tyouknow/weren’tyouawarethatthefactsproveotherwise/theopposite?
That’swrong/false/justnotthecase.
Contrarytowhatyousaid…
Onthecontrary…
MakingObjections
CriticizingYourOpponent
Itisclear/obvioustousthatyouareunabletoseethedifferencebetween…
I’mafraidyoulackaclearunderstandingoftheimportanceof…
Youdon’tseemtograsp/realizethefullimportanceof…
Howcanyoupossiblypropose/believesuchanidea?
Don’tyouthinkyoushouldbemoreopen-minded?
Don’tbeunfair.
AskingforJustification
Idon’tknow/see/understandhowyou’vecomeupwiththat.
Onwhatgroundsdoyoumakethatassumption?
Howdidyoucomeupwith/arriveat/figurethat?
Wheredidyougetthatidea/thosefacts?
Whatreasondoyouhavetosaythat?
Whydoyouthinkso?
Howcome?
RespondingtoaPointorQuestion
IfImay,I’dliketoanswer/respond/replytothequestion/makeacomment.
I’dliketoaddressthepoint/theissuebysayingthat…
There’ssomethingI’dliketosayinresponse.
Iwantto/needtomakesomethingclear…
RedirectingaQuestion
What/howaboutyou?
Andyou?
Yourself?
InterruptionsAtsomepointinthediscussionyoumaywanttoaddapointoraskaquestionwhilesomeoneelseisspeaking.Insteadofbuttingin,therearephrasesthatyoucanusetointerruptpolitelyandrespectfully.Ontheotherhand,theremaybeoccasionswhenyouneedtobemoredirect.
Interrupting(Participants)
ReactingtoInterruptions(Participants)
HandlingInterruptions(Leader)
ClarificationandExplanations
AskingforClarification
GivingClarification
WhatImean/meanttosayisweneedtocutcoststostaycompetitive.
WhatI’mtryingtosay/togetatis…
ThisishowIseeit…
Iwasreallytryingtosay…
Letmeclearthisup/makethisperfectlyclear…
It’sasclearas/asplainasday.
Anyonecanseethat…
AskingforExplanations
GivingExplanations
Letmeexplain/putitdifferently/rephrasethat.
Tobeginwiththis…
Firstofall…
Foronething/foranother…
It’slikethis…
Thatistosay…
Namely…
(SeeGivingExamples,page159,formorephrases.)
Rephrasing
WhatImeanto/intendedtosayis…
Letmeputitthisway…
Bythis/thatImean…
Inotherwords…
Anotherwaytolookatit…
Misunderstandings
AskingforRepetition
Wouldyoupleaserepeatthat/saythatagain/speakup/slowdown?
Doyouthinkyoucouldrepeatthat/gooverthatagain?
Couldyourunthroughthatagain?
I’mafraidwemissedthat/couldn’thear/didn’tcatchthat.
Ibegyourpardon.
Pardonme.
Dependingonthetoneofvoice,PardonmeorIbegyourpardoncanalsomeanIdon’tbelievewhatI’mhearingandindicatesthatthespeakerisshocked,offended,orsurprised.
NotUnderstanding
Whatareyougettingat?
IthinkI’mmissingsomethinghere.
Thatdoesn’tseemtomakesense.
I’mafraidIdon’tunderstand.
That’sbeyondme/overmyhead/allGreektome.
Ican’tmakeheadsortailsofthis.
Ihaven’tgotthefoggiest/faintestidea.
Idon’tget/didn’tgetthatatall.
Canyousay/putthatinplainEnglish?
CheckingforUnderstanding
ConfirmingUnderstanding
So,whatyou’resayingisthis…
SoletmeseeifI’vegotthisright…
Sowhatyou’vesaidinfactis…
Iunderstand/see/getit/hearyouloudandclear.
Igetthemessage/picture/idea/drift.
Iseewhereyou’recomingfrom/you’regoingwiththis.
Right/allright.
ClearingUpaMisunderstanding
ManagingtheDiscussionWhenthediscussiongetsgoing,theleaderwillwanttomakesurethatparticipantsstayfocusedandontrackandthatnoteveryonetalksatonce.Intheeventofaheateddiscussion,agoodleadermayhavetocalmdownparticipantsandrestoreorder.
FocusingontheMainIssue
Themain/primary/realproblem/issue/concernishowtoraisemoremoney.
Theessence/cruxofthematter/mostimportantthingis…
Itallcomesdownto…
Thebottomlineis…
GettingAttention
Ifyou’llexcuseme/lendmeanear/payattentionforamoment.
CouldIhaveyourattention,please?
Wouldeveryonestoptalkingforamoment?
Noweveryone,listento/hearthis.
Attention,everybody!
Listenup!
Quietnow!
GettingBackonTrack
AskingforBrevity
Couldyoubebrief?
Couldyougettothepoint/spareusthedetails?
Howaboutputtingthatinfewerwords?
Whatareyoutryingtosayexactly?
What’syourpoint?
Cuttothechase.
DefusingaSituation
We’dbettertakeabreather/atime-outfirst.
Maybeweshouldallcoolofffirst.
Let’scalmdown/keepalevelhead.
Let’snotjumpoffthedeepend/getallwoundup/getaheadofourselves.
Let’snotflyoffthehandle/getcarriedaway.
Don’tgetyourshirt/shortsinaknot.
Keepyourshirton!
Wouldyoumind/watchyourlanguage?
Thatremarkwasuncalledfor.
RestoringOrder
Couldwehavesomeorderplease?
Willeveryonecalmdown/settledown?
Let’snotalltalkatonce!
Quietdown!
Silence/order,please!
InConclusionWhereasaninformaldiscussioncanendinasimplesummaryorconclusion,amoreformaldiscussionatworkorinanorganizationwillprobablyendinanofficialdecisionthatrequiresmemberstomakeamotionandtovote.
Summarizing
Tosummarize/sumup/recap…
Inbrief/short/summary…
Tomakealongstoryshort…
Longstoryshort…
Sofar…
Inanutshell…
DrawingConclusions
Toconcludeourdiscussion,itlooksliketheprojectwillcomeinunderbudgetafterall.
Therefore/thus/sowecanconcludethat…
It’ssafetosaythat…
Inconclusion…
Allinall/allthingsconsidered…
Altogether/overall…
Therefore/thus…
Theupshotis…
LastWords
Wouldanyoneliketomakeonelastcomment?
Arethereanylast/finalwordsonthematter?
Nowisthechancetomakeafinalcomment.
Thisisyourlastchance.
Speaknow,orforeverholdyourpeace.
Anylastcomments?
MakingaMotion
I’dliketomove/tomakeamotionthatweincreaseourmembershipfeesby10percent.
Imove/resolvethat…
Isecondthemotion.
AskingforaVoteorConsensus
Couldwehaveashowofhands?
Who’sinfavor/against?
Areweallinagreement?
Allinfavorsayyes/yea.
Allagainstsayno/nay.
Arethereanydissenters?
For/against?
WrappingUp
I’dliketothanktheparticipantsfortheirinput/contributions.
Iappreciateyourinput/participation/contributions.
Thanksforcoming/beinghere/takingpart.
Goodjob,everybody.
EndingtheDiscussion
Dialogue:TheHolidayPartyUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Will:Nowthateveryone’shere,I’dliketobeginbythankingallofyouforbeingontime.Asyoucanseefromtheagenda,ourfirsttopicisthisyear ’sChristmasparty.Hasanyonegotanyideasthey’dliketoshare?Erin:Sure,I’dliketoseeusdosomethingalittledifferentthisyear.Ken:Why,what’swrongwithgoingtotheplacewealwaysgoto?Erin:Justthat.It’sthesamerestaurant,samefood,sameatmosphere.Ken:FarasIknowyou’retheonlyonewhodoesn’tlikeit.Erin:Don’tgetmewrong.Ididn’tsayIdidn’tlikeit.Ken:Well,that’swhatIunderstood.Will:Let’shearfromtheothers,okay?Commentsanyone?Deb:Idon’thaveanyobjectionstotryingsomethingelse.Erin,whatdidyouhaveinmind?Erin:Well,foronethingwecouldhavethepartyhere—Ken:Here?Intheoffice?Whatfor?We’rehereallthetime.Will:LetErinfinishfirst,ifyoudon’tmind,Ken.Erin:AsIwassaying,wecouldhavethepartyhere,havethefoodcatered,playsomegames,maybeevensomemusic.Deb:Ithinkgameswouldliventhingsup,andwe’dallhaveabetterchanceto
mixthanwhenwe’restuckbehindatableforacoupleofhours.Tina:Icanseeyourpoint,Erin,butsomebodywouldhavetoorganizeeverythingandthat’salotofextrawork.Erin:Idon’tmind.Will:So,ifIunderstandcorrectly,Erin,you’dliketotakeiton.Erin:Ifit’sokaywitheveryoneelse,sure.Tina:I’dbegladtogiveyouahand.Will:Beforewetakeavote,doesanyonehaveanyfurtherquestionsoranythingtoadd?Ben:Actually,ifIcouldgetawordinedgewise.Will:Thefloor ’syours,Ben.Ben:I’vebeenthinking.Ifwehadthefoodcatered,there’dbemoremoneyfordrinks,right?Erin:I’dneedanestimateonthecatering,butwe’dhavemoneyleftover.Tina:Will,I’vegotaquestion.Will:Goahead,Tina.Tina:Idon’tknowhowwellgameswouldgoover,soIwaswonderingifyoucouldtelluswhatyou’resuggesting?Erin:Wedon’tnecessarilyhavetoplaygames.MaybeIcouldcomeupwithacontest.Ken:LikeguessthenamesofSanta’sreindeer?Deb:C’mon,Ken.Youdon’thavetobesarcastic.Will:Okay,everyone.Let’srememberit’sChristmaswe’retalkingabout.Tina:Iknow!Whydon’tweexchangepresents?Wewouldn’tneedtospendmorethanfivetotendollars.Deb:Yeah,andsomeonecandressuplikeSantaClaus.Will:Hey,nowwaitaminute.Don’teverybodylookatme!
