Conversation Phrases
Requests
Will you please pass me / help me ...
Here you are. With pleasure. I'd like ...
Could / Would you help me?
Give it to me, please. Will you come ..., please? Stop it.
Go ahead. Look here.
May I ask you to do me a favour?
Excuses
I'm sorry.Excuse me, please. I'm sorry to be late. Sorry, I cannot help it. It's / That's all right. Will you excuse me for a moment?
So sorry to trouble you. Sorry to disturb / bother you.
Never mind. It's all right. It's no trouble at all.
Courtesy
How are you?I'm well, thank you, and you?
Quite well, thanks. Have a good time.
Will you come in, please? After you.
Excuse me, I'll lead the way.
This way, please. May I come in? I'm sorry to hear that. Give them my kind regards.
Satisfaction
Very good. Great. Splendid.That's fine.
I'm glad to hear that. It's good to see you again.
I'm glad about that. He's lucky!
That's OK. That's all right.
She's really cool.
Dissatisfaction
Stop it!How can he be so silly!
It's stupid! Leave her alone! I'm sick of it! I'm fed up with it! It's impossible! It's unbelievable!
Regret
I'm afraid it's true. I'm very sorry about that.What a pity. What a shame. That's bad luck! I'm sorry to say he didn't come.
I'm afraid I can't be of any help.
I'm deeply sorry.
Sympathy
Please accept my condolences.
I share your distress. Accept my deapest condolences. I'm so sorry for him.
www.englishpond.com General greetings (Formal)
1. Hello!
2. How are you? 3. How are you doing? 4. How is everything? 5. How’s everything going? 6. How have you been keeping? 7. I trust that everything is well. General greetings (Informal)
1. Hi.
2. What’s up? 3. Good to see you.
4. How are things (with you)? 5. How’s it going?
6. How’s life been treating you?
Greeting a person you haven’t seen for a long time (Formal)
1. It has been a long time. 2. It’s been too long.
3. What have you been up to all these years? 4. It’s always a pleasure to see you.
5. How long has it been?
6. I’m so happy to see you again.
Greeting a person you haven’t seen for a long time (Informal)
• How come I never see you? • It’s been such a long time. • Long time no see.
• Where have you been hiding? • It’s been ages since we last met
Part 1- Apologies
• I’m sorry… • I’m very sorry… • I’m terribly sorry… • Excuse me…
• Pardon me… • I apologize… • I’m afraid…
Part 2 - Explaining Oneself , Accepting Responsibility
• …I wasn’t very well yesterday • …I didn’t see you
• …It won’t happen again
• …I’ll be more careful next time • …I’ll finish it before I go home • …It’s my fault
• …It’s all my fault Asking people to be quiet Less polite
• Shut up! [impolite]
• Quiet! / kwaöWt / Be quiet! • Shh!
More polite
Could you be quiet, please? Conversation openers
Excuse me, is anyone sitting here? Sorry, have you got the time, please? I think we’ve met before, haven’t we? It’s really hot, isn’t it?
Are you going all the way to San Francisco? Permission and requests
Could I use your pen?
Do you mind if I borrow your dictionary? (‘Do you mind if I…?’ means ‘Is it a problem for you if I…?’)
Getting somebody’s attention Excuse me, have you got a moment?
Sorry to bother you, but could I just ask you something?
Excuse me, can you spare a minute or two?
Excuse me, are you in a
hurry? Sure.Go ahead.
It depends what it is. Sorry, I’m late already.
Talking about your background • Originally I’m from….
• I was (born and) brought up in… • I come from a (sporty/musical) family. • My proudest moment was…-ing
• I’ve always dreamt of –ing/ wanted to +verb
Describing your language ability • I’m fluent in Polish.
• I speak Spanish reasonably well. • I can get by in Portuguese.
• I speak French but it is a bit rusty. • I know a few words of Japanese. • I wish I could speak Italian.
like, such as, and that sort of thing
• I like music such as opera, choral music, and classical music.
• I really love modern music like house, rap, reggae, and hip hop.