TopicsforPracticeWithagroupoffriendsorclassmates,discuss:
1.thedetailsofatripyou’dliketotakeonaholidayweekend;
2.howyou’dliketocelebratesomeone’sbirthday,awedding,oraspecialoccasion;
3.howyouwouldsolvetrafficproblemsinyourcity;
4.whatyouwoulddoifyouwonthelotteryasagroup;
5.whatchangesyouwouldliketoseeatschoolorwork;
6.howyoucanprepareyourselfforanemergencysituationsuchasanearthquake,hurricane,orfire;
7.whatstepsyoucantaketogethertodosomethingfortheenvironment;
8.howyoucanraisemoneytosupportacharitableorganization;
9.whoyouwanttovoteforinthenextelection,andwhatyoucoulddotosupportthecandidate;
10.howyoucanmaketheworldabetterplace.
VocabularyNotes
CHAPTER
SeriousSubjects
Objectivestodiscusscomplaints,demands,mistakes,causes,andconsequences
toapologizeandmakeamends
toexpresscertaintyandpossibility
HavinggrownupinRiodeJaneiro,Gabrielaisusedtomakingcontactwithtouristsfromallovertheworld.Tohelpfinanceherstudiesinhotelandtourismmanagement,sheworkedinlocalrestaurantsandresorthotelswheresheputherschoolEnglishtogooduse.Gabriela’sdreamistostartupherownboutiquehotel,butfirstsheneedsto
acquiremoreexperienceinherchosenfieldand,ofcourse,tobringherEnglishskillsuptoaprofessionallevel.Alreadyonherfirstdayatthefrontdeskofaninternationalhotel,Gabrielawasfacedwithavarietyofcomplaintsandrequestsfromapartyofforeignweddingguests.Sheknewenoughtostaycalm,cool,andcollected,butshefoundthinkingonherfeetinanotherlanguagestressful.Inthosemomentswhenshehadtopacifydemandingguests,therightexpressionsfailedher.Gabrielacameawaynotwantingthesamethingtohappentoheragain.
InChapters7and8youlearnedhowtoconductstimulatingdiscussionsbasedonanexchangeofopinions.Unfortunately,notalldiscussionscanbepleasantorentertaining,andnotallproblemscanbesolvedthroughadvice
orsympathy,asyoulearnedinChapter5.Attimesyouwillfindyourselfinsituationsthatinvolvebroaderimplicationsandthatrequiresensitivityandtacttoresolve.
Phrases
Openers:CommonConcernsIdon’tknowwhytheydon’tdosomethingaboutthetrafficcongestioninthecity.
They/somebodyshoulddosomethingaboutthecostofliving.
Iwishsomebodywoulddosomethingabouthomelessness.
Thewasteofenergyisintolerable/unacceptable.
Gangviolenceisreallygettingtobeaproblem/hassle/pain.
It’sabouttime/hightimetheybuiltanewbridge.
Don’tyoujusthateitwhenfoodpriceskeepgoingupfornoreason?
Thelackofaffordablehousinginthiscityismypetpeeve.
Whois“they”?InEnglish“they”canrefertogovernmentoranyindefiniteauthoritythatweexpecttosolveaproblemaffectingthegeneralpopulation.
OfferingSolutionstoGeneralProblems
LevelsofLanguageWhenyouhavetobroachadifficultsubject,youcanendupinawarofwords,oryoucantrythroughtactandcourtesytoresolvetheproblemtothesatisfactionofallpartiesinvolved.Theformerendswithsomebodybeingtheloser;thelattercanresultinawin-winsituation.
Howyougoaboutdiscussingdelicateandserioussubjectsisdeterminedfirstbyyourpersonalstyleofinteractingwithothers,andsecondbythecultureinwhichyouwereraised.Whereasdirectnessisappreciatedinsomecultures,inotherspolitenessandsavingfacearevaluedmore.Inanycase,theleveloflanguageyouemployplaysanimportantroleingettingyourmessage
across.
Directvs.IndirectLanguageInEnglishchoiceofwordsisimportant,partlybecauseoftheabsenceofafamiliarandunfamiliarsecondpersonpronoun.Youisyou,regardlessofaperson’sage,position,orauthority,andofnumber.ToshowdistanceorrespectintheEnglishlanguage,youcanuseindirect,ratherthandirect,language.Thefollowingexamplesshowhowtoasksomeonetoputouthisorhercigarette.
Usingdirectorindirectlanguagecanmakeadifferenceinsituationswhereyouhavetonegotiateanoutcome.Lookatsomeofthewaysyoucanturndirectintoindirectlanguage:
Direct Indirect
Iwanttohave… Iwouldliketohave…
Idon’twantto. I’dreallyrathernot/I’dprefernotto.
Idon’tlikethat. I’dreallyprefersomethingelse.
Idon’tknow. I’mnotquitesure/I’llhavetocheckonthat.
Youmust/havetoleave.
Isuggest/recommendthatyounotstaymuchlonger.
Don’tuseyourcellphone.
I’dappreciateitifyou’drefrainfromusingyourcellphone.
Stoptalking! Wouldyoumindnottalking?
Ican’t. I’mafraidit’snotpossible.
Wehavenochoice. Weareforcedunderthecircumstancesto…
No! Letmethinkaboutthis.
That’sbad. That’snotparticularlygood.
Wecanalsotempermeaningbyaddingthefollowingwordsasadjectivesoradverbs:
alittle,alittlemore/less
somewhat/rather
perhaps/maybe
Itmight/maybe
particularly/terribly/really/allthatmuch
Examples:
Ifindthesituationsomewhat/ratherannoying.
Perhaps/maybeyoucouldmakeafewchangestotheschedule.
We’dappreciateitifyou’dbealittlemoreaccommodating.
Idon’treallycareforthisseatingarrangement.
Saying“No”Nicely
Anegativeanswercanbethesimplestandperhapsthemosthonestone,buttherearetimeswhenitmaybenecessarytowordarefusalinmilderlanguage.
I’dliketojoinyou,butIreallyhavetobesomewhereelseinafewminutes.
Sorry,butIdon’tthinkIcanfindwhatyou’relookingfor.
I’mafraidIcan’ttakeyourcallatthismoment.
I’dreallyrathernotgointothedetailsifyoudon’tmind.
Thanks,butasubstituteisnotwhatIhadinmind.
BeingPositive
Inunpleasantandstressfulsituationsyoucaneasilyseeonlythenegativesideofthings.Althoughoptimisminsuchcircumstancescanappearinappropriate,atalentformaintainingapositiveattitudecanrelievestressandrelaxtension.
I’msure/convinced/positivethatyourinsurancewillcoverthedamage.
Onthebrightside/onapositivenote…
Lookingatthepositiveside…
Optimisticallyspeaking…
Tobeoptimistic/positive…
Irony,Sarcasm,andEuphemismDependingonthetoneofvoice,however,indirectlanguagecanbeturnedintodirectlanguage.Whatmaysound“nice”mayconveyquitetheopposite.Englishspeakersoftenuseirony,sarcasm,tongue-in-cheek,andeuphemismsthatnon-nativeEnglishspeakersmayfinddifficulttointerpret.Takealookatthefollowingexamples:
Irony(usingwordsthatmeantheoppositewiththeintentionofbeingwittyorfunny)
Examples:(afterthreedaysofsolidrain)Don’tyoujustlovetherain?(aboutuncleardirections)Thesedirectionsareasclearasmud.
Sarcasm(usingsharpwordsthatmeantheoppositewiththeintentionofmocking,insulting,orwounding)
Examples:(toaslowwaiter)Youreallydidn’thavetobeinsuchahurry!(tosomeonewhohasn’tcalledyouinalongtime)Iwaswonderingifmaybeyou’dhadyourphonedisconnected.Youneverseemtouseit.
Tongue-in-cheek(sayingsomethingthatonedoesn’tmeanseriously,andindicatingsowithafacialexpressionsuchasawink)
Examples:(tosomeonewhohasahangover)My,youlookfreshandbouncythismorning!
(pretendinginnocence)Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.
Euphemism(usingmildwordsforsomethingunpleasantoroffensive)
Examples:Wehadaminordisagreement(insteadofbigfight).Carthieftopoliceman:“ButIwasonlyborrowingit”(insteadofstealing).
HumorinEnglish-languagecultures,particularlywhatisknownas“black”or“gallows”humor,isbasedonsarcasmandirony,andsitcomsandcomedyroutinesarefullofexamples.Non-nativespeakerswillwonderwhat’ssofunny,especiallywhenanativeEnglishspeakerappearstobeveryseriousandsayssomethingironic,sarcastic,oreuphemisticwithastraightface.Asanon-nativespeaker,youwillnotbeexpectedtouselanguagelikeanativespeaker,butyoushouldbeawareofthesignals.Themorepositiveorpleasantaremarksounds,oftenthemorenegativethemeaning.
CommonRejoindersUsedIronicallyorSarcastically
Ohreally?
Howaboutthat!
Youdon’tsay!
Iwouldneverhaveguessed!
Well,I’llbe!
Isn’tthatnice/lovely/justwonderful!
Howkind/sweet/considerate/thoughtful/interesting!
I’veneverbeensohappy/glad/pleasedinallmylife.
Thankyouverymuch!
ComplaintsandDemandsInadditiontodiscussingpersonalproblems,asyoulearnedinChapter5,youwillfindyourselfhavingtodealwithproblemsthatinvolveotherpeople.Perhapsyou’redissatisfiedwiththeserviceyoureceivedinastore,orsomeonemadeamistakethatnegativelyaffectsyou.Complaintsanddemandsrequireadegreeoftactanddeterminationwhenyouwanttogetyourpointacross.
MakingaComplaint
Iwishtoexpressmydissatisfaction/disappointmentwith/concernaboutthechargesonmylaststatement.
Iwant/wishtocomplainabout/toobjecttothenoiseinthebuilding.
I’dliketofile/tolodgeacomplaintagainstmylandlord.
Thereseemstobeaproblemwith/mistakeonmyinvoice.
Ihaveacomplaint/beefabout/anissuewiththerepairsthatweredonetomycar.
I’mupset/unhappy/dissatisfied/displeased/annoyedwithmyorder.
I’mhavingaproblemwithmycableservice.
Myprescriptionisnotokay/inorder/howitshouldbe.
Somebodymesseduponmypointscard.
AskingforDetails
Whatexactly/specificallyseemstobethematter/theproblem?
Whatistheexactnatureofyourcomplaint?
Canyougivemeadetailedaccountoftheevent?
Canyouprovideuswithdetails/specifics?
What’sallthefuss?
RespondingtoaComplaint
I’llseewhatIcandoaboutit.
We’lltakecareof/seetoitrightaway.
We’reheretohelpyou.
I’msurewecanworkthisout/gettothebottomofthis.
ShowingUnderstandingorAgreement
Seepage96forphrasestoshowsympathyandunderstanding,andpage152foragreeingwithanopinion.
Misinformation
Iwasled/madetobelievethattheservicewasincludedintheprice.
IwasundertheimpressionthatIwouldreceiveairmiles.
Ithought/understoodthattherewerenointerestchargesonthebalance.
Iwastold/informedthatanagentwouldtakecareofthematter.
They/someonetoldmethattherewerenoextraservicefees.
StatingaRequest
MakingDemands
BeingFirm
That’soutofthequestion.
I’mnotbudging/moving/givinganinch.
I’mstickingtomyguns.
Iinsistonmyrights.
He’splayinghardball.
Youdriveahardbargain.
RulesandConditionsWhenyouenterintoagreementsorarrangementswithotherpeople,itisnecessarytostatetherulesandconditionsinspecificanddetailedlanguagesothateveryoneknowswhatisexpectedofhimorher.
Conditions
Ifyousignathree-yearcontract,youwillgetacellphoneforfree.
Unlessyousignathree-yearcontract,youwillhavetopayextraforthecellphone.
Youwillgetafreecellphoneprovided/ontheconditionthat/giventhatyousignathree-yearcontract.
Aslongasyousignathree-yearcontract,youwillgetacellphoneforfree.
Subjectto/dependingonthecontract,youeitherwillgetacellphoneforfreeorhavetopayextraforit.
Thecostofthecellphonedependson/iscontingentuponthelengthofthecontract.
Thetermsofthecontractstatethatyoumustsignathree-yearcontractinordertogetafreecellphone.
RulesandRegulations
Parkingisnotpermitted/allowedonthisstreet.
Smokingisprohibited/forbidden/bannedonairplanes.
Accordingtotherules/lawyoumaynotusehandhelddeviceswhiledriving.
Therulesstate/saythatyoumaynot/youarenotallowedtouseahandhelddevicewhiledriving.
Useofthepoolandwhirlpoolwillbelimitedtothehoursbetween10:00a.m.and4:00p.m.
Allguestsandresidentswillbeliableforanydamagetotheproperty.
Noreturnsonsaleitems.
Importance
Itisimportant/necessary/essentialtoreadthetermsoftheagreementcarefully.
Especially/particularly/importantly/firstlyyoushouldreadthetermsoftheagreementcarefully.
Firstandforemost/aboveall/inparticularyoushouldreadthecontractcarefully.
Whateveryoudo,readthecontractcarefully.
Thisinquiryhashighpriority.
BadNewsandGoodNewsAccordingtoapopularsaying,nonewsisgoodnews.Deliveringgoodnewscanbeapleasanttask,whereasbreakingbadnewsisdifficult,especiallywhenyouriskhavingtodisappointorangeranotherperson.Inbothcases,youcanuseavarietyofphrasesthatwillfitthesituation.
BadNews
Iregrettosay/toinformyouthattherehasbeenanaccident.
Ihatetobreakthistoyou,but…
I’msorry/afraidtohavetosaythat…
I’mnotsure/don’tknowhowtotellyouthis,but…
Itgivesmenopleasureatalltotellyouthat…
IwishIhadanotherwaytobreakthistoyoubut…
Unfortunately/regrettably/apparently…
Itseems/appearsthat…
Forsomereason/someoddreason…
Youmaynotwanttohearthis,but…
AvoidinganUnpleasantSubject
Doyouthinkyoucouldchangethesubject?
Can’twetalkabout/discussthissomeothertime?
DoIhavetohear/listentothis?
I’mreallynotinterested.
That’snotwhatIneedtohearrightnow.
Sparemethedetails.
Keepittoyourself!
ChangingtheSubject
Ifyoudon’tmind,I’dliketochangethesubject/topic.
Itwouldbeniceifwechangedthesubject/topic.
Could/canwechangethesubject?
Can’twetalkaboutsomethingelse?
Haven’twediscussed/talkedaboutthisenoughalready?
Howaboutswitchingtoanothersubject/topic/somethingmorepleasant?
GoodNews
Fortunately/luckilynoonewashurtandnothingvaluablewaslostinthefire.
Asluckwouldhaveit…
Onthegood/positive/brightside…
Luckyforyou…
Itturnedoutthat…
Today’syourluckyday!
CausesandConsequencesTheexpectedresultorconsequenceofaparticularactionisanimportantfactorinanyin-depthdiscussion.Beforeyoucanarriveatanacceptablesolution,youwillalsowanttoinvestigatethecauseoftheproblem.
CauseandEffect
Maildeliverywillbedisruptedbecause/since/asthereisapostalstrike.
Maildeliverywillbedisruptedbecauseof/dueto/asaresultof/onaccountofthepostalstrike.
There’sapostalstrike;therefore/asaresult/consequentlymaildeliverywillbedisrupted.
Duetothefactthatthere’sapostalstrike,maildeliverywillbedisrupted.
Aslongasthere’sapostalstrike,maildeliverywillbedisrupted.
ResultsandConsequences
Thepostalstrikecancause/leadto/resultin/beresponsibleforadisruptioninmaildelivery.
Thedisruptioninmaildeliveryisattributedto/couldhappenbecauseof/isadirectresultofthepostalstrike.
Thepostalstrikecouldleadto/resultin/contributetoadisruptioninmaildelivery.
Asaresultof/theconsequenceof/duetothepostalstrike,maildeliverywillbedisrupted.
Theresult/consequence/outcomeofthemailstrikewillbeadisruptioninmaildelivery.
There’sapostalstrike;hence,adisruptioninmaildeliverywilloccur.
Ifnothingisdoneaboutthepostalstrike,therewillbeadisruptioninmaildelivery.
Themailstrikewillendupinadisruptionofmaildelivery.
Worst-casescenariowouldbeadisruptioninmaildelivery.
Effects
Social-networkingaffects/impacts/influencescommunication.
Social-networkinghasaneffect/impact/influenceoncommunication.
Social-networkinghasmade/makesadifferencetocommunication.
Toexpressthedegreeofeffectonethinghasonanother,youcanaddthefollowingadjectives(andadverbs):
Positive Negativemajor/significant minorserious/grave slight/minimalpermanent/lasting temporary
CertaintyandPossibilityNobodycanseethefuture.Nevertheless,beforeyoumakeadecisionorreach
anagreement,youwillneedtopredicttheoutcomeoratleastconsiderthepossibilities.
Certainty
100percent Ourcandidatewill/won’twintheelection.
99percent Ourcandidatecan’t/couldn’tlosetheelection.
95percent Ourcandidatemust/hastowintheelection.
Ourcandidatecanwintheelection.
75to90percent
Ourcandidateshould/ought/isbound/islikelytowintheelection.
Chancesare/there’sa(good)chanceourcandidatewillwintheelection.
Lessthan50percent Ourcandidatecouldwintheelection.
Ourcandidatemay/mightwintheelection.
MakingDeductionsAboutRecentResults
100percent TheCPI(consumerpriceindex)hasincreased.
TheCPIcouldn’thavedecreased.
95percent TheCPIhastohave/musthaveincreased.
75percent TheCPIcouldhaveincreased.
50percent TheCPImight/mayhaveincreased.
Possibility
Itispossible/feasible/plausibletobuildacityonthemoon.
Someonecan/couldbuildacityonthemoon.
Therearewaystobuildacityonthemoon.
Buildingacityonthemoonisdoable/viable.
Itwouldn’tsurprisemeifsomeonebuiltacityonthemoon.
Impossibility
Itisimpossible/unfeasible/implausible/unrealistic/notviabletobuildacityonthemoon.
There’snoway/nopossiblewaythatpeoplecouldbuildacityonthemoon.
Acityonthemooncouldn’t/won’thappeninamillionyears.
Buildingacityonthemoonisridiculous/ludicrous/astretch/apipedream/anillusion/outofthisworld.
Toincreasethedegreeofcertainty/uncertaintyorpossibility/impossibilityyoucanusethefollowingadverbs:
100percent certainly,definitely,absolutely,unquestionably,undoubtedly
80–90percent probably,mostlikely,likely,surely,highly,inalllikelihood
lessthan50percent
perhaps,maybe,possibly,conceivably,foralloneknows
Examples:Therewilldefinitelybesomebigchangescoming.Thegovernmentwillprobablycutsocialprogramstosavemoney.Foralloneknowswecouldrunoutofoilsoonerthanwethink.
ApologiesandAgreementsAsimpleapologycanbethebestwaytohealhurtfeelingsandmakeamendsformistakesandmisunderstandings.Sorrymaybeasmallword,butsayingyou’resorrycangoalongway.
MakingApologies
DemandinganApology
Youractionscallforanapology.
Iexpect/demand/insistonafull/completeapology.
IthinkI’mentitledtoanapology.
Anyconsideratepersonwouldapologize.
Iwon’tacceptanythingbutafullapology.
ExpressingRegrets
Ishouldn’thavebeensocareless/Ishouldhavebeenmorecareful.
IwishIhadn’tbeensocareless/Ihadbeenmorecareful.
Iregretmycarelessness/havingbeencareless/thatIwascareless.
RegretfullyIwascareless.
Mycarelessnesswasregrettable.
I’msorryaboutmycarelessness.
AcceptinganApology
RefusinganApology
Anapology’sanicegesture,butIneedmorethanthat.
Iexpectmorethanamereapology.
I’msorrybutit’snotenough.
Anapology/nicewordswon’tdoit.
That’sjustaneasywayout.
OfferinganExcuse
I’dreallyliketohelpyouout,butI’mnotinapositiontodoanythingaboutit.
I’msorry,butit’snotuptome/myresponsibility/mydepartment.
IwishIcould,butit’snotinmypower.
Ididn’thaveanythingtodowithit.
You’llhavetoasksomeoneelse.
There’sreallynothingIcando.