After one or two examples, we can use an expression meaning ‘et cetera’.
• I’m fond of opera, and that sort of thing. • I like jazz, rock, and that sort of thing.
Showing a lot of interest o Wow! o Really?
o (That’s) interesting! o (That’s) fantastic
Simple good-byes (Formal) • Good-bye
• Stay in touch.
• It was nice meeting you. • I hope to see you soon.
Simple good-byes (Informal) • Bye.
• See you.
• Talk to you later. • Catch up with you later. • Nice seeing you.
Leaving a place (Formal)
• I have to leave here by noon.
• Is it okay if we leave your home at 9pm? • What do you say we leave work a little
earlier today?
• Would you mind if I leave the dinner before it ends?
• I need to depart for the airport in one hour. Leaving a place (Informal)
• I got to go now.
• I’ll be leaving from the office in 20 minutes. • How about we jet off to the shops now? • I’m afraid I have to head off now. • Let’s get off work early.
How to interrupt • Actually… • Excuse me… • I’m sorry, but… • I just want to say… • May I interrupt here?
• Do you mind if I say something? Introducing paraphrasing
o So you mean…. o What you mean is… o What you’re saying is… o So what you mean to say is… o Let me get this clear… o Let me get this straight,…
Phone greetings
more informal identifying the listener Is that Bruno Zola?
Could I speak to Bruno Zola, please?
Is that Bruno? Are you Bruno?
Is that you, Bruno? saying who you are (Yes,) speaking. Yes (it is).
introducing yourself My name’s Elena Luma. It’s Elena. I’m Elena. This is Elena. Here is Elena. Asking people to speak slowly/speak up
Sorry, could you speak slowly, please? Yes, sure. Could you speak up, please? Yes, of course. Ending a phone conversation
When you phone for information, you can often end with phrases like this: o OK, I think that’s everything I need.
o OK, I think I’ve got all the details o Thanks. You’ve been very helpful. o Thanks very much for your help. o Bye bye. Goodbye.
Thanking someone • Thanks. • Thank you. • Thanks a lot.
• Thank you very much. • Thank you very much indeed. • It was very kind of you. • I appreciate your help. • You’ve been very helpful. Thanking someone who tires to help
• Thanks anyway. • Thank you for (looking). • Thanks for (trying). • It doesn’t matter. Thanks. • Never mind. Thanks. Responding to thanks
• You’re welcome. (US) • Not at all. (formal, UK) • Don’t mention it. • (It’s) my pleasure. • It was nothing. • That’s alright/OK. • No problem.
• Any time.
Wrong: It's seven twenty o'clock. American Style: It's seven twenty. Wrong Your coat is broken. American Style: Your coat is torn.
Wrong: Susan didn't make a fault anyway.
American Style: Susan didn't make a mistake anyway.
Wrong: Would you mind posting this letter for me ? Yes, certainly.
American Style: Would you mind mailing this letter for me ? Of course not. OR ( Not at all ) Wrong: He becomes better.
American Style: He got better.
Wrong: We'll have a hearing test tomorrow.
American Style: We'll have a listening test tomorow. Wrong: I recommend you to take a long vacation.
American Style: I recommend that you take a long vacation.
Wrong: The last bus leaves at eleven o'clock. It's about eleven now, Hurry up!
American Style: The last bus leaves at eleven o'clock. It's nearly ( almost ) eleven now, Hurry up! Wrong: It was still bright outside.
American Style: It was still light outside. Wrong: Come to here.
American Style: Come here.
Wrong: Common students in US don't wear a uniform.
American Style: The average students in US don't wear a uniform. Wrong: Who cooked this salad ?
American Style: Who made this salad ?
Wrong: Different from me, she is proficient in English. American Style Unlike me, she is proficient in English. Wrong: Little children are difficult to understand that. American Style It is difficult for children to understand that. Wrong Don't step on the grass.
American Style: Keep off the grass. Wrong: I get my salary twice a month. American Style: I get paid twice a month..
Wrong: Would you like a drink ?