You’vegotthewrongperson/department.
Itmusthavegottenlostintheshuffle/fallenthroughthecracks.
Myhandsaretied.
RecognizinganErrororAccident
MakingAmends
SettlingDifferences
Howaboutifwesettleourdifferences/thescore?
Ihopetherearenobad/illfeelings.
I’msurewecanironthisout.
Let’sburythehatchet.
Letbygonesbebygones.
MakingCompromises
Weneedsomegiveandtakeonthis.
Canwemeetinthemiddle/halfway?
Let’ssplitthedifference.
Wecanworksomethingout.
It’sawin-winsituation.
ComingtoAgreement
Let’sshakeonit/signonthedottedline.
You’vegotadeal.
Youhavemyword.
We’regoodtogo/allset.
Wecangiveitthego-ahead/greenlight.
It’sadeal!
Agreed!
Dialogue:AHardBargainUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Landlord:Now,what’sthenatureofyourcomplaint?TenantA:Forthreemonthsnowwe’vebeenputtingupwithconstantnoiseduetorepairworkonthebuildingexterior.Landlord:Iunderstandthatsomerepairworkwastobedoneonthefaçadeandbalconies,anditwillcertainlyimprovetheoverallappearanceofthebuilding.TenantA:Butthere’sbeenconstantbangingandjackhammeringforthreemonthsnow.TenantB:Andbecauseoftheextremenoise,wearefrequentlyforcedtoleavethebuilding.Landlord:That’sunfortunate,butthegoodnewsisitwon’tlastforever.TenantA:Regardlesswe’dliketoknowwhywewereneverinformedbeforewesignedourlease.Ifyou’llremember,weclearlystatedfromtheoutsetthatwebothworkfromhome.TenantB:Underthepresentcircumstances,thenoiselevelcouldpotentiallyimpactourlivelihood.Landlord:Idoapologizefortheinconvenience,butthere’snothingIcandoaboutit.TenantA:Whenweagreedtorentthecondo,wewereledtobelievethatweweremovingintoaquietbuilding.Landlord:Undernormalcircumstances,itisaquietbuilding.Perhapsyoushouldcontactthemanagementcompanywhoisoverseeingtherepairwork.TenantB:Butwesignedtheleasewithyou,notthem.Landlord:Well,ifyouwanttomoveout,youarefreetodoso.
TenantA:Andpayapenaltyforbreakingthelease?Landlord:Thosearethetermsoftheleaseagreement,yes.TenantB:Consideringthatwe’renotatfaultinallofthis,Idon’tthinkthat’sfairatall!Landlord:Sowhatisitexactlythatyouwantfromme?TenantA:Legallyweareentitledtocompensationforlossofpeacefulenjoyment.Landlord:Well,foryourinformationtheserepairsarecostingmethousandsofdollars,andalthoughI’mlegallyentitledtoraisetherenteveryyear,Ididnotdoso.TenantA:Wecouldgotoarbitration,butwe’dprefertosettlewithyou.Landlord:Iappreciatethegesture,butitputsmeonthespot.IsupposeIcouldofferyoua10percentreductionfromnowuntilyoumoveout.TenantB:ActuallyIwasthinkingofa30percentrentreductionretroactively.Landlord:I’msorry,butthat’soutofthequestion.TenantA:Likewesaid,wecouldgotoarbitration.Landlord:Okay,here’sthedeal:I’llsplitthedifference,butontheconditionthatIrequireonefullmonth’snotice.TenantA:That’sunderstood.(ToTenantB)I’mokaywiththatifyouare.TenantB:Well,it’snotexactlywin-win,butIguessit’sbetterthannothing.
TopicsforPracticeChangethefollowingintoindirectlanguage:
1.Idon’tlikethat.
2.Theserviceinhereisterrible.
3.Youmadeamistake.
4.Idon’tunderstandyou.
5.It’sallyourfault!
6.Whatastupididea!
7.Ican’thelpyou.
8.That’sridiculous.
9.Idon’tknow!
10.Whatdoyoumean?
Howwouldyoucomplainabout:
1.amistakeonyourphonebill;
2.apackagethatyoureceivedbymistake;
3.havingtowaitalongtimetogetanappointment;
4.abadmarkonanunfairtestpaper;
5.poorserviceinarestaurant;
6.aheatingsysteminyourofficeorhomethatdoesn’tworkproperly;
7.havingbeenoverchargedforacarrepair;
8.lostluggageattheairport;
9.rushhourtrafficinyourcity;
10.ongoingconstructionnoiseinyourofficeorapartmentbuilding?
VocabularyNotes
* Theverbtoinsistisanotherofthefew,liketorecommendandtosuggest,thattakethesubjunctive.Seepage98.
PART3PhrasesforSpecialOccasions
“Goodwordsareworthmuch,andcostlittle.”
—GeorgeHerbert
A
CHAPTER
SpecialOccasions
Objectivestohostinformalandformalgatherings
toextendwishesonavarietyofsocialoccasions
syouhavelearnedintheprevioussections,thereisawidechoiceofphrasesatyourdisposalforcarryingonaconversationordiscussion.Specialoccasions,suchasawardceremonies,birthdays,weddings,
holidays,andmanymore,comewithspecialphrasesthatmaynotbeonthetipofyourtonguewhenyouneedthem.Notknowingtherightwordsattherightmomentcanbeembarrassing,butyoudonothavetobeamotivationalspeakertomasterthoselittlewordsthatoftenmeanquitealot.
Phrases
Openers:WordsofWelcomeGoodmorning/afternoon/evening,ladiesandgentlemen/friends/colleagues/fellowmembers/guests.
I’dliketowelcomeeveryonetoourmeeting/gathering/celebration.
Welcome,ladiesandgentlemen/everyone.
Hello/hi/greetings,everyone.
It’sgood/nice/greattoseeallofyou.
I’mgladyoucouldallbeheretoday/thisevening.
HonorsandAwardsWhenitcomestopresentingandacceptingawards,youcanfindyourselfatalossforwordsnotonlybecauseyoumaybenervousbutalsobecauseyouwanttosayjusttherightthing.
PresentinganAwardorHonor
ItgivesmegreatpleasuretocalluponElenatoacceptthisaward/scholarship/trophy.
Andtheaward/scholarship/trophygoestoYuan-Ting.
We’regatheredheretopaytributetoagreatfriendandcolleague.
Pleasestandupfor/putyourhandstogetherforAli.
Andnow,themomentwe’veallbeenwaitingfor.
AcceptanceSpeeches
I’mhonored/pleased/thrilledtoacceptthisaward/scholarship/trophy.
It’sagreathonor/pleasureformetoacceptthisaward.
I’dliketothank/toexpressmygratitudetomyparents/family/wife/husband/partners/teachers.
Icouldn’thavedoneitwithoutthesupportofmyparents/family…
Myspeechwouldnotbecompletewithoutawordofthanksto…
Myheartfeltthanks/deepestappreciationgoesoutto…
Announcements
Ladiesandgentlemen,I’mpleasedtoannounce/reportthatthisyearhasbeenaverysuccessfulone.
I’dliketotakethisopportunitytoannouncethewinnersofthecompetition.
Iwanttomakeaspecialannouncementatthistime.
Ifyouwouldlendmeyourearforthisshortannouncement.
CouldIhaveeveryone’sattention?
AJobWellDone
I’djustliketothankeveryonefortheirefforts/ajobwelldone/pitchingin.
IwanteveryonetoknowhowmuchIappreciateyourefforts.
Yourteamefforthasmadesuccesspossible.
You’vealldoneagreatjob.
Waytogo,team!
Congratulations
Congratulationsonyourgraduation/promotion/thebirthofyourchild.
I’dliketocongratulateyouon…
Allthebestforyourstudies/newjob/family!
We’rereallyproudofyou!
Goodshow!
Lotsofluck!
SpecialOccasions
Onelookinthegreeting-cardsectionofanygiftshopordrugstorewillshowyouthenumberofoccasionstherearetocelebrate.Whereasagreetingcardmayexpresswhatyoumeantosaymorepoeticallyandevencleverly,themostsincerewishesarethoseyoudeliveryourselfinsimple,personal,andheartfeltlanguage.
Toasts
Let’sdrink/raiseaglasstothebrideandgroom.
Here’satoasttothehappycouple/thegraduates.
Here’stoyou!
Birthdays
Wewishyouahappybirthday!
Allthebestonyourbirthday!
Bestwishesonyourbirthday!
Manyhappyreturns!
HappyBirthday!
Mayallyourwishescometrue!
WeddingsandEngagements
Congratulationsonyourengagement/wedding!
Wewishyoualongandhappymarriage/lifetogether.
Allthebestforthefuture.
Ourblessingstoyou!
Youmakealovelycouple!
Anniversaries
HappyAnniversary!
Mayyouhavemanymoreyearstogether!
GivingaPresent
Pleaseacceptthispresentasatokenofourappreciation/affection.
Here’salittlesomethingforyou.
Thisisforyou.
AcceptingaPresent
That’sverythoughtful/considerateofyou.
Youreallyshouldn’thave.
Youdidn’thaveto.
You’retoomuch!
Ican’twaittoopenit.
Howsweet!
Forme?
Vacations,Holidays,andTripsAlthoughitmaynotbenecessarytowishsomeoneagoodtriporaniceweekend,it’scommoncourtesytodoso.
WishesfortheWeekend,Holidays,andVacation
Haveagood/greatweekend/holiday/vacation.
Haveagoodtime/funonyourholiday/vacation.
Ihopeyouhaveagreatholiday/weekend/vacation.
Enjoyyourvacation.
Haveagreat/safetrip/flight/journey.
Bonvoyage!
WelcomingSomeoneBack
It’sgoodtoseeyou’reback.
Great/nice/goodtohaveyouback.
We’regladyou’reback.
Wemissedyou.
Welcomeback.
NationalHolidays
Christmas MerryChristmas/HappyChristmas/Season’sGreetings!
NewYear ’s HappyNewYear!
Easter HappyEaster!
Thanksgiving HappyThanksgiving!
General HappyHolidays!
DiningAnyonewouldagreethatacelebrationorsocialoccasioninanyculturewouldn’tbethesamewithoutfoodanddrink.
Toasts
Here’stoyourhealth.
Let’sdrinktoyourhealth.
Here’slookingatyou!
Cheers!
Bottomsup!
BeforeaMeal
Althoughyoucanusethefollowingexpressionstowishsomeoneagoodmealor“appetite”beforeameal,thereisnoauthenticexpressioninEnglish,andsoEnglishhasborrowedfromFrench.Infact,peopleinEnglish-speakingcountriesrarelysayanythingbeforeameal.Why?That’sagoodquestiontowhichthisauthorhasn’tfoundagoodanswer.
Ontheotherhand,itismorecommon,particularlyamongChristianfamiliesintheUnitedStates,tosay“grace”beforeameal;thatis,tothankGodoraskHimtoblessthefood.Whilegraceisbeingsaid,peopleatthetablebowtheirheadsinprayerandsometimesjoinhands.
Bonappétit!
Enjoyyourmeal!
Haveanicemeal/goodlunch!
ComplimentingtheHost
Thatwassome/agreatmeal!
Ireallyenjoyedthemeal!
You’reagreat/terrificcook!
Thefoodwasreallydelicious!
Youwentallout/reallyknockedyourselfout!
PersonalNotes
Undoubedtlyyouhavefamily,friends,classmates,colleagues,andacquaintanceswhomeanalottoyou,andonaneverydaybasisyoucanshowthemthatyoucarebysimplysayingsomethingkindandthoughtful.Aswithgivingpresents,it’sthethoughtthatcounts.
PassingonGreetings
Sayhello/hitoyourwife/husband/familyforme.
Givemyregards/bestwishestoyourparents.
Passonmybestwishestoyoursister.
RemembermetoLasse.
Sickness
Saying“Blessyou”aftersomeonesneezesisprobablyoneofthefirstexpressionstodowithhealththatanon-nativeEnglishspeakerlearns.
Ihopeyourecover/getbettersoon.
Takegoodcareofyourself.
Getwell/bettersoon!
FuneralsandaDeathintheFamily
I’msorryforyourloss.
Mysympathies/heartfeltcondolences.
Ourthoughts/prayersarewithyou.
Myheartgoesouttoyou.
You’llbeinourprayers.
Dialogue:HappyBirthday!
Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.
Andy:Okay,everybody.Hereshecomes.(Heturnsofflight.)Ella:(Sheopensthedoor.)Hey,why’sitsodarkinhere?(Sheturnsonthelight.)Together:Surprise!Surprise!Ella:What—Together:HappyBirthday,Ella!Ella:Oh,mygoodness!Maya:Manyhappyreturns!Andy:HappyBirthday,honey!Dave:Allthebest,Ella!Ella:Idon’tbelieveit!Dave:AndherecomesMayawiththebirthdaycake.(Everyonesings“HappyBirthday.”)Ella:My,youshouldn’thavegonetosuchtrouble.Andy:Well,youonlyturn40once.Ella:Iwashopingyou’dallforget.Dave:Thinkofitthisway,Ella:you’renotgettingolder,you’regettingbetter.Ella:Isn’tthatwhattheysayonhaircolorcommercials?Maya:Comeon,Ella,blowoutthecandles,anddon’tforgettomakeawish.Ella:Okay,Iwon’t.Heregoes.(Sheblowsoutthecandles.)Andy:Goodjob!Nowtimeforatoast!(Hehandsoutglassesofchampagne.)Here’stoElla!Dave:Toyourhealthandhappiness!Maya:Andtomanymorebirthdays!Ella:Cheers!(Everyonedrinks.)Ella:Wow,myfavoritechampagne!Thiscan’tgetanybetter.Andy:Waittillyouopenthis.Ella:Youdidn’t!Idon’tknowwhattosay.Andy:Don’tsayanything.Justopenit.
Ella:(Sheopenstheenvelope.)Aspacertificate!Idon’tbelieveit!Honestly,thismakesmyday.Maya:Andhere’salittlesomethingfromustogowithit.Ella:Abathrobe!Youguysaretoomuch.Thanks.(Shegiveseveryoneahugandkiss.)Andy:So,whatdoyousaywegooutfordinnerandcelebrateinstyle?Ella:Whataboutthecake?Andy:Wecansaveitforlater.Dave:So,whatarewewaitingfor?Maya:Ella,Iknowyou’renotsupposedtotell,butwhatdidyouwishfor?Ella:Tobe39again.
VocabularyNotes
PART4PhrasesforTelephoneConversations
“Thetelephoneisagoodwaytotalktopeoplewithouthavingtoofferthemadrink.”
—FranLebowitz
N
CHAPTER
TelephoneBasics
Objectivestoinitiateandendabasictelephonecall
toperformsimpletasksonthetelephone
WhenThaoandDuongTranimmigratedtoAmerica,theydreamedofstartinguptheirownVietnameserestaurant.Runningarestaurant,however,willrequirethemtoconductmuchoftheirbusinessoverthetelephone,andThaofeelssomewhatintimidatedbytheprospectofdealingwithpeopleshecannotsee.Willsheknowwhattosay?Andwhatifthepersonshe’sdealingwithdoesn’tunderstandher?Orshedoesn’tunderstandthem?Howwillshegettheservicesorsuppliessheneeds?
owthatthetelephonehasdevelopedfromrotarydialtocellularandsmartphones,withalmostasmanymobilephonesubscribersastherearepeopleonEarth,thetelephonehasbecomeindispensableto
personalaswellasbusinesscommunication.
Intermsofcontent,telephoneconversationsdonotdiffergreatlyfromface-to-faceconversations.Thereare,however,specificphrasesusedintelephonecalls,particularlyinformalbusinesssituations.Whatyousayandhowyousayitareimportantnotonlyinmakingagoodimpression,butingettingyourmessageacross.
Phrases
MakingaCallInEnglish-speakingcultures,itiscustomaryforpeopletoidentifythemselvesonthetelephonewiththeirfirstandlastnames.VeryrarelydopeoplerefertothemselvesasMr.,Mrs.,Ms.,andsoon.( SeeIntroducingYourself,page9.)
Inaformalbusinesssituation,youshouldstatebothyournameandthenameofyourcompany,organization,ordepartment.Ifyouareunknowntothepersonwhomyouarecalling,it’sagoodideatogiveyourlastnameaswell.
IdentifyingYourselfastheCaller
Goodmorning/goodafternoon,thisisMaryO’ReillyfromSummitPublishing.
Hello,mynameisStevenNugent.
Hi,it’sKim.
Ifyou’recallingforsomeoneelse,youcansay:
Hello,I’mcallingonbehalfofAdamatBrightmanSecurities.
AskingtoSpeaktoSomeone
I’dliketospeaktoMargaretBurke.
Could/mayIspeakto/withBill?
Wouldyouputmethroughtoanagent/asalesperson?
CanItalktosomeoneintheinsurancedepartment?
IsBrendain/there?
StatingtheReasonforCalling
I’mcallingabout/concerning/regarding/inregardtoaloanapplication.
ThereasonI’mcallingistoinquireaboutyourrates/makeacomplaint.
Ijustwantedtotouchbase/reachout.
CheckingtoSeeWho’sAnswering
Incaseyou’renotsureifyou’vereachedtherightperson,particularlyifthepersonontheotherendhasn’tidentifiedhim-orherself,youwillneedtoverify.Also,whenyoureceiveacall,theremaybetimeswhenyoudon’tunderstandorcatchthecaller ’sname.
To/withwhomamIspeakingagain?
AmIspeakingtoCustomerService?
IsthisJane/theFergusonresidence?
AskingforanEnglishSpeaker
I’dliketotalktoanEnglishspeaker.
IstheresomeonetherewhospeaksEnglish?
DoyouspeakEnglish?
ReceivingaCallWhenansweringthephoneinamoreformalorbusinesssituation,youshouldgiveinformationinthefollowingorder:
company,departmentorofficename,andgreeting
speaker ’sname
offertohelp
Statingthecompanyphonenumberisanother,butratheruncommon,waytoanswerthephone.Inaninformalsituation,suchasathome,youcananswersimplywith“Hello.”Somepeoplemayanswerwith“Smithresidence,”forexample,althoughthisisoutdated.
Andremember,it’salwaysagoodideatoputasmileinyourvoicethatwillmakeyousoundfriendlyandhelpfultothecaller.
GivingtheCompany,Department,orOfficeNameandGreeting
Goodmorning/goodafternoon,SummitPublishing.
Hello,CustomerService.
ThankyouforcallingBrewsterandWyman.
GivingtheSpeaker’sName
ThisisErinMaguire.
Seanspeaking.
Marjoriehere.
OfferingtoHelp
Howmay/canIdirectyourcall?
Howmay/canIhelp/assistyou?
CanIbeofassistance?
WhatcanIdoforyoutoday?
Allthreecomponentstogetherwillsoundlikethis:
Goodmorning,SummitPublishing.Erinspeaking.HowmayIdirect
yourcall?
ThankyouforcallingBrewsterandWyman.HowcanIbeofassistance?
Hello.ServiceCenter.Seanspeaking.WhatcanIdoforyou?
ConfirmingYourselfasthePersonAnsweringaCall
Whenyouanswerthephoneandthecalleraskstospeaktoyou,youcanreply:
Thisisshe/he.
Speaking.
AskingWhythePersonIsCalling
MayIaskwhatyou’recallingabout/inregardto/inreferenceto?
Whatisthenatureofyourcall?
Andwhatisthecallabout/regarding/concerning?
CheckingDetailsWhenspeakingonthephone,youmaymisunderstandormissinformationforavarietyofreasons:backgroundnoise,abadconnection,aperson’saccent,oryourownnervousness.
CheckingtoSeeWho’sCalling
MayIaskwho’scalling?
Whatwasyournameagain?
Andyourname,please?
Interrupting
Excuseme,youweresaying?
Justaminute,Idon’tthinkIgot/understood/caughtthat.
Sorry,Ididn’tcatchthat.
Ibegyourpardon.
Pardonme.
Comeagain.
ABadConnection
I’msorry,weseemtohaveabadconnection.
There’ssomethingwrongwiththisline.
Areyoustillthere/ontheline?
Hello?
AskingthePersontoRepeatDetails
I’msorrytointerrupt,butcouldyouspeakmoreslowly/repeatthat?