American Style: Would you like something to drink ? Wrong: Let me examine your pulse.
American Style: Let me feel your pulse. Wrong: I have no exercise talent. American Style: I am not athletic. Wrong: Don't expect me too much.
American Style: Don't expect too much from (of ) me. Wrong: I know his face.
American Style: I know him by sight. Wrong: I forget my hat in the house. American Style: I left my hat in the house.
Wrong: Lend me some money, for instance 500 dollars, Lin American Style: Lend me some money, say 500 dollars, Lin Wrong: I have a free time.
American Style: I am free.
Wrong: The sun rises from the East. American Style: The sun rises in the East. Wrong: The thief got in from the window.
American Style: The thief got in through the window. Wrong: Let's begin from page 10.
American Style: Let's begin at ( on ) page 10. Wrong: Did you attend college ?
American Style: Did you go to college ?
Wrong: I wanted to go to Europe last summer, but it was too expensive so I gave up to go.
American Style: I wanted to go to Europe last summer, but it was too expensive so I gave up the idea. Wrong: I'll go there at three.
American Style: I'll be there at three. Wrong: I am going back my home. American Style: I am going home. Wrong: His temperature went down.
American Style: His temperature came down. Wrong: I like green color.
Wrong: Today's newspapers has his articles on Taiwan.
American Style: Today's newspapers carries his articles on Taiwan. Wrong: Give me money, if you have.
American Style: Give me money, if you have any.
Wrong: You'll have a cold if you sleep with your window open.
American Style: You'll catch a cold if you sleep with your window open. Wrong: Somebody's knocking on the door. Go and see who he is.
American Style: Somebody's knocking on the door. Go and see who it is. Wrong: The head office is in Taipei.
American Style: The main office is in Taipei. PROVERBS
Where there's a will there's a way
When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it.
A burnt child dreads fire
A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or thinking for a lifetime. First come, first served
The first in line will be attended to first. A friend in need is a friend indeed
A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.
A hungry man is an angry man
A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a frustrated person and will be easily provoked to rage. Great talkers are little doers
Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching others usually do not do much work. Better late than never
To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all. Charity begins at home
A person's first obligation should be to help the member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others.
A great talker is a great liar
A smooth and persuasive talker may be a good liar.
All that glitters is not gold
Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive.
Any time means no time
Actions speak louder than words
Children usually learn more from the examples set by their elders than from what they are told ; a person's character is judged by the thing she does and not by what he says; actions give evidence or proof of. Fortune knocks once at every man's door
Everyone gets at least one good opportunity in his lifetime; everyone has the opportunity to be successful in life.
Great minds think alike
Wise people will normally think and behave alike in certain situations.
Never do things by halves
One should not do an incomplete or imperfect job - certain tasks must not be left half done; they must be done away with immediately.
It's never too late to mend
It is never too late to correct one's mistakes or faults. Still waters run deep
One who is usually silent and goes about his business quietly may be a very wise person.
Let bygones by bygones
One should consider forgiving one's and forget all the bad deeds done by others. Necessity is the mother of invention
When a person is in great need of something, he will find a way of getting it. Practice makes perfect
It is believed that if one practices a certain skill often, he will excel in it Prevention is better than cure
It is better to be careful beforehand than to try to solve a problem after it has arisen.
Spare the rod and spoil the child
A child who is not punished and showed the error of his ways will become unruly. Strike while the iron is hot
Seize a good opportunity as quickly as possible.
There's no smoke without fire
Rumors do not spread unless there is some element of truth in them. Two heads are better than one
It is always better to get the view of another than to rely entirely on one's own judgment.
When the cat is away the mice will play
Absence makes the heart grow fonder One usually desires another more when he or she is far away.
A new broom sweeps clean
A person newly appointed is always eager and enthusiastic in his work. Don't judge a book by its cover
Do not be deceived by appearances.
Blood is thicker than water
Family ties are stronger than any other. Experience is the best teacher
The best way to learn a job is to do it.
Look at the bright side
Be optimistic
We never miss the water till the well runs dry