I’mafraidI’mhavingtroubleunderstanding.
Wouldyourepeatthatmoreslowlythistime?
Youweresaying?
ConnectingaCallAtworkorathome,thereareoccasionswhenyouwillreachsomeone—asecretary,receptionist,orrelative—otherthanthepersonwithwhomyouwanttospeak.Ifit’sasecretaryorreceptionist,thatpersonshouldautomaticallyconnectyouor“putyouthrough,”or“putyouonhold”untilthepersonisavailable.Dependingonthenatureofthecallandyoursuccess,orlackofsuccess,ingettingwhatyouwant,youcanasktobeconnectedwithsomeoneelse.
PuttingaCallThrough
Justamoment,please.I’llputyouthrough.
Justaminute.I’llconnect/transferyourcalltoCustomerCare.
Holdtheline,pleaseandI’llseeifBill’savailable/free/in.
Letmetransferyourcalltoanaccountmanager.
Holdon/hangonasec’.I’llgether.
AnnouncingaCaller
IhaveVeronicaGutierrezontheline.
IhaveacallforyoufromaThomasStraub.
BradleyJonesisaskingtospeaktoyou.
It’syourson.
PuttingaCalleronHold
I’msorry,Michel’sonanotherline.Wouldyouliketohold?
Dr.Lennon’llbeacoupleofminutes.CanIputyouonhold?
Doyoumindholding/waitingwhileIpullupyourinformation?
IsitallrightifIputyouonholdwhileIcheckyouraccount?
I’msorrytointerrupt,butcanyouholdwhileItakeanothercall?
Justhangon.
ReconnectingafterPuttingaCalleronHold
Hello,IhaveMichelonthelinenow.
Hello,I’llputyouthroughnow.
Beth,areyoustillthere?
InformationandServicesTelephonecallsarethemostcommonwaytoobtaininformationeasilyandquickly.
AskingforInformation
I’mcallingtoinquireabout/askaboutyourhoursofoperation.
I’dliketohavetheextensionforMs.Puccini’soffice.
WouldyougivemeJorge’scellphonenumber,please?
Iwaswonderingifyoucouldsendmeyourlatestcatalog.
Canyouprovidemewithanupdatedpricelist?
Ineedsomeinformationabouttravelinsurance.
Whatcanyoutellmeabouttheapartmentforrent?
TelephoneEtiquetteInbusinesssituations,itisimportanttousepoliteformallanguageonthetelephone.
( SeeDirectvs.IndirectLanguage,page202.)
Saying“Please”
Woulditbepossibletospeaktothemanager?
I’dappreciateitifyou’dputmethroughrightaway.
Ifit’snotany/toomuchtrouble/bother.
Ifyoudon’t/wouldn’tmind.
ExpressingThanks
Iappreciateit/that/yourhelp!
I’mverygratefulforyourassistance.
I’dliketothankyouforyourefforts.
Thankyouverymuch/alotforyourcall/returningmycall.
Thanksalot!
Response
Rememberthat“Please”isnotaresponseto“thankyou.”Whensomeonethanksyouforsomething,itiscustomarytoreplywith:
You’rewelcome!(morecommoninNorthAmericathaninGreatBritain)
Mypleasure/Thepleasurewasallmine!
Don’tmentionit!
Notatall!
Noproblem!
( SeeAppreciationandGratitude,page103.)
CallingaWrongNumber
Becausepeoplemoveandforgettochangetheircontactinformation,ortheypressthewrongdigitswhendialing,theycanendupreachingyoubymistake.Orforthesamereasons,youmightreachthewrongperson.
I’msorry,Imusthavethewrongnumber.
Iseemtohavethewrongnumber.
ReceivingaCalltotheWrongNumber
You’vegot/musthavethewrongnumber.
There’snooneherebythatname.
UnwantedCalls
Unlessyouhaveanunlistednumber(anumberthatdoesn’tappearinatelephonebook),therewillbetimeswhenyoureceiveannoyingcallsfromtelemarketers,polltakers,solicitorsfordonations,andscamartists.
I’msorry,butI’mnotinterested.
Pleaseremovemynumberfromyourrecords.
Don’tcallthisnumberagain.
EndingaCallInadditiontosayinggood-bye,asyouwouldafteranyordinaryconversation,youcanshowyourappreciationforthecallortheperson’sassistance.
Itwasnice/good/apleasuretalkingtoyou.
Ilookforwardtoyournextcall/totalkingtoyouagain.
Iappreciateyourcall/yourassistance/theinformation
Thankyouforcalling.IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpyouwith?
Thanksforyourcall
Good-bye
Byenow
Talktoyoulater/then
Takecarenow
Seeyou!
MakingSmallTalkWhenpeoplearebusy,youdon’twanttowastetimewithirrelevantormeaninglesschitchat.Butsometimes,startingaconversationbyaskinghowthe
personisandmakingacommentabouttheweather,arecentmeetingorbusinesstrip,asportsevent,orworkcanopenupthelinesofcommunication.Anditisalwaysthoughtfultoshowinterestinwhattheotherperson’ssaying.Someusefulphrasesare:
AskingAboutSomeone’sWell-Being,page22.
Rejoinders,page47.
ShowingInterest,page8.
Dialogue:TouchingBaseA:Goodmorning,MountainTrekking.Jodyspeaking.HowmayIdirect
yourcall?B:Hello,thisisTomSmith.I’dliketospeaktoMarciaGrant.A:Oh,I’msorry,Marcia’sonanotherline.MayIaskwhatyou’recalling
about?B:Well,Ijustwantedtotouchbase.A:Iseeherline’sstillbusy.CanIputyouonhold?B:Well,allright,ifit’snottoolong.A:Itshouldn’tbemorethanaminute.
(aminutelater)Marcia,IhaveTomSmithontheline.
C:Goahead,Jody.Puthimthrough.Hi,Tom?B:Hello,Marcia.How’sitgoing?C:Oh,thingsareprettycrazyasusualaroundhere,butIcan’tcomplain.
What’supwithyou?B:Well,I’vebeenonholidayforacoupleofweeks.C:Really?Where?B:IwasdoingsomeskiingupatWhistler.C:Whistler?Luckyyou!Ibetyouhadagreattime.B:Idid,butnowit’sbacktowork.C:SowhatcanIdoforyou?
B:Actually,ifyou’vegotsometime,Iwasjustcallingtotouchbase.It’sbeenawhile.
C:Youaren’tkidding.Timejustseemstofly.Listen,Tom,I’vegotameetinginhalfanhourtopreparefor,sowhydon’tIcallyouback?
B:Betteryet,areyoudoinganythingforlunchtomorrow?C:Asamatteroffact,I’mfree.B:Great,sohowaboutImeetyouatLasPalapas?Say,12:30.Mytreat.C:Sure,soundsgood.B:Okay,meetyouthere.C:Allright.Andthanksfortheinvitation.B:Mypleasure.Seeyouthen.C:Okay,byenow.
PracticeRespondtothefollowing:
1.Thanksforcalling.
2.I’dliketospeaktoManuela.
3.CanIputyouonhold?
4.I’msorry,Ariel’sonanotherline.
5.HowcanIdirectyourcall?
6.MayIaskwho’sspeaking?
7.Talktoyoulater.
8.I’mcallingtoinquireaboutyouryogaclasses.
9.IhaveaSusanKellermanontheline.
10.Isthis[yourname]?
VocabularyNotes
I
CHAPTER
TelephoneMessages
Objectivestakeandleavemessages
stateandconfirmimportantdetails
ntoday’sbusyworld,itcanbedifficulttoreachpeopleatyourconvenience.Therefore,yourelyonmessagestocommunicateimportantinformation.Knowingspecificphrasesandobservingbasicmessage
etiquettecanensurethatyourmessageisreceivedaswellasunderstood.
Bebriefandgettothepoint.Trytolimityourmessageto15seconds.Ifnecessary,prepareyourselfaheadofmakingthecallsothatyouknowexactlywhattosay.
Speakclearlyandslowly,especiallywhengivingimportantdetails,suchasphoneandaccountnumbers,orrepeatthemsothatthepersonreceivingyourmessagedoesn’thavetoreplayyourmessageseveraltimes.
Phrases
GivingDetailsoverthePhoneTelephonemessagescontainimportantinformationthatmustbeclearlystatedsothatthepersononthereceivingendknowsexactlywhomtocontactandhowtogetintouch.
Numbers
NorthAmericanphonenumberscontaintendigits:forexample,604-659-3773.Thefirstthreearetheareacode,withthelastsevenbelongingtoanindividualresidenceoroffice.Whenmakinganinternationalcall,youneedtoincludetheparticularcountrycode.
Companiesandorganizationshavewhatarecalled1-800,ortoll-freenumbers,thatyoucancallwithouthavingtopaylong-distancecharges.
Whengivingsomeoneaphonenumber,saythenumbersindividually(6-0-4-3-5-6-8-2-1-4)orthelastfourinpairs(6-0-4-3-5-6-82-14).
Forrepeatednumbers,like33,onecansaydouble-three(orthirty-three);for888,triple-eight.
Thenumber0isreadaszeroortheletterO.Withphonenumbers,itdoesn’tmatterwhichoneyouuse,butifyou’restatingapostalcodeconsistingofnumbersandletters,itisnecessarytodifferentiatebetweenthetwo.Forexample,V0R,isreadasV-zero-R,and1O5as1-oh-5.
Whengivinganinternationalnumber,youshouldstatethecountryandcitycodesandphonenumberinamannerthatiseasytowritedownorrecordaswellastounderstand.Forexample,49911/552916:forty-nine,nine-one-one,fifty-five,twenty-nine,sixteen.
Accountnumbersareusuallygivennumberbynumber.Inthecaseofalongaccountnumber,youshouldspeakslowlyor,ifyouaretakingdownsomeone’saccountnumber,repeateachnumberasthecallergivesit.
Addresses
Whengivingsomeoneanaddressoverthephone,youcanbreakthenumbersintogroupsofonesandtens,ratherthansayingthemasacompletenumber.
Examples:
683HollywoodCrescent:six,eighty-threeHollywoodCrescent(ratherthansix-hundred-and-eighty-three)
1142RoseStreet:eleven,forty-twoRoseStreet
426964HeywoodAvenue:suite/apartment/unitnumberfour,twenty-six,nine,sixty-fourHeywoodAvenue
Spelling
Becausesimilarsoundingorrhymingletters,suchasFandS,orDandT,canbemisunderstoodoverthephone,youcanusetheInternationalTelecommunicationsUnionStandardPhoneticAlphabetwhenyouspelloutanameorword.
Example:
Harper:HforHotel,AforAlpha,RforRomeo,PforPapa,EforEcho,RforRomeoA—AlphaB—BravoC—CharlieD—DeltaE—EchoF—FoxtrotG—GolfH—HotelI—IndiaJ—JulietK—KiloL—LimaM—MikeN—NovemberO—Oscar
P—PapaQ—QuebecR—RomeoS—SierraT—TangoU—UniformV—VictorW—WhiskyX—X-rayY—YankeeZ—Zulu
LeavingaMessageAtelephonemessageshouldinclude:
yournameandcompanyordepartment
thetimeanddateofyourcall
yourreasonforcalling
yourphonenumberandothercontactinformation,suchasane-mailaddress,andyourlocation(e.g.,ahotelroomnumber)ifyou’retraveling
AskingSomeonetoTakeaMessage
WouldyougiveSandoramessage?
WouldyouhaveOlgacall/ringmeback?
CouldyoutakeamessageforHelga?
CouldyoutellMartinethatI’llbeafewminuteslate?
PleasetellherI’mtiedupintraffic.
StatingImportance
It’surgent/ofutmostimportance.
It’sanemergencysituation.
Ineedtogetthisinformationtohimrightaway.
We’reonatightschedule.
Itcan’twait.
TakingaMessageWhenyoutakeamessageforacolleagueorfriendoverthephone,youneedtoletthecallerknowwhythepersontowhomtheywishtospeakisunavailable.Youalsoneedtoask:
whythepersontheywishtospeaktoisunavailable
whatthecall’sabout
whatspecificinformationthecallerwantstopasson
Whenthecallergivesyouanumberorspellsaname,youshouldrepeattheinformationtoassurethecallerthatyouhavetakenitdowncorrectly.
StatingUnavailability
I’msorry,butJohn’snotavailable/freeatthemoment.
I’mafraidFriedawon’tbeinuntiltomorrowmorning.
Marin’stiedup/outoftownatthemoment.
AskingtoTakeaMessage
Wouldyoulikemetogivehimamessage?
Ifyou’llgivemeyournameandnumber,I’llhavesomeonecallyouback/returnyourcall.
Can/shallItakeamessage?
IstheresomethingIcanpassontoher?
GivingAssurance
Whenyoutakeamessage,it’simportanttoletthecallerknowthathismessagewillbepassedon.Notetheuseofthefuturewith“will.”
I’llgivehimyourmessage.
I’llpassthatontoher.
I’llseetoitrightaway.
I’lllethimknowassoonashegetsback.
I’llhavehercallyouback/returnyourcallrightaway/assoonaspossible.
I’llseewhatIcando.
I’lldomybest.
Willdo.
DecliningtoLeaveaMessage
Ifyou’recallingaboutapersonalmatteroritmaybedifficultforsomeonetoreachyou,youcandeclinetoleaveamessage.
Thanks,butI’llcall/checkbacklater.
I’dprefertotryagainanothertime.
I’lltrylater.
OfferingAdditionalHelp
Doyouneedanythingelse/furtherhelp?
IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpyouwithtoday?
EnsuringCommunicationWhenwordsfailyouinaface-to-faceconversation,gesturescometotherescue.Notsoduringtelephonecalls,whereyouneedtoletthepersonontheotherendknowthatyou’relisteningandthatyouunderstandhimorher.Inthiscase,afewlittlewordscanmakeabigdifference.
Yes.
Right.
Okay.
Isee/understand.
Goon.
( Formorephrases,seeDiscourseMarkers,page30.)
AskingforClarification
Would/doyoumindrepeatingthat/goingoverthatoncemore?
Couldyouwalkmethroughthatagain?
Couldyourepeatthat,please?
Canyouconfirm/double-check/goovermydirections?
I’msorry,Ididn’tcatchyourname.
I’msorry,whatwasyournameagain?
LetmeseeifI’vegotthatright.
ConfirmingDetails
I’llrepeatyoure-mailaddresstoverifyit.
I’llreadthatbacktoyou.
LetmeseeifI’vegotthatright.
Gotit!
AskingforAdditionalContactInformation
DoesErikohaveyourcellphonenumber/e-mailaddress?
Canwereachyouatanothernumber?
HowcanJamesgetaholdofyouincasethere’sachangeinschedule?
Isthereanyoneelsewecancallifthere’saproblem?
ReturningaCallWhenyou’vereceivedamessage,thenextstepistocallbackassoonaspossible.
I’mcallinginresponsetothemessageyouleftformethismorning.
Hello,I’mfollowinguponyourmessageofJuly10that9:05.
ThisisSilviacallingback/returningyourcall.
Hello,thisisJack.Youcalled?
Hi,Igotyourmessage.
AnsweringMachines,VoiceMail,andTextMessages
Abusyscheduledoesn’talwaysallowyoutoleaveortakemessagesinperson,inwhichcasetechnologycomesinhandy.Whenyou’rerecordingamessageonaprivateansweringmachineorvoicemail,it’snotagoodideatoletstrangersknowthatyou’reawayfromhome.Thefollowingareexamplesonly.
PrivateRecordings
You’vereached248-5792.Pleaseleaveamessageafterthetone/beep.
Hello,thisisCarly.Sorry,butIcan’tmakeittothephonerightnow.PleaseleaveamessageandI’llgetbacktoyouassoonaspossible.
BusinessRecordings
Hello,thisisMarySullivan’svoicemail.PleasebeadvisedthatI’llbeoutoftheofficeuntilnextMondaymorning.Ifyouleaveamessage,I’llgetbacktoyouassoonasIcan.Thankyou.
You’vereachedthedeskofWon-HoPark.AtthemomentI’meitherbusywithacustomeroratameeting,soifyou’dleaveyourname,timeanddateofcall,yourphonenumberandashortmessage,I’llgetintouchassoonaspossible.Thanksforcallingandhaveaniceday.
TextMessages
Usuallyyourelyonsecretaries,receptionists,officecolleagues,andrelativestodelivermessages,butnowadayswirelesstechnologyhaspopularizedtheuseoftextmessages.Textinghasevolvedintoalanguageofitsownthatcanbeveryuseful,butrememberthattheseabbreviationsdonottaketheplaceofgrammaticalEnglish.
ASAP assoonaspossible
ATB allthebest
ATM atthemoment
B4N beforenow
BBS bebacksoon
BFN/B4N byefornow
BRT berightthere
CM callme
CU seeyou
DK don’tknow
FAQ frequentlyaskedquestions
FYI foryourinformation
HAND haveaniceday
IC Isee
IDK Idon’tknow
IMO inmyopinion
KIT keepintouch
L8R later
NRN noreplynecessary
PCM pleasecallme
PLMK pleaseletmeknow
SRY sorry
T2Go timetogo
T2UL talktoyoulater
THX thanks
WRT withrespectto
Dialogue:AMessageA:Goodmorning,PicturePerfectPrinting.Nikkispeaking.HowmayIdirectyourcall?
B:Goodmorning,I’dliketospeaktoJack.A:I’msorrybuthe’sinameetingwithaclientrightnow.CanItakeamessage?B:Yes,wouldyouhavehimcallMichellebackassoonaspossible?Mynumber ’s250-653-8225andhecanreachmeuntil1:30.A:Isthereanothernumberhecancallincasehegetsheldup?B:Yes,hecangetmeonmycellphone.It’s703-295-8840.A:Okay,letmereadthosenumbersbacktoyou.250-653-8225and703-295-8840.B:That’scorrect.A:AndmayIaskwhatyou’recallingabout?B:Yes,IhaveanotherprojectI’dliketodiscusswithhim.A:Okay,gotit!I’llhavehimgetbacktoyou.B:Thanks.Good-bye.A:Good-byeandthanksforcallingPicturePerfectPrinting.(later)B:Hello.C:Hello,Michelle?It’sJackfromPicturePerfectPrinting.Ijustgotyourmessage.SowhatcanIdoforyou?
PracticeUsetheinformationinthedialogueandfilloutthemessageform.
VocabularyNotes
“I
CHAPTER
TelephoneBusiness
Objectivestomakeappointments,bookings,andreservations
toplaceorders
toreportanddiscussproblems
couldlivewithouttheinternalcombustionengine,MTV,andtheCuisinart.Butnotwithoutthetelephone,”wroteMichaelLevine,Americanwriterandpublicrelationsexpert.Indeed,withoutthe
telephone,mostpeoplewouldfinditextremelydifficult,ifnotimpossibletoconducteverydaybusiness,suchassettingupappointments,reportinganaccidentoremergency,orevenorderingapizza.
Phrases
MakingAppointmentsWhetherit’sanappointmenttoseeyourdoctor,dentist,hairdresser,or
financialadvisorortosetupameeting,conference,orpresentation,youcanusethesamebasicphrasesonthetelephone.
AskingforanAppointment
Whenmakinganappointment,youneedtogivethefollowingdetails:
whattheappointmentisfor,orwhatyouneedtodo
whotheappointmentiswith,orwhoyouwanttosee
whentheappointmentisfor
I’mcallingtomake/setupanappointmentforahaircut/acheckup/aninterview.
I’dliketomakeanappointmentwithDr.Martin/aMemberServiceRepresentative.
Couldyousetupanappointmenttoseeaninsuranceagent?
IneedtomakeanappointmentfornextTuesday/threeo’clock.
When/howsooncanyougetmeinforahaircut?
IneedtoseeMarionaboutsomeurgentbusiness.
StatingtheDate
Therearetwowaystostatethedate:
Februarythesecond
thesecondofFebruary
Whengivingthedate,useordinalnumbers(first,second,third,fourth,fifth,etc.).
Remember:first,second,third,twenty-first,thirty-second,fifty-third,buttheeleventh,twelfth,andthirteenth.
StatingtheTime
Whengivingthetime,weusea.m.(ante-meridian)fortheperiodbetweenmidnightandnoon,andp.m.(postmeridian)fortheperiodbetweennoonandmidnight.Forexample,9:00a.m.isinthemorningand9:00p.m.isintheevening.Anotherwaytoavoidconfusionistosaynineinthemorningorsixintheevening.Ifyou’retalkingabouta2:00meeting,itshouldbeobviousthatyou’renotschedulingitinthemiddleofthenight.
InNorthAmerica,timeexpressionssuchas1400(fourteenhundredhours)appearonschedulesortimetables,butarealmostneverusedinconversation.
Whenmakingtranscontinentalorinternationalcalls,youneedtotaketimezonesintoaccount:forexample,6:00p.m.Easterntimeor8:00inthemorningyourtime.
( SeeTimeExpressions,page34.)
AskingfortheTimeoftheAppointment
When/whattimewouldyouliketocomein?
Whatday/timewouldworkforyou/suityou?
Whatwouldbethebest/mostconvenienttime?
WhattimeshallIputyoudownfor?
Would10:00tomorrowworkforyou?
What’sagoodtime/dayforyou?
HowaboutTuesdaymorningat8:30?
SettingaTimeastheCaller
Isanythingavailable/freeinthelateafternoon?
DoyouhaveanopeningFridaymorning?
What’stheearliestavailableopening?
Howsooncanyougetmein?
Howabout4:00?
CheckingAvailability
Letmecheck/see/takealookattheschedule.
Justasecond,I’llseewhat’savailable/free.
I’llsee/checkwhenthere’sanopening.
ConfirmingtheTimeandDate
3:00onOctoberthe27thisnotaproblem.
10:00onMondaymorningitis!
1:00soundsgood/great/fine.
That’llbe4:00onTuesday.
We’llseeyouthen.
SuggestinganAlternativeTime
I’msorry,Asha’sbookedupallmorning.MayIsuggesttheafternoon?
IcantryandgetyouintoseeJochen’sassistant,ifthatworksforyou.
Wouldyourathercomeinearly?
Howabout9:00instead?
MakingBookingsandReservationsThephrasesyouusetobookaflightormakeareservationdifferfromthoseonpage278onlyintermsofthedetails.
I’dliketobook/reserveadoubleroomfortwonights.
I’mplanningtogotoParisforeightdaysandneedtobookaflight.
DoyouhaveatableforfourforthiscomingSaturday?
TakingReservations
Whenareyoulooking/planningtofly?
Whatday/time/timeframeareyouconsidering/thinkingof?
Howmanynightsareyouplanningtostay?
AskingQuestionsAboutPricesandRates
Doyouhaveanyspecialratesordiscounts?
Howmuchisthefare/thedailyrate?
( Seepage71formorephrases.)
ChangesandCancellationsAppointmentsandreservations,justlikeyourbusylife,aresubjecttoeventsthathaveawayofupsettingyourplansandschedules.
ChanginganAppointment,Booking,orReservation
I’dliketochangemyappointmentwithHelenfrom3:00to4:00,ifthat’spossible.
Couldyoumovemyappointmenttonextweek?
I’msorry,butIwon’tbeabletomakeittomyappointmentwithJames.Couldyougivemeanothertime?
Ineedtochangemyreservationfortomorrow.
CancelinganAppointment,Booking,orReservation
I’msorry,butI’mafraidIhavetocancel/postpone/calloffmy3:00
appointment.
UnfortunatelyIwon’tbeabletomakeittomyappointmentwithEinar.
Sorry,butIcan’tkeepmydentalappointment.
OrdersandServicesNowadaysmanyproductsandservicesareavailableonline.Nevertheless,youmaychoosetoplaceordersmoredirectlyandpersonallyoverthetelephone.
OrderingFood
Orderingfromarestaurantthatofferstakeoutserviceisfairlyuncomplicated.Foradditionalconvenience,youcanevenfindagoodselectionofmenusinthephonebook,andunlessyouprefertopickupyourorder,mostplacesdeliverforasmallfee,orforfreeifyouplaceanorderthatexceedstheminimum.Ifyouliveinanapartment,youmayneedtogiveyourbuzzercodetothepersontakingtheordersothedeliverypersoncanenterthebuilding.
I’dliketoorderalargepizzasupremefordelivery.
CouldIhave/getafamily-sizeorderoffriedchickenforpickup?
AskingAboutDetails
Doyoudeliver?
Isthereaminimumorderfordelivery?
Howmuchdoyouchargefordelivery/extrasalami?
Howlongwillittaketogethere?
WhattimecanIexpectdelivery?
Whatareyourdailyspecials?
Whichdishesaregluten-free/lactose-free/vegetarian/vegan?
TakinganOrderforFood
Willthatbepickupordelivery?
Wouldyoulikeanysidedishes/extrasauces/beveragestogowithyourorder?
Whattimewouldyoulikethattobeready?
We’llhavethatreadyinabouttwentyminutes.
OrderingProductsandServices
I’dliketoorderaproduct/toreservetickets/tocancelasubscription.
CouldIputinanorderforaproduct/reserveseatsonaflight?
Woulditbepossibletoopen/setup/applyforanaccount?
ArrangingUtilityServices
I’dliketohavemyphone/cable/Internethookedup/suspended/disconnected.
Wouldyouseethatmyphone/cable/Internetishookedupasofthefirstofthemonth?
Ineedtelephone/cableserviceatmynewaddress.
ArrangingTransportation
Couldyousendataxito54RiverRoad?
Ineedataxi/ashuttletotheairporttomorrowmorningat6:30.
I’mregisteredatyourhotelandneedaride/apickup.
PleasehaveataxipickmeupattheFourSeasonsHotel.
DiscussingaProblem
Whendiscussingaproblemonthephone,it’simportanttoprovidebackgroundinformation:
youraccountnumber,ifyouhaveone
themodelandserialnumber,ifyou’rehavingproblemswithaparticularmachine
howyoufirstcontactedthecompanyorperson
thelasttimeyouspokeorwereincontact
StatingtheProblem
Iwaswonderingifyoucouldexplainthechargesonmybankstatement.
Itappearsthatmysubscriptiontoyourmagazinehasbeenrenewedbymistake.
Ihaveaquestionaboutthismonth’screditcardstatement.
There’saproblemwithmyInternetservice.
We’vebeenhavingsomeissueswithourcopymachines.
Can’tyoudosomethingabouttheongoingnoise?
DrawingAttentiontoaProblem
Ifyou’renotgettingahelpfulresponsetoacomplaint,youmightneedtousestrongerlanguagetomakethepersonyou’redealingwithpayattention.
Here’sthething:theshippingdelayisholdingupproduction.
It’slikethis:weneedthepartsurgently.
Listenhere:thisisjustnotacceptable.
Waitaminute,that’snotwhatIsaid.
Now,Ihaveanimportantquestion.
AskingforAssistance
HowdoIgoaboutrenewing/suspending/cancelingmycablesubscription?
CouldyouexplainhowIcanapplyforacreditcard?
Youwouldn’thappentoknowwhere/howIcantakeoutamembership?
ReportinganUrgentProblem
Ineedtoreportastolencreditcard/anaccident/abreak-in.
Cansomeonehelpmerightaway?
Thisisanemergency!
DealingwithaProblem
Whatseemstobetheproblem/trouble?
WhatcanIdotohelp?
HowcanIassist/helpyou?
ShowingUnderstandingandSympathy
Iunderstandwhereyou’recomingfrom.
Iseetheproblem/issue.
Iknowwhatyoumean.
That’sunfortunate/toobad.
( Seepage96formorephrases.)
PromisingAction
I’llseethat’stakencareofassoonaspossible.
I’llgetonthat/followuponthatrightaway.
Don’tworry,I’lldealwithit.
I’lldomybest.
I’monit!
EncouragingFurtherContact
Welookforwardtodoingbusinesswithyouagain.
Don’thesitatetocall/reachoutifyouneedanythingelse.
We’rehappytobeofservice.
Callanytime.
InConclusionBecausethecontentofatelephoneconversationdoesnotdiffergreatlyfromaregularface-to-faceconversation,youcanusemanyofthephrasesinParts1and2.Particularlyhelpfulphrasesare:
StayinginTouch,page13.
MakingOffers,page51.
AdviceandAssistance,page97.
Complaints,page105.
OptionsandAlternatives,page119.
ReasonsandPurpose,page120.
AdvantagesandDisadvantages,page122.
SettingSchedulesandDeadlines,page130.
GoalsandPlans,page131.
SolutionsandRecommendations,page164.
ClarificationandExplanations,page183.
Misunderstandings,page185.
DialogueA:Goodafternoon.CommunityClinic.Renéespeaking.HowcanIhelp
you?B:Hello,thisisWillJameson.I’mcallingtomakeanappointmenttoseeDr.
Winter.It’saboutacheckup.A:Allright,whatdaywouldyouliketocomein?B:TuesdayorWednesdaywouldbegood,andI’dpreferlateafternoonif
youhaveanopening.A:Letmesee.Wednesday’sprettyfull.Howdoes3:30onTuesdaysuityou?B:Yes,3:30worksforme.A:Allright,I’llputyoudown.Andthenamewas?B:WillJameson.A:Anditwasforacheckup,yousaid?B:That’sright.A:Okaythen,Will.We’llseeyouonTuesdayat3:30.B:Thanksalot!A:Noproblem.IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpyouwith?B:No,thanks.That’llbeit.Good-byenow.A:Good-bye.
TopicsforPracticeWhatphraseswouldyouuseto:
1.bookaflighttoNewYork;
2.orderasubscriptiontoalocalnewspaper;
3.cancelahotelreservation;
4.checkyouravailabilityforameeting;
5.makeanappointmentforahaircut;
6.callforataxi;
7.confirmanappointment;
8.suggestanalternativetimeforanappointment;
9.askaboutacarrentalagency’sweeklyrate;
10.changeyourappointmenttonextweek?
VocabularyNotes
D
AbouttheAuthor
ianeEngelhardtholdsbachelordegreesinEducation(Secondary)andEnglishLiterature(Honors).ShebeganteachingEnglishasaSecondLanguageatBerlitzSchoolofLanguagesinNuremberg,Germany.
Overherlongcareershehastaughtconversational,businessandacademicEnglishinGermanyandCanada.
